PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The speaker of the Rhode Island House says the deal to provide public funding for a new stadium for the Pawtucket Red Sox is "dead." House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello tells WPRI-TV that the financing plan approved by the Senate last week will not make it through the House in its current form. Under the Senate plan, the state would pay for $23 million of the $83 million stadium the Boston Red Sox Triple-A affiliate says it needs to replace its current aging facility. Mattiello says two-thirds of Rhode Islanders do not support the bill and therefore the House will not support it. He says the bill contains too many risks to taxpayers. Worcester, Massachusetts has been courting the team even as it negotiates with Rhode Island officials. ——— Information from: WLNE-TV, http://www.abc6.com … [Read more...] about Speaker: PawSox Rhode Island stadium deal ‘dead’
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Rhode Island defeats Dayton 88-74, pushes win streak to 10
DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — Jared Terrell scored 24 points and E.C. Matthews added 17 as Rhode Island battled past Dayton 88-74 before a sellout crowd on Saturday, extending its win streak to 10 games, including all seven Atlantic 10 contests this season. Matthews scored 10 of his 17 points in a bruising first half when the teams battled through five lead changes and three ties. Matthews scored twice as Rhode Island ended the half making four if its last five shots to lead 50-43, and his 3-pointer just 16 seconds into the second half gave the Rams a 10-point lead that Dayton never overcame. Dayton turned the ball over three times as Rhode Island rallied at the end of the first half, then five more in the first five minutes of the second half. The Rams scored 24 points off 21 Dayton's turnovers. The Flyers came as close as 55-51 when Josh Cunningham scored on the fast break and Jalen Crutcher followed with a drive. Terrell answered with a 3-pointer and scored the next seven points … [Read more...] about Rhode Island defeats Dayton 88-74, pushes win streak to 10
Rhode Island readies legal action against drug firms
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Democratic Lt. Gov. Dan McKee and several Rhode Island communities plan to announce legal action against companies that officials say are responsible for the proliferation of prescription opioids in the state. McKee's office says the "joint initiative" will be announced on Monday. The mayors of Warwick, Central Falls, Pawtucket, North Providence, Cumberland and Johnston were slated to participate, along with municipal officials from East Providence and Richmond. Nationally, more than a dozen states and more than 200 municipalities have filed lawsuits accusing drug makers of contributing to the deadly opioid addiction crisis. The companies have denied wrongdoing. Fall River, Massachusetts announced this week it planned to sue opioid producers and distributors, and Springfield said it had retained a law firm to represent the city in litigation against pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors. … [Read more...] about Rhode Island readies legal action against drug firms
Rhode Island officials don’t regret Amazon bid
Visit The Boston Globe Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Comment on this Scroll to top of page Associated Press January 18, 2018 PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rhode Island has been knocked out of the running for Amazon’s second headquarters, but state officials say it was worth putting in a serious bid.Seattle-based Amazon on Thursday announced its list of 20 cities it’s still considering for what the company says will be a $5 billion new campus. Boston was the only New England metropolitan area to make the cut.Rhode Island Commerce Corporation spokesman Matt Sheaff says ‘‘it was a long shot’’ but ‘‘we’re glad we gave it a shot.’’ He says the state economic development agency is in ongoing discussions with Amazon about other opportunities. Advertisement Some local business leaders are now urging Rhode Island to throw its support behind Boston’s bid because of the economic benefits it … [Read more...] about Rhode Island officials don’t regret Amazon bid
Rhode Island’s unemployment rate increases to 4.4 percent
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island's unemployment rate rose to 4.4 percent in December. The state Department of Labor and Training said Thursday that the jobless rate increased by one-tenth of a percentage point from the November rate of 4.3 percent. The U.S. unemployment rate held steady from November to December at 4.1 percent. Rhode Island's rate of unemployed was down half a percentage point from a year earlier, when it was 4.9 percent. The department says the state lost 600 jobs in December, but has 6,000 more jobs than a year ago. Many lost jobs were in the accommodation and food services sector and wholesale trade. The state's labor force totaled 554,900 in December, which is up 100 from November and up 4,300 from December 2016. … [Read more...] about Rhode Island’s unemployment rate increases to 4.4 percent
Rhode Island downs UMass 73-51 behind Terrell, Robinson
KINGSTON, R.I. (AP) — Jared Terrell scored 24 points with four 3-pointers and three steals, Stanford Robinson added 17 points with 12 rebounds, and Rhode Island beat Massachusetts 73-51 on Wednesday night to open the Atlantic 10 Conference season 6-0 for the first time in school history. Andre Berry scored 11 points and Cyril Langevine had 12 boards and three blocks for Rhode Island (14-3, 6-0), which won its ninth straight game and 13th straight at home. Terrell opened with a 3 and Rhode Island never trailed, leading 40-20 at halftime after a 12-2 run. The Minutemen closed to 45-31 on an 11-5 run capped by Carl Pierre's 3-point play, then trailed 60-46 with 8:04 to go. But Robinson's layup sparked a 10-2 Rhode Island run for a 70-48 lead. Luwane Pipkins scored 13 points with four assists and C.J. Anderson added 10 points for the Minutemen (10-9, 3-3), which saw their three-game win streak end. … [Read more...] about Rhode Island downs UMass 73-51 behind Terrell, Robinson
Sailing Hall of Fame closer to move to Rhode Island
NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) — The National Sailing Hall of Fame's proposed move from Maryland to Rhode Island is a step closer to reality. The Newport Daily News reports that the city has agreed to sell a waterfront armory building to the hall of fame for $2 million. The purchase-and-sales agreement has to be approved by the Sailing Hall of Fame's board of directors and by the Newport City Council. Hall of Fame board President Gary Jobson says he hopes both approvals can be obtained in February and the sale can move forward. He says the hall of fame would invest an additional $1.5 million on interactive exhibits, displays and films, as well as repairs. The organization currently has offices in Annapolis, Maryland but has been unsuccessful in its efforts to build a museum there. ——— Information from: The Newport Daily News. … [Read more...] about Sailing Hall of Fame closer to move to Rhode Island
Rhode Island Senate OKs public subsidies for PawSox stadium
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The Rhode Island state Senate has approved a proposal to provide public subsidies to help fund a new stadium for the Pawtucket Red Sox, but the legislation faces an uncertain future in the House. Two companion bills passed the chamber, both with 26-9 votes on Tuesday. The legislation would help the Boston Red Sox's Triple-A affiliate build a new stadium in Pawtucket. Under the plan, the state would pay for $23 million of the $83 million stadium. The legislation now goes to the House, where Democratic Speaker Nicholas Mattiello has been lukewarm to the deal. He said Tuesday that he wants to hear from the public. He says he believes most people do not support it, and he would be open to putting the proposal on the ballot. … [Read more...] about Rhode Island Senate OKs public subsidies for PawSox stadium
State police confirm probe of Rhode Island state senator
Updated 3:17 pm, Tuesday, January 16, 2018 COVENTRY, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island State police say they're investigating a state senator from Coventry. Lt. Col. Joseph Philbin tells the Providence Journal there is "an active investigation" into state Sen. Nicholas Kettle. He says state police detectives went to the Republican's home early Tuesday. Coventry Police Chief John S. MacDonald tells the newspaper that state police raided Kettle's home on Tuesday, but did not provide a reason. Kettle did not immediately return the newspaper's phone calls. Kettle agreed in December to pay a $2,000 fine and forfeit $4,000 from his campaign to settle a dispute over campaign finance violations. Most Popular 1 Houston sports reporter who had gone missing releases statement 2 Funny signs from the 2018 Chevron Houston Marathon start your... 3 Houston's Mucky Duck music venue hit by unsuccessful thieves... First elected to the state Senate in 2010, the … [Read more...] about State police confirm probe of Rhode Island state senator
Teen arrested in Rhode Island mall shooting
Updated 8:44 am, Tuesday, January 16, 2018 PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Police have arrested a 17-year-old boy in connection with a shooting at a Rhode Island mall that left one person injured. Providence Police Chief Hugh Clements Jr. said Tuesday that the teen was arrested at a Pawtucket home a few hours after the shooting at about 4:40 p.m. Monday on the second floor of the Providence Place mall parking garage outside a door to the Nordstrom department store. A 19-year-old man was shot in the leg in what police called a targeted shooting. His injuries are not considered life threatening. The suspect was charged with felony assault. Clements say surveillance video helped lead to the suspect. The weapon has not been recovered and more arrests are possible. Most Popular 1 Houston sports reporter who had gone missing releases statement 2 Funny signs from the 2018 Chevron Houston Marathon start your... 3 Houston's Mucky Duck music venue hit by unsuccessful … [Read more...] about Teen arrested in Rhode Island mall shooting