38 Studios

TGIF: 14 Things to Know About Rhode Island Politics + Media

Ian Donnis — Fri, 03 May 2013 20:22:45 +0000

May rolls in with history being made in Rhode Island. Welcome back to my weekly column. As always, your thoughts and tips are welcome at idonnis (at) ripr (dot) org. Let's head in:

Fox Foe Mark Binder Announces New Challenge to the Speaker

Ian Donnis — Thu, 02 May 2013 14:24:02 +0000

We're 18 months out from the November 2014 election, but that's not stopping Mark Binder from announcing on Thursday another legislative challenge to House Speaker Gordon Fox.

Via news release:

Beacon Atop Superman Building Won't Go Out

Flo Jonic — Thu, 02 May 2013 12:23:06 +0000

The beacon light atop the tallest building in Rhode Island will remain on for the time being. But the owner of the so-called “Superman Building” says that could change if state leaders don’t approve a $39 million package of tax credits. State leaders are decidedly lukewarm to the idea.

Superman Building Owner Pursues State Aid

Ian Donnis — Wed, 01 May 2013 11:08:59 +0000

The owner of the vacant Superman Building in downtown Providence wants to use $39 million in state money to convert it into for residential apartments. It remains unclear whether the General Assembly is willing to support that kind of spending.

The Superman Building has been sitting empty ever since Bank of America left in early April. The property’s owner, High Rock Development of Massachusetts, wants to convert the art deco building into 278 rental apartments.

New York Times on 38 Studios: Scandal Grew From Political Insiders' Delusions

Ian Donnis — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 00:27:14 +0000

The Sunday New York Times is out with Matt Bai's lengthy and well-written overview of Rhode Island's disastrous investment in 38 Studios, former Red Sox star Curt Schilling's bankrupt video game company. Bai's story doesn't offer much in the way of new findings, but it will expose the Ocean State's folly to a broad audience of influentials.

Gov. Chafee: Having Trouble Filling EDC Board

Flo Jonic — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 19:59:39 +0000

Gov. Lincoln Chafee says he’s having some trouble getting people to serve on the board of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation. Seven of the 13 board seats are empty and the agency has no director.

Chafee says people he’s approached are reluctant to serve because of the high-profile nature of the troubled agency.

Curt Schilling's "Bloody Sock" Hits the Auction Block

Catherine Welch — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 22:30:05 +0000

So far Curt Schilling’s bloody sock has a highest bid of $32,500 in an online auction of this piece of baseball history. The sock is expected to go for more than $100,000.

While on the mound during the 2004 World Series, former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling’s ankle started to bleed. His blood-stained sock became an instant icon and the symbol of his career. Well, a failed videogame business and millions of dollars in debt later, a broke Schilling pulled the sock from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and put it up for auction.

2012 News Countdown: The collapse of 38 Studios

Catherine Welch — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:18:23 +0000

(PROVIDENCE, RI) It was a busy year in the Ocean State, and Rhode Island Public Radio’s counting down the ten biggest stories of 2012. Topping the list – is the implosion of the 38 Studios deal.

General Assembly outlines priorities

Ian Donnis — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 16:28:27 +0000

(PROVIDENCE, RI) House Speaker Gordon Fox says the time has come for the state Senate to pass a same-sex marriage bill.

Fox, who is openly gay, was joined by his partner as he received the oath of office Tuesday for another term as House speaker.

Fox says Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed hasn’t given him any assurances about the fate of same-sex marriage bill. He says he hopes this is the year for the legislation to move forward.

TGIF: 14 things to know about RI politics + media

Ian Donnis — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 09:00:00 +0000

After a long, strange trip, Election 2012 is in the books. It’s been a long week, so sit back and relax with my latest edition of TGIF. Your comments are welcome, as always, at idonnis (at) ripr (dot) org.