Government
Public services and government action
ACLU class-action lawsuit seeks release for all ICE detainees at Wyatt Detention Center
"There is no doubt that we are facing a public health and humanitarian crisis if ICE does not release many more people immediately. We urge the court to take swift action to mitigate the worst of the tragedy.” The American Civil Libertie...
COVID-19 at Wyatt has doubled in latest report
"...Before this week, we had a total of 15 detainees who tested positive and 7 of them had fully recovered and tested negative. This week, we received notice from RIDOH that 22 additional detainees have tested positive..." The Wyatt Dete...
Three asymptomatic inmates at ACI test positive for COVID-19
“Three inmates from the Minimum Security Facility tested positive for COVID-19 today as part of our routine surveillance testing of the facility. The three inmates are healthy and without symptoms..." "We have, not only with nursing home...
As courts prepare to reopen, Rhode Island faces an eviction disaster
"I'm working hard on that, figuring out what we can do," said Governor Raimondo. "I'm worried about it. The courts may or may not reopen, they are still trying to figure that out. I'm working on figuring out more rental assistance, as we...
Commission for Health Advocacy and Equity shares 'urgent concerns and recommendations' for reopening RI
"While... inequities and unjust systems were in place long before any of us came to occupy our current positions, the lives of all Rhode Islanders, especially in communities of color which are most heavily impacted by COVID-19, are at st...
Dr Alexander-Scott on the social, racial and economic determinants of health
"If you live in a community where you are part of the critical infrastructure workforce and you're living paycheck to paycheck, your housing may not be of the best quality, the schools may not have had the ability to allow for remote dis...
13 detainees and three staff test positive for COVID-19 at Wyatt
The May 4 Wyatt Status Report, issued biweekly, now shows that 13 detainees and 3 members of the Wyatt staff are now testing positive for COVID-19. That's a large increase from the numbers reported in the April 30 report, which listed ni...
Wyatt cannot guarantee safety of medically vulnerable detainees, determines Court
"Wyatt’s current precautions cannot absolutely 'identify infected individuals and ensure that they do not come into contact with other people living and working in' the facility." United States District Court Judge William Smith wrote, i...
Joint Legislative Task Force 'unlawful' says Minority Leader Filippi in exclusive interview
"It is holding itself out to be something to exercise the authority of the House. The Speaker's gone on radio and said, this Task Force is going to exercise the House's constitutional oversight function. So it's essentially standing ther...
Providence announces Slow Streets Pilot Program
“By reimagining our largest public asset—our streets—we will immediately provide our residents with space right outside their doors to stay active." Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza today announced Providence Slow Streets, a new effort to m...