News

Town Hall Unites Community: Everyone hates an AI data center

Smithfield, RI: A town known for its forests, trails, ponds, and well, wealth. An unlikely location for a potential AI-Data Center, one may think. Yet, this rural community, despite data center construction being illegal under current zoning laws, finds itself at the center of Rhode Island’s first major data center debate. Revity Energy’s desire to […]

Read More

Rent Destabilization: Providence City Council fails to override Mayor Smiley’s rent stabilization veto, but the fight is not over

“Industry wants us to believe the sky will fall if there’s reform,” said Council President Rachel Miller. “But for working families, the sky is already falling…” “In front of you is an ordinance that will protect residents,” said Providence City Council President Rachel Miller (Ward 13), speaking from the floor of the council chamber. “It […]

Read More

Feds to Regard Cannabis as Medicine: Recreational use expected to follow within months

In the face of decades of evidence that cannabis has safe and effective medical uses, the federal government moved it on Apr 23 from Schedule I, which is for drugs such as heroin and LSD that have a high risk of abuse and no legitimate medical purpose, to Schedule III, which is for drugs that […]

Read More

Mural Wars: New public art puts backs up against a wall

PVD-based artist Ian Gaudreau got a tip from a friend about a grant-sponsored mural project. Ten thousand dollars (the advertised amount) is a pretty good commission in the working artist world, so he looked into it. He discussed it with the sponsoring organization, who conveyed the tragic life-cut-short story of Iryna Zarutska. Gaudreau declined to […]

Read More

Pothole Construction Season a Sign of Spring: RI DOT seeks public help finding where to repair

The RI Department of Transportation (RIDOT) announced a major initiative to repair potholes caused by a harsh winter. A new Pothole Service Requests Dashboard site on the web – https://www.dot.ri.gov/travel/potholes.php – allows the public to report locations needing repair, and monitor progress. It includes overall counts and a map that can zoom down to individual […]

Read More

ECORI NEWS ROUNDUP

Providence Creates Green Revolving Fund for Municipal Projects PROVIDENCE — In a political environment where federal officials — and even some Rhode Island officials — have proposed rolling back climate funding and resources, others are deciding it’s time to double down.  Mayor Brett Smiley announced on April 7 that city officials were creating Providence’s first […]

Read More