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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.
U.S. Supreme Court rejects attempt to limit access to abortion pill
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a much-anticipated decision Thursday that mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortion, can remain available under current prescribing guidelines. The high court unanimously rejected attempts by anti-abortion groups to roll back access to what was in place more than eight years ago, writing that they […] The post U.S. Supreme Court rejects attempt to limit access to abortion pill appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Decarbonization bill hangs in the balance
Environmental advocates celebrated as the Rhode Island Senate passed long-awaited legislation Wednesday laying a framework to reduce carbon emissions from buildings, and requiring new construction be “electric ready” for future heat pump conversion. But victory was bittersweet; an hour before, a House panel advanced a watered-down substitute for its companion legislation. The original companion bills, […] The post Decarbonization bill hangs in the balance appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
States struggle to help patients navigate insurance hurdle known as ‘step therapy’
Cassidy Yermal, 32, began experiencing debilitating migraines when she was 17 years old. As a teenager growing up in northeastern Pennsylvania, she saw numerous neurologists and tried a variety of medications before finding one that provided relief. In 2022, her new insurer asked her to prove it. Yermal now lives in Marlboro, Maryland, where she’s […] The post States struggle to help patients navigate insurance hurdle known as ‘step therapy’ appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
State abortion bans forcing interstate travel, U.S. Senate panel hears
WASHINGTON — When Lauren Miller flew from her home state of Texas to Colorado two years ago she felt a moment of relief when the plane took off — not because she had been delayed for hours or because she needed a vacation, but because she was about to meet with doctors who would be […] The post State abortion bans forcing interstate travel, U.S. Senate panel hears appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Manufacturing group lobbies R.I. legislators to narrow definition of ‘forever chemicals’
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, have risen from relative obscurity to household name recognition in recent years. But a stealth opposition campaign mounted by an industry group of companies that make products containing the “forever chemicals” has driven end-of-session legislative debate deep into the weeds of molecular chemistry. At issue: whether a proposed phaseout […] The post Manufacturing group lobbies R.I. legislators to narrow definition of ‘forever chemicals’ appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Prescription transfer bills cross finish line at General Assembly
Want to transfer your Adderall prescription from one pharmacy to another? Legislation passed by the Rhode Island General Assembly Tuesday night would allow just that. The bills by Democrats Sen. Alana DiMario of Narragansett and Rep. Kathleen Fogarty of South Kingstown now head to Gov. Dan McKee for final approval, and would take effect January […] The post Prescription transfer bills cross finish line at General Assembly appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Immigrant advocates, congressional Dems press Biden for permanent protections
WASHINGTON — Ashly Trejo Mejia is eager to attend medical school, but she’s not sure she can pursue that dream because of an upcoming court decision that could end the Obama-era program meant to temporarily protect immigrants like her who were brought into the country illegally as children. “You’re frozen in time,” she said. The […] The post Immigrant advocates, congressional Dems press Biden for permanent protections appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
House passes bill to double credit limit at Bally’s casinos
A pair of bills to double the credit limit at Rhode Island’s two casinos cleared the State House Tuesday evening, but not without some confusion from lawmakers on what’s in the legislation — including from legislative leaders. The House of Representatives voted 57-11 to pass an amended bill by Rep. Gregory Costantino, a Lincoln Democrat, […] The post House passes bill to double credit limit at Bally’s casinos appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
McKee signs LEOBOR reform into law
A historic overhaul for investigating and disciplining police officers accused of misconduct was signed into law by Gov. Dan McKee on Tuesday. Calls to change, or even eliminate, the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights (LEOBOR) have dominated debate on Smith Hill since the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police in 2020. Rhode Island’s […] The post McKee signs LEOBOR reform into law appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Connecticut’s Blumenthal: Coast Guard sex assault reports are ‘persistent’ issue
As the Coast Guard seeks to grapple with the fallout of a once-hidden investigation about decades-old sexual assault allegations, federal lawmakers argued that the controversy is not a thing of the past as they questioned Commandant Linda Fagan on Tuesday about Operation Fouled Anchor and the current handling of misconduct reports. At a hearing, U.S. […] The post Connecticut’s Blumenthal: Coast Guard sex assault reports are ‘persistent’ issue appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Biden touts gun safety record to advocates, as son found guilty on felony charges
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Tuesday touted his administration’s efforts to reduce gun violence as the second anniversary of bipartisan gun safety legislation he signed into law approaches. “Never give up on hope,” Biden said during an annual conference hosted by the advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety. The speech came hours after the […] The post Biden touts gun safety record to advocates, as son found guilty on felony charges appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
ADUs advance: R.I. lawmakers look ready to make big moves on tiny house legislation
After a two-year stalemate, Rhode Island lawmakers appear poised to pass legislation making it easier for property owners to build accessory dwelling units, or ADUs. Amended companion bills advanced by the Senate Committee on Housing and Municipal Government late Tuesday are nearly identical to the original proposal championed by House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, and […] The post ADUs advance: R.I. lawmakers look ready to make big moves on tiny house legislation appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
On the U.S.-Mexico border, hopes and fears after Biden’s order limiting asylum
EL PASO, Texas — Seventeen-year-old Karina Parababire gently rocked her 3-month-old daughter as they waited in a migrant shelter before a Friday night bus ride to Chicago. “I want my daughter to have everything that I didn’t have,” Parababire, who traveled up the extremely dangerous route of the Darien Gap while pregnant, said in Spanish. […] The post On the U.S.-Mexico border, hopes and fears after Biden’s order limiting asylum appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Shield bills could soon be forged into R.I. law
Picture this: A person comes to Rhode Island to get an abortion, or receive hormone therapy so they can transition. This hypothetical person lives in a state that has banned those services. The patient gets the care they want — and the Rhode Island doctor who provided that care gets a lawsuit from the patient’s […] The post Shield bills could soon be forged into R.I. law appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Pair of U.S. House Dems add to chorus calling for Alito, Thomas recusals
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Democrats echoed Senate colleagues Tuesday in calling for U.S. Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito to recuse themselves from Jan. 6 cases, and for congressional Republicans to support passing an enforceable ethics code for the entire bench. Reps. Jamie Raskin, ranking member of the U.S. House Committee on Oversight […] The post Pair of U.S. House Dems add to chorus calling for Alito, Thomas recusals appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Senate panel advances McKee’s pick to permanently lead R.I. Department of Corrections
Despite alleged ethics violations by the state correctional officers union, the Senate Committee on Judiciary voted 10-1 Tuesday to advance Gov. Dan McKee’s nomination of Wayne T. Salisbury, Jr. as permanent director for the Rhode Island Department of Corrections (RIDOC). Salisbury, whose fiscal year 2024 salary was $150,930, has served as acting director of the […] The post Senate panel advances McKee’s pick to permanently lead R.I. Department of Corrections appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Coast Guard lied to hide sexual assault inquiry, whistleblower says
NEW LONDON, Conn. — An official with the U.S. Coast Guard Academy says the Coast Guard lied to her and victims of sexual assault in damning new allegations about the coverup of the investigation known as Operation Fouled Anchor. That led to Shannon Norenberg’s decision to resign as the service academy’s Sexual Assault Response Coordinator […] The post Coast Guard lied to hide sexual assault inquiry, whistleblower says appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Bipartisan U.S. House caucus planning for post-war Middle East
WASHINGTON — A bipartisan group of U.S. House lawmakers has launched an effort to spur planning for what the Gaza Strip will look like the “day after” the Israel-Hamas war, even as agreement over a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal remains elusive. Democratic Reps. Brad Schneider of Illinois and David Trone of Maryland, along with Republicans Ann […] The post Bipartisan U.S. House caucus planning for post-war Middle East appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Patrice Milos picked as interim president for R.I. life science agency
An early leader in Rhode Island’s nascent life sciences industry and driving force behind the creation of the Rhode Island Life Science Hub will take on a new role as the agency’s interim president under a contract unanimously approved by the board of directors Tuesday. Patrice Milos will start her temporary job as the quasi-public […] The post Patrice Milos picked as interim president for R.I. life science agency appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
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