Christopher Shea

Feb 6, 2025 | oceanstatestories.org | Christopher Shea

This story was originally published in Rhode Island Current, a publication partner of Ocean State StoriesPROVIDENCE — The grand opening of 45 tiny cabins to provide housing for people with nowhere else to go assembled off Route 146 in Providence is finally coming — and at $1.3 million over budget.

Feb 5, 2025 | rhodeislandcurrent.com | Christopher Shea

As Rhode Island’s statewide bus agency stares down a $32.6 million budget gap heading into the next fiscal year, two lawmakers are looking at ways to fill the gap without drawing from the state’s general revenue fund. A bill sponsored by Sen. Sam Zurier, a Providence Democrat, reforms how the state’s gas tax is allocated to the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA), while another from Sen. Megan Kallman, a Pawtucket Democrat, would impose a new fee on rideshare services.

Feb 4, 2025 | rhodeislandcurrent.com | Christopher Shea

The grand opening of 45 tiny cabins to provide housing for people with nowhere else to go assembled off Route 146 in Providence is finally coming — and at $1.3 million over budget. Nearly a year after the state’s first community of temporary pallet shelters for people experiencing homelessness were constructed, the Rhode Island Department of Housing on Tuesday announced the opening ceremony for ECHO Village will be on Tuesday, Feb. 11.

Feb 3, 2025 | rhodeislandcurrent.com | Christopher Shea

It’s unclear who shot a video of a construction crane knocking down a large portion of the westbound Washington Bridge last Friday, sending debris slamming down onto two barges and into the Seekonk River. After the video was widely shared on social media, more uncertainty followed. And a question: Is the demolition supposed to happen like that?

Jan 30, 2025 | rhodeislandcurrent.com | Christopher Shea

Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport’s unionized police officers and firefighters delivered a unanimous vote of no confidence in airport leadership on Wednesday, citing a hostile work environment and unwillingness by CEO Iftikhar Ahmad to negotiate a new contract. Union leaders also filed a grievance with the State Labor Relations Board demanding the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) maintain all 27 positions on T.F. Green’s police department.