Pew Research Center - Providence Business News

DIALING IT BACK: Maribeth Calabro, president of the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals, says the policy at Nathaniel Greene Middle School in Providence to severely limit students’ access to cellphones during the day has worked well.  PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Cellphone bans in class are going statewide

Education 09/12/2025

When Nathaniel Greene Middle School in Providence started using special pouches to lock students’ cellphones during the school day, teachers noticed a dramatic change. “The...

Bill would require tech companies to design social media platforms to...

Government 04/29/2025

PROVIDENCE – Senate Majority Leader Valarie J. Lawson, D-East Providence, and Rep. Megan L. Cotter, D-Exeter, have introduced legislation to require social media platforms,...

Deborah Gonzalez / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Five Questions With: Deborah Gonzalez

5Q 04/11/2025

Deborah Gonzalez | Director, Roger Williams University School of Law Immigration Clinic 1. Have the policies implemented by the Trump administration been what you...

MODERATOR KEVIN MATTA, third from left, speaks with the panelists at Providence Business News’ 2024 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Summit and Awards program at the Crowne Plaza Providence-Warwick on Thursday morning. Also on the panel, from left, is Myra Coufal, Amgen Rhode Island diversity, inclusion and belonging site lead; Carolyn Belisle, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island vice president of corporate social responsibility; Talia Brookshire, Neighborhhood Health Plan of Rhode Island chief diversity officer; Shameen Awan, Amica Mutual Insurance Co. DE&I assistant vice president; and Neenee Shin, CBIZ Inc. director of diversity, equity and inclusion. / PBN PHOTO/MIKE SKORSKI

PBN summit: Diversity, equity and inclusion in workplaces may face big...

Economy 12/05/2024

WARWICK – Proponents of diversity, equity and inclusion policies in the private sector fear a simmering pushback to their work could be accelerating, putting...

Kerry LaPlante

Education 08/23/2024

PBN Leaders & Achievers 2024 Awards Kerry LaPlante | University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy | Dean AT 16 YEARS OLD, Kerry LaPlante already...

KEEPING TRACK: Marcela Betancur, director of the Latino Policy Institute, says the group will be releasing a report in September on Latino representation in higher education. Census data shows Latinos have been graduating college in increasing numbers over 20 years but remain underpaid and underrepresented in the workforce.  PBN FILE PHOTO/DAVID HANSEN

Despite earning more degrees, Latinos still see pay disparities

Education 07/19/2024

Marcela Betancur says many Latinos find themselves at a disadvantage when it comes to higher education. After all, a large percentage of college-age Latinos in...

Bill would require R.I. gun owners to lock firearms when not...

Government 03/20/2024

PROVIDENCE (AP) – The Rhode Island Senate approved a bill that would require all firearms, when not being used by the owner or another...

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...

BROADENING EDUCATION: Staff members at the Equity Institute work together in Providence. The institute is an education-based nonprofit that develops programs for teachers, administrators and the community, with a focus on creating diversity, equity, inclusion and anit-racist policies. PBN PHOTO/ELIZABETH GRAHAM

A pipeline for teachers from communities of color

Education 12/09/2022

PBN 2022 Diversity Equity & Inclusion Awards Training: Equity Institute The origins of the Equity Institute are rooted in the personal lives and barriers confronted...