News

By Scott MacKay

Providence, R.I. – We continue our series of interviews with the candidates for Rhode Island's first congressional district seat with Republican state Representative John Loughlin. In this year's general election, Loughlin is expected to face one of four Democrats: Providence Mayor David Cicilline, former state Democratic Chairman Bill Lynch or state Representative David Segal. Loughlin sat down with WRNI's Scott MacKay for an interview on a range of issues.

By AP

Providence, R.I. – The candidates for governor touched on taxes, budget deficits and immigration during a forum at a Providence retirement community.

General Treasurer Frank Caprio is the only Democrat left in the race since Attorney General Patrick Lynch quit last week. During yesterday's forum, Republican John Robitaille said it would be dangerous to have both the executive and legislative branches controlled by one party. Moderate Party candidate Ken Block said Caprio would be a ``machine-anointed'' governor if he were elected.

By Marielle Segarra

Providence, R.I. – Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island is laying off 58 employees and cutting 45 other positions. Blue Cross and Blue Shield employs more than 1,000 local residents.

The layoffs come less than a month after Blue Cross received a 9.8 percent rate increase. The company had requested increases around 13 percent. Blue Cross Blue Shield reported a one hundred-million dollar loss in 2009.

By Marielle Segarra

By Fred Massie

Providence, R.I. – In this week's This I Believe Rhode Island essay, underwater explorer Fred Massie tells us about the beliefs he's developed around the Ocean State.

Providence, R.I. – Hear the daily morning podcast for Wednesday, July 21, 2010.

By Marielle Segarra

Providence, R.I. – Rhode Island's state standards for English and math are not challenging enough, according to a Fordham Institute report out today. But the report grades the state's new national standards more favorably.

Providence, R.I. – This week, Central Falls became the first Rhode Island municipality to be effectively taken over by a state appointed receiver. WRNI political reporter Ian Donnis and Morning Edition Host Bob Seay breakdown how this happened and what comes next.

By Bill Gale

Providence, R.I. – Island Moving Company last scored with "Dracula" an amusing and sometimes scary production in a Newport mansion. Now the dance company has brought a few good friends to the City by the Sea. Bill Gale has this review.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Great Friends Dance Festival continues through Sunday night at the Friends Meeting House in Newport. Bill Gale reviews the performing arts for WRNI.

By Flo Jonic

Providence, R.I. – The former president of Roger Williams Medical Center may be headed to prison soon. A federal appeals court has affirmed his corruption conviction.

Attorneys for Robert Urciuoli challenged his corruption conviction on the grounds that the judge gave improper instructions to the jury. But the first U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected that argument and upheld his convictions of conspiracy and mail fraud for buying the influence of former state Sen. John Celona.