Ian Donnis

The head of the troubled Institute for International Sport was arraigned on 18 counts in Superior Court Friday.

Dan Doyle, of Connecticut, was charged after an investigation that began in February 2012. The probe followed media reports that the Institute for International Sport housed at URI was unable to fully account for state funding it had received.

Doyle faces seven counts of embezzlement, five counts each of forgery and filing a false document, and one count of obtaining money under false pretenses.

After a 16-year-fight, Rhode Island yesterday (Thursday) became the 10th state to legalize same-sex marriage. As Rhode Island Public Radio political reporter Ian Donnis reports, supporters hailed the development as a victory for grassroots democracy.

Governor Lincoln Chafee signed two companion bills into law shortly after they were approved, 56-to-15, during a final vote in the House of Representatives. Chafee told an audience of hundreds of people in front of the Statehouse that gays and lesbians have been seeking equality for a long time.

Roger Williams University Law School professor Jorge Elorza, a housing court judge in Providence and prospective mayoral candidate, joins the Roundtable this week. We talk about what's next for the Superman Building, growing interest in the 2012 race for treasurer, and debate over investing the state pension fund in hedge funds.

Roger Williams University Law School professor Jorge Elorza, a Housing Court judge in Providence, joins us on Bonus Q+A to talk about housing, economic development, Latino politics, and his own future plans.

To the delight of a crowd of hundreds of people in front of the Statehouse, Governor Lincoln Chafee on Thursday evening signed into law legislation making Rhode Island the 10th state to legalize same-sex marriage. Two companion bills forming the basis for the law sped through the General Assembly in recent weeks, in sharp contrast to how the issue of same-sex marriage languished for the preceding 16 years.

Governor Lincoln Chafee has faced more than his share of stormy political weather since squeaking his way into office in November 2010, with less than 40 percent of the statewide vote.

We're 18 months out from the November 2014 election, but that's not stopping Mark Binder from announcing on Thursday another legislative challenge to House Speaker Gordon Fox.

Via news release:

Ian Donnis will be reporting from the statehouse as Rhode Island is poised to join the other New England states that have already legalized same-sex marriage. This follows a battle of almost 20 years.

Two companion bills for same-sex marriage are expected to get overwhelming support during a House vote this afternoon. Immediately after, Governor Lincoln Chafee plans to sign the legislation into law during a ceremony on the south side of the Statehouse.

After helping to shepherd same-sex marriage legislation on what once seemed an improbable path to victory, House Speaker Gordon Fox was a bit surprised Tuesday to be asked about his own wedding plans.

"I'm just trying to plan to get through this session," Fox said, laughing, when asked if he has plans to marry later this year. "That's a curve ball. I hadn't though about that one. Maybe you should ask my partner that."

Fundraising specialist and lobbyist Brett Smiley is joining those looking at a run for mayor of Providence if Angel Taveras moves on next year.

"I am seriously exploring a race for mayor in 2014," Smiley tells RIPR. He says he has started meeting with people to talk about a possible run and plans to make a decision this summer about whether to move forward.