Government
Public services and government action
State Treasurer candidate James Diossa talks college debt with students
"I have many friends who are hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt," said Megan Labbe, a recent PC grad struggling with student debt. "And it's obviously taking a very serious toll on their mental health and their outlook on their future in general. They don't know what they're going to do and it's a terrible situation."
New eviction defense program will provide free legal services to low-income tenants
The program will assist tenants through the support of attorney advocates and law students, access to a tenant help desk located in the Sixth District Housing Court in Providence, and increased community supports through the DARE Tenant and Homeowner Association.
On anniversary of Hiu Lui Ng death, inmate neglect continues to plague Wyatt Detention Center
A federal judge ultimately insisted that Hiu Lui Ng be given the care he was pleading for. It was determined that he was suffering from untreated, terminal liver cancer and a broken spine. Hiu Lui Ng died five days later.
City council candidates propose plan to tackle gun violence in Providence
"I always tell folks that we have an archaic version of public safety that responds after the crime has been committed and doesn't do much to deter crime," said Corey Jones, candidate for Providence City Council (Ward 3). "If public safety was recreated today from scratch we would probably have...up to 13 different [types of] responses, from little kids all the way to pregnant women..."
Providence's new program puts citizenship within reach for more immigrants
“Becoming a U.S. citizen isn’t easy. There are numerous eligibility requirements, loads of paperwork, and it’s expensive,” said Kathy Cloutier, Executive Director of Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island.
Providence officials rush to install automatic license plate readers as privacy backlash builds
"All law abiding citizens deserve a safe and secure city to live in. And anyone who questions that, well…"
Shower to Empower offers relief and respite to those suffering homelessness
"We sadly live in a state where a shower or bathroom access is a basic needs barrier that over 1000 Rhode Islanders faced in over four years. Shower to Empower must exist in order to meet that basic need. And on an oppressively hot day like today, and days that we've seen all week, know that Shower to Empower is saving lives. It doesn't look like the way lives traditionally get saved, but we know that by offering respite, relief and resources, from both the elements and from homelessness, we have an obligation to act and we provide that with dignity and with our care for folks."
Exclusive: Providence Police meet with community leaders in lively public conversation
"The amount of pain that people in the community, that young Black people go through at the hands of the police, what are they supposed to do with that? We don't want them to get mad and fight with each other, but there's so much pain at what you all are doing to them every single day. ..."
When her East Side homeless encampment was bulldozed, Molly lost everything
"I had an eight person tent there and everything I owned was in that tent," said Molly. "Like all my clothes, all my kids' pictures, just crazy amounts things like I can't replace… Like if you had things in your attic or in your basement that you keep in your own your home or in your apartment... Things that you've had from childhood, or little trinkets or whatever it may be. Things your Grandmother gave you or something that you can't always put in your car and carry with you."
Providence Police under fire for violent arrest caught on video
"Given the actions of these high-ranking officers, BLM RI PAC again calls for the full repeal of the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights and for Captain Gencarella and Lt. Jennette to be placed on administrative leave pending this investigation."