State of Emergency Declared in Cranston

Mayor Allan Fung has declared a state of emergency in Cranston.  Roads in the city that are still closed include Pontiac, Capuano, Perkins, and Wellington avenues; Fletcher Avenue has been reopened.  The mayor is meeting with FEMA and Rhode Island Emergency Management this afternoon.

State Commission Recommends Decriminalizing Marijuana

A state Senate commission is recommending the decriminalization of marijuana.  The Providence Journal reports that the panel voted this afternoon on a proposal that would have anyone 18 or older who is caught with an ounce or less would be required to pay a $100 fine.  But they would be sparred a criminal record.  The [...]

Providence Firefighters Get Raise

City Firefighters will be getting raises.  Mayor David Cicilline announced today that the raises will be retroactive to 2006 under the terms of an arbitration award.  Cicilline has said that contract talks are continuing and that the two sides had agreed to refrain from public comment.

Former House Speaker Lands New Job

Former House Speaker William J. Murphy has a new job.  The Providece Journal reports that Murphy is one of four new appointees to the House Finance Committee. House Speaker Gordon Fox also appointed Representatives Douglas Gablinske, Chris Fierro, and Mary Ann Shallcross Smith, to openings on the House budget-writing committee.

Census to Hire 2,300 Rhode Islanders

The U.S. Census Bureau will hire 2,300 Rhode Islanders in April.  According to WPRI, the jobs will start at $15 an hour.  The work will be temporary and will last about eight weeks.  The hiring by the U.S. Census Bureau may be the best opportunity for the 12.7% of Rhode Islanders who remain out of [...]

Students to Protest Central Falls School Firings

Students and alumni say they’ll hold a silent protest in support of the teachers fired at Central Falls High Scool.  Tuesday evening’s protest is being held as the school district’s Board of Trustees meets to discuss the turnaround plan at the failing school. The students say they will wear black and hold candles in honor [...]

The Brief, 03/01/2010: Not Quite News

Tonight, Stan laments the persistence of rock star geezers in a segment we like to call Not Quite News with Stan Sundel.

The Super Bowl was a couple of weeks ago. I’m not the world’s biggest football fan. Frankly, I usually watch the game for the commercials – or more importantly, the half [...]

New Poll Puts Chafee in Lead for R.I Governor’s Race

Former U.S. Senator Lincoln Chafee has taken the lead in one poll on the Rhode Island govorner’s race.  The Rasmussen Reports Election 2010 telephone survey found the Republican-turned-Independent Chafee in the lead, regardless of whether the Democratic nominee was General Treasurer Frank Caprio or Attorney General Patrick Lynch.  The telephone survey of 500 “likely voters” [...]

Former Carcieri Cabinet Member Accepts General Assembly Job

Governor Carcieri’s former top cabinet member, Gary S. Sasse has accepted a job with the General Assembly.  According to the Providence Journal, Sasse will work as a part time advisor to the House of Representatives.  Sasse reigned as head of the Department of Administration last Friday.

Central Falls Teacher’s Union Files Appeal

The Central Falls Teachers’ Union filed three unfair labor practice charges with the state Labor Relations Board Monday.  In the complaint, the union accused the school district of failing to bargain and not providing the teachers with enough information.  This is the union’s first attempt to appeal the mass firings of 93 teachers and staff [...]