Karen Alzate - Providence Business News

HASBRO INC. is leaving its longtime headquarters in Pawtucket, but what's next for that city. / COURTESY HASBRO INC.

Pawtucket will seek economic development ‘tools’ as Hasbro prepares to leave

Economy 09/19/2025

When the Pawtucket Red Sox pulled up stakes and left for Massachusetts in 2020, state officials helped finance a $137 million soccer stadium as...

R.I. lawmakers still debating merits of safe injection site program

Government 04/03/2025

Rep. Jay Edwards expected opposition when he first pitched the idea of setting up medically supervised sites in Rhode Island where people could safely...

AT IT AGAIN: State Rep. Karen Alzate, D-Pawtucket, says the first bill she filed this legislative session was one that would restrict payday lenders, a measure that some legislators have been trying to get passed for more than a decade.  PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Payday lender opponents renew legislative effort

Financial Services 03/14/2025

Advocates for payday lending reform celebrated lin 2023 when the House voted overwhelmingly for a bill they believed would finally curtail so-called “payday lenders,”...

Hasbro HQ vs. RIPTA funding: What’s at stake under a potential...

Economic Activity 01/23/2025

While Gov. Daniel J. McKee pledged to not raise taxes during his 2025 State of the State address, a crowd of progressive advocates gathered...

In R.I.’s payday lending wilderness, a strong voice for reform

Economic Activity 08/05/2024

Minutes into his work day on a June Monday, Mike Healey saw a post by his social media-savvy boss in support of payday lending...

ADVOCATES for bus riders will be keeping close tabs on the person the R.I. Public Transit Authority hires to lead the agency now that Scott Avedisian has resigned. / PBN FILE PHOTO/ MICHAEL SALERNO

Next RIPTA chief will have many challenges to navigate through

Editor's Choice 04/19/2024

Public transit advocates have been adamant that the next CEO of the R.I. Public Transit Authority be someone outside the state’s political sphere who...

VENUE VIEW: A rendering of what the Tidewater Stadium in Pawtucket is supposed to look like when completed in 2025. At the top of the image is a mixed-use building that has been proposed for Phase 1B, as well as a pedestrian bridge across the Seekonk River to structures that would be part of Phase 2. COURTESY FORTUITOUS PARTNERS LLC

Betting on Rhode Island FC. Will it pay off?

Cover Story 03/01/2024

A lot is resting on the shoulders of Khano Smith. Smith is the first coach and general manager of Rhode Island FC, responsible for laying...

BATTLE TESTED: Margaux Morisseau, co-chair of the Rhode Island Coalition for Payday Reform, has been fighting against payday lenders and the lobbyists for years, and she feels the momentum is swinging her group’s way now.  PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Activists won’t abandon payday lending fight

Economy 09/15/2023

It has not been a lucky year for Georgina Paulino. The Westerly resident’s partner was injured and is out of work. The care of...

Noncitizens now eligible for R.I. driver’s licenses

Government 07/03/2023

PROVIDENCE – Under newly enacted legislation, residents who are not citizens can now obtain a driver's license. The legislation, which Gov. Daniel J. McKee signed...