Woonsocket Radio News Room

 
   

 

Metts calls on governor to appoint person of color to
state Supreme Court

 

STATE HOUSE – Sen. Harold M. Metts today urged Gov. Gina M. Raimondo to appoint a person of color to the Rhode Island Supreme Court – the state’s highest bench, which has never had a minority justice.

In a letter sent today, Senator Metts asked the governor to make history by appointing a person of color to the vacancy created by the upcoming retirement of Justice Gilbert V. Indeglia, who announced earlier this year that he would step down in June.

“To my knowledge there has never been a person of color on the Rhode Island Supreme Court. This is a gross injustice and travesty. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, ‘justice too long delayed is justice denied,’” wrote Senator Metts (D-Dist. 6, Providence).

“The minority community still feels the pain from 2004, when then-governor Donald Carcieri said that he was not interested in making history, when the highly qualified O. Rogeriee Thompson, now on the federal bench, was a candidate for the Rhode Island Supreme Court and was denied the opportunity.  Many from my community felt it was a slap in the face.

“As I have written to you before, the shortage of minority judges on the entire judiciary is troubling. Never having had any on the state’s highest court is entirely unacceptable. The numbers of minority judges was woefully low because of past discrimination. I appreciate your recent appointments, however, more needs to be done than replacing the one minority judge who retired and the two who passed away.

“More than making history, Rhode Island needs to do the right thing. Now is the time to correct this injustice and I urge you to appoint a person of color to this vacant Supreme Court judgeship.”

Senator Metts has been a vocal proponent of greater minority representation in the state’s courts, and has previously publicly urged the governor to select minority candidates for other judgeships.

 

 

 

 

President Trump says the killing is stopping in Iran. Wednesday at the White House, the President said he just heard on good authority that Iran won't hold executions, presumably of anti-government protesters. Trump would not elaborate on the information or where it came from. The president has warned Iran the U.S. is looking at options, possibly using the military, for intervening in the crackdown on anti-government protests, and stands "ready to help."        A member of Congress is filing articles of impeachment against Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem. Illinois Democratic Congresswoman Robin Kelly cited the secretary's handling of the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. She also alleged Noem denied members of Congress "oversight of ICE detention facilities." Kelly's impeachment articles also accuse Noem of violating public trust and abusing her power for personal benefit.        Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado is expected to meet with President Trump on Thursday at the White House. Trump's relationship with Machado has become somewhat complicated since the U.S. arrested former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. Following that military operation, Trump said Machado "doesn't have the support within, or the respect within, the country." Many expected Machado to be a key player in Venezuela after Maduro's ousting, but Trump allowed Maduro's vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, to assume control.        The Supreme Court is allowing an Illinois congressman to sue the state over a mail-in ballot law. Republican Congressman Michael Bost was granted the legal right to sue Illinois over its ability to count mail-in ballots received after Election Day, which is a practice being targeted by President Trump and his allies. While the legality of the practice itself was not before the justices, the seven to two ruling could pave the way for political candidates nationwide to challenge election laws more easily in their states.        Preliminary numbers reveal enrollment in Obamacare has dropped. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 22-point-eight million consumers signed up for 2026 individual market health insurance compared to the 23-point-six million consumers who enrolled around this time last year. The decline of roughly 800-thousand people is an early indication that allowing the enhanced premium tax subsidies to expire caused people to defer signing up for health insurance.        Those hoping to attend the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics can now register for the ticket draw. Fans can submit their application now for the chance to be among the first to buy tickets. The registration period will be open until March 18th and fans will be notified if they've been selected by April 7th. The first ticket drop for the general public will start April 9th. Ticket prices start at 28-dollars.       

Old News Archives