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Troubled fire district may lose truck

By Tim White, Target 12 Investigator — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:17:22 GMT

The financially-strapped Central Coventry Fire District can keep its ladder truck, for now.

Charges dismissed in DPW larceny case

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:04:37 GMT

Two of Kenneth Naylor's co-workers backed up his claim that Warwick DPW workers were allowed to use taxpayer purchased material and equipment for their personal projects.

State visited Birch school in 2012

By Tim White, Target 12 Investigator — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 21:05:25 GMT

Education Commissioner Gist said the state recommended that changes be made at the Birch Vocational school a year before an investigation found it was operating a so-called "sheltered workshop".

Newsmakers 6/14: Deborah Gist

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 18:43:02 GMT

This week on Newsmakers: State Education Commissioner Deborah Gist.

Settlement reached in Birch probe

By Nancy Krause — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:33:25 GMT

The state of Rhode Island and the city of Providence have reached a settlement with the federal government in connection with a probe into violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Birch school settlement expected today

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 23:28:20 GMT

A news conference is scheduled for this morning regarding the federal investigation into Birch Vocational School and sources tell Target 12 a settlement will be announced at that time.

Anticipated Whitey Bulger trial begins

By Tim White, Target 12 Investigator — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 16:52:18 GMT

After nearly 20 years since federal indictments were first leveled against notorious Boston gangster James J. “Whitey” Bulger, his trial began Wednesday with hundreds of members of the public, media and family members from both sides in attendance.

Charges dismissed in texting case

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 21:54:48 GMT

A knot of technology is untied, leading to the dismissal of charges against a 24 year old Cumberland man who claims he was locked up for texts that were sent from the victim's phone.

Report: School forced labor on students

By Tim White, Target 12 Investigator — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 20:22:10 GMT

FIRST ON WPRI.com: Target 12 reveals a school that caters to developmentally disabled students allegedly made them work manual labor for little or no pay for years.

Newsmakers 6/7: Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 17:17:52 GMT

This week on Newsmakers: U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island).

Victim's mom is angry about trial delay

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 22:12:48 GMT

The mother of a Cranston murder victim does not understand why the accused killer, who got out of prison the day before the crime, has yet to go to trial.

Burglary suspect’s wife charged

By Tim White, Target 12 Investigator — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 20:33:57 GMT

The wife of a man accused of taking part in a large-scale burglary ring was arrested and charged with trying to cover her husband's tracks.

Jury selection underway in Bulger trial

By Tim White, Target 12 Investigator — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 15:53:29 GMT

The first pool of hundreds of potential jurors in the trial of notorious Boston mobster James J. "Whitey" Bulger filed into a federal court in Boston Tuesday morning for the first day of jury selection.

Jury selection to begin in Bulger trial

By Tim White, Target 12 Investigator — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 21:49:36 GMT

Jury selection begins this week in the trial of notorious Boston mobster James J. “Whitey” Bulger, a process that could take weeks.

Newsmakers 5/31: Joe Fleming, Ed Achorn

Fri, 31 May 2013 16:26:37 GMT

This week on the first half of Newsmakers: A political roundtable with Eyewitness News Political Analyst and pollster Joe Fleming and Providence Journal Editorial Pages Editor Edward Achorn.

Town official threatens to sue state

By Tim White, Target 12 Investigator — Thu, 30 May 2013 19:05:12 GMT

The town leader in Coventry is threatening to sue the state if Rhode Island officials withhold local aid over a pension controversy, according to a letter obtained by Target 12.

Troubled pension plan to get hearing

By Tim White, Target 12 Investigator — Tue, 28 May 2013 20:40:46 GMT

The head of a troubled pension plan says Coventry town leaders have "turned their backs" on hundreds of workers and retirees and said he hopes they will turn out in large numbers at a special meeting later this week before a state pension commission.

Outburst during texting case hearing

Thu, 23 May 2013 23:38:16 GMT

A knot of technology remains tightly wound for a Cumberland man who earlier this year was sent to the ACI for sending text messages he claims are connected to the alleged victim’s cell phone, not his.

Newsmakers 5/17: A.G. Peter Kilmartin

Thu, 23 May 2013 13:48:21 GMT

This week on Newsmakers: Attorney General Peter Kilmartin.

RIDOT's unique way to obtain technology

Wed, 22 May 2013 23:37:04 GMT

RIDOT is using a unique way to equip its field workers with thousands of dollars worth of computer hardware and software without cutting into its budget.

Coventry schools' pension plan orphaned

By Ted Nesi, WPRI.com Reporter — Wed, 22 May 2013 01:28:11 GMT

Coventry's pension plans have racked up a $121 million liability for promised benefits, and now town officials are saying the shortfall in the biggest plan isn't their problem.

Stores cited for food stamp violations

By Dan McGowan, WPRI.com Reporter — Tue, 21 May 2013 01:45:00 GMT

Fewer than two percent of all certified food stamp retailers in Rhode Island were disqualified by from accepting EBT cards in 2012, but a reform advocate says that figure is just the tip of the iceberg of a fraud problem that is costing taxpayers millions of dollars each year.

Toxic soil found near Providence park

Mon, 20 May 2013 22:28:22 GMT

The DEM ordered a Providence company to remove soil that investigators found contained arsenic lead and other toxins, from a lot that is next to Donigian Park on Valley Street.

CT assault charge may impact RI case

By Tim White, Target 12 Investigator — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:11:56 GMT

Attorney General Peter Kilmartin said a pending case in another state could stall Rhode Island's prosecution of a man charged with assaulting a Brown University basketball player.

Newsmakers 5/14: Frank Caprio

Tue, 14 May 2013 17:48:55 GMT

This week on Newsmakers: Former General Treasurer Frank Caprio.

Defendant: Victim sent texts to herself

Mon, 13 May 2013 21:57:33 GMT

A Cumberland man claims his ex-girlfriend used technology to send herself text messages that appeared to come from him, prompting his arrest for violating a no contact order.

Newsmakers 5/13: Congressman Cicilline

Fri, 10 May 2013 20:33:22 GMT

This week on Newsmakers: Congressman David Cicilline, D-R.I.

RI schools spent $600k on travel, food

By Dan McGowan, WPRI.com Reporter — Fri, 10 May 2013 01:45:00 GMT

Several Rhode Island school administrators spent thousands of taxpayer dollars on a trip to China, dining at high-end steakhouses and an in-state overnight staff retreat in 2012, according to a Target 12 review of school district travel data.

Report on attack at Wyatt complete

By Tim White, Target 12 Investigator — Wed, 08 May 2013 16:06:01 GMT

An independent consultant hired by the Wyatt Detention Center to investigate the alleged assault of a correctional officer is expected to release her findings in a closed session with the prison's board members, the Target 12 Investigators have learned.

Dispute lingers over city's waterfront

Wed, 08 May 2013 01:39:48 GMT

It is a stretch of bayside land that’s been the target of 3 under-developed plans, involving blending Providence’s working waterfront with shops, cafes, condos and hotels but what might’ve looked good on paper has yet to translate into progress.