Cranston’s proposed 7% tax hike sponsored by out-of-town lawmaker Mayor Ken Hopkins turned to House Minority Leader Michael Chippendale to sponsor a 7.4% tax hike proposal.

NEW: Cranston’s push to override the state’s 4% tax cap is moving forward without backing from the city’s own legislative delegation, leading House Minority Leader Michael Chippendale of Foster to step in as the bill’s sponsor www.wpri.com/target-12/cr...

Ken Block out with campaign poll showing him competitive in race for RI governor About one in five voters backed the Barrington independent in an initial ballot test, according to a survey he commissioned.

NEW: Ken Block campaign poll gives us first look at the general election for RI gov

Foulkes leads Block by most, tho the margin is a tie (and McKee trails) when voters hear Block's case, per poll by Charlie Baker's former campaign manager

Foulkes & McKee teams quick to recall Block's GOP days

In second veto of first term, Smiley rejects City Council’s rent control ordinance Mayor Brett Smiley sent a letter to the council on Friday morning explaining he was sending back the rent control ordinance without his approval due to various “policy concerns.”

NEW: Less than 24 hours after the City Council approved a controversial rent stabilization ordinance, Mayor Brett Smiley has exercised his veto power for the second time in his first term to reject the proposal.

www.wpri.com/news/local-n... @wpri12.bsky.social

Cranston mayor seeks raises for aides amid proposed tax hike Many of the proposed raises would go to non-union employees who serve under Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins.

NEW: As Cranston residents brace for a sizable tax hike, Mayor Ken Hopkins is proposing pay raises for several top aides, including his chief of staff www.wpri.com/target-12/cr...

Cranston mayor seeks tax hike beyond state cap Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins will seek General Assembly approval to increase the city’s annual tax levy by 7.4% in an attempt to address a multimillion-dollar deficit.

NEW: Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins will seek General Assembly approval to increase the city’s annual tax levy by 7.4% in an attempt to address a multimillion-dollar deficit.

Developing story 👇 www.wpri.com/news/local-n...

$1.3M dispute escalates as Thrive calls for State House intervention The dispute stems from an audit conducted after the RI Medicaid office received tips of “fraud, waste and abuse” at Thrive.

NEW: A major Rhode Island behavioral health provider is asking lawmakers to intervene in a $1.3 million dispute, accusing state officials of “regulatory overreach” and failing to grasp the billing systems they oversee www.wpri.com/target-12/1-...

Will Cranston’s mayor cut jobs to close a $10M gap? After requesting more time, Mayor Ken Hopkins is expected to propose significant cuts and potential layoffs

The sagacious @elisherman.bsky.social talks with @radiostoryteller.bsky.social about Cranston's fiscal crisis www.oceanstatemedia.org/politics/wil...

Medicaid insurer threatens to sue RI over $135M dispute Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island has threatened legal action if the issue isn’t resolved.

NEW: Rhode Island’s largest Medicaid health plan is threatening legal action against the state, alleging a decade of “inaction” has left the organization with $135 million in unpaid debt for services www.wpri.com/target-12/me...

NEW: A special master has cleared a former New Bedford District Court judge and a prosecutor of allegations of a secret romantic relationship, while flagging concerns about the judge’s conduct and handling of evidence www.wpri.com/target-12/ne...

NEW: Cranston is currently running an annual budget deficit of nearly $10 million, according to newly revealed figures, as city officials scramble to find ways to close the shortfall before the start of the new fiscal year on July 1 www.wpri.com/target-12/cr...

Behind the Story: Eric Halvarson of The Providence Eye talks mural controversy YouTube video by WPRI

I loved this conversation between @elisherman.bsky.social, Dan McGowan, and @thepvdeye.bsky.social's first full-time reporter, Eric Halvarson.

RIDOT kills plan for bike paths off Henderson Bridge after Trump administration objects The state agreed to redirect part of a $25 million grant for the Henderson Expressway to fund a paving project instead.

NEW: RIDOT has quietly scrapped plans to put a $25M federal grant toward a bike path off the Henderson Bridge that would have linked East Bay Bike Path & Blackstone River Parkway

At Trump administration's urging, the money will now go to paving Pawtucket Ave instead

"Disappointing," says EP mayor

Former state official cleared of wrongdoing after RI ethics trial tied to Philly trip The ethics issue was tied to a 2023 trip to Philadelphia where Thorsen’s subordinate solicited free food and luxury items.

NEW: Former R.I. Director of Administration Jim Thorsen was cleared of all wrongdoing Wednesday following an ethics trial tied to a controversial 2023 trip to Philadelphia. www.wpri.com/target-12/fo...

‘Silent addiction’: The hidden cost of sports betting in RI People ages 18 to 35 make up more than half of all bettors using SportsbookRI.

NEW: @timwhiteri.bsky.social and I went back to college.

This time to examine the rising addiction to sports betting among young adults.

Our deep-dive into problem gambling, how data helps target bettors and how sports betting = big money for Rhode Island👇 www.wpri.com/target-12/si...

Irish national sentenced to 4+ years for ‘traveling conman’ scheme in Rhode Island John O’Brien, 28, admitted to bilking elderly homeowners out of more than $1 million for repairs they didn’t need.

NEW: An Irish national was sentenced Tuesday to more than 4 1/2 years in federal prison for defrauding dozens of homeowners in Rhode Island and Massachusetts out of more than $1 million in a so-called “traveling conman” scheme. (via @sarahguernelli.bsky.social) www.wpri.com/target-12/ir...

Behind the Story:

Safe to say @kimkalunian.bsky.social and I could spend all day listening to Alex Kuffner of The Providence Journal talk about "sludge."

Shoutouts + full episode --> www.wpri.com/behindthesto...

‘Terrible budget season’: Cranston cutting jobs, offering buyouts An undisclosed number of city workers have accepted buyout offers; schools are poised for layoffs.

Update: Teamster tells @katewilkinson.bsky.social Cranston initially offered early retirement packages to eligible employees.

Now, he said they're offering buyouts to all employees, setting a deadline to respond by week's end www.wpri.com/target-12/te...

‘Terrible budget season’: Cranston cutting jobs, offering buyouts An undisclosed number of city workers have accepted buyout offers; schools are poised for layoffs.

NEW: Cranston is eliminating positions and offering buyouts in a scramble to stabilize its finances ahead of what’s being described as a “terrible budget season.” www.wpri.com/target-12/te...

NEW: McKee campaign is broadening its attacks on Foulkes over her time in business

Gov team says Home Depot has "MAGA ties" yet Foulkes made $2M+ while on its board

Foulkes campaign charges crocodile tears, citing Home Depot donations to (pro-McKee) DGA www.wpri.com/news/electio...

NEW: The Cranston City Council will meet in a special session Monday to consider a resolution that would delay the city’s annual budget introduction by two weeks as officials grapple with what’s being called a “highly concerning” financial situation www.wpri.com/news/local-n...

Smiley: $10 million in back taxes owed for Roger Williams Medical Center Mayor Brett Smiley said Roger Williams Medical Center’s former owner — Prospect Medical Holdings — is delinquent for 2024 and 2025 tax bills, totaling about $10.2 million.

NEW: Providence stands to gain millions in back taxes owed by the former owner of Roger Williams Medical Center, but it will be years before the city sees the money.

www.wpri.com/news/local-n... @wpri12.bsky.social

Behind the Story:

@thestoryshorey.bsky.social talks to Dan McGowan + me about his decision to leave The Valley Breeze after 20 years.

Also, some hints at what's coming next.

Shoutouts + full episode --> www.wpri.com/behindthesto...

NEW: A Rhode Island judge has appointed a veteran attorney to get a handle on the finances and operations at The Croft School in Providence, a move intended to help prevent the private school from closing after a massive financial scandal www.wpri.com/target-12/co...

R.I. Department of Administration officials are trying to sort out a $220,000 payment error that resulted in 9,000 state workers receiving union dues rather than those funds going directly to their labor groups.
www.wpri.com/target-12/st...

NEW: More developments at The Croft School, which is poised to run out of money without help.

A group of parents is now asking a Rhode Island judge to place the private school into receivership, a state-level version of bankruptcy www.wpri.com/target-12/cr...

NEW: A group of Croft School parents is trying to raise $1 million to keep the Providence location open for the rest of the school year, warning they don’t currently have enough money to make payroll beyond the end of this week.

www.wpri.com/target-12/be...

Croft School parent accuses founder of running ‘Ponzi scheme’ The lawsuit filed against founder Scott Given was filed in Norfolk County Superior Court.

A Croft School parent has filed a new lawsuit accusing the school’s founder of operating a “classic Ponzi scheme,” inducing families into purchasing so-called “Croft Bonds” using fabricated collateral. @elisherman.bsky.social breaks down the complaint: ⤵️

#WATCH: Croft School parents spoke with 12 News' Barbara Ron on Monday as the private school fights to avoid a total shutdown. Full story with @elisherman.bsky.social: www.wpri.com/target-12/croft-students...

NEW: A Croft School parent has filed a new lawsuit accusing the school’s founder of operating a “classic Ponzi scheme” that used millions of dollars in parent-funded loans to mask a massive financial collapse. www.wpri.com/target-12/cr...

NEW: Students at The Croft School returned to the classroom for the first time Monday since a massive financial scandal involving “two sets of books” and a $13 million hidden debt was revealed.

PPSD is bracing for an influx of new students if the school shutters www.wpri.com/target-12/cr...