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Rhode Island Current
Executive order limiting asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border signed by Biden
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Tuesday issued an executive order that will allow him to partially suspend asylum requests at the U.S.-Mexico border when daily unauthorized crossings reach a threshold of 2,500 migrants. “I’ve come here today to do what Republicans in Congress refuse to do, take the necessary steps to secure our border,” […] The post Executive order limiting asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border signed by Biden appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
‘Born in the U.S.A.’ still remains one of Bruce Springsteen’s most misunderstood songs
Elton John, Adele and R.E.M. did it. So did Rihanna and the Rolling Stones. If Donald Trump tried to use her music, Taylor Swift would likely do it, too. Many musicians have said “no” when politicians try using their music for campaigning. But Bruce Springsteen may be the most famous naysayer of all. In September […] The post ‘Born in the U.S.A.’ still remains one of Bruce Springsteen’s most misunderstood songs appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Only Louisiana residents will be able to request the governor’s records
BATON ROUGHE, La. — In the span of less than 45 minutes on the last day of their legislative session, Louisiana lawmakers introduced and adopted a last-minute proposal Monday crafted in a closed-door meeting to prohibit non-Louisiana residents from requesting public records from the governor’s office. House Bill 767 by Rep. Julie Emerson, R-Carencro, was originally […] The post Only Louisiana residents will be able to request the governor’s records appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Conn. Department of Public Health gets funds to help address complaint backlog
The Connecticut Department of Public Health will receive $700,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to help clear a backlog of unaddressed complaints from nursing home residents and their families. Lawmakers set aside the funding in a budget stabilizer bill passed during the final week of the legislative session. The Connecticut Mirror reported in April that the health department […] The post Conn. Department of Public Health gets funds to help address complaint backlog appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
USDA aims to aid small farmers by barring pay deductions from poultry companies
WASHINGTON — A rule proposed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture would eliminate pay deductions for chicken producers, Secretary Tom Vilsack said Monday. Under the current poultry payment system, an incentive-based arrangement known within the industry as a tournament system, farmers who raise poultry earn a base payment from the companies that buy the product […] The post USDA aims to aid small farmers by barring pay deductions from poultry companies appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Fauci defends his work on COVID-19, says he has an ‘open mind’ on its origins
WASHINGTON — Dr. Anthony Fauci defended his decision-making during the COVID-19 pandemic on Monday, testifying before Congress about his work on the virus as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases during two presidencies. House Republicans who called the hearing grilled Fauci during the contentious three-hour session about the origins of […] The post Fauci defends his work on COVID-19, says he has an ‘open mind’ on its origins appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Lawmakers want modest pension adjustments to help retirees. Not so fast, general treasurer says
It didn’t take long for Rhode Island General Treasurer James Diossa to wave a cautionary flag on lawmakers’ proposed changes to the state pension system. Less than one hour after the House Committee on Finance approved a revised fiscal 2025 budget Friday night, Diossa took to X to respond to recommended revisions in retiree benefits […] The post Lawmakers want modest pension adjustments to help retirees. Not so fast, general treasurer says appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
State-funded preschool in Rhode Island is a maze. But one engineered with a purpose.
The poet Emily Dickinson once wrote, “To wait an hour/is long.” How about two months? That’s how long Vanida Phrathep, a Providence mother of three, sat on proverbial pins and needles, wondering if her then 4-year-old son Noah would get into state-funded pre-K. “It’s the waiting that was really anxiety-provoking,” Phrathep said in a recent […] The post State-funded preschool in Rhode Island is a maze. But one engineered with a purpose. appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
An NFL kicker, who claims to be an authentic Catholic, fumbles commencement speech
When I was about 10, I wanted to be a nun. The fact that I am Jewish was an impediment, but maybe not an insurmountable one. It was not religion that lured me. It was the quiet life of contemplation that I, in my imagination, assumed that nuns enjoyed. Just a few years later, I […] The post An NFL kicker, who claims to be an authentic Catholic, fumbles commencement speech appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Greater focus on crime sparks another wave of juvenile justice bills
For decades, state legislators and criminal justice advocates have worked to change the juvenile legal system, striving to expand access to rehabilitation and keep young people from returning to crime. During this year’s legislative session, nearly every state has considered some form of juvenile justice legislation, according to a National Conference of State Legislatures database. […] The post Greater focus on crime sparks another wave of juvenile justice bills appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Conn. house prices up nearly 10% over last year, report says
House prices in Connecticut were up nearly 10% year-over-year in the first quarter of 2024, a trend of increased prices that’s stretched across the past couple of years as housing stock remains historically low. Connecticut saw the seventh highest appreciation in price across the country. Every state had year-over-year increases, and the United States as […] The post Conn. house prices up nearly 10% over last year, report says appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Education, housing and health care come out on top in lawmakers’ revised fiscal 2025 budget
Good news for transit riders, Medicaid providers and public school students, all of whom stand to benefit from the revised fiscal 2025 budget given first passage by a panel of House lawmakers Friday night. The $13.9 billion spending plan unveiled late Friday falls just shy of the $14 billion high water mark that characterized fiscal […] The post Education, housing and health care come out on top in lawmakers’ revised fiscal 2025 budget appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Mass. state agencies clear up confusion about hemp-based seltzers and gummies
Massachusetts agencies have declared that intoxicating hemp-based products can not be sold outside of licensed dispensaries and have tasked local boards of health to enforce what they say is federal law. On Wednesday, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Department of Agricultural Resources released a joint notice in order to address the recent influx […] The post Mass. state agencies clear up confusion about hemp-based seltzers and gummies appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
An angry Trump pledges to appeal ‘this scam’ conviction as Republicans vow resistance
WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump, now a convicted felon, vowed to launch an appeal based “on many things” he considered unfair during his New York trial, he said Friday in the lobby of Trump Tower in Midtown Manhattan. Meanwhile Friday, legal and political analysts predicted he will spend little if any time in jail […] The post An angry Trump pledges to appeal ‘this scam’ conviction as Republicans vow resistance appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Biden urges Hamas to accept new Israeli ceasefire plan intended to end war
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden announced a cease-fire proposal from Israel on Friday, saying the three-phase plan presented to Hamas represents the best chance to end the war. Biden, speaking from the White House, urged people around the world who have been calling for an end to the war in the Middle East to pressure […] The post Biden urges Hamas to accept new Israeli ceasefire plan intended to end war appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Former Matos campaign consultant faces criminal charges for alleged signature fraud
A consultant hired by Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos during her 2023 congressional campaign faces criminal charges alleging she knowingly falsified signatures on Matos’ nomination papers and submitted them to election authorities, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha and Rhode Island State Police Colonel Darnell S. Weaver announced Friday. The news comes two days after a […] The post Former Matos campaign consultant faces criminal charges for alleged signature fraud appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Some providers will offer low-cost internet even as federal program ends, White House says
WASHINGTON — With Friday marking the official last day of the pandemic-era Affordable Connectivity Program, the Biden administration is spotlighting commitments from over a dozen internet service providers to offer plans at $30 or less to low-income households through 2024. This comes as Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said the short-term program had to […] The post Some providers will offer low-cost internet even as federal program ends, White House says appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Some prescription drugs are hard to fill. A pair of bills could make it easier.
Stimulants can make life calmer and easier for people with ADHD. But filling these prescriptions is often stressful for patients, thanks to a compound problem that’s one part drug regulatory, one part supply and demand. Electronic prescribing confines stimulant prescriptions to a single pharmacy. Once a script is written and sent, it stays at the […] The post Some prescription drugs are hard to fill. A pair of bills could make it easier. appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Universities try 3-year degrees to save students time, money
With college costs rising and some students and families questioning the return on investment of a four-year degree, a few pioneering state universities are exploring programs that would grant certain bachelor’s degrees in three years. The programs, which also are being tried at some private schools, would require 90 credits instead of the traditional 120 […] The post Universities try 3-year degrees to save students time, money appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
U.S. Supreme Court chief declines to discuss Alito flag uproar, ethics with Senate Dems
U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. told leading Democrats on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday he will not meet with them to discuss the court’s code of ethics, following revelations of displays of politically oriented flags at the homes of Justice Samuel Alito. Individual justices will continue to decide their own […] The post U.S. Supreme Court chief declines to discuss Alito flag uproar, ethics with Senate Dems appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
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