URI and Rhode Island College Propose Joint Nursing School

The University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College have proposed building and sharing a new $60 million nursing school in downtown Providence. Both public colleges have strong nursing programs and both are proposing new facilities on their campuses to address their current cramped and outdated quarters. If approved by the General Assembly, a bond [...]

Pawtucket Man Convicted of 2006 Murder

A Pawtucket man has been convicted of fatally shooting a woman in 2006. A Providence Superior Court jury deliberated for less than two hours yesterday before finding Deaven Tucker guilty of first-degree murder for killing Jennifer Duarte. As he was led from the courtroom Tuesday, Tucker could be heard telling Duarte’s family that they would [...]

Gov. Carcieri Signs Legislation Allowing More Charter Schools

Gov. Don Carcieri has signed legislation allowing more charter schools to operate in
Rhode Island. State leaders hope the new law enacted yesterday will boost the state’s chances of winning millions of dollars in federal education aid. The legislation approved by lawmakers raises the cap from 20 charter schools to 35. It also strikes a law [...]

Study warns of rising inhalant abuse among children

More and more young people are abusing inhalants nationwide. Alejandra Ceja has more:

[Transcript]:
According to a National Inhalant Prevention Coalition study, the numbers are alarming. They say kids are “huffing” household substances such as aerosol sprays, nail polish, and gasoline in an effort to get high.
Pamela Hyde, head of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health [...]

Marines Investigating Jet Crash

The Marine Corps is trying to determine why a fighter jet suffered engine failures, crashing into the ocean off South Carolina and forcing the pilots to bail out. Officials say neither the pilot nor the weapons officer on the jet suffered serious injuries when they ejected late yesterday afternoon about 35 miles offshore. The Marines, [...]

Biden Calls for Negotiations Between Israelis, Palestinians

Vice President Joe Biden says “good faith negotiations” can recognize Israeli security needs and the Palestinian goal for a separate state. Biden is urging Israel to make a serious attempt to reach peace with the Palestinians. In a speech at Tel Aviv University on Thursday, Biden repeatedly voiced Washington’s commitment to Israel’s security, while also [...]

Obama Nominates Rhode Island Lawyer for Federal Bench

A Rhode Island lawyer has been nominated for a federal judgeship. President Barack Obama on Wednesday nominated Jack McConnell for a seat on the U.S. District Court in Rhode Island. McConnell is a managing partner of the Providence office of the Motley Rice law fir, and has been involved in lawsuits against tobacco companies. He [...]

Gov. Carcieri Proposes DMV Rate Increases

Rhode Island lawmakers are considering a proposal to raise rates at the Department of Motor Vehicles as a way to deal with the state’s budget deficit. Governor Carcieri’s budget for the 2011 fiscal year included a number of fee increases to generate new revenue for the state. Some of the proposals included tripling the cost [...]

Teen girl attacked with razor blade in fight over boy

Police say a 14-year-old girl needed stitches after another girl slashed her face and neck with a razor blade during a fight over a boy. The victim told police she was attacked behind Roger Williams Middle School on Tuesday morning. Police say the 14-year-old girl was treated at Hasbro Children’s Hospital, where she received 16 [...]

Somali pirates attack Spanish vessel

The EU Naval Force says Somali pirates have attacked a Spanish fishing vessel in the Indian Ocean by firing a rocket-propelled grenade at the ship. The naval force says the grenade exploded on the deck of the Albacan, causing a small fire that was extinguished. The attack took place between the island nation of Seychelles [...]