Tagged: Providence

Providence Police say crime in the city fell four percent last year.  The news comes as detectives investigate the capital city’s first murder of the year. Twenty-year-old Wesley Smith was gunned down Wednesday night on Dudley Street in south Providence.

Both burglaries and robberies fell by double digits, continuing a 20-year trend.

There were five more murders last year than there were in 2011. But Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare says even the higher number is consistent with the city’s 20 year average of 20 murders per year.

Providence Mayor Angel Taveras unveiled a 20-point economic plan Wednesday morning during a meeting of the Providence Foundation. The mayor's repeated rhetorical emphasis -- how Providence has bounced back from the financial abyss thanks to collaboration and shared sacrifice -- sounded like one message he'll wield next year during an expected Democratic run for governor.

A group of mayors from around Rhode Island called Monday for the state Senate to legalize same-sex marriage. It remains unclear when the Senate will take up two competing same-sex marriage bills.

The advocacy group Rhode Islanders United for Marriage says the mayors of six communities support same-sex marriage: Providence, Warwick, Pawtucket, North Providence, Central Falls and Cumberland. Providence Mayor Angel Taveras calls same-sex marriage a matter of equality and something that will give Rhode Island an economic boost.

Providence has been named one of the most dangerous markets for real estate investors.  HomeVestors of America along with Local Market Monitor has ranked 38 markets as "dangerous"  for those looking to buy homes as rental properties.  Providence ranks number-26 and is the largest city on the list.

HomeVestors President Ingo Winzer says cities with a “dangerous” rating have a combination of high unemployment or weak job growth as well as falling, or weak, home prices.  

The Rhode Island School of Design has received a private donation of $1M to fund international relationships.  RIPR’s John Bender has more.

A $1M donation coming from Bangalore, India to RISD is the largest international gift the school has ever received. The money will be used to fund a visiting faculty position, specifically, artists and scholars connected to India.

RISD has had study abroad programs to India, and Provost Rosanne Somerson is excited to now bring scholars from India to RISD