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RI BUSINESS

Michael Mota under scrutiny for potential labor law violations, ordered to stop work at Memorial Hospital

A visit by the Rhode Island Building Trades council noted several issues at the site in February. The city’s stop work order notes “there are no active building permits for the interior demolition” and “a business [is] operating illegally” on the site.

INVESTIGATION
Michael Mota and the art of the Virtual Con
The secret behind this businessman’s success? Tireless networking, great timing — and some smoke and mirrors.

Michael Mota, CEO of VirtualCons, is being sued by Harrah’s for $274,000R.I. housing secretary says ‘all options are on the table’ for Memorial Hospital

RHODE ISLAND
Brothers from R.I. applauded at Celtics game
Inspired by his younger brother Joel and his challenges with autism, Jose Rodriguez founded Tasium, which has a line of clothing with built-in fidget toys that help people with autism relieve anxiety in a productive manner.

RI BUSINESS
Two decades later, Brown to rename center after former president who pushed the university to examine its roots to slavery
In 2003, former Brown University president Ruth Simmons appointed a committee to investigate the school’s historical ties to slavery.

COMMENTARY
Who has the right to take the life of another, or even their own life?
We received many responses after a recent commentary in support of a bill that seeks to legalize physician-assisted suicide in Rhode Island. Here is a collection of those responses; they have been edited for length and clarity.

RI POLITICS
A running list of possible candidates for Cicilline’s congressional seat
Now that House Speaker Joe Shekarchi and former CVS executive Helena Foulkes have announced that they won’t run, the floodgates are beginning to open with potential candidates who suddenly see the race as winnable.

FOOD
Here are the nominees for the 2023 James Beard awards
Sherry Pocknett, who puts Wampanoag tradition front and center at Sly Fox Den Too, in Charlestown, R.I., is nominated for Best Chef: Northeast.

More Rhode Island stories

COMMENTARY

Who has the right to take the life of another, or even their own life?

We received many responses after a recent commentary in support of a bill that seeks to legalize physician-assisted suicide in Rhode Island. Here is a collection of those responses; they have been edited for length and clarity.

RI POLITICS

House Education Committee members say R.I. bills would harm LGBTQ students

In a microcosm of a national phenomenon, a Rhode Island Republican on Wednesday made the case for “parents rights” legislation while Democratic legislators criticized the proposals as harmful to LGBTQ students.

RI ARTS

Listen to the Allman Brothers concert that helped Jimmy Carter become president

Carter wasn’t called the rock ‘n’ roll president for nothing. Here’s a recording of the 1975 Providence concert that helped him raise money for his presidential campaign.

Ongoing coverage

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More from Globe Rhode Island

PODCAST

Playing the Mike Mota tapes

On Rhode Island Report podcast, Globe reporter Amanda Milkovits talks about her 15-month investigation of R.I. businessman Michael Mota, sharing recordings of her interviews and his promotional videos.
More episodes of the Rhode Island Report podcastFollow us on Apple Podcasts
THINGS TO DO

Best things to do in Rhode Island this week: March 31-April 7

This week: Wise up with actors from the “Sopranos,” Easter egg hunts, tulip picking time, and more.
30 of the best dance, theater, book, art, and classical music events in New England this spring

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More Recent R.I. Stories

RI CRIME

2 life sentences for man convicted in New Year’s Day killing of mother in Pawtucket

A New York man who shot and killed the mother of his fiancee’s ex-boyfriend in Rhode Island on New Year’s Day in 2020 has been sentenced to two consecutive life terms.

FOOD

Here are the nominees for the 2023 James Beard awards

A Lynn restaurant competes on the national level, and Greek and Yunnan cuisines are in the spotlight.

RI POLITICS

R.I. sets dates for First Congressional District special election

The primary will take place Sept. 5 and the general election to fill seat that US Representative David Cicilline is vacating will take place Nov. 7.

RHODE MAP

🏀 Maybe Kim English should run for Congress

Providence College will introduce the men's basketball coach and new women's coach Erin Batth today, and English is already drawing rave reviews.

RI POLITICS

Lawyers to make arguments to R.I. Supreme Court about legality of Chariho school committee appointment

With the balance of power on the Chariho regional school committee at stake, a Democrat argues the Richmond Town Council violated the home rule charter in appointing a Republican to a vacant seat.

Somerville startup wants to make period products more accessible

The founders of Egal had an idea: In restrooms, why not distribute period products like toilet paper?

RI CRIME

Man who shot at Providence police with AR-15 ghost-gun rifle sentenced to serve decades in prison

Luis Roman, 32, had pleaded guilty in an August 2021 incident in which he fired at police after he assaulted his girlfriend.

Three women’s stories intertwine around a historic fire in ‘Daughters of Nantucket’

Debut author Julie Gerstenblatt discusses fires beyond actual embers.