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Rhode Island Current
Cooler states now forced to grapple with extreme heat fueled by climate change
NEW YORK — As temperatures soared into the 90s, the heat and humidity hit the concrete in Astoria, Queens, and bounced into the air. People moved along the scorched sidewalk slowly, their clothes drenched with sweat. Elianne Alvarado, 44, who was raised in New York City and has lived here for most of her life, […] The post Cooler states now forced to grapple with extreme heat fueled by climate change appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
U.S. House Democrats push for federal gun reform following surgeon general advisory
WASHINGTON – Democratic U.S. House members pushed for legislative action to address gun violence Wednesday, the day after U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy declared the issue a public health crisis. Murthy released a 40-page advisory Tuesday. It called gun violence the leading cause of death for children and adolescents, causing just over 4,600 deaths in […] The post U.S. House Democrats push for federal gun reform following surgeon general advisory appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Incumbents are unopposed in nearly half of General Assembly races
Former Woonsocket Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt will not attempt a comeback run for the Rhode Island Legislature this year, despite commissioning a voter survey and telling local news outlets she was considering challenging Rep. Jon Brien, an independent, for the seat she once held. In an emailed statement Wednesday afternoon, mere hours before the 4 p.m. […] The post Incumbents are unopposed in nearly half of General Assembly races appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Delayed Supreme Court ruling makes Trump trial on 2020 charges unlikely before election
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court has yet to rule on whether presidents enjoy total criminal immunity, delaying one of the most consequential legal decisions in U.S. history and likely closing the door on former President Donald Trump facing his federal election interference trial before November. Trump, the presumed Republican presidential nominee who is entangled […] The post Delayed Supreme Court ruling makes Trump trial on 2020 charges unlikely before election appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Providence to host for annual conference of mayors in 2027
Mayors from across the country will come to Providence in June 2027 for a national conference. Rhode Island’s capital city will be home to the 95th annual meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Providence Mayor Brett P. Smiley announced Wednesday. The conference draws mayors from cities with populations of at least 30,000. Approximately 1,400 […] The post Providence to host for annual conference of mayors in 2027 appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Department of Administration looks to move more state offices into downtown Providence building
The state plans to consolidate more offices into the historic former Shepard Company building in downtown Providence after negotiating a new lease with the University of Rhode Island (URI). URI occupies a combined 17,000 square feet on two floors of the six-story building situated between Westminster and Washington streets, with a child-development center on the […] The post Department of Administration looks to move more state offices into downtown Providence building appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Sailing away on the Block Island Ferry will cost more for fast ferry users
Bad news for travelers to and from Block Island: the fare for taking the high-speed ferry between Point Judith and Block Island is going up starting Thursday. The Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission unanimously approved new rates for the 30-minute fast ferry trip in a meeting Wednesday morning. The new rates, which take effect the […] The post Sailing away on the Block Island Ferry will cost more for fast ferry users appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Calm, conservative, confident: What GOP senators want in Trump’s vice presidential pick
WASHINGTON — Republican members of the U.S. Senate striving for a takeover of their chamber in the November elections have a wish list for what they’d like to see in Donald Trump’s running mate. A “little calmer” than Trump. Confident. Conservative. Military experience. Good relationships with senators. Ready to take over as chief executive if […] The post Calm, conservative, confident: What GOP senators want in Trump’s vice presidential pick appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
One potential primary challenger so far for Ruggerio; none yet for Shekarchi on second filing day
The field of political office-seekers continued to grow Tuesday on the second day of Rhode Island’s three-day declaration of candidacy period — including potential challenges against General Assembly leadership. As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, 170 statewide and federal candidates had filed declaration papers for the upcoming primary and general elections. You can see the latest […] The post One potential primary challenger so far for Ruggerio; none yet for Shekarchi on second filing day appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Undecided voters are the prize for both Biden and Trump in Thursday presidential debate
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will get a crucial opportunity to reach undecided voters and set the terms for the 2024 presidential campaign at Thursday night’s debate in Atlanta. Partisans on either side have already made up their minds about which candidate they’ll support. And with this year’s race serving as a […] The post Undecided voters are the prize for both Biden and Trump in Thursday presidential debate appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Four states to begin voluntary testing for bird flu in dairy farm milk tanks
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday that four states will launch voluntary pilot programs in the days ahead to test bulk milk tanks on dairy farms for bird flu — a move that’s aimed at making it easier for farmers to ship herds across state lines and for public health officials to […] The post Four states to begin voluntary testing for bird flu in dairy farm milk tanks appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Ethics panel launches investigation into corrections department director
Less than two weeks into the job, Rhode Island’s Department of Corrections director is under investigation by the state ethics panel. The Rhode Island Ethics Commission voted unanimously on Tuesday to open a probe into Wayne Salisbury, Jr. over alleged ethics violations related to omitted out-of-state travel on his annual financial disclosure forms. The complaint […] The post Ethics panel launches investigation into corrections department director appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Ethics panel rules Patrice Milos must leave R.I. Life Science Hub board to be its interim president
An appointed member of the new Rhode Island Life Science Hub board can take on a temporary role as the agency’s interim president as long as she gives up the board seat, according to the state ethics panel. The Rhode Island Ethics Commission’s unanimous vote on Tuesday affirms the already-awarded contract to Patrice Milos, who […] The post Ethics panel rules Patrice Milos must leave R.I. Life Science Hub board to be its interim president appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Surgeon general issues first-ever gun violence advisory
The U.S. surgeon general has issued an unprecedented warning about the deadly and far-reaching effects of gun violence, a move that could draw resources to the issue and influence public policy. Dr. Vivek Murthy’s advisory on June 25 marks the first time that the Office of the Surgeon General has issued a publication focused on […] The post Surgeon general issues first-ever gun violence advisory appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
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