HOT

Governor Gina Raimondo

Raimondo won with nearly 53 percent of the vote — the first time in 12 years that a Rhode Island Governor won with 50 percent of the vote or more.

The last to win with a majority of the popular vote was Don Carcieri in 2006. Carcieri beat then-Lt. Governor Charlie Fogarty 51-49.

Raimondo now needs to fix some of her hemorrhages — DCYF and UHIP.

And, her economic growth strategy needs to be focused on small business growth rather than cranes for developers.

HOT

Representative Blake  Filippi

Filippi has been elected the House Minority Leader following a vote by the House Republicans on Wednesday. 

This move comes a little over a month after the House GOP voted to remove Patricia Morgan as the leader following her endorsement of Joe Trillo for Governor. 

“We must restore confidence in our government. As minority leader, I will work to advance legislation that will bring lasting prosperity to Rhode Island. I am honored to come back to the capital and serve the good people of Rhode Island. It’s time for fresh ideas and a new way forward for our state. It is my promise to citizens across the state that House Republicans will put their priorities and principles first,” said Filippi. 

He previously served as Minority Whip and takes over at a time in which the Republican party in Rhode Island is in tatters. 

HOT

Nick Mattiello

Love him or hate him. He keeps winning. The Democratic caucus once again returned Mattiello to power with a vote on Thursday night.

This coming session may be wildly raucous as an organized splinter group of progressive Democrats is emerging. 

HOT

Amerisewn

Talk about small business hypergrowth.

Talk about your turn around.

In 2008, Amerisewn was down to two people. Founder and CEO John Caito, III and one employee were all that was left at the company, but now ten years later as a result of focused innovation and an endless effort to overcome obstacles, Amerisewn has grown to more than 30 employees and the company is still in hyper-growth.

Today, the company is a hub of innovation and creates products for all the branches of the military and for medical applications.

Caito joined GoLocal LIVE’s Business and Monday and discussed how his team is meeting some of the most complex design and manufacturing challenges.

HOT

Rafaelian and Ice Cube

Billionaire CEO of Alex and Ani Carolyn Rafaelian has confirmed to GoLocal that she and rapper and movie star Ice Cube are joining together to bid on 22 regional sports networks including the Yes Network.

In June, the Department of Justice announced that it will require The Walt Disney Company to divest 22 Regional Sports Networks (“RSNs”) as a condition of its $71.3 billion acquisition of certain assets from Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. 

Rafaelian told GoLocal, “Collaborating with Cube on Big3 was exhilarating and we both share a beautiful vision of where the world is headed and we want to be part of that evolution.”

NOT

The Beresford-Nicholson House

One of Providence’s most historic estates — now under contract for sale — is being eyed by a Cranston development group for demolition.

The Beresford-Nicholson House at 288 Blackstone Boulevard, listed on the U.S. Department of Interior’s National Register of Historic Places, is being targeted by The Bilotti Group. The plan, developed by the firm, is to tear down the historic 7,600 square foot, 14 room main house as well as two additional historic buildings and replace them with ten new homes.

Until his death earlier this year, the estate was owned by business leader and philanthropist, Paul Nicholson, Jr.

Nicholson’s family lived in the house for much of the past 100 years. The late Nicholson was a member of one of Rhode Island’s wealthiest families and had an accomplished career at Yale, in the United State Navy, and as a business leader -- he served on the boards Nicholson File Company, Fleet National Bank, Fleet Financial Group, Providence Journal Company, Allendale Mutual Insurance Company, American Mutual Liability Insurance Company, American Screw Company, Rhode Island Electric Protective Company, Sayles Finishing Plants, according to his obituary.

In addition, he served as the president of the Boy Scotts for decades and served on the board of Providence Public Library, Butler Hospital, Roger Williams General Hospital to name but a few.

Upon his death, the house passed to family members who then created a Limited Liability Corporation and began marketing the property through Residential Properties. The property is being jointly marketed by Kris Gladding Chwalk and Jim DeRentis, the husband of Governor Gina Raimondo's chief of staff Brett Smiley.  

The estate is listed at $4,950,000 and according to residential properties website — it is under contract. Presently, the house and two additional buildings are taxed at $92,694 annually.

NOT

City of Pawtucket

Talk about a losing streak.

Gamm Theater gone.

PawSox going.

Memorial Hospital gone.

Hasbro going.

Combined nearly 1,500 good paying jobs and much of the City's identity.

NOT

Luis Daniel Munoz

The independent candidate rarely campaigned, raised no money, built no social media, issued less than five press releases, but in the last few days before the election releases a secret taping of a political operative who then lambasted former Congressman Kennedy and threatened Munoz according to the highly edited tape.

Munoz video SEE HERE makes serious accusations.

But, making matters worse, Munoz refuses to identify the “political operative” raising questions about his credibility and the edited tape.

NOT

Papa Gino’s

Papa Gino’s has been a New England pizza staple for decades — the local pizza for the kids after a soccer game or to take home on a Friday rather than cook.

The company on its way to bankruptcy filing has closed nearly 100 stores and with no notice to workers.

But now, it looks like another victim of hedge fund economics. Another nice business getting sold off, squeezed and sliced and diced.

NOT

The RI Republican Party

Just writing about the state of the Grand Old Party in RI makes you feel like you are beating a seal pup.

It is hard to believe that in the 1980s the Republicans controlled a U.S. Senate seat, a Congressional seat, the Governorship and one to two general office slots all simultaneously.  It is time for a complete overhaul and new leadership.

NOT

Congressman David Cicilline

Flipping and flopping.

U.S. Congressman David Cicilline blasted President Donald Trump this week over the forced resignation of U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, but it was just 20 months ago that Cicilline was calling on Sessions to resign and potentially face perjury charges.

NBC News reported in March, 2017, “Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Thursday recused himself from U.S. probes into Russian interference in the 2016 election, following backlash spurred by revelations surrounding his meetings with Sergey Kislyak, Russia's ambassador to the United States. Before and after Session's announcement, lawmakers issued calls for him to withdraw from any investigation or to resign his post.” Cicilline was one of the top Democrats calling on Session to go.

Then, Cicilline appeared on Fox and said not only should Sessions resign, but also potentially face perjury charges during an interview with host Tucker Carlson.

SEE VIDEO HERE