The Freedom to Read– In Providence, Librarians, Authors, and More Speak Out on Banned Books 

by Eloise Narrigan

“Our public and school libraries are more than just buildings with books. They’re spaces where kids can grow and learn, students find the resources they need to succeed, and community members of all ages and backgrounds can explore different ideas and perspectives,” said Representative David [...]

Providence is Strapped for Cash. Are Tax-Exempt Institutions Doing Enough to Help?

by Bob McMahon

Nearly half of Providence’s tax base (44%) is tax exempt. This fact requires that the 56% who pay taxes as existing property owners bear the burden anytime the city faces fiscal problems. Next year, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley wants to increase city property taxes on [...]

In Providence, Community Members Stand on the Front Lines Against ICE

by Maya Davis

On Thursday April 24th, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers detained a man after a confrontation in front of his home in Providence. The man, a Dominican national living in the U.S. without legal authorization, had previously been arrested on multiple charges, including domestic violence, [...]

Local Food System Hit by Federal Funding Cuts

by Abby Brennan

Federal funding slashes may make it harder for food-insecure residents of Providence to access fresh food – and harder for small-scale Providence farmers and fishers to earn a living. Since 2022, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) [...]

Providence as a Sanctuary City, Past and Present

by Lynn Holstein

On February 5th, just 16 days after Donald Trump’s second presidential inauguration, mayors and police chiefs from 22 New England cities convened here in Providence to discuss issues of common concern. Olivia Ebertz of The Public’s Radio covered the meeting, where one of the pressing [...]

Decriminalize Prostitution? Local Sex Workers Argue “Yes” with Their Own Newly Published Research

by Meg Talikoff

The night after Valentine’s Day, 2024, sex worker Bella Robinson sat in the back of the Rhode Island State House Lounge, waiting to testify before the House Judiciary Committee. Her red reading glasses matched the T-shirt she always wore to legislative hearings: “Rights, Not Rescue” [...]

Shelley Peterson: Ward 14 Providence City Councilwoman

by Michelle Alas Molina

Editor’s Note: This is the 3rd in our series profiling the 6 Latino Providence City Councilors.  Take a look at Michelle’s previous interviews with Miguel Sanchez and Ana Vargas. Shelley Peterson does not consider herself a politician, yet; she sees herself an elected official—and emphasizes [...]

Issues on the Ballot

by The Providence Eye

On Tuesday, November 5th, Providence residents will be voting on 6 issues, in addition to candidates for the Providence School Board (see 10/23/2024 PVD Eye for candidate statements) and other elections.  This is a Sample Providence Ballot and the following is a guide to the [...]

Providence 2024 School Board Elections

by The Providence Eye

Since the 1960s, the Providence School Board had nine members, all appointed by the Mayor.  This year, however, on November fifth, for the first time, voters will line up at the polls to elect 5 members and the other 5 will be appointed by the [...]

The Comp Plan and Future Building

by Roseanne Camacho

Providence is speeding towards approving a Comprehensive Plan that envisions the city’s coming decade.  Just reading the Department of Planning’s current draft is daunting. Nine key areas, over 173 pages, delineate aspirations and encouragements, covering issues of sustainability, the economy, the built environment, housing, transportation, [...]