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Rhode Island Current
This is the biggest challenge facing law enforcement on Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard
In the coming weeks, thousands of people from around the world will come to our islands, filling our streets, bars, restaurants, shops, and beaches – and putting enormous stress on our first responders. But the biggest challenge facing our departments – the Dukes County Sheriff’s Office on Martha’s Vineyard and the Nantucket Police Department – […] The post This is the biggest challenge facing law enforcement on Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
LEOBOR reform, safe firearms storage clear legislative hurdles, heading to McKee
The Rhode Island General Assembly took historic steps Thursday to pass contested reforms on disciplining police officers accused of misconduct and safe storage of firearms. The updates to the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights (LEOBOR) and safe gun storage now head to Gov. Dan McKee’s desk. McKee has already signaled his support on social […] The post LEOBOR reform, safe firearms storage clear legislative hurdles, heading to McKee appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Feds pledge continued commitment to rebuilding Washington Bridge
Replacing the shuttered westbound Interstate 195 Washington Bridge has not been forgotten by the federal government, the head of the Federal Highway Administration assured lawmakers Wednesday. FHWA Administrator Shailen Bhatt made the comments in response to pressure from U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) for federal aid to support the more than $400 million cost for […] The post Feds pledge continued commitment to rebuilding Washington Bridge appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Gov. McKee signs on to payday lending reform
The end-of-session push to bring payday lending reform to Rhode Island scored a big-name backer in the form of Gov. Dan McKee. The Economic Progress Institute, one of the leading groups calling to end the loophole that lets payday lenders charge triple-digit interest rates on short-term loans, announced Thursday that McKee had signed its petition […] The post Gov. McKee signs on to payday lending reform appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
On 80th anniversary of D-Day invasion, Biden and Macron honor WWII veterans at Normandy
WASHINGTON — “They were brave, they were resolute, they were ready,” President Joe Biden said Thursday at the Normandy American Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach, one of five along France’s northern coast where Allied troops invaded in 1944 and turned the tide in World War II. Biden and dozens of U.S. lawmakers traveled to Normandy to […] The post On 80th anniversary of D-Day invasion, Biden and Macron honor WWII veterans at Normandy appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Lifespan welcomes new hospital senior leadership executive at ‘pivotal time’
The largest health network in Rhode Island has added a new leader to its executive suite to oversee two of its biggest hospitals and overall hospital patient care. Sarah Frost, a health care executive with two decades of experience in the industry, started her new job as Lifespan’s chief of hospital operations on Monday, June […] The post Lifespan welcomes new hospital senior leadership executive at ‘pivotal time’ appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
States beg insurers not to drop climate-threatened homes
In the coming years, climate change could force Americans from their homes, not just by raising sea levels, worsening wildfires and causing floods — but also by putting insurance coverage out of reach. In places including California, Florida and Louisiana, some homeowners are finding it nearly impossible to find an insurance company that will cover […] The post States beg insurers not to drop climate-threatened homes appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Eleventh hour bottle bill reignites debate between environmental, business groups
Disagreement over a state bottle recycling program is as pervasive as the piles of recyclable bottles and cans littering Rhode Island streets, beaches and waterways. So it’s no surprise that controversy again clouded the bottle bill conversation Wednesday night. Hours of debate unfolded in an airless second-floor State House hearing room as a parade of […] The post Eleventh hour bottle bill reignites debate between environmental, business groups appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
U.S. Senate panel divided over climate as cause of rising insurance premiums
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate Budget Committee debated the cause of the insurance crisis plaguing homeowners around the country at a Wednesday hearing, with Democrats identifying climate change as the ultimate driving force of rising premiums and Republicans pointing to high government spending and inflation. Homeowners insurance premiums have skyrocketed in recent years, following billions in […] The post U.S. Senate panel divided over climate as cause of rising insurance premiums appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
U.S. Senate GOP prevents contraception access bill from moving ahead
WASHINGTON — An attempt to reinforce Americans’ access to contraception failed Wednesday when U.S. Senate Republicans blocked a bill from advancing toward final passage. The 51-39 procedural vote required at least 60 senators to move forward, but fell short after GOP lawmakers said the measure was too broad as well as unnecessary. Alaska Sen. Lisa […] The post U.S. Senate GOP prevents contraception access bill from moving ahead appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Progressives urge Alito recusal from Jan. 6 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court
WASHINGTON — Progressive lawmakers and organizers on Wednesday urged U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito to recuse himself from cases related to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and to testify before Congress about two flags sympathetic to insurrectionists that were displayed outside his two homes. With the Supreme Court as their backdrop, […] The post Progressives urge Alito recusal from Jan. 6 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Should sex workers be given immunity to report crimes?
A bill that would provide immunity for sex workers who witness certain crimes is advancing to the House floor, but not without some concerns from state and national advocacy groups. The House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday voted 10-0 to advance the bill sponsored by Rep. Edith Ajello, a Providence Democra. Ajello told the committee, of […] The post Should sex workers be given immunity to report crimes? appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
New York governor puts congestion pricing on hold
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday that she has directed the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to put an indefinite hold on implementing its controversial congestion pricing plan, saying she cannot “add another burden to working and middle-class New Yorkers or create another obstacle to our continued recovery.” The congestion price plan was slated to begin […] The post New York governor puts congestion pricing on hold appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar’s husband accused of swindling investor in their California winery
In fall 2021, D.C.-area restaurant owner Naeem Mohd was presented with an unbelievable investment opportunity. Two political operatives turned venture capitalists would triple Mohd’s money in just 18 months if he invested $300,000 in their new California winery. The pair had been paid in grapes by a former client and had hired a well-respected Sonoma […] The post U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar’s husband accused of swindling investor in their California winery appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
As mpox cases rise, experts urge complete, 2-part vaccinations
The number of U.S. mpox cases has more than doubled compared with last year, and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been urging clinicians across states to encourage vaccinations for those at risk. As of May 25, the nation had seen a roughly 150% increase in cases of the disease formerly known […] The post As mpox cases rise, experts urge complete, 2-part vaccinations appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Senate OKs bill adding PTSD to conditions for which first responders are eligible for compensation
PROVIDENCE — The Rhode Island Senate on Tuesday voted 32-3 to pass legislation that would extend injured-on-duty benefits for police officers and firefighters diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The legislation sponsored by Sen. Melissa Murray, a Woonsocket Democrat, adds PTSD — also called PTSI for post-traumatic stress illness — to the list of conditions […] The post Senate OKs bill adding PTSD to conditions for which first responders are eligible for compensation appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
An ensemble play: R.I. arts organizations join together to call for state support
Big things come in small packages, the cliché goes. But a proposed funding package for Rhode Island’s arts and culture economy is even smaller than advocates hoped. The Rhode Island House’s proposed version of the fiscal 2025 budget was released Friday, May 31, and includes a $10 million bond initiative for arts and culture funding. […] The post An ensemble play: R.I. arts organizations join together to call for state support appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
R.I. ethics panel rules Sen. Lawson can vote on pension-related bills
One-third of Rhode Island lawmakers collect, or could eventually receive, a state pension. Yet only one, Sen. Majority Whip Valarie Lawson, consulted with the state ethics panel on whether her former teaching career and current job as president of one of the state teachers’ unions preclude her from voting on pension-related legislation. The answer came […] The post R.I. ethics panel rules Sen. Lawson can vote on pension-related bills appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Business groups cheer, progressives knock as Mass. House axes transfer fees on high-end home sales
BOSTON — Housing advocates want real estate transfer tax. Gov. Maura Healey wants a bill. House Democrats yesterday released their take on Healey’s housing bond bill – the Affordable Homes Act – with more spending pledged but a key policy sliced out from the middle. Healey’s pitch for allowing a transfer tax on high-end home […] The post Business groups cheer, progressives knock as Mass. House axes transfer fees on high-end home sales appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Bird flu’s spread from poultry to cattle to humans provokes worry among feds, states
Dairy farmers throughout the country are on guard and the federal government is mobilizing after an outbreak among cattle herds of highly pathogenic avian influenza — once thought to be confined to poultry flocks. What’s more, the virus, also known as H5N1 or bird flu, was diagnosed in a third dairy farmworker last week, marking […] The post Bird flu’s spread from poultry to cattle to humans provokes worry among feds, states appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
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