Woonsocket Radio News Room

 

Governor McKee Appoints Dr. Michael Browner Jr. to the Rhode Island Ethics Commission

 

PROVIDENCE, RI — Governor Dan McKee today announced his appointment of Michael Browner Jr., Ph.D., to serve on the Rhode Island Ethics Commission.

 

Dr. Browner currently works as the principal of Frank E. Thompson Middle School in Newport and has decades of experience across all levels of education in Rhode Island. 

 

“Michael not only brings extensive knowledge and experience in education and administration but is a proven community leader who is actively working on behalf of Rhode Islanders,” said Governor Dan McKee. “I’m confident Michael will bring that same passion and dedication to the commission and help continue its mission of upholding the highest standards of integrity in our state.”

 

Dr. Browner has worked in education in Rhode Island since 1998. During his time as

a Rhode Island educator, Dr. Browner has worked as an assistant principal, an elementary English language arts teacher, a middle school social studies teacher, an adjunct professor at Roger Williams University (RWU), and an adjunct professor at the University of Rhode Island (URI).

 

“As a Rhode Island native, I am both humbled and honored to accept this appointment to the Rhode Island Ethics Commission,” said Dr. Michael Browner Jr. “I am hopeful that my many years of service in the field of education in Rhode Island will be an asset to the mission of the Ethics Commission. I am excited about the work ahead and the opportunity to serve my home state in a new capacity.”

 

Dr. Browner earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Education from Rhode Island College (RIC) and URI. He holds a Master of Education in School Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in History/Secondary Education, both from RIC.

 

He is an active member of the Rhode Island Civic Readiness Task Force, the Rhode Island Association of School Principals, and RWU’s Education Advisory Board. Dr. Browner is also a member of the Ebenezer Baptist Church of Providence where he serves as the church organist.

 

 
President Trump is heading to Asia tonight. The trip includes a high-stakes sit-down with Chinese President Xi Jinping [[ she jeen-peeng ]] in South Korea. China and the U.S. have been involved in a trade standoff since Trump took office for the second time. Trump will start the trip in Malaysia, which is hosting a regional summit, then he'll go to Japan, where he'll meet the new prime minister.        President Trump's extravagant new White House ballroom is getting donations from several major tech companies. The East Wing of the White House is being demolished to make way for the 90-thousand-square-foot ballroom. CNN says the ballroom donors include tech giants Apple, Meta, Google and Microsoft; and defense contractors such as Palantir and Lockheed Martin. Billionaire donors include casino mogul Miriam Adelson, Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman, and cryptocurrency billionaires Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss.        The U.S. has struck another alleged drug boat in the Caribbean Sea. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the overnight strike in a post on X Friday morning. He said the boat was operated by Tren de Aragua, which has been named a Designated Terrorist Organization. All six people on board were killed. This was the tenth strike by the U.S. military on alleged drug trafficking boats.        New York Attorney General Letitia James says she's not guilty of mortgage fraud charges. A federal grand jury in Virginia indicted the Democrat earlier this month. James has said the charges are "baseless" and that Trump's only goal is political retribution. James and President Trump have traded public insults for years, especially after the Democrat won a civil fraud case against Trump. She said the charges have "angered her soul," and she promised to do her job every day while fighting them.        House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries is handing his endorsement to Zohran Mamdani for New York City mayor. He made the announcement ahead of early voting starting tomorrow. Jeffries acknowledged "areas of principled disagreement," but added Mamdani has "explicitly committed to being a mayor for all New Yorkers." The New York Congressman had faced questions for months about whether or not he would endorse Mamdani. Polls show Mamdani leading former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.        UFC 321 kicks off tomorrow in Abu Dhabi. In the main event, heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall will face off against former interim champ Ciryl Gane [[ ser-al gahn ]]. Aspinall is making his first defense after being promoted from interim champion due to the retirement of Jon Jones. In the co-main event, Virna Jandiroba [[ VEER-nah jah-nde-ROH-bah ]] will fight Mackenzie Dern for the vacant women's strawweight championship.       

Old News Archives