Metro

Probation reform bill introduced in RI House, Senate

By Emma Madgic | May 21

Legislation introduced in the Rhode Island House and Senate last month would require courts to grant bail or personal recognizance, a written promise to appear at future hearings, to people arrested while on probation.

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‘The magnitude of the community that we had': Fox Point, gentrification, urban renewal

By Katy Pickens | April 27

During the 20th century, Fox Point was a community of immigrants — Cape Verdean, Portuguese, Irish, Lebanese and more. But, in the latter half of the century, those residents were displaced by the impacts of urban renewal, the expansion of Brown University, students living off campus and gentrification. ...

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Brown’s footprint today: Student housing, taxation

By Katy Pickens and Rhea Rasquinha | April 27

In the last century, the University’s campus boundaries and property ownership have increased significantly, The Herald previously reported. Today, the University still continues to grow, with recent projects such as the Brook Street Residence Hall and purchases such as River ...

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An impending climate reality: Rising coastlines, inevitable housing relocation

By Julia Vaz | April 27

According to the January Rhode Island State Climate Summary, the northeastern United States is experiencing a faster rate of sea level rise than the global average. Even in the more conservative intermediate emissions projection, sea levels are expected to rise four feet by 2100, which would necessitate ...

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State legislature considers bill to limit teaching of race, sexuality in schools

By Sam Levine | April 27

State lawmakers in the House Education Committee convened for a public hearing April 11 on H7539, a bill that seeks to restrict teaching about race, sexuality and gender identity in Rhode Island public schools. Hundreds of Rhode ...

Former City Council president Michael Solomon runs for mayor

By Brendan Gardner | April 26

Providence business owner and former City Council president Michael Solomon is running for mayor of Providence on a platform of enhancing public safety and education. Solomon, who also ran for mayor in 2014, will face off against Democratic opponents Nirva LaFortune, Brett Smiley and Gonzalo Cuervo ...

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Metro

Arts associations oppose RIDE's readiness-based graduation requirements

By Julia Vaz | April 24

The Rhode Island Department of Education presented its new proposal of readiness-based graduation requirements for public comment on March 7, which would expand the number of requirements to graduate high school in the state. Since then, state arts associations have opposed the proposal, claiming ...

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Metro

The Bruno Brief: A look into the history of Lippitt Hill

By The Bruno Brief | April 22

Urban development in Providence has historically led to displacement of minority communities, The Herald previously reported. ...

Metro

Brett Smiley campaigns for Providence mayor

By Ashley Guo and Katy Pickens | April 20

This isn’t Brett Smiley’s first campaign for mayor — after running in 2014 and ultimately withdrawing to support the current mayor Jorge Elorza, Smiley didn’t run for office again for several years and instead went to work in city and state government, he told The Herald.

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Metro

Gentrification and small businesses: New development, rising prices, future prospects

By Rhea Rasquinha | April 19

As neighborhoods in Providence have evolved over the years, businesses have felt the effects of increasing prices and changing customer demographics as a result of gentrification and displacement, The Herald previously reported. Thayer Street is one area that “has changed immensely,” ...

Metro

The Bruno Brief: Gentrification and housing on College Hill, explained

By The Bruno Brief | April 19

The landscape of College Hill has undergone tremendous change in the last century. Between urban renewal, the impact and expansion of the University, off-campus student housing and the burgeoning field of historic preservation, complex factors contributed to a dramatic transformation, The Herald ...

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Metro

‘We as a people are tired of moving’: Lippitt Hill and the displacement of non-white communities in Providence

By Katy Pickens and Rhea Rasquinha | April 17

The shopping center near the University Heights apartments just south of the Mount Hope neighborhood of Providence looks like any other. A Whole Foods, McDonald’s, Petco and Staples make for a somewhat unremarkable shopping strip that University students sometimes visit to run errands or buy groceries. ...

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Metro

‘We didn't choose to be neighbors’: A history of Brown’s property impact on the East Side

By Katy Pickens and Finn Kirkpatrick | April 15

University Hall was the first building on the property of Brown University in Providence in 1770. It was constructed by laborers, both free and enslaved, six years after the University’s ...

Metro

Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune runs for mayor of Providence on platform of education reform, affordable housing

By Michael Seoane | April 15

Nirva LaFortune MA ’19 is running to be the next mayor of Providence in the Nov. 8 general election, following a Sep. 13 primary. Term limits prevent the current mayor of Providence, Jorge Elorza, from retaining his post.

Metro

Professors, administration discuss future of booster vaccines, variants

By Sam Levine | April 15

In the past few weeks, a new Omicron variant has swept across the United States, accounting for as much as 86% of new COVID-19 cases nationwide, according to data ...

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Metro

Louis restaurant reflects on 75 years, impact of COVID-19

By Tevah Gevelber | April 13

Louis, which celebrated its 75th birthday during the pandemic, has been a staple of the Providence community throughout its lifetime. While this legacy is apparent in Louis’ decor — which includes scattered black and white photographs and eclectic drawings — and the memories of its patrons ...

Metro

RI Attorney General files emergency appeal against sale of Narragansett Electric Company

By Julia Vaz | April 12

On Feb. 23, the Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers approved the sale of Narragansett Electric Company — National Grid’s electric and gas supplier in Rhode Island — to Pennsylvania-based electric company PPL Electric Utilities. One day later, Rhode Island Attorney General ...

Metro

Gentrification and displacement in Providence: Urban renewal, economic markets, historic preservation

By Katy Pickens and Rhea Rasquinha | April 12

The movement of people in and out of neighborhoods is a natural part of cities’ development. But an issue seen across Providence and the rest of the country is gentrification: the influx of new, often wealthier populations into an area in a way that negatively impacts its current members and the ...

Metro

Providence mayoral candidates discuss platforms in open forum

By Elysee Barakett | April 12

Four Democratic candidates who are running to be the mayor of Providence — Gonzalo Cuervo, Nirva LaFortune MA’19, Brett Smiley and Michael Solomon — explained their platforms and answered questions in a Jewelry District Association open forum Tuesday. The event was moderated by Dan McGowan, ...

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Metro

J Life Mart brings Asian snacks, products to Thayer Street

By Ashley Guo | April 7

Since its opening April 1, Japanese convenience store J Life Mart — located on 231 Thayer St. — has welcomed many eager students and customers to see its offerings. Upon entering, patrons are greeted by colorful shopping baskets to use as they peruse aisle after aisle of Asian snacks and goods. ...