National News
WBRU Brief 1/9: New Hampshire the catalyst
Rhode Island voters don’t get much of a say in presidential primary season: by the time the state votes in April the nominee is often all but chosen, and the smallest state doesn’t have many delegates up for grabs. But tomorrow nearby New Hampshire will hold its always-influential first primary – so some Rhode Islanders make their voices heard [...]
Romney ekes out victory in Iowa
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is leaving Iowa with a victory – just barely. Former Senator Rick Santorum finished just 8 votes behind Romney in last night’s Iowa caucuses, with both winning 25 percent of the vote. Congressman Ron Paul also had a strong showing: third place with 21 percent of the vote.
The [...]
VT Gov. Shumlin joins RI Gov. Chafee’s and WA Gov. Gergoire’s effort to support medical marijuana
Another state governor says he supports the reclassification of marijuana. Vermont Gov.
Peter Shumlin says he supports and will sign onto an effort to allow doctors to prescribe medical marijuana and pharmacists to fill the prescriptions.
Shumlin is joining an effort by Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee and Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire to petition the federal Drug [...]
U.S. Senators visiting RI push for online sales tax bill
U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse plan to visit an independent Rhode Island toy store to push for an online sales tax bill.
The senators will meet Monday afternoon with the owners of Learn All About it Toys to discuss legislation that would require online retailers and catalogue sellers to [...]
U.S. Rep. and former Providence Mayor David Cicilline goes after debit card fees
U.S. Representative David Cicilline of Rhode Island is pushing legislation to ban debit card fees.
The freshman Democrat announce Thursday his proposal would prohibit banks from collecting fees for receiving or using a debit card.
This comes as a result of Bank of America’s controversial decision to introduce monthly fees for debit cardholders.
Cicilline says it’s “unconscionable” that [...]
Taveras to Talk at Education Nation
The mayor of Providence is a panelist at a national education summit that is bringing together politicians, business leaders, parent activists and students to discuss the state of education in America. Mayor Angel Taveras is scheduled to serve on a panel Tuesday at the NBC News Education Nation Summit in New [...]
Obama to Announce Reform to No Child Left Behind
Rhode Island Gov. Chafee will be joining President Obama at the White House in a few short hours for an announcement on changes to federal education policy.
Obama is scheduled to announce that states will be able to seek waivers to get around provisions in the federal No Child Left Behind law. Passed in 2001, the [...]
Rhode Island mourn 9/11 victims on 10 year anniversary
Rhode Islanders joined the nation yesterday in marking 10 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Governor Lincoln Chafee joined other state leaders for a service yesterday on the Statehouse steps, recalling the sacrifice of first responders who died in the attacks.
Ceremonies included multi-faith prayers for peace.
R.I. Senate Passes Civil Unions
On Wednesday afternoon, the Rhode Island Senate approved same-sex civil unions. The civil unions bill, which has already passed the House, just needs Governor Chafee’s signature before it can become law. Under this bill, gays in civil unions would get the same state rights and benefits given to married Rhode Island couples. While some, like [...]
Newt Gingrich on Damage Control: Apologizes to Paul Ryan
GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich is on damage control and has apologized for his criticism of fellow Republican Paul Ryan. Last Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Gingrich had harsh words about Wisconsin Representative Paul Ryan’s plan for the future of Medicare. In Ryan’s plan, Medicare would be replaced with vouchers older Americans could use [...]
