Every Friday, GoLocalProv takes a look at who is rising and who is falling in Rhode Island politics, business, culture, and sports.
Now, we are expanding the list, the political perspectives, and we are going to a GoLocal team approach while encouraging readers to suggest nominees for who is "HOT" and who is "NOT."
Email GoLocal by midday on Thursday anyone you think should be tapped as "HOT" or "NOT." Email us HERE.
T.F. Green has announced its newest direct flight route -- to Montreal, Canada.
Elected officials and airport executives joined Regional Sky for the announcement Thursday morning.
The move marks the latest for Air Canada and T.F. Green, which first announced a direct flight to Toronto on November 6, 2017.
Regional Sky is a Pennsylvania-based company.
According to Iftikhar Ahmad, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation, Regional Sky will offer weekday nonstop service to Montreal with fares as low as $275 one way inclusive of taxes and fees. Travelers may reserve flights today at regionalsky.com.
The new service will offer flights five times a week, Monday - Friday. “We are delighted to welcome Regional Sky to T.F. Green Airport,” said Ahmad, “We are aware that many of our customers have anxiously awaited nonstop service to Montreal so we have been searching for an airline partner to deliver that service. We’re confident the travel experience on Regional Sky will be a highly positive one.”
Nobel Prize-winners, billionaire businesswomen, and world-class sailors are just a few of the great one.
First compiled in 2016, GoLocal has updated the list of the 50 Greatest Living Rhode Islanders.
The list has been brought up to date for a number of reasons — one member has died, another has pled guilty to serious federal charges, and a third has been charged with serious criminal violence.
The additions to the list are individuals who are outstanding Rhode Islanders who have done extraordinary things to enhance the state and even the world.
In developing the initial list in 2016, GoLocal reached out many of Rhode Island’s experts and influencers in a range of fields to ask them who are the greatest living Rhode Islanders. The criteria was defined, but of course, has elements that are amorphous. First, they need to have lived and work in Rhode Island — they need a significant connection.
The Department of Justice has granted preliminary approval for CVS Health’s acquisition of Aetna.
According to the Department of Justice, the two companies must divest Aetna’s Individual Part D Prescription Drug plan before the merger goes any further.
“Today’s settlement resolves competition concerns posed by this transaction and preserves competition in the sale of Medicare Part D prescription drug plans for individuals. The divestitures required here allow for the creation of an integrated pharmacy and health benefits company that has the potential to generate benefits by improving the quality and lowering the costs of the healthcare services that American consumers can obtain,” said Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division in the press release.
"DOJ clearance is an important step toward bringing together the strengths and capabilities of our two companies to improve the consumer healthcare experience," said CVS Health President and Chief Executive Officer Larry J. Merlo. "We are pleased to have reached an agreement with the DOJ that maintains the strategic benefits and value creation potential of our combination with Aetna. We are now working to complete the remaining state reviews."
Ørsted, the Danish power company, has entered into an agreement with the D.E. Shaw Group to acquire a 100% equity interest in Rhode Island-based Deepwater Wind for more than $510 million, the companies announced on Monday morning.
The two companies’ offshore wind assets and organizations will be merged into the leading US offshore wind platform with the most comprehensive geographic coverage and the largest pipeline of development capacity.
Deepwater Wind, the leading U.S. offshore wind developer, has built a geographically diverse portfolio of projects along the U.S. East Coast. Deepwater's Block Island project was the first offshore wind project in America.
Jeffrey Grybowski, CEO of Deepwater Wind, says: “Ørsted is one of the world’s great clean energy companies and real pioneers in the offshore wind sector. We could not be more pleased with this combination, which will bring together two great teams to realize an enormous clean energy resource for coastal populations in the U.S.”
The latest poll from GoLocalProv and Harvard's John Della Volpe shows Governor Gina Raimondo with a modest, but growing lead in her effort to win reelection.
If the election for Governor were held today and the candidates were: [ROTATE] Democrat Gina Raimondo, Republican Allan Fung and Independent Joe Trillo, for whom would you vote?
Providence City Council President David Salvatore has drawn the criticism of one of the top business leaders in Rhode Island.
Lisa Ranglin, President of the Rhode Island Black Business Association, strongly admonished Salvatore in a social media post of Facebook on Sunday.
“Council President, David Salvatore, I want to bring to your attention a pattern that I have noticed, I don't know if you have noticed and that is why I am bringing it to your attention publicly. However, under your leadership the, the RI Black Business Association (RIBBA) has received little most cases no financial support for its programs and services,” wrote Ranglin.
“This lack of support was not evident with the last council presidents [Sabina Matos and Luis Aponte] who valued and supported RIBBA's work. We need leaders who intentional and fair-minded in closing the gaps in particular in our underserved communities. #NewLeadership,” added Ranglin.
Political Peyton Place. The Town of East Greenwich has become an increasingly divided political hotbed in recent months, and last weekend it reached a fevered pitch with a back-and-forth over a political mailer (and its origins) between Republican State Representative Anthony Giarrusso and progressive opponent Justine Caldwell.
When did the bedroom harbor community, known for its quaint main street and top-notch schools, become ground zero for political unrest in Rhode Island?
"East Greenwich has caught the 'national disease' i.e. the chronic lack of civility. Folks no longer seek the kernel of truth in those with opposing views in order to build a consensus," said former Rhode Island Attorney General Arlene Violet. "Taking its cue from D.C., far too many have a winner takes all mentality. It is particularly disconcerting to see a fine community like East Greenwich with so many smart people become another hub of discontent. Please cure the 'illness' by taking a deep breath and listen to one another."
In 2012, Twin River made big promises to Rhode Island voters that by approving table games Rhode Island would see a windfall, but according to new data from the RI State Auditor General's office, those promises are looking like a bad bet.
The Rhode Island State Auditor General Dennis Hoyle has found that two key revenue sources generated by Twin River are falling.
The decrease in Twin River revenue coupled with millions in shortfalls from promises of sports betting is only exacerbating Rhode Island’s fragile budget situation. Rhode Island is now facing an estimated $158 million budget deficit in the 2019-2020 fiscal year.
Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia has been arrested and charged with defrauding investors on Thursday morning, the Massachusetts U.S. Attorney’s office announced.
According to a tweet from U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling’s office, Correia used the “funds to pay for lavish lifestyle and political campaign.”
Correia was arrested at his home early Thursday morning by agents representing the FBI, IRS, as well as, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
According to the indictment, Correia is facing nine counts of wire fraud and four counts of filing false tax returns.
In the indictment, prosecutors allege that he misused $231,000 of the $363,000 he accepted from the investors in SnoOwl.
