Columns | EastBayRI.com - News, Opinion, Things to Do in the East Bay

Commentary: Shallow Learning displayed by Barrington School Committee

By Dr. Kevin M. Blanchard, Ed.D., NBCT For several years the Barrington Public Schools have been engaged in an effort to promote and instill Deep Learning in our graduates. … more

2/23/22

Five-way governor’s race took a curious turn last week

STORY OF THE WEEK: With less than three weeks until Rhode Island’s Sept. 13 primary, the five-way Democratic race for governor took a curious turn. Nellie Gorbea’s campaign aired an ad … more

By Ian Donnis | 8/29/22

The stories of the election: Magaziner, McKee and the Dems

STORY OF THE WEEK: Allan Fung was visibly deflated when he walked into Twin Oaks last week to hug supporters and concede defeat in a campaign that many people expected him to win. Two elements made … more

By Ian Donnis | 11/15/22

Commentary: Hiking personal income taxes is ill-timed and short-sighted

Several bills have been introduced in the Rhode Island General Assembly to add a new top state personal income tax bracket, thereby threatening to impose a higher tax burden on business, and … more

4/14/21

With weeks to go, the campaigns keep jabbing

STORY OF THE WEEK: It was easy to anticipate the dynamic heading into two gubernatorial debates last week: Gov. Dan McKee would try to use the typical incumbent tack of avoiding miscues; GOP … more

By Ian Donnis | 10/21/22

Commentary: Saddened masterpiece ‘Superman’ building is being thrown into the dustbin

Paris is endeavoring to repair and restore Notre Dame Cathedral. We here in Providence have neglected our only Skyscraper, the most poetic and "philosophical" structure in our downtown. It saddens me … more

By Mike Fink | 2/14/20

Arlene Violet: Is McKee a little like Trump?

Chances are that most top RI democrats were critical of ex-president Donald Trump‘s repudiation of science when it came to fighting COVID. Governor Gina Raimondo often referenced science as the … more

By Arlene Violet | 2/5/21

Dr. Karissa Niehoff, chief executive officer of the National Federation of State High School Associations; and Mike Lunney, executive director of the Rhode Island Interscholastic League.

Commentary: Bad behavior by coaches, parents and fans must stop

There’s an unfortunate trend continuing in Rhode Island and across the nation that must be stopped: the bad behavior of coaches, parents and fans at high school athletic … more

By Dr. Karissa Niehoff and Mike Lunney | 9/26/22

Arlene Violet: Is democracy in a nosedive?

While the Rhode Island General Assembly fusses over whether to mandate civics education and ponders whether critical race theory will be the demise of democracy, I am forced to admit that I think all … more

By Arlene Violet | 6/25/21

Westport Health Notes: Lots to report at the transfer station

Welcome to Westport Health Notes, a monthly column from the Westport Board of Health (BOH). The goal is to share information with our community about local issues and projects, public health … more

By Tanja Ryden | 6/15/22

Gun Violence: An epidemic of another kind

Welcome to Westport Health Notes, a monthly column from the Westport Board of Health (BOH). The goal is to share information with our community about local issues and projects, public health alerts, … more

By Donna Amaral | 9/16/22

It takes a village – Caring for the family caregiver

If there are more than 53 million family caregivers in the U.S., we all know someone doing this challenging and compassionate work, and they need our support. It is work, requiring physical and … more

7/6/22

Big issues simmer — How will they impact voters a few months from now?

STORY OF THE WEEK: With summer fast approaching – and Rhode Island’s election season coming into sharper focus – how will the whipsaw of American life in 2022 affect the results? … more

By Ian Donnis | 5/17/22

Is anyone in R.I. looking at the big picture with hospitals?

STORY OF THE WEEK: Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha has championed the cause of government transparency, often saying that the state’s public records law should be a floor and not a … more

By Ian Donnis | 11/7/23

Is the R.I. economy headed for a rude awakening?

STORY OF THE WEEK: If you want to feel a chill down your back, watch PBS Frontline’s report on the recent era of “easy money” – super-low interest rates … more

By Ian Donnis | 3/21/23

Nutrition at the end of life – When food takes a back seat

Mae was 81 years old when she was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. Her treatment plan was to start radiation and chemotherapy. Prior to starting treatment, she had lost 10 pounds over 8 weeks, … more

By Bonnie Evans | 11/7/23

Arlene Violet: Accusation: The Democrats are using the pandemic to reward political allies

Congressional Republicans are objecting to the $1.9 trillion legislation being pushed by the president and the Democrats to deal with the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting economic fallout. They … more

By Arlene Violet | 3/12/21

This bench at Burr's Hill commemorates Massasoit Ousamequin, who assisted early American settlers during their grueling first winters in the New World. It was dedicated in August of 2022.

100 Years Ago: Grave on Burr’s Hill accepted as Massasoit’s burial ground

The talk of the town 100 years ago involved the discovery of what would become known as the grave of Chief Massasoit in a burial site on Burr's Hill. more

12/7/23

The legislators are back, and so are familiar fiscal worries

STORY OF THE WEEK: The Rhode Island General Assembly returned to business last week, with the usual feeling of something akin to students returning to the classroom for the first day of school. House … more

By Ian Donnis | 1/9/24

Column: The responsibility we have to one another

We all have made mistakes and, likely, have been the recipients of the grace of someone else to be able to look past them, or forgive them. more

By Ethan Hartley | 8/31/22

After years of focus, the state's economy remains a work in progress

STORY OF THE WEEK: Former Gov. Gina Raimondo talked a lot about the need to improve workers’ skills while building a more diversified economy. Her successor, Gov. Dan McKee, has emphasized … more

By Ian Donnis | 4/11/23

Arlene Violet: Gun pandemic is the next public health issue to conquer

Megan L. Ranney is an emergency physician and associate dean at Brown University. Her essay in TIME (April 12, p.26) should be required reading, particularly with the City of Providence earning the … more

By Arlene Violet | 6/4/21

Op-Ed: Barrington – A sports town with a generation of failure

I believe that Barrington’s failure to develop good, or even adequate, outdoor sports fields for an entire generation of youth is one of the most surprising failures you will ever see by a … more

By Scott Pickering | 3/5/24

Insights and takeaways from the CD1 special election

STORY OF THE WEEK: If Aaron Regunberg and Gabe Amo finish first and second, respectively, in the CD1 Democratic primary election on Tuesday, it will be not be a surprise. The former state rep and the … more

By Ian Donnis | 9/5/23

Fond memories of Lincoln Almond at a time of Republican turmoil

STORY OF THE WEEK: History does not repeat itself, but it rhymes, or so the saying goes. That spurred thoughts on two different events this week. In D.C., U.S. House Republicans were unable to … more

By Ian Donnis | 1/10/23