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The upside of hope in Rhode Island

Nine individuals who are bullish and optimistic amid the state's current tough times
Everywhere one turns these days, there's seemingly more bad news about Rhode Island: the unemployment rate, one of the highest in the nation, tops 10 percent — and the state's running out of unemployment assistance.

By IAN DONNIS | January 29, 2009

Dirty Harry goes to church: Clint and Catholicism

Reel Life
In Mystic River , Clint Eastwood examined the damage to a close-knit group of Boston friends, years after one of them was sexually abused by a stranger, in a film depicting the power of sexual abuse with Catholic overtones.

By MARY ANN SORRENTINO | February 02, 2009

Brogan takes on teens, social networking in Teaser

Literary Life
Former Providence Journal reporter Jan Brogan is out with her fourth mystery, Teaser .

By IAN DONNIS | January 28, 2009

'Caves of comfort' help city dwellers beat the cold

Gimme Shelter
Local musician and writer Susan Sakash, 30, had only one qualm about living in an old Providence warehouse. Though she didn't mind the 12-foot ceilings and open space in the summertime, Sakash says, "I was kind of freaked out about the winter."

By AMY LITTLEFIELD | January 28, 2009

Obama delivers manna for the masses - and small gatherings

Talking Politics
Although the inauguration day spread at the Scituate home of longtime liberal political activist Kate Coyne-McCoy on Tuesday included an array of frittatas, grilled sausages, roast potatoes, and Champagne, the main sustenance for a like-minded group of about dozen guests was the political manna represented by the swearing-in of Barack Obama.

By IAN DONNIS | January 22, 2009

Providence music news: January 23, 2009

The 'BRU Rock Hunt kicks off
A seriously busy weekend

By PROVIDENCE MUSIC STAFF | January 21, 2009

Primary care doctors could be harder to find in RI

Health-Care
Finding a primary care doctor in Rhode Island may get harder. Faced with increasing workloads, some Rhode Island internists and family physicians are reducing their patient numbers.

By STEVEN STYCOS | January 21, 2009

Providence lawyer plays pioneering role in suing terrorists

National Security
The use of Predator drones and covert Special Forces teams is bound to be satisfying for many victims of terrorism.

By BILL RODRIGUEZ | January 21, 2009

Inauguration 2009: Obama Live

Watch and respond: webcasts, real-time video, Twitter feeds, Flickr slideshows
Watch and respond: webcasts, real-time video, Twitter feeds, Flickr slideshows

By PHOENIX STAFF | January 21, 2009

With the impact disputed, Carcieri pushes for his Medicaid waiver

Talking Politics
There's a certain audacity to Governor Carcieri's drive to put a global Medicaid waiver in place in Rhode Island.

By IAN DONNIS | January 14, 2009

Bringing the party to the people

A history of our Inaugural West Swingers and White House Hoedowns
Are there any jobs on Earth more virile-sounding than commander in chief?

By KARA BASKIN | January 19, 2009

Call me Ishmael: 25 hours straight with Moby-Dick

Melville Mania
Call me Impetuous.

By CHRISTINA BEVILACQUA | January 15, 2009

How much have we learned since 9-11?

Conflicts
When Israel launched recent attacks against Palestinian foes, killing hundreds, president-elect Obama and others repeated the familiar mantra of pro-Israel support, decrying Hamas and citing Israel's right to self-defense, ignoring how dead children, on both sides, know no politics.

By MARY ANN SORRENTINO | January 14, 2009

Good news, bad news

Fear and loathing? Or happy days? The only thing we know for sure about the coming year is that we're all in this together.
It will be the best of times. Or, perhaps, it will be the worst.

By MIKE MILIARD | December 30, 2008

The year the crap hit the fan

RI political mediocrity couldn't compare with the excesses of the fiscal meltdown
For a good metaphor of the year experienced by Rhode Island in 2008, consider the economic-development summit called by Governor Carcieri in November.

By IAN DONNIS | December 24, 2008

The Year of the Nerd

Screw the jocks and prom queens — in 2008, geeks took control of entertainment, pro sports . . . even the White House
Barack Obama is many things. Dedicated senator. Devoted husband and father. Adept orator. President-elect. Nerd.

By RYAN STEWART | December 24, 2008

The feminine critique

Women in politics came a long way in 2008, but the weight of double standards endures
It was almost a banner year for women in politics.

By SARA FAITH ALTERMAN | December 24, 2008

Proponents make the case for National Popular Vote

Talking Politics
During a fundraiser for FairVote Rhode Island at the Hi-Hat on Monday, supporters of the concept known as National Popular Vote several times used the acronym NPV with a wink and a smile, eliciting the question from a colleague, "What's NPV?," and then offering the all-too obvious answer.

By IAN DONNIS | December 18, 2008

Take Back Barack

It's time to reclaim the man we put in the White House
It's time to reclaim the man we put in the White House

By JEFF INGLIS + DEIRDRE FULTON | December 19, 2008

Brown's liberal rep questioned in handling of SDS protest

Barricades
As eight Brown University members of Students for a Democratic Society await possible university sanctions, their case has led many students, parents, and faculty to question whether Brown is living up to its reputation as a haven for progressive thought and action.

By AMY LITTLEFIELD | December 17, 2008