Eli Sherman (esherman@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter for 12 News and co-hosts Behind the Story. Connect with him on Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter and Bluesky.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island to relinquish control of Providence schools on July 1
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — In an unexpected development, R.I. Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green announced Wednesday she is recommending the state relinquish control of the Providence schools by July 1.
The commissioner will make the recommendation to the R.I. Council on Elementary and Secondary Education on May 26, saying her decision came after “deep deliberation and consultation” with city and state leaders.
“This is an important moment, and I want to be clear: this conversation is happening now because of the work you — the students, families, educators and support staff, the community,” Infante-Green wrote in an open letter to the Providence Public Schools community.
If the handoff is successful, Providence would regain control of its school district for the first time since November 2019, following a devastating Johns Hopkins University report documenting systemic failures.
Infante-Green’s decision represents an about-face from Tuesday when she told reporters that she wanted to begin transitioning the district back to Providence this summer, but with the eventual handoff not happening until July 2027.
“I’m the one who put the line in the sand and said it’s going back in 2027,” Infante-Green said Tuesday.
Meanwhile, internal negotiations spilled into public view, exposing tensions over how the transition would unfold. On Tuesday, Infante-Green spokesperson Victor Morente chastised the Providence School Board for making those internal discussions public.
“Violating the confidentiality of these meetings undermines the mutual trust needed for a successful transition and raises serious questions about board leadership’s ability to manage complex, high-stakes negotiations,” Morente said in a statement.
In a draft order Infante-Green plans to recommend to the council, the commissioner outlined a series of steps the district should take to support its “long-term success.”
“The commissioner hereby states her firm conviction that the progress made by PPSD while it was under state control will not continue, and in fact student achievement in the district will regress, if the following measures, or substantially similar measures, are not undertaken by the responsible parties,” she wrote in the order.
The recommendations include hiring a board coordinator, commissioning a third-party review of governance strategies, properly funding schools and requiring training on the R.I. Code of Ethics.
The state’s nearly seven years running the problem-plagued school district has been a mixed bag. In her letter, Infante-Green cited examples of “measurable progress” during state control, including stronger academic outcomes, higher graduation rates and improvements in chronic absenteeism.
Yet only a third of students are proficient in English language arts, and just 31.4% are proficient in math, according to the latest standardized test scores. Many local and state leaders have also characterized the state takeover as a failed experiment, accusing RIDE of repeatedly moving the goalposts on measures of success and the return of local control.
The timing of the handoff to local control would come at the same time state and local politicians are vying to keep their jobs.
Gov. Dan McKee is trying to fend off a challenge from Democratic rival Helena Foulkes. Foulkes has said, if elected governor, she would fire Infante-Green and return local control to Providence.
McKee said Tuesday “the time has come” for the schools to go back to Providence.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley is facing his own Democratic primary challenge from state Rep. David Morales. Both men have supported regaining control of the Providence schools.
According to her draft order, Infante-Green said she would maintain authority over the schools until they are handed off. Until that time, she would retain “the right to rescind or modify” the order, she wrote.
This is a breaking news story. It will be updated.
Alexandra Leslie (aleslie@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter covering Providence and more for 12 News. Connect with her on Facebook, X/Twitter and Bluesky.
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Massachusetts and Rhode Island residents have been charged after a report of a naked woman at a department store.
According to police, on Tuesday, at just before 7:30 p.m., the Milford Public Safety Communications Center received a call from an employee of Target, located at 250 Fortune Boulevard in Milford, reporting an intoxicated and nude female inside the store. During the call, the employee stated the female had put her clothes back on and exited the store on foot, with blood visible on her clothing.
Upon arrival, officers began checking the area for the female before locating a red Subaru Forester occupied by a male operator and two female passengers, one of whom matched the suspect description provided by store employees, in the nearby vacant Best Buy parking lot.
Officers identified the occupants of the vehicle as Benjamin Mahler, 50, of Uxbridge; Elizabeth McCusker, 36, of Franklin; and Alisha Chmiel, 32, of Woonsocket, Rhode Island.
During the interaction, police officers discovered the vehicle and its occupants possessed crack cocaine and fentanyl.
Alisha Chmiel was charged with Possession of a Class A Substance (Fentanyl) Obstruction of Justice, and Five Active Warrants for Arrest. She is being held on $1,000 cash bail.
Benjamin Mahler was charged with Possession of a Class B Substance (Crack Cocaine) and was released on personal recognizance.
Elizabeth McCusker was charged with Possession of a Class A Substance (Fentanyl) and Disturbing the Peace. She was issued a summons and has not yet been arraigned.
PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WPRI) — Heading into Saturday, Rhode Island needed three points to have a fighting chance at advancing to the USL Cup knockout stage.
Unfortunately, they only got two.
After the game finished tied after 90 minutes, goalkeeper Koke Vegas sealed the extra point for the Ocean State club with the game-winning kick in penalty kicks.
With the result, Rhode Island was eliminated from the USL Cup after finishing third in Group 5.
“I knew that we didn’t have any chance to to go to the next round,” Vegas said. “But for me it was very important, saying everybody happy home.”
RIFC return home next Saturday for the third edition of “El Clamico” this season when they host Hartford Athletic.
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WARWICK, RI — RI State Police Warwick arrests in the area July 4 – 11 in the RI Trooper Log included charges for DUI and threatening public officials.
Here are the basics on those RI State Police RI Trooper Log Warwick arrests:
RI Trooper Warwick Arrests July 4 – 11
Erratic Driver Reports, DUI On Saturday, July 4, 2026 at 10:03 p.m., troopers arrested Adrian King, 58, 78 Potters Avenue, Rhode Island, for 1.) Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor and/or Drugs – B.A.C .15 or Greater – Second Offense (Phase I: 0.292, Phase II: 0.272). This arrest was the result of multiple calls to the Barracks reporting an erratic operator, and Troopers locating the vehicle on East Avenue in the City of Warwick.
The subject was transported to the State Police Wickford Barracks, where he was processed, arraigned by a Justice of the Peace, and released with a notice to appear in Third District Court.
Stolen Vehicle On July 5 members of the Auto Theft Task Force arrested David O’Donnell, age 37, of 112 Harrington Ave., Warwick, Rhode Island, for 1) Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle; 2) Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle; 3) Conspiracy to Possess a Stolen Motor Vehicle; 4) Conspiracy to Commit a Crime Out of State.
O’Donnell was transported to the Wickford Barracks where he was processed then turned over to the Adult Correctional Institution Intake Center pending arraignment at Second Division District Court.
Threatening Public Official On Wednesday, July 8, at 9:27 p.m., troopers arrested Christopher Brum, 27, of 43 Junction St., Warwick, Rhode Island, on an Affidavit and Arrest Warrant for 1.) Threats to Public Officials and 2.) Disorderly Conduct originating out of the Rhode Island State Police Scituate Barracks.
This arrest was the result of a barracks investigation by Trooper Downing and Troopers locating Brum at his residence. Brum was processed at Rhode Island State Police Headquarters and held overnight pending arraignment at the Third Division District Court.
Driving without license On Friday, July 10 at 1:30 a.m., troopers arrested Victor Perez Escobar, 37 of 83 Judith Road, Newton, Massachusetts for 1.) Driving after Denial/Revocation/ Suspension – Certain Violations – First Offense. One of several Warwick arrests, this arrest was the result of a motor vehicle stop on Route 95 in the City of Warwick.
The subject was transported to the State Police – Wickford Barracks where he was processed and held overnight pending morning arraignment at Third District Court where he will be presented as a bail violator.
DUI, Centerville Road stop At 2:16 a.m. July 11, troopers arrested Calvin Hebert, 23, of 211 John Potter Road, West Greenwich, Rhode Island, for 1.) Driving Under the Influence of Liquor – BAC Unknown – First Offense and 2.) Refusal to Submit to Chemical Test – First Offense.
The arrest was the result of a motor vehicle stop on Centerville Road, in the City of Warwick. The subject was transported to the State Police – Wickford Barracks, where he was processed, arraigned by a Justice of the Peace, and released with a future Third Division District Court date.
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