Editorials

STALLED? Providence Mayor Brett P. Smiley says he supports the city’s $10 million racial reparations program but is still reviewing plans for how the money should be spent in the community.  PBN FILE PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Time to move forward with $10M reparations program

Editorials 09/15/2023

Ten months after city officials approved a spending plan for a $10 million racial reparations program championed by former Mayor Jorge O. Elorza, only...

Fishermen fighting the inevitable

Editorials 09/15/2023

Offshore wind is here and will multiply off Rhode Island’s coast, with or without the participation of local commercial fishing interests. That’s why it was...

City, state invested in Tidewater

Editorials 09/01/2023

A $124 million Pawtucket soccer stadium project looks to be back on track for a 2025 opening, but there are still plenty of questions...

FULL CIRCLE: Wheaton College President Michaele Whelan, far right, is the third woman to lead the college since its founding by a woman in 1839. Seated with her, clockwise from far left, are students Olivia Deschenes, Sarocha Wongwatanawisut, Courtney Kass and Eleanor Cerra.  PBN FILE PHOTO/TRACY JENKINS

College leaders positioned to meet post-pandemic challenges

Editorials 09/01/2023

Since 2019, eight of the region’s 13 four-year colleges have hired new long-term leaders. And another four-year school, Rhode Island College, still has an...

Trade mission boost for R.I. businesses

Editorials 08/18/2023

Gov. Daniel J. McKee and R.I. Commerce Secretary Elizabeth M. Tanner are leaving the Ocean State to lead what hopefully will be their first of many...

RIDERS NEEDED:  An estimated 3% of Rhode Island residents use the state’s public bus system. Pictured is the Charlesgate stop on North Main Street in Providence, southbound on the R-line.  PBN FILE PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Amid budget shortfall, only new riders can save RIPTA

Editorials 08/18/2023

One month into Peter Alviti’s tenure as board chairman of the R.I. Public Transit Authority, it is clear that change is coming. Whether he’s right...

Maria Rivera is the first woman mayor in Central Falls’ history, and Rhode Island’s first Latina mayor. Prior to her swearing in as mayor in January 2021, she served as City Council president. / PBN PHOTO/TRACY JENKINS

Engage with your community

Editorials 08/04/2023

Maria Rivera Central Falls mayor Leading one of the most densely populated cities in America on a small operating budget, I’ve quickly learned to appreciate the...

SLOW START? The Beachhead owners Becky and Tim Clark say business hasn’t been as busy as they’d hoped for yet this summer at their Block Island restaurant.  PBN FILE PHOTO/ K. CURTIS

State tourism efforts could use a boost from new campaign

Editorials 08/04/2023

Within weeks of the poorly conceived 2016 rollout of the disastrous “Rhode Island: Cooler & Warmer” campaign, Rhode Island tourism leaders said they were...

Connect with R.I. Commerce

Editorials 08/04/2023

Business owners have often grumbled about a lack of accessibility of state economic-development leaders. Rhode Island, however, is certainly not so small as to...