Columbus
Rhode Island Current
R.I. Commerce awards $5.4M in tax incentives for new, submarine manufacturing plant in Quonset
A national defense contractor will receive up to $5.4 million in redeemable state tax credits in exchange for opening a manufacturing plant, with up to 133 new jobs, in Quonset Business Park. Rhode Island Commerce Corp.’s board of directors authorized the jobs and development tax incentives for Anduril Industries, Inc. in a unanimous vote at […] The post R.I. Commerce awards $5.4M in tax incentives for new, submarine manufacturing plant in Quonset appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Constitutional conventions: a relic of old or a chance for reform? It’s time for voters to decide
Shall there be a convention to amend or revise the state constitution? The state’s House of Representatives Monday unanimously approved two resolutions sponsored by Judiciary Committee Chairman Robert Craven, a North Kingstown Democrat, on the once-in-a-decade opportunity. One resolution would place the convention question on the Nov. 5 ballot. The other creates a 12-member commission […] The post Constitutional conventions: a relic of old or a chance for reform? It’s time for voters to decide appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
This small state has a big problem keeping pace with its neighbors on paid family leave.
What a difference a decade makes. In 2013, Rhode Island led the country by instituting one of the first state-managed paid family leave programs. It meant workers didn’t have to choose between keeping their job and caring for an ill family member. Small businesses gained a much-needed resource to avoid high cost losses due to […] The post This small state has a big problem keeping pace with its neighbors on paid family leave. appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Vineyard and Nantucket pot shops on the ropes
Members of the state Cannabis Control Commission said that the agency will act to preserve the cannabis industry on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket in the face of a declining supply of cannabis products on the islands and dispensary shutdowns that could leave the Vineyard with no retail marijuana outlets as soon as this summer. The […] The post Vineyard and Nantucket pot shops on the ropes appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Trump floats plan to end taxes on tips, though experts raise doubts
WASHINGTON — Economists across the ideological spectrum raised doubts about the cost and workability of former President Donald Trump’s proposal over the weekend to exempt tips from federal taxes if he wins in November. During a campaign rally Sunday in Las Vegas, where hundreds of thousands work in the hospitality industry, Trump promised service workers […] The post Trump floats plan to end taxes on tips, though experts raise doubts appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Killed during budget talks, Citizens Bank bill brought back to life
House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi assured reporters Friday night that a proposed tax law rewrite requested by Citizens Bank was not dead, despite its glaring absence in the revised fiscal 2025 budget. Less than 72 hours later, the Warwick Democrat produced the proof: revised legislation authorizing the shift in state bank income tax calculations, with […] The post Killed during budget talks, Citizens Bank bill brought back to life appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Trump says he’ll work ‘side by side’ with group that wants abortion ‘eradicated’
WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump said Monday that if reelected he plans to work “side by side” with a newly formed religious organization that says abortion is the “greatest atrocity facing” the United States and should be “eradicated entirely.” During two-minute recorded remarks played at The Danbury Institute’s inaugural Life & Liberty Forum in […] The post Trump says he’ll work ‘side by side’ with group that wants abortion ‘eradicated’ appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Rhode Island Democrats elect DNC delegates, including ‘uncommitted’ representative
Thirty-five Rhode Island Democrats, including one delegate pledged to represent the “uncommitted” voters who cast protest ballots in the April 2 presidential preference primary, will attend the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this August, following the Rhode Island Democratic State Convention Sunday night. Just shy of 130 state committee members attended the annual convention at […] The post Rhode Island Democrats elect DNC delegates, including ‘uncommitted’ representative appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Easing federal marijuana rules: There’s still a long way to go
Nearly three weeks after the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration proposed loosening a federal prohibition on marijuana, the next phases of policy fights over the drug’s status are starting to take shape. Public comments, which the DEA is accepting on the proposal until mid-July, will likely include an analysis of the economic impact of more lenient […] The post Easing federal marijuana rules: There’s still a long way to go appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Three bills to watch as the Rhode Island General Assembly races toward the finish line
Whoever coined the proverb “third time’s a charm,” probably didn’t have much direct experience in government. Indeed, many of the top bills in play on Smith Hill are perennial problems, marked by years or even decades of failed attempts to solve complicated problems like the housing crunch, public records requirements and the state’s troubled coastal […] The post Three bills to watch as the Rhode Island General Assembly races toward the finish line appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Accessory dwelling units offer flexible housing, independence and dignity for older adults
The housing crisis is here. This is not hyperbole. It is estimated that Rhode Island residents are facing a 24,000-unit affordable housing shortage. In fact, the latest AARP LTSS (Long-Term Supports and Services) Scorecard ranked Rhode Island 51st in the nation – dead last – when it comes to housing availability for older adults. The […] The post Accessory dwelling units offer flexible housing, independence and dignity for older adults appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Election workers worry that federal threats task force isn’t enough to keep them safe
Aiming to send a message, the Biden administration recently spotlighted its indictments and convictions in cases involving threats to election officials or workers. But with no letup in reports of attacks, some elections professionals say federal law enforcement still isn’t doing enough to deter bad actors and ensure that those on the front lines of […] The post Election workers worry that federal threats task force isn’t enough to keep them safe appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Rhode Island’s children are doing OK, but not as well as kids in much of New England
Rhode Island placed 12th in an annual nationwide survey of children’s well-being, but was outranked by every other New England state except Maine, according to a report released Monday by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. While Rhode Island’s overall ranking was high, it performed unevenly across the four categories that inform the overall score. The […] The post Rhode Island’s children are doing OK, but not as well as kids in much of New England appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Prodded by fed up parents, some in Congress try to curb kids’ use of social media
WASHINGTON — Attempts to get kids off of their phones are ramping up in Congress, despite intense lobbying by social media giants and pushback by those worried about violations of First Amendment speech rights. Lawmakers are seeking to set a minimum age to access social media and put more of the onus on social media […] The post Prodded by fed up parents, some in Congress try to curb kids’ use of social media appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Nearly-$14B budget plan breezes through Rhode Island House on 69-5 vote Friday
Finalizing the state’s annual spending plan is often a contentious, drawn-out process. Not this year. A $13.96 billion fiscal 2025 budget breezed through the Rhode Island House of Representatives Friday night. The 69-5 vote came after a mere 3 1/2 hours of discussion that included high praise for funding of critical and often contested issues […] The post Nearly-$14B budget plan breezes through Rhode Island House on 69-5 vote Friday appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Prospect Medical files countersuit against Yale New Haven Health in hospital sale
Prospect Medical Holdings is suing Yale New Haven Health, claiming the health system breached its contract with Prospect by “failing to deliver the agreed-upon purchase price” for the three Connecticut hospitals it has made a bid to buy. The California-based company also alleges that YNHH failed to make “reasonable best efforts” to complete the acquisition […] The post Prospect Medical files countersuit against Yale New Haven Health in hospital sale appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
R.I. Senate approves doubling credit limit at Bally’s casinos
Legislation doubling how much money high-roller patrons at Bally’s Twin River Lincoln and Tiverton casinos can borrow cleared the Rhode Island Senate Thursday evening. The chamber voted 28-5 to pass an amended bill by Sen. Frank Ciccone III, a Providence Democrat, that increases the maximum line of credit Bally’s can offer its customers from $50,000 […] The post R.I. Senate approves doubling credit limit at Bally’s casinos appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
‘Democracy begins with each of us,’ Biden says at site of D-Day invasion in Normandy
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden, speaking from the site of the D-Day invasion in Normandy, France, said Friday that those who support democracy must remember what World War II soldiers sacrificed and live up to those ideals. Biden’s remarks came during commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day and sought to tie the threats to […] The post ‘Democracy begins with each of us,’ Biden says at site of D-Day invasion in Normandy appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Bill to allow campaign funds for child care on the move in Mass.
When she first ran for state representative more than 30 years ago, Pat Jehlen said it took long days door-knocking in her Somerville district to capture the seat. With her husband working full-time, she relied on a friend who offered to take care of her young children while she was canvassing. “I had free child […] The post Bill to allow campaign funds for child care on the move in Mass. appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Awash in tourists, Juneau, Alaska, prepares to turn some cruise ships away
JUNEAU, Alaska — Alaska’s state capital is set to become the first city in Alaska and one of only a handful in the United States to limit the number of daily cruise ship tourists. Under the terms of a voluntary agreement announced Monday and effective in 2026, the nation’s four largest cruise lines will schedule […] The post Awash in tourists, Juneau, Alaska, prepares to turn some cruise ships away appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Rhode Island Current
2K+
Posts
26M+
Views
The Rhode Island Current is an independent, nonprofit digital news site dedicated to bringing readers a steady stream of high quality, nonpartisan reporting about state government and public policy in the Ocean State. We are committed to exploring the ways policy decisions affect how we live and learn, work and play, and plan and prosper. We believe in holding those in power accountable for their actions — and their inertia — on matters that impact the lives of Rhode Islanders. We do so without regard to party or ideology. Our focus will always be on providing unbiased, fact-based information and ethical journalism essential to our democracy. We also believe in seeking out diverse perspectives. That’s why you will find a lively mix of commentaries and op-ed pieces on our site. You will find no ads on our website. Nor will you find any paywalls. Our coverage is free to share and publish under the Creative Commons license. For information about republishing, email info@rhodeislandcurrent.com. Rhode Island Current is an affiliate of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers. The Current retains full editorial independence.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.