PROVIDENCE, RI – When it was proposed two years ago, the plan to build a new $60 million nursing school in Providence's Jewelry District was what politicians, business leaders and educators like to call a "win-win."
The idea was to put a 121,000 square foot school near the sprawling near the sprawling Rhode Island Hospital, Women & Infants and Hasbro Children's Hospital campus. It was to be shared by URI and RIC.
PROVIDENCE, RI – The cliche that organized labor controls the General Assembly has become one of the biggest fallacies in Rhode Island politics, as Rhode Island Public Radio political analyst Scott MacKay explains.
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PROVIDENCE, RI – The campaign for Congress in the 1st district is shaping up as Rhode Island's most exciting election this year. Rhode Island Public Radio's Scott MacKay wonders if candidates can deal in issues rather than slogans.
Scott MacKay's commentary can be heard every Monday on Morning Edition at 6:35 and 8:35. You can also follow his reporting and analysis at Rhode Island Public Radio's "On Politics" blog.
After more than two decades of progress against the scourge of domestic violence our state appears to have recently fallen behind.
A report done by the Justice Assistance group shows that between December 1, 2011 and February 3, 2012 that nearly 60 percent of domestic abuse cases in Rhode Island District Courts resulted in charges being dismissed.
PROVIDENCE, RI – Proust had his madeleines. New Englanders have our own rituals that connect us to our collective childhood. One of those vivid memories is the first time you went to a baseball game at Fenway Park or McCoy Stadium.
Providence, RI – Should Providence city government address its deficit mess by declaring bankruptcy? Rhode Island Public Radio political analyst Scott MacKay says this is no panacea for the red ink in the city budget.
PROVIDENCE, RI – Rhode Island's U.S. Senate election this year ought to generate interest, excitement and debate. But so far it has yielded only yawns, says RIPR political analyst Scott MacKay.
Last week's Brown University public opinion survey carried some bad news for incumbent Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse. Almost 60 percent of respondents think the Newport Democrat is doing only a "fair" or "poor" job. And his good or excellent ratings are only about 30 percent.
PROVIDENCE, RI – There has been more rhetoric than reality in the latest dispute between Brown University and Mayor Angel Taveras and his city council allies. With city government awash in red ink, the pols are hungrily eyeing the tax-exempt Brown property on College Hill as a source of sorely needed money.
PROVIDENCE, RI – As 2011 winds to a close, RIPR political analyst Scott MacKay says it's time to reflect on the contributions of some Rhode Islanders who won't be around to celebrate the New Year.
That nostalgic Scottish ballard Auld Lang Syne will be sung over and again this New Year's Eve as we toast the end of the year with a cup o' kindness.
The question Robby Burns asks in this anthem is timeless: Should those we loved and knew be forgotten?
PROVIDENCE, RI – More and more holiday shoppers are buying presents online. RIPR political analyst Scott MacKay tells us why this is bad for both mom and pop stores and state government.
Rhode Islanders of a certain age will remember when the only mention of a mouse and Christmas came during annual recitations of Clement Clarke Moore's classic poem, "'Twas the Night Before Christmas."
