HOT

Bill Reynolds

If Larry Bird is The Legend and Tom Brady is the G.O.A.T., then Reynolds, aka “Shooter,” is the master.

“Fall River Dreams” should be mandatory reading in politics and urban studies classes across the country. The book is quite possibly the best insight into how cities live and die.

The announcement that Reynolds was semi-retiring came this week.

HOT

Hasbro

Big. Deal.

Late on Thursday it was announced that Hasbro was spending $4B in cash to purchase eOne, the British company that created Peppa Pig and many other brands.

The UK's Finacial Times says the Hasbro acquisition could only happen due to a weakened pound tied to Brexit uncertainty.

For RI-based toymaker and entertainment company, it is a major strategic win. 

For Rhode Island, we will see. It could be a major win that sparks a major new corporate HQ, direct flights to LA and London -- or it could mean trouble.

HOT

Trains

Providence's train station is getting a $25 million upgrade.

The funding package includes $12.5 million from a federal grant which will be matched by $7.25 million from Amtrak and $5.25 million from RIDOT to upgrade Providence Station.

Give Jack Reed some credit here for fighting for the federal funds.

The project will add interior space to the station by enclosing the triangular outdoor patio area near the clock tower.  Plans to revamp the station also include: making better use of existing space within the station; enhancing security by giving Amtrak police a more accessible location within the station; expanding and upgrading bathrooms; and improving pedestrian access to and from Providence Place Mall, where many commuters park. 

HOT

Family Farm

Jayne Merner Senecal is now running Rhode Island's oldest operating farm composter — the property is diversified, expanding and transforming.

While the Earth Care Farm is best known for producing some of New England’s highest quality compost, the farm also features Black Angus cattle, award-winning garlic and much more.

At a time when the vast majority of Rhode Island farms are being run by post-retirement age farmers, Merner Senecal stands out.

She took over the farm from her father Michael Merner who had founded it in Charlestown in 1977 -- living by the mission that, “Living soil is the foundation of our well being. A nourishing soil produces healthy plants, which leads to healthy animals, people and a sustainable planet.”

HOT

More Public Art

The Avenue Concept recently completed three new murals in Providence.

A large-scale mural by nationally-renowned artist and RISD alumnus Jess X. Snow was installed in the Providence’s West End, and two new works were created on both sides of the historic Providence National Bank façade by New England-based artists AGONZA and M.deangelo.

HOT

Supporting Gender Equity

The Women’s Fund of Rhode Island (WFRI) has announced a total of $50,000 in grant funding to five organizations for proposals to advance gender equity.

“The grant process was very competitive. 26 non-profit organizations submitted proposals for a combined request of $211,000 in funding. Each proposal was subject to a rigorous review by a team of community volunteers with training in gender-lens giving. These programs clearly rose to the top,” said Christina Castle, WFRI Board Member and Chair of the Grant Review Team.

Grantees were asked to focus their proposals on addressing one or more of WFRI’s 2019 advocacy priorities, including disparities for Women of Color, and more generally, economic justice and access to reproductive health and freedom.

The Grant Recipients

The grant recipients and awarded programs are:

Building Futures- “Women in the Trades” leadership program to grow the percentage of women in the building and construction trade, promote stories of women succeeding in the trades and identifying/addressing structural barriers to women’s success in the trades.

Girls Rock- “Changing Our Tune Project” to decrease the incidence of gender based violence within the music and creative community and provide resources to survivors and community members. The project will train owners and staff of local music venues, as well as bookers/promoters, musicians, artists and audience members in sexual harassment and violence prevention. Includes creating resources to support the work.

RI Black Business Association- “Emerging Professionals Program” designed to create a leadership pipeline of women of color.

This is the first program proposed to specifically offer a solution the “double jeopardy” hypothesis which renders Black women “invisible” when being considered for hiring or promotion.

Sista Fire- addressing the maternal health crisis that Black women, women of color and their children face within RI. Funds will allow SistaFire to provide leadership development training with a focus on maternal health and related systemic inequities, and engage members in participatory resource to deepen the understanding of women of color’s experience in pregnancy and birth. Funding will also help to create “Perinatal Safe Spots” in RI.

Planned Parenthood- Funding would provide support for the RI Coalition for Reproductive Freedom to protect and advance access to reproductive health care through advocacy and legislative action. The goal is to build an inclusive, intersectional reproductive justice movement that recognizes how race, gender, poverty, and citizenship status impact society’s marginalized communities.

NOT

Jump Bikes

Horrific criminal behavior by young people in Providence.

Bad management by Providence. 

A product that needs better technology by Uber.

Now, Jump Bikes are on hold.

And in Providence, definitely not hot. 

NOT

Congressman Jim Langevin

Wet finger, hold up and check wind currents and then pick a direction.

Jim Langevin’s not-so-bold announcement that he supports the impeachment of President Donald Trump is the type of political leadership that America can do without. 

Did he just figure out Trump?

Political opportunism at its worst.

NOT

Elorza Talking About Education

This week it was Elorza talking about closing charter schools.

Please, Mayor, talk about PVDFest.

Talking, thinking and managing schools are not your strength. 

NOT

David Cicilline

United States Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI) -- who is heading a Congressional anti-trust probe into Amazon, Apple, Google, and Facebook -- received thousands in contributions from five senior executives at Amazon just months prior, CNBC.com reported on Sunday.

“Over a three-week period starting in late May, five senior executives from Amazon made individual contributions to Rep. David Cicilline, the Democrat from Rhode Island who’s leading the House antitrust investigation into major tech companies, public filings show,” reported CNBC. “Cicilline became the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee’s Antitrust, Commercial and Administrative Law Subcommittee in January, when Democrats regained control of the House.

Cicilline’s office told CNBC that on the day the subcommittee launched its antitrust investigation, that he put in place “a formal policy of refusing campaign contributions from companies and executives that may be subject to scrutiny.” The donations by Amazon executives were made before the antitrust probe announcement, and before the July hearing was scheduled.

Cicilline called for the Amazon hearings on July 13. 

NOT

Porta Potty Bombings

Why?

The Rhode Island Bomb Squad is seeking information regarding multiple porta potty bombings that took place over the weekend.

No one was injured. 

According to the Bomb Squad’s Facebook page, the incidents took place in Charlestown and Westerly on August 17.

According to the Bomb Squad, there is no indication that these incidents are linked to terrorist activity.

The Bomb Squad is offering up to a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

Anyone with information is asked to call 401-383-7723.

NOT

Dancing with the Stars

Dancing with the Stars sounds more like "Courting Controversy."

The newest season of “Dancing With the Stars” will have a couple of "celebrities" with Rhode Island connections as part of the cast.

The cast will feature former White House press secretary and Barrington native Sean Spicer and former URI basketball star Lamar Odom.

The show announced the cast on Wednesday morning. 

The new season is set to premiere on Monday, September 16, 2019.

NOT

Beach Closings

The endless number of beach closings has been bad for Rhode Islanders and bad for tourism.

NOT

Lincoln Chafee

Running for President again?

Please no.  

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