Emily Jones
RI makes Race to the Top short list
Rhode Island is one step closer to major federal funding for education reform. The US Department of Education today released the finalists for the Race to the Top program, and the Ocean State made the list.
It’s now one of 15 states – including Masachusetts – that advance to the next round. Washington, D.C. [...]
Taveras to run for mayor
There’s another candidate in the race for Providence mayor. Lawyer and Housing Court judge Angel Taveras told supporters today he wants to help Providence children have the same opportunities he had. Taveras ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2000. He’ll face off against democrats John Lombardi and Steven Constantino, Republican Daniel Harrop, and perennial candidate [...]
MA immigrants seeking healthcare
Massachusetts immigrant advocates are trying win back healthcare for the state’s immigrants. In June, lawmakers passed a budget that ended health care funding for legal immigrants enrolled in Commonwealth Care. Now Health Law Advocates is asking the state’s highest court to strike down the decision. The group says it violates both the state and [...]
Fired teachers fight back
Central Falls teachers are appealing the mass firing at the city’s high school. The school’s board of trustees voted this week to fire 88 teachers and other staff. The firings came after reform negotiations failed at the underperforming school. Now Central Falls Teachers’ Union leaders say its members plan to appeal their dismissals to [...]
Court overturns Providence wiretapping verdict
The city of Providence is off the hook for wiretapping. A federal appeals court today overturned a jury verdict that fined the city over $500,000 for recording hundreds of thousands of calls in the city’s public safety complex. But today the appeals court ruled the city and its officials have “qualified immunity” from the [...]
Coakley applauds Brown vote
Senator Scott Brown is getting praise from his former opponent. Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley labeled him a “lockstep” Republican during the campaign. But now she’s applauding Brown’s decision to break with his party and support the Democratic jobs bill. Brown has come under fire from conservatives for voting to break the Republican filibuster [...]
Schools seek parents’ opinions
Providence schools want parents’ input on school reform. The Providence Journal reports Superintendent Tom Brady is holding off his decisions on the state-ordered reforms until after a series public meetings. The city needs to reshape or shut down 5 low-performing schools under the state plan. Providence has longer than other districts because of its [...]
Public to weigh in on health insurance hikes
Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Roberts is speaking out against health insurance rate hikes. She’s set to testify before the state Health Insurance Advisory Council today. Several insurance companies have requested to increase their rates for large and small group employer health plans. The council is accepting public comment on the plan through February 22.
Victims’ parents want private investigation
The parents of one of the victims of a fatal fire in Warwick want their own investigation. The Providence Journal reports they’ve asked a judge to give a private fire investigator access to the house and the 9-1-1 records. Their lawyer explains private studies differ in “scope” to public ones. Fire officials are still looking [...]
Police find pot, cocaine in Hopkinton
A couple is facing drug and weapons charges after a routine traffic stop led police to scores of marijuana plants. Hopkinton police seized almost 60 pot plants, more than 20 grams of cocaine and several rifles and shotguns. One of the pair is a felon not allowed to have guns; the other is a [...]
