State Politics | WPRI TV

Warwick, New Bedford losing population

By Ted Nesi, WPRI.com Reporter — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:51:50 GMT

Rhode Island's biggest cities are among the slowest-growing in the United States, and one of them is actually losing population, according to new U.S. Census estimates released on Thursday.

Unemployment rate in RI falls to 8.8%

By Ted Nesi, WPRI.com Reporter — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:05:23 GMT

Rhode Island's unemployment rate fell to 8.8% in April, the lowest level in four and a half years, new data released Thursday shows.

Almonte to run for treasurer, not gov

By Ted Nesi, WPRI.com Reporter — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:19:03 GMT

Former Auditor General Ernie Almonte announced Thursday that he will run for general treasurer in 2014, abandoning his long-shot campaign for governor.

Caprio eyes return, regrets 'shove it'

By Ted Nesi, WPRI.com Reporter — Tue, 14 May 2013 21:32:35 GMT

In his first television interview since losing the 2010 race for governor, the former treasurer said he regrets his infamous comment about President Obama and wants to return to office.

EngageRI raised $900K over last 2 years

By Ted Nesi, WPRI.com Reporter — Mon, 13 May 2013 19:19:36 GMT

Engage Rhode Island has raised slightly more than $900,000 since it was formed in 2011 to help advocate for Treasurer Gina Raimondo's pension overhaul.

Hispanics, blacks gave RI Dems the edge

By Ted Nesi, WPRI.com Reporter — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:26:16 GMT

Congressman Cicilline and other Democrats were propelled to victory last November by a surge in voting among Hispanics and blacks and a sharp drop among whites.

RI same-sex marriage bill wins final OK

By Ted Nesi, WPRI.com Reporter — Thu, 02 May 2013 21:23:47 GMT

Same-sex marriage will be legal in Rhode Island starting Aug. 1 after Governor Chafee signed a bill into law Thursday allowing it.

Tobin warns Catholics over gay weddings

By Ted Nesi, WPRI.com Reporter — Thu, 02 May 2013 19:04:57 GMT

Prior to Thursday's historic vote to legalize same-sex marriage in Rhode Island, Bishop of Providence Thomas Tobin said he was "profoundly disappointed" and warned Catholics to think hard before going to the weddings of local gays and lesbians.

Raimondo campaign war chest hits $1.7M

By Ted Nesi, WPRI.com Reporter — Wed, 01 May 2013 14:19:58 GMT

Treasurer Gina Raimondo continued to raise campaign cash at a rip-roaring pace during the first three months of 2013, far outpacing the other leading candidates for the state's top job.

Chafee will sign marriage bill Thursday

By Ted Nesi, WPRI.com Reporter — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:27:19 GMT

A bill to legalize same-sex marriage in Rhode Island is set to be signed by Gov. Lincoln Chafee on Thursday evening after a key legislative panel approved the legislation.

Caprio eying 2014 comeback as treasurer

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:58:44 GMT

Former General Treasurer Frank Caprio may be getting back into Rhode Island politics.

House Dems: Revamp EDC to fix economy

By Ted Nesi, WPRI.com Reporter — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:11:04 GMT

House Democrats led by Speaker Fox proposed a major overhaul of state economic agencies as part of a sweeping legislative package to fix the economy.

Gay marriage could be law by early May

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 09:51:29 GMT

Governor Chafee said he's met with advocates of same-sex marriage to begin discussing plans to sign the bill into law “as quickly as possible" after it won Senate approval.

RI Senate approves same-sex marriage

By Ted Nesi, WPRI.com Reporter — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 20:04:18 GMT

Rhode Island's senators voted 26-12 to legalize same-sex marriage in the state starting Aug. 1, and top lawmakers said the bill could be sent to Governor Chafee next Thursday.

How RI Senate shifted on gay marriage

By Dan McGowan, WPRI.com Reporter — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 04:01:22 GMT

A savvy political campaign and changing opinions has the Rhode Island Senate poised to approve same-sex marriage during a vote Wednesday afternoon.

Landmark same-sex marriage vote at hand

By Ted Nesi, WPRI.com Reporter — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 19:21:55 GMT

Rhode Island moved another step closer to legalizing same-sex marriage on Tuesday as a key legislative panel approved allowing gays and lesbians to wed.

Pacheco running for secretary of state

By Ted Nesi, WPRI.com Reporter — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 21:10:27 GMT

R.I. Democratic Party Chairman Edwin Pacheco announced Monday he will run for secretary of state next year, becoming the second member of his party to jump into the race for the open job.

Unemployment in RI inches down to 9.1%

By Ted Nesi, WPRI.com Reporter — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:13:55 GMT

Rhode Island's unemployment rate has fallen to the lowest level since late 2008 as the state's work force keeps shrinking, new data shows.

Docs reveal who bought 38 Studios bonds

By Ted Nesi, WPRI.com Reporter — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 21:56:14 GMT

USAA and Transamerica bought more than half the $75 million in bonds Rhode Island backed to benefit Curt Schilling’s 38 Studios, Target 12 has discovered.

Chafee is most unpopular governor in US

By Ted Nesi, WPRI.com Reporter — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 16:55:59 GMT

Political analysts say Chafee still has a chance to win a second term next year despite having the lowest job approval in the country.

Fung 'taking a serious look' at gov run

By Ted Nesi, WPRI.com Reporter — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 23:28:16 GMT

"I really enjoy the chief executive's job, and I am taking a serious look at the gubernatorial race," Fung, a Republican, told WPRI 12 in an interview.

RI Hospital owner may have to cut jobs

By Ted Nesi, WPRI.com Reporter — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 17:05:30 GMT

A Lifespan spokeswoman confirmed Friday that the hospital chain is experiencing a financial shortfall, saying its finances ran "significantly below budget" this year.

RI considers $70M fund for road repairs

By Ted Nesi, WPRI.com Reporter — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 17:17:06 GMT

Speaker Fox and Treasurer Raimondo proposed a new revolving loan fund they say will help municipalities borrow money for less to repair dilapidated roads and bridges.