Rhode Island Current
Biden administration to greatly ease marijuana regulations
The Biden administration plans to remove marijuana from a list of the most dangerous and highly regulated drugs, the Department of Justice said Tuesday night. The Drug Enforcement Administration will propose moving the drug from a Schedule I substance, which also includes heroin and methamphetamine, to Schedule III, which is the category for regulated-but-legal drugs […] The post Biden administration to greatly ease marijuana regulations appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Brown student protesters decamp from College Green
Brown University student protesters packed up their tents and peacefully left the College Green Tuesday afternoon, leaving behind lemon yellow patches of grass as a souvenir of their week of solidarity with the people of Gaza. The exodus came after students reached an agreement with the administration to refrain from further protests through the rest […] The post Brown student protesters decamp from College Green appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
With Washington Bridge RFPs now out, lawmakers continue push for transparency
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) has launched the search for construction firms to tear down and rebuild the westbound Washington Bridge — with a total of $13 million in incentives to expedite the work. Meanwhile, state lawmakers wasted no time Tuesday afternoon in pushing for more transparency from RIDOT on the status of […] The post With Washington Bridge RFPs now out, lawmakers continue push for transparency appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Trump says he’d use police, National Guard and possibly the military to expel immigrants
WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump in his second term would carry out mass deportations of undocumented immigrants by utilizing local law enforcement, the National Guard and potentially the U.S. military, according to a lengthy interview he conducted with Time magazine. “When we talk military, generally speaking, I talk National Guard,” the presumptive 2024 GOP […] The post Trump says he’d use police, National Guard and possibly the military to expel immigrants appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Yellen touts success of IRS pilot program that allowed direct free filing of tax returns
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Internal Revenue Service saw a successful tax filing season, providing high levels of customer service, enforcing collection from the wealthy and launching a free filing option for taxpayers, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told tax writers on Capitol Hill Tuesday. The agency “met or exceeded” goals for the filing season and “successfully” […] The post Yellen touts success of IRS pilot program that allowed direct free filing of tax returns appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Trump fined $9,000 for violating gag order in NY hush-money trial
Former President Donald Trump defied a gag order in his New York state hush-money trial by posting attacks on likely witnesses on his social media platform and campaign website, the judge in the case ruled Tuesday. Judge Juan M. Merchan fined Trump $9,000 for nine violations of an order barring him from making public statements […] The post Trump fined $9,000 for violating gag order in NY hush-money trial appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
R.I. ethics panel votes to investigate nepotism complaint against Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins
The state ethics panel has launched an investigation into Cranston Mayor Kenneth J. Hopkins for alleged nepotism. The Rhode Island Ethics Commission’s 6-0 vote Tuesday comes in response to a complaint filed by a former city worker, accusing Hopkins of helping his son-in-law get a job, and later a promotion, with the Cranston Fire Department. […] The post R.I. ethics panel votes to investigate nepotism complaint against Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Recent deaths at ACI prompt call for independent investigation
A coalition of nine community organizations on Monday called for an independent investigation after reports of the deaths of four inmates at the Adult Correctional Institutions over the last three months. In a letter to Wayne Salisbury Jr., acting director of the Rhode Island Department of Corrections (DOC) since January 2023, the community groups expressed […] The post Recent deaths at ACI prompt call for independent investigation appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Negotiations to reform Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights may be nearing finish line
PROVIDENCE — After running out of time at the end of the 2023 legislative session, legislative leaders from both chambers of the General Assembly vowed 2024 would be the year changes to Rhode Island’s controversial police officer protections would finally happen. The Senate wasted no time on its part, unanimously passing legislation sponsored by Senate […] The post Negotiations to reform Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights may be nearing finish line appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Independent Man to have a return engagement in Rhode Island State House foyer Saturday
The Independent Man is having a housewarming party this Saturday, and the public is invited. The Rhode Island State House is not usually open on Saturdays, but it will be Saturday, May 4, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., in observance of Rhode Island Independence Day. The open house is organized by Secretary of State […] The post Independent Man to have a return engagement in Rhode Island State House foyer Saturday appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Congress to add flights at Washington National, require new air refund rule in FAA deal
Key members of Congress announced an agreement Monday on a $105 billion bill to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration for five years ahead of a May 10 deadline. The 1,000-page bill would raise hiring targets for air traffic control and would codify in law a rule the Biden administration introduced this month requiring airlines to […] The post Congress to add flights at Washington National, require new air refund rule in FAA deal appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Revised 2023 labor estimates show R.I. recovered pandemic job losses ahead of schedule
In November, economic forecasters warned that Rhode Island could be waiting till the end of the decade to fully recover its pandemic-era job losses. Turns out the Ocean State hit its pre-pandemic job count one month later, in December 2023. And the 559,900 employed Rhode Islanders as of March 2024 is the highest in state […] The post Revised 2023 labor estimates show R.I. recovered pandemic job losses ahead of schedule appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
What is federal COVID relief money for anyway?
As the daily news headlines detailing the spread of bird flu grow, so does Dr. Leonard Mermel’s anxiety. An infectious disease expert who works as medical director for Lifespan’s Department of Epidemiology and Infection Control, Mermel fears what the outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza now detected in cows, skunks, and even one confirmed human case, […] The post What is federal COVID relief money for anyway? appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Anxiety over squatters, fueled by TikTok, inspires a wave of legislation
Across various news channels and outlets, a visceral fear of some property owners — that an unwanted guest could move into their vacant home, refuse to leave, and then claim ownership — has been a trending story. These squatter horror stories have reached a fever pitch in the past month after a migrant TikTok influencer, […] The post Anxiety over squatters, fueled by TikTok, inspires a wave of legislation appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
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