News

Rhode Island has lifted a ban on armed police forces at state colleges, after a Board of Education vote last night. The board’s new policy allows each state institution to make the decision about whether campus police officers will carry guns.

The State Board of Education discussed a contract extension for Education Commissioner Deborah Gist last night but took no action. The conversation took place behind closed doors, which is standard practice for personnel matters.

At least 200 people attended the public portion of the board meeting, some to testify in opposition to Gist and others to speak on a controversial measure to arm state college police. The board passed the measure on campus police, allowing each state university to make its own decision about arming campus police forces.

State colleges and universities in Rhode Island can now arm campus police after a vote last night at the State Board of Education.  Critics say more guns on campus will not make students safer, but supporters, including University of Rhode Island President David Dooley, say Campus Police should carry guns to do their jobs more effectively.

Chair of the Board of Education Eva-Marie Mancuso has been in favor of arming campus police, and was not surprised to see it pass.  Mancuso says she found most people to be in support of the proposal.

RI GOP chairman Mark Smiley joins us on Bonus Q+A to discuss building GOP ranks in the General Assembly, attempts to rebuild Republicans' presence in New England, and other issues.

RI GOP chairman joins the Roundtable this week (along with guest panelist Tim White of WPRI-TV, Channel 12) to discuss the debate over state Education Commissioner Deborah Gist; Moderate Party founder Ken Block's entry in the 2014 gubernatorial race, what's next for Rhode Island Republicans, and more.

A tax hike is on the way for Woonsocket residents. The House has passed a supplemental tax leaving home owners with additional $240 dollars a year 5 year period.  The tax will help close the city’s 17 million dollar budget gap. Woonsocket City Councilman Roger Jalette says he does not support the proposal.

The Rhode Island Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of a man charged in the slaying of a 15-year-old murder witness in 2000.

Charles Pona was charged with arranging the death of witness Jennifer Rivera. Rivera was approached by a gunman as she was skipping rope in front of her house on Providence’s South Side. She was killed to prevent her from testifying against Pona in a murder case.

In rejecting Pona’s appeal of his conviction, the Supreme Court said he’s had his day in court after two trials and two appeals and that the rule of law has prevailed.

Longtime Providence City Councilor Terry Hassett, who had been eyeing a bid for secretary of state in 2014, has decided to seek re-election instead while tossing his support to former state Democratic chairman Edwin Pacheco.

Via news release:

For the first time, Rhode Island’s insurance commissioner has directed health insurers to disclose what they pay for health care services. But that information won’t necessarily be directly available to patients.

On today's podcast, hospital network Lifespan has announced a new round of layoffs, and advocates protest legislation that would allow schools to be built over toxic sites.

Plus, Rhode Island Public Radio's education reporter, Elisabeth Harrison, looks at how a Massachusetts high school has faced the challenge of standardized testing.