News

By Anthony Brooks

Providence, R.I. – This week - we consider the political fall-out of the oil spill, a new poll in the Governor's race, and who pays the price for the state's budget squeeze. Here's WRNI's Anthony Brooks filling in for Ian Donnils.

By Elisabeth Harrison

Providence, R.I. – The state Board of Education has voted to reconsider the future of the Highlander Charter School after an emotional meeting last night. The Providence elementary and middle school faces a two-year probationary period due to concerns about test scores. But testimony from dozens of parents, teachers and students convinced the board to postpone the decision.

By Flo Jonic

Providence, R.I. – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood was in Providence yesterday. He didn't come bearing gifts but he left a little hope.

After touring the city by trolley, LaHood said there is a good chance the federal government will fund Transit 2020 - the capital city's ambitious plan to get people out of their cars and onto mass transit.

By AP

Providence, R.I. – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood plans to express his concerns to some Rhode Island students about distracted driving.

LaHood is scheduled to speak to teens at Westerly High School on Thursday about the dangers of texting or other distractions while driving.

LaHood is also scheduled later in the day to take a trolley tour of Providence with Mayor David Cicilline and U.S. Sen. Jack Reed.

By Flo Jonic

Providence, R.I. – Rhode Island has the second lowest rate of gun deaths in the country. That word from the Violence Policy Center of Washington.

Of the 50 states, only Hawaii has fewer gun deaths per 100,000 residents than Rhode Island. The Violence Policy Center used 2007 crime data to draw its conclusions. The Center's legislative director, Kristen Rand, says the Ocean State has two thirds fewer gun deaths than the national average because so few Rhode Islanders own guns.

By Ian Donnis

Providence, R.I. – The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote this afternoon on an almost $8 billion dollar budget.

The budget closes a $570 dollar deficit for the current and next fiscal years. One of the most controversial elements is the withholding from cities and towns of $133 million in car tax revenue for fiscal 2011. And House spokesman Larry Berman says lawmakers continue to rely on $100 million in federal money that has yet to be allocated.

By Ian Donnis

Providence, R.I. – Congressman James Langevin has a big fundraising advantage as he begins his reelection campaign.

Langevin has outraised his Democratic and Republican rivals by a better than three-to-one margin. Langevin's most recent filing with the federal election commission shows a campaign balance of almost $420,000. His next closest competitor, fellow Democrat Betsy Dennigan, reported a $138,000 balance.

By AP

Providence, R.I. – Rhode Island voters are a step closer to deciding whether state lawmakers can face Ethics Commission prosecution for their votes at the Statehouse.

The House of Representatives has approved a ballot question authorizing the quasi judicial panel to investigate and prosecute lawmakers on the basis of their votes and other legislative acts.

By AP

Providence, R.I. – A federal judge says a former Rhode Island lawmaker who pleaded guilty to corruption charges must remain behind bars.

Former House Majority Leader Gerard Martineau had asked U.S. District Judge Mary Lisi to shorten his sentence.

Martineau cited a state Supreme Court opinion last year that said state lawmakers can't be prosecuted for improper votes. But Lisi ruled that the state court decision had no bearing on his federal case.

By AP

Providence, R.I. – The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority has scheduled a series of public hearings on proposed fare increases the agency says it needs to balance its budget.

The increases are roughly 14 percent, with variations depending on the kind of ticket. Under the proposal, a single-trip bus fare would rise to $2 from $1.75, while a 15-ride would jump to $26 from $23 and a monthly pass would go to $62 from $55.

Transit advocates say a fare hike is a better option than service cuts.