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Rhode Island Current
A good reason to celebrate PrideFest: Survey ranks R.I. first in nation on LGBTQ+ safety
In Rhode Island, the pinnacle of LGBTQ+ Pride Month is one colorful Saturday halfway through June, when RI PrideFest and its accompanying parade fill downtown Providence from daylight until dark. This year a number of state lawmakers and officials could be spotted marching in the parade on Saturday, June 15. The show of support from […] The post A good reason to celebrate PrideFest: Survey ranks R.I. first in nation on LGBTQ+ safety appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Greenhouse gas emissions rose 9% in post-pandemic rebound, DEM report says
After a pandemic hiatus that forced travel to a standstill in 2020, Rhode Islanders returned to the roads and the skies in 2021, ramping up the state’s greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new report by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management published Monday. The 2021 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory shows the state produced […] The post Greenhouse gas emissions rose 9% in post-pandemic rebound, DEM report says appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Gov. McKee signs FY 25 budget
The second-highest state spending plan on record is now law after Gov. Dan McKee lent his John Hancock to the fiscal 2025 budget at a ceremony at the State House Monday. The ceremonial signing, complete with a cake for McKee’s 73rd birthday on Sunday, marks the final stop for the $13.96 billion spending plan that […] The post Gov. McKee signs FY 25 budget appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
House panel backs smoke-free casino bill, fanning the flames of hope for next year
A push by progressive lawmakers to end the exemption from the state’s indoor smoking ban at Rhode Island’s two casinos briefly reignited at the start of the last night of the 2024 legislative session. That has sparked hope among public health advocates and casino workers that the momentum to make Bally’s Twin River Lincoln and […] The post House panel backs smoke-free casino bill, fanning the flames of hope for next year appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
The rise of non-negotiable, contradictory logic in picking a president
A number of Jewish Americans are now suggesting that they will vote for Donald Trump because the Biden administration is insufficiently supportive of Israel, and not concerned enough about antisemitism. Arab Americans, in some number, are saying publicly that they will not vote for a second term for the Biden administration, in order to rebuke […] The post The rise of non-negotiable, contradictory logic in picking a president appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Backlash against DEI spreads to more states
SALT LAKE CITY — Shortly after taking office in 2023, Republican state Rep. Katy Hall heard from constituents complaining about how their adult children were required to write diversity, equity and inclusion statements while applying for medical and dental schools and other graduate programs in Utah. “It doesn’t seem right,” Hall said. “It doesn’t seem […] The post Backlash against DEI spreads to more states appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Anti-abortion groups say Supreme Court’s mifepristone ruling won’t deter them
In the aftermath of last week’s U.S. Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling to maintain current access to the abortion medication mifepristone, abortion-rights advocates and opponents vowed to continue their respective battles over the drug. Mifepristone is one of two drugs used to treat miscarriages and terminate a pregnancy during the first trimester, and is the most common […] The post Anti-abortion groups say Supreme Court’s mifepristone ruling won’t deter them appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Industry, clean power groups breathe a sigh of relief as Senate approves energy regulators
Three nominees by President Joe Biden to serve on the nation’s top energy regulatory panel, which had risked losing a quorum, were approved this week by the U.S. Senate. The votes to approve the new members — two Democrats and a Republican — for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission was cheered by industry, renewable power […] The post Industry, clean power groups breathe a sigh of relief as Senate approves energy regulators appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Judge demands Fatima, Roger Williams owner pay $17M in overdue bills
It’s no secret that the LA-based private equity firm looking to sell off a pair of Rhode Island hospitals is struggling. But the financial straits, and internal hospital environments, appear far worse than previously suggested. Prospect Medical Holdings said in court filings it would file for bankruptcy if forced to pay $17.3 million in outstanding […] The post Judge demands Fatima, Roger Williams owner pay $17M in overdue bills appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
U.S. Supreme Court overturns ban on bump stocks used in Las Vegas mass shooting
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a rule enacted following a 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas that defined a semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock attachment as a machine gun, which is generally prohibited under federal law. The opinion, written by Justice Clarence Thomas, reduces the executive branch’s already-limited […] The post U.S. Supreme Court overturns ban on bump stocks used in Las Vegas mass shooting appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
McKee signs safe firearms storage bill into law
Surrounded by gun safety advocates and donning the orange T-shirt of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence, Gov. Dan McKee on Thursday signed off on legislation that creates new rules on how firearms must be stored. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Justine Caldwell, an East Greenwich Democrat, and Sen. Pamela Lauria, a Barrington Democrat, […] The post McKee signs safe firearms storage bill into law appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Rhode Island Senate approves $13.96B FY25 budget in 34-1 vote
A $13.96 billion fiscal 2025 budget awaits Gov. Dan McKee’s signature following passage in the Rhode Island Senate just after the clock struck midnight on Friday. The spending plan, approved by a 34-1 vote, mirrors the version that sailed through the Rhode Island House on June 7. The Senate issued its decision swiftly and without […] The post Rhode Island Senate approves $13.96B FY25 budget in 34-1 vote appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Biden Title IX regulation targeted by Republicans in Congress
WASHINGTON — Republicans in Congress got one step further in their efforts to reverse the Biden administration’s final rule for Title IX after the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce approved a measure on Thursday that would overturn the updated regulations. The U.S. Department of Education’s final rule — which seeks to protect […] The post Biden Title IX regulation targeted by Republicans in Congress appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Citizens Bank, kratom users triumph in end-of-session whirlwind
From bank tax code to psychoactive herbs, lawmakers tackled a wide-ranging set of policies in a marathon final session Thursday. Here’s a look at nine key bills that made it past the finish line as of 10 p.m. The off-again, on-again state bank tax rewrite requested by locally headquartered Citizens Bank emerged an early winner […] The post Citizens Bank, kratom users triumph in end-of-session whirlwind appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
R.I. Senate confirms Wayne Salisbury, Jr. for permanent director for Department of Corrections
Wayne Salisbury, Jr. will continue to direct the state’s Department of Corrections, the Rhode Island Senate confirmed in a 32-4 vote Thursday afternoon. Voting against Gov. Dan McKee’s pick were Democratic Sens. Sam Bell of Providence, Leonidas Raptakis of Coventry and Linda Ujifusa of Portsmouth. Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz, a North Smithfield […] The post R.I. Senate confirms Wayne Salisbury, Jr. for permanent director for Department of Corrections appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
DCYF pauses St. Mary’s Home expansion pending reorganization
The Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) has decided to hold off on additional construction at the embattled St. Mary’s Home for Children in North Providence. A construction contract for a new building with 12 beds on St. Mary’s campus was approved in February 2023 and enjoyed the support of lawmakers, DCYF […] The post DCYF pauses St. Mary’s Home expansion pending reorganization appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
R.I. General Assembly passes legislation to help expedite access to HIV prevention meds
Prescription drugs that prevent HIV could become easier to access in Rhode Island after the General Assembly OK’d legislation Tuesday eliminating out-of-pocket costs and insurance obstacles. Complementary bills by Rep. Rebecca Kislak, a Providence Democrat and Sen. Melissa Murray, a Woonsocket Democrat, remove the possibility of prior authorization for the preventative drugs collectively known as […] The post R.I. General Assembly passes legislation to help expedite access to HIV prevention meds appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
U.S. Senate Republicans reject Democrats’ bill on IVF protections
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Democrats’ attempts to bolster reproductive rights failed again Thursday when Republicans blocked a bill guaranteeing access to in vitro fertilization from moving forward. The 48-47 procedural vote came just one day after Republicans tried unsuccessfully to pass their own IVF access bill and one week after GOP senators prevented legislation from […] The post U.S. Senate Republicans reject Democrats’ bill on IVF protections appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
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