News

By Ian Donnis

Providence, R.I. – The House Finance Committee last night approved a plan to balance the state budget through June of 2011.

House Finance Chairman Steven Costantino calls the budget a victory for taxpayers, since it doesn't include any broad-based tax increases. The budget also cuts state education aid, trims pension benefits, and withholds $133 million in car tax revenue from cities and towns. Costantino offered this context.

By Anthony Brooks

West Warwick, R.I. – Ferrucci's New York System is one of the bright spots in West Warwick's downtown business section in the village of Arctic. Locals gather here for breakfast - as well burgers, fries, wraps and seafood rolls. But this local eatery is best known for something else.

"Ah, weenies," says Michael Ferrucci, of Ferrucci's New York System.

By Elisabeth Harrison

West Warwick, R.I. – While most kids are eating cereal and watching cartoons, up to 60 students in West Warwick are headed to Horgan Elementary School for extra help in English and Math. Here's seven-year-old Crystal Cabral:

"We play gym after we eat snack but we have to do something before snack like do math. And then we have snack and then we go to gym," Crystal says. "It's kind of fun."

By Ian Donnis

Providence, R.I. – As part of our One Square Miles series this week, this Political Roundtable's focus is West Warwick, as well as immigration reform, the boycott of the Westin Hotel and tax reform.

By Bob Seay

Providence, R.I. – As part of our One Square Mile series, we're talking to author Ann Hood, a native of West Warwick and the author of "Do Not Go Gentle," which draws heavily from her childhood growing up in the town. Hood sat down for an interview recently with WRNI Morning Edition host Bob Seay.

By Scott MacKay

West Warwick, R.I. – House Speaker William Murphy, one in a long line of West Warwick politicians to reach a leadership role at the Rhode Island State House. WRNI's Scott MacKay met with Murphy for a tour of the town, and prepared this report.

By AP

Providence, R.I. – Records fell throughout New England as the region sizzled through an unusual spring heat spell.

The National Weather Service says the mercury hit 95 degrees at T.F. Green Airport outside Providence at 2:30 p.m yesterday. That broke the old record of 91 degrees for May 26 set in 1965.

A temperature of 98 degrees was recorded at Bradley International Airport outside of Hartford, breaking the previous record of 94 degrees in 1965.

By Ian Donnis

West Warwick, R.I. – Michael Pinga grew up working in the family business, Westcott Baking Company, in West Warwick. So he's very familiar with the details of commercial bread baking.

"We refrigerate some of the dough, the product, at night, and then we bake it off this afternoon," Pinga says. "That's Italian bread, French bread, all different kinds of rolls, and this is our big walk-in freezer. We keep some product on hand in case customers forget to order."

By AP

Providence, R.I. – A federal judge says he wants to review videotapes that investigators say show an immigration detainee being abused and mistreated at a Rhode Island jail.

U.S. District Judge William Smith said yesterday he would look at the tapes before deciding whether to grant a request to block them from public release.

The videos were taken while Hiu Lui "Jason" Ng was jailed at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility in Central Falls. The Chinese immigrant was held at Wyatt for overstaying his visa.

By Flo Jonic

Providence, R.I. – Priceless historic records could be lost if the city of Providence doesn't store them more carefully. That's the finding of a special City Council commission looking into archive storage.

When the 1636 Roger Williams deed to Rhode Island was found under a table in the city archives last year, city councilor Terrence Hasset became concerned. What other treasures, he wondered, were in danger of being lost for lack of proper storage.

Plenty, as it turns out.