Columbus
Rhode Island Current
RIDOT environmental planner job, key to meeting state climate goals, draws just seven applicants
The job of helping Rhode Island’s transportation sector achieve its goals of becoming carbon neutral by 2050 required a master’s degree and supervisory experience. But when applications closed June 30, only seven people applied to be the Rhode Island Department of Transportation’s (RIDOT) supervising environmental planner. “We estimate having someone in the position late summer/early […] The post RIDOT environmental planner job, key to meeting state climate goals, draws just seven applicants appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Prospect says it finally paid off its overdue bills at Roger Williams, Fatima hospitals
Attorney General Peter Neronha has made it clear he doesn’t fully trust the owner of two urban safety net hospitals. So will he take Prospect Medical Holdings, Inc. at its word that it has paid off the $17 million in overdue hospital vendor bills, as ordered by a Providence County Superior Court judge? For now, […] The post Prospect says it finally paid off its overdue bills at Roger Williams, Fatima hospitals appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Biden tells congressional Dems he is staying in the race, urges end to speculation
President Joe Biden pledged Monday to stay in his race for reelection, even after a weekend in which a growing number of Democrats asked for him to withdraw and a key U.S. House Republican called for an investigation into the president’s doctor. In a letter to congressional Democrats, Biden argued that the calls for him […] The post Biden tells congressional Dems he is staying in the race, urges end to speculation appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
New Rhode Island law protects patients who rely on specialty infusion drugs
Specialty drugs might come in a delicate glass vial in the mail, shipped by a specialty pharmacy in a styrofoam carton cushioned with ice packs. These medicines can be so precious that a clinic or hospital must administer them. Your doctor prescribes and dispenses the drug — but your health insurance makes the call on […] The post New Rhode Island law protects patients who rely on specialty infusion drugs appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Commission appointed to prep for potential constitutional convention
The newly appointed bipartisan commission preparing for the possibility of a constitutional convention in Rhode Island has less than six weeks to complete its job. The 12 members announced last week are tentatively scheduled to hold their first meeting on July 24 at the State House. The group must hold public hearings and gather input […] The post Commission appointed to prep for potential constitutional convention appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Confusion, clinic closures may have caused big declines in contraception use, study shows
Clinic closures in the wake of the Dobbs decision and questions about the legality of emergency contraceptives, including disinformation that some are abortion drugs, may have contributed to a sharp drop in the rate of prescriptions for contraceptives in states with the most restrictive abortion bans, according to a University of California Los Angeles study. […] The post Confusion, clinic closures may have caused big declines in contraception use, study shows appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Medicaid for millions in America hinges on Deloitte-run systems plagued by errors
Deloitte, a global consultancy that reported revenue last year of $65 billion, pulls in billions of dollars from states and the federal government for supplying technology it says will modernize Medicaid. The company promotes itself as the industry leader in building sophisticated and efficient systems for states that, among other things, screen who is eligible […] The post Medicaid for millions in America hinges on Deloitte-run systems plagued by errors appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
New Jersey lawmakers look for new ways to handle unruly crowds, public brawls
TRENTON, N.J. — Lawmakers have introduced a package of bills aiming to crack down on unruly gatherings — and even hit some parents of juvenile offenders with fines — after police say a community event in South Jersey devolved into chaos. A group of hundreds descended on Gloucester Township Day, derailing the annual festivities with […] The post New Jersey lawmakers look for new ways to handle unruly crowds, public brawls appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Biden in first TV interview since debate denies medical condition: ‘It was a bad episode’
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Friday in his first televised interview since the presidential debate defended his reelection bid and rejected calls that he should step aside amid growing anxiety among some Democrats about his mental and physical state. The 22-minute interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos came as some lawmakers and other prominent […] The post Biden in first TV interview since debate denies medical condition: ‘It was a bad episode’ appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
UConn course empowers student athletes in personal brand ventures
One of the University of Connecticut’s most valuable coaching programs for athletes doesn’t have much to do with sports. Dozens of UConn’s Division I student athletes — including men’s basketball champions Donovan Clingan, Hassan Diarra and Adama Sanogo — have been studying business development under the tutelage of David Noble, director of the Peter J. […] The post UConn course empowers student athletes in personal brand ventures appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
State awarded $3.8 million federal grant to promote affordable housing development
State leaders looking to lift Rhode Island from its poor national ranking in housing production have enacted reforms to cut red tape and jumpstart construction. But pockets of resistance continue. To wit: the town of Narragansett in Washington County, where local officials passed an ordinance banning multi-family units in high-density areas in May. The measure […] The post State awarded $3.8 million federal grant to promote affordable housing development appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
‘Frustrating’ partisan stalemate: the new normal for farm bills?
WASHINGTON — The stalemate over the current farm bill may be solidifying a new era in farm politics as it joins the last three farm bills in a trend of delays and partisan division — a contrast from the legislation’s history of bipartisanship. Every five years, Congress is tasked with drafting a new federal farm […] The post ‘Frustrating’ partisan stalemate: the new normal for farm bills? appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Election-related wins and losses from the 2024 legislative session
For seven years, a four-letter mistake has haunted Common Cause Executive Director John Marion. In drafting legislation to require a post-election review verifying accuracy and security of primary and general election results, Marion wrote “statewide” rather than “state.” In doing so, Marion inadvertently let legislative races skirt this audit requirement, which applied to other local, […] The post Election-related wins and losses from the 2024 legislative session appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Rhode Island needs more foster homes and it needs them now
There are nearly 1,000 children in the Rhode Island foster system today, according to the latest figures from the Department of Children, Youth and Families. However, there are just 828 active foster homes available to them. That means that some of these children are forced to stay in group homes, hospitals, and other institutional settings. […] The post Rhode Island needs more foster homes and it needs them now appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Mishandled bodies, mixed-up remains prompt tougher funeral home regulations
The headlines were the stuff of nightmares. One Colorado funeral home owner let the body of a woman decompose for two years in a hearse parked outside a house he rented, while hoarding the cremated remains of dozens of others inside. Last year, authorities discovered nearly 200 improperly stored bodies at another Colorado funeral home […] The post Mishandled bodies, mixed-up remains prompt tougher funeral home regulations appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Could Connecticut fight homelessness with a ‘mansion tax’? Yes, report says.
State government could raise as much as $180 million annually to combat homelessness or address other social needs by boosting its tax on the sale of high-value houses, according to a recent report from two Washington fiscal think tanks. And with Connecticut’s top state senator pledging to renew his push for a statewide property tax […] The post Could Connecticut fight homelessness with a ‘mansion tax’? Yes, report says. appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
For lessons in dealing with AI, turn to disability community
You might have heard that artificial intelligence is going to revolutionize everything, save the world and give everyone superhuman powers. Alternatively, you might have heard that it will take your job, make you lazy and stupid, and make the world a cyberpunk dystopia. Consider another way to look at AI: as an assistive technology – […] The post For lessons in dealing with AI, turn to disability community appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Fourth human case of bird flu diagnosed in Colorado dairy farm worker
WASHINGTON — Public health officials have diagnosed a Colorado farm worker with the country’s fourth human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state’s department of health reported Wednesday. The Colorado case, the state’s first this year related to spread from dairy cattle to humans, was reported […] The post Fourth human case of bird flu diagnosed in Colorado dairy farm worker appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
R.I. transportation officials go back to drawing board after no bids to replace Washington Bridge
The deadline for companies to submit bids to replace the westbound Washington Bridge came and went Wednesday with no one responding to the state’s request for proposals and its ambitious August 2026 timeframe. “THERE WERE NO VENDORS RESPONDING,” stated the Rhode Island Department of Transportation’s public bid portal on the solicitation page for the reconstruction […] The post R.I. transportation officials go back to drawing board after no bids to replace Washington Bridge appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
New legislative panel will study potential for a URI medical school
Would a second medical school in Rhode Island, based out of its flagship public university, help fill the shortage of primary care physicians? This is among the questions a 21-member legislative panel will seek to answer over the next year-and-a-half. The not-so-succinctly named Special Commission to make a Comprehensive Study of Rhode Island’s Healthcare Workforce […] The post New legislative panel will study potential for a URI medical school 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.