Local Restaurants Struggling - Restaurant's transportation costs are rising with the increased gas prices
I am here at the Cumberland Farms off of Metacom Ave in Bristol Rhode Island where the gas is now 3.95 for a regular gallon and the local businesses are not feeling happy about it.
Places like the Judge Roy Bean Saloon in Bristol are also struggling with rising gas prices. Here is Allison from the Bean to tell us how.
“Hi, my name is Sunny and I work at the Judge Roy Bean here in Bristol. Gas prices affect the restaurant because we get our alcohol and a lot of our food delivered weekly here and it already is a pretty hefty cost on the restaurant. But now that the gas prices are going up, we’re getting charged more than we typically would. So it’s taking a toll on the restaurant itself to try to allocate their budget as well and make sure that we have enough money to pay for the higher prices of our liquor.”
From food deliveries to supply runs, transportation costs are higher than previous years. For seasonal businesses this can be especially challenging because the first two weeks set the tone for the entire summer. With more customers coming in each day there is hope for a stronger summer with the added pressure.
Sunny says gas prices are having a wider effect and even discusses how it affects her personal life.
“Gas prices affect me personally because as a college student who is balancing paying for rent and utilities and groceries every week, having to fill up more frequently and the prices being higher, I have to allocate that in my budget every week and make sure that I have enough money.”
Researcher: McKalah Gaine
Writer: McKalah Gaine
Reporter: Elizabeth Chant
Copy-Editor: Elizabeth Chant
Renewed Gun Control Debate - Multiple proposed gun restriction bills were debated this week and moved into consideration
In response to a renewed debate over gun control at the Rhode Island State House, there has been a large reaction from people who support and oppose new gun legislation. This past week, multiple proposed gun restriction bills, which include restrictions on assault weapons and other types of firearm regulation were debated and moved into consideration. Gun violence and Second Amendment rights have sparked emotional testimonies and protests, with proponents claiming that stricter laws are needed to combat gun violence, and opponents claim that proposed restrictions may violate Second Amendment rights. While this debate represents a larger national debate, the debate is being played out here in a visible manner, with community members, activist organizations, and lawmakers providing input. These debates will likely determine how Rhode Island addresses gun policies in the coming years, and thus represent one of the most hotly contested issues before the legislature during this session.
In addition to legislative bodies, this debate is also affecting communities throughout the state; residents are watching with interest how local decision-making processes could affect their communities’ public safety and individual rights. Both advocacy groups supporting and opposing stricter gun legislation have organized rallies, contacted lawmakers, and encouraged public participation in hearings. Some Rhode Islanders view this as a matter of deep personal concern whether a fear of gun violence or fear of infringement upon constitutional protections. As the legislative process continues, this is an area of continued visibility as differing perspectives on policy regarding guns will be matched with differing views on what constitutes safe communities; individuals’ rights; and the roles that governments should play in regulating firearms.
Researcher: Edith Hills
Writer: Edith Hills
Reporter: McKalah Gaine
Copy-Editor: Elizabeth Chant
Ice Detention in Rhode Island - The Wyatt Detention Facility in Central Falls sparks immigration debates
Here at the Wyatt Detention Facility the national immigration debate becomes something much more personal. Behind these walls are people separated from families waiting on legal decisions that could change their lives. As concerns grow over detention conditions and access to resources this story is hitting close to home for many Rhode Island communities. I’m Alexa Benson-Amarante at Central Falls Detention Facility.
“You know, ICE is going to use detention as a very coercive tool.”
Former immigration attorney, Carl Krueger, who retired two years ago says the biggest change is that more people are subject to mandatory attention for civil processings.
“The presumption was that if you were going to show up for your hearing, you were not a risk to flee. Those are the two criteria that historically determine where someone should be held waiting for their hearing to go on or whether they should go home and sleep in their own bed at night and show up in the courtroom when they’re supposed to.”
Because cases take years and the system is overwhelmed, people who are detained, especially those far from home have a hard time fairly presenting their case.
“Its very very frustrating when your client’s detained and can’t be as much as an active participant as you want your client to be. If you’re detained while that’s all going on far away from home, that’s going to have an impact on you, on your willingness to fight for you right.
Researcher: Alexa Benson-Amarante
Writer: Alexa Benson-Amarante
Reporter: Alexa Benson-Amarante
Copy-Editor: Elizabeth Chant
Explosion and Fire at Manufacturing Facility - The thirteen injured parties raises questions workplace hazards
The recent industrial disaster that occurred in East Providence has raised concerns regarding workplace safety due to a major explosion and fire occurring at a manufacturing facility resulting in over a dozen individuals being taken to the hospital for treatment. An apparent explosion reportedly caused a fire within the facility, prompting emergency responders to be dispatched to the scene late last week. Due to the number of injured parties (thirteen) who required transport to nearby medical centers, a mass casualty was declared to allow emergency personnel from multiple jurisdictions to respond to the event. Although none of the injuries sustained during the incident were reported to be life threatening, the extent of the response demonstrates how severe the potential consequences may have been. Multiple agencies including firefighters, law enforcement officers and investigators with the Rhode Island State Fire Marshals Office responded to the incident; an investigation into the probable cause of the explosion has begun. The occurrence of events such as this raise awareness regarding the inherent hazards to employees working in industrial environments and emphasize the necessity for effective regulation of safety practices when utilizing unique materials.
Questions are currently being asked by community residents and local elected representatives pertaining to the measures employed at industrial facilities throughout Rhode Island for employee protection, emergency planning and preparation. It is anticipated that the investigation will examine equipment maintenance history, material handling processes and whether any regulatory infractions or violations contributed to the occurrence of the incident. Workers and their families are reminded of the rapidity with which workday routines can become emergency situations through incidents such as this; as a result, enforcement of established safety standards continues to remain vital to minimizing the risk associated with similar events occurring in the future.
Researcher: Edith Hills
Writer: Edith Hills
Reporter: Gabrielle Locca
Copy-Editor: Elizabeth Chant
Rhode Island Iranian Communities Speak Out - In Providence, residents have gathered at protests speaking out against violence
As the war with Iran escalates, members of Rhode Island’s Iranian and Iranian-American communities are responding to the conflict in the best way they know how. In Providence, residents have gathered at protests to speak out against the violence and its human cost. According to The Brown Daily Herald, about 100 community members came together outside City Hall, where organizers incorporated a Ramadan prayer to create a space for cultural unity.. Speakers at the event emphasized solidarity, with one noting the importance of creating spaces “for our communities to be able to be here” during a time of crisis.
At the same time, earlier demonstrations in Providence drew residents out on short notice as news of the strikes broke, showing how quickly local communities were able to come together in response. Coverage from local station NBC 10 WJAR reports that protesters gathered to voice opposition to a broader war and to raise awareness about its potential global and humanitarian consequences.
For many Iranian-Americans in Rhode Island, these gatherings are about more than politics, they are a way of coping. By organizing, protesting, and leaning on cultural and community networks, residents are finding ways to process fear for loved ones abroad while staying connected locally.
Researcher: Edith Hills
Writer: Edith Hills
Reporter: McKalah Gaine
Copy-Editor: Elizabeth Chant