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

McKee’s approval ratings are low, but does it matter?

On the surface, a new Morning Consult finding showing Gov. Dan McKee as the lowest-ranked governor in the nation (with a 38% approval rating) doesn’t reflect well on the incumbent. But if McKee … more

By Ian Donnis | 7/25/22

Driver’s licenses for undocumented is not a panacea

This legislative year the Rhode Island General Assembly agreed to allow the issuance of driver’s permits/licenses for undocumented immigrants who can prove they have income and income tax … more

By Arlene Violet, Esq. | 7/8/22

ACLU: With Roe overturned, what comes next for abortion rights?

The Supreme Court’s ruling today, which overturned Roe v. Wade , is nothing less than a shameful, sweeping, … more

By Jessica Arons, ACLU Senior Policy Counsel | 6/25/22

Big spending and big relief in a very big budget

STORY OF THE WEEK: Failure is an orphan, and victory has many fathers, as the saying goes. That helps explain why Gov. Dan McKee gathered with House Speaker Joe Shekarchi and Senate President … more

By Ian Donnis | 6/14/22

Commentary: Senate needs to act on shoreline access

The Rhode Island General Assembly has a singular opportunity in this session to end years of chaos and confusion regarding where Rhode Islanders can exercise their constitutionally-protected rights … more

By Thomas J. Gibson, Jr. | 6/13/22

Gun debate looms large in General Assembly’s final days

The Senate Judiciary Committee is the key battleground for contentious legislation in Rhode Island. So what happens when the majority of support on the committee for gun … more

By Ian Donnis | 6/7/22

Not another moment of silence

I’m sick to death of observing another moment of silence when children have been murdered, particularly in a school setting. Since 2018 there have been 119 school shootings. The most recent … more

By Arlene Violet, Esq. | 6/3/22

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

Ashley Kalus’ media buy is a knockout

Since she is an unknown candidate in the gubernatorial race, Republican Ashley Kalus has commenced a media buy in order to get name recognition. One campaign ad shows her as a boxer (with … more

By Arlene Violet | 5/13/22

May baskets — our forgotten Rite of Spring

By Jenny O'Neill Westport’s old-timers have fond memories of a now forgotten tradition of May baskets. These hand-made paper or cardboard baskets, filled with small treats and trinkets, … more

5/6/22

Commentary: On Mother’s Day, don’t forget moms who struggle

Mother’s Day is the day when we celebrate our moms and the other women in our lives who have given us love, guidance, inspiration, and support.What we don’t often do on Mother’s … more

By Diane LeValley | 4/29/22

Will Senate Committee thwart gun reforms this year?

STORY OF THE WEEK: The familiar ritual of hearings on gun-related bills played out at the Statehouse last week, with lengthy meetings extending into the night and impassioned testimony on both sides … more

By Ian Donnis | 4/6/22

As the virus persists, will the future repeat the past?

STORY OF THE WEEK: The approach of nicer spring weather makes it easy to think that COVID has been banished. But surges are sparking lockdowns in other parts of the world, and the Omicron BA.2 … more

By Ian Donnis | 3/22/22

Commentary: Mask Wars: Unvaccinated students should keep masks on in school

In the first Star Wars movie—you know with the Jawas, Sand People, Greedo, “Let the Wookie win” and the trash monster—there’s a scene on the Millenium Falcon where … more

By Dr. Kevin M. Blanchard | 3/11/22

Commentary: A call to reason: Booster mandate is punitive and untenable

This editorial will be straightforward and brief. The issue at hand is clear: why would the Barrington School Committee mandate a third COVID shot for teachers when: • Our school committee … more

2/28/22

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

Commentary: What about us, the Barrington teachers?

With the click of my right index finger I may have contributed to the termination of more than 30 of my colleagues. I teach in Barrington and the members of our school committee are insisting that … more

By Dr. Kevin M. Blanchard, Ed.D., NBCT | 2/15/22

How do women factor into races for Governor and Congress?

STORY OF THE WEEK: When women run for office in Rhode Island, they usually win. Years of gains in the state Senate, for example, resulted in the chamber being equally divided between male and female … more

By Ian Donnis | 2/11/22

Poli-ticks: The sacred cows are mooing!

Forgive me for titling a column that I used almost 14 years ago. Like then, but with more money available now, the State has a surplus ($618.4 million, a $1.3 billion CARES ACT infusion of cash, … more

By Arlene Violet, Esq. | 2/2/22

Talking Politics: Gov. McKee's budget comes at a great time for candidate McKee

STORY OF THE WEEK: With the September 13 primary fast approaching, RI Gov. Dan McKee last week unveiled a spending plan that doubles as a way to appeal to a wide swath of Rhode Islanders. Big spend … more

By Ian Donnis | 1/26/22

Talking Politics: Dr. Scott was the right person at the right time

STORY OF THE WEEK: Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott was the right person in the right place at the right time when the pandemic came to Rhode Island. Although she had never faced a challenge of that … more

By Ian Donnis | 1/20/22

Poli-ticks: Gosh, I miss the America I grew up with

Normally, this is the column where I have the audacity to suggest New Year resolutions for resident politicians. Instead I have a more urgent resolution for all of us: I want us Americans to go back … more

By Arlene Violet, Esq. | 1/7/22

Arlene Violet: Governor makes the naughty list more than once

I was taken aback when I received a letter from Santa! There in black and white was his Christmas list of Rhode Island leaders who have been either naughty or nice. One politician dominated the … more

By Arlene Violet, Esq. | 12/10/21

Column: Remembering three coaches and a team that welcomed everyone

It’s easy to mock the “way things used to be” guy. He’s always got a story about the old days, about things that no longer exist, about people you’ve never heard of. He … more

By Scott Pickering | 10/22/21

Norman Stephen Taber won gold in the 3,000-meter team really and bronze in the 1,500-meter run at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics.

Commentary: Norman Taber: Rhode Island’s overlooked Olympian

John Kinsella’s great baseball novel, “ Field of Dreams,” popularized the phrase “Go the distance.” I regard it also as an exhortation to runners — from the mile … more

By Patrick T. Conley | 8/11/21