Woonsocket Radio News Room

 

Rep. O’Brien calls for a House Oversight meeting on ILO Group education contract

 

STATE HOUSE – Rep. William W. O’Brien (D-Dist. 54, North Providence) is requesting a House Oversight Committee meeting to examine the recently awarded $5 million contract to the ILO Group for the purposes of safely reopening schools in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“When I first read the news reports regarding this contract, I, like many others, was outraged.  To pay a group of outside individuals $5 million for the work that the Department of Education should be doing is beyond outrageous.  In this climate, where every single education dollar counts, I see this as an extreme waste of taxpayer dollars and I will be writing to Speaker Shekarchi and Oversight Chairwoman Serpa to request a meeting on this important matter,” said Representative O’Brien.

“The taxpayers of Rhode Island should not have to worry about their hard-earned money being squandered on duplicative services and it is my hope that the House Oversight Committee can get the answers that the residents of Rhode Island deserve,” concluded Representative O’Brien.

 

-30-

 

Former President Trump is back in court as his criminal hush money trial continues. Former Michael Cohen associate Gary Farro is now on the stand. This comes after jurors heard testimony from former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker who gave details this week on how he protected Trump from negative stories leading up to the 2016 presidential election. Meanwhile, the judge in the case has said he'll consider four more Trump gag order violations being alleged by the prosecution.       President Biden is willing to debate Donald Trump ahead of the November presidential election. During an interview today with radio host Howard Stern, Biden said he doesn't know when, but that he'd be happy to debate Trump. The comment comes as the Biden campaign has declined to commit to a debate for months.        The Biden administration is making it clear to House Speaker Mike Johnson it's up to state governors to decide if the National Guard should be brought in to combat pro-Palestine protests on college campuses. Johnson called on President Biden to call in the National Guard after visiting Columbia University on Wednesday. The Speaker said "there is an appropriate time for the National Guard" if the protests aren't contained quickly.       The U.S. is calling on China to stop supporting Russia's war on Ukraine. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing today. Blinken told reporters he raised concerns with Chinese officials over the country's support for Russia's military. He added that Moscow would struggle to sustain its assault on Ukraine without China's backing.       Saturday is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. It's an opportunity for folks to safely dispose of their prescription drugs that are no longer needed. The goal is to keep prescription painkillers from being misused.       The NFL Draft continues tonight with rounds two and three. A record 23 offensive players were taken in the first round yesterday. Top players still on the board include Cooper DeJean, Jer'Zhan Newton, Kool-Aid McKinstry and Ladd McConkey. USC quarterback Caleb Williams was taken with the first overall pick by the Chicago Bears.       

Old News Archives