Home care providers call out McKee Administration for cutting care hours to pay for state minimum wage increase

Workers charge McKee gives with one hand, takes with the other

Steve Ahlquist

Noris Fernandez, Liliana McPherson, and Ercilia De Leon

On January 1, 2026, Rhode Island increased its state minimum wage to $16 per hour, up from $15 in 2025. But for hundreds of consumer-directed home healthcare providers across the state, this wage increase comes at the expense of fewer care hours for the vulnerable individuals they serve. With little to no notice, home care workers are seeing the number of approved care hours slashed alongside the wage increase, resulting in less overall income.

On Tuesday, before Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee began his 2026 State of the State Address, home care workers gathered at the State House to call on his Administration to fulfill its promise to raise incomes and improve healthcare outcomes for every Rhode Islander by not balancing the budget on their backs. At the same time, they are demanding EOHHS (Executive Office of Health and Human Services) resume bargaining a new contract after a five-month hiatus with home care providers who recently joined SEIU 1199NE.

Just 4% of Americans Support Trump Seizing Greenland by Military Force

No public support for Trump's latest demented fantasy

Jake Johnson for Common Dreams

This is an actual, official White House social media post.
WTF is wrong with these people?

A survey released January 14 shows that just 4% of US voters think it would be a “good idea” for President Donald Trump to seize Greenland by military force, data that came ahead of a closely watched White House meeting between Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and the foreign ministers of Greenland and Denmark.

More broadly, according to the new Reuters/Ipsos poll, only 17% of Americans approve of Trump’s push for the US to acquire Greenland by any means.

The White House has said it is considering a “range of options” to seize Denmark, from buying the mineral-rich island to acquiring it through military force. 

Just one in 10 Republican voters and virtually no Democrats said they believe it’s a good idea for the Trump administration to forcibly take Greenland, which is currently an autonomous territory of Denmark.

Greenland residents have overwhelmingly voiced opposition to US control.

In an early morning Truth Social post ahead of Wednesday’s White House meeting, Trump declared that the US “needs Greenland for the purpose of National Security”—a view that military experts have rejected.

“It is vital for the Golden Dome that we are building,” Trump added, referring to his proposed missile defense boondoggle. “NATO should be leading the way for us to get it. IF WE DON’T, RUSSIA OR CHINA WILL, AND THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!”

Trump’s latest Greenland rant came a day after the territory’s prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said during a press conference that “we are now facing a geopolitical crisis, and if we have to choose between the United States and Denmark here and now, we choose Denmark.”

“One thing must be clear to everyone,” said Nielsen. “Greenland does not want to be owned by the United States. Greenland does not want to be governed by the United States. Greenland does not want to be part of the United States.”

Trump Sees Women as the Enemy

Trump's deep and abiding contempt for females has taken a giant leap forward

Karen Greenberg for the TomDispatch

Trump does make an exception when they're very young

“Quiet, Piggy.” The president was intent on silencing Catherine Lucey. The Bloomberg reporter had provoked him with a question about the release of the Epstein files. His insult caught the public’s attention. But Donald Trump’s tongue-lashing lexicon against women has a long history. Other female journalists have been dubbed “obnoxious,” “terrible,” “third-rate,” and “ugly.” 

Vice President Kamala Harris, opposing him in the 2024 presidential election, was labeled “retarded” and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi “crazy as a bedbug.” The list goes on (and on and on). And who knows what was redacted from the Epstein files along those very lines?

Mind you, those Trumpian insults hurled at women (and regularly offered about them) are anything but performative throwaways. They reveal Donald Trump’s deep and abiding contempt for females, an attitude that has taken a giant leap forward (or do I mean backward?) in policy terms in the Trump 2.0 years. Well beyond a simple cascade of insulting words, the commander-in-chief and his allies have deemed women the enemy. And not surprisingly, under the circumstances, they are now distinctly under attack.

The Purges

From day one of his second term as president, Trump has made his intention to rid the government of women crystal clear—with some window-dressing exceptions. Without mentioning women per se, he nonetheless targeted them on his very first day in office. Executive Order 14151 vowed to end the “forced illegal and immoral discrimination programs” of the Biden era. (On his first day in office, Biden had issued an executive order opening the door for “underserved communities” via a “whole of government equity agenda.”). 

Trump’s EO, however, decreed an end to DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) and to any appointments that were meant to reflect diversity hiring, claiming that such policies “demonstrated immense public waste and shameful discrimination.”

Immediately, women began to be flung from their government perches. Those holding high positions were the first to go. US Archivist Colleen Shogan was removed, as were the three top women at the National Labor Relations Board. Head of the Federal Trade Commission Rebecca Slaughter was promptly fired, a case still under review by the Supreme Court (though it’s hard to expect good news from SCOTUS these days). 

The Pentagon cleaned house early and fast, removing women from positions of leadership, including the head of the US Naval Academy in Annapolis; the commandant of the Coast Guard, the chief of naval operations, and the only woman flag officer on NATO’s Military Committee. All had been the first females to occupy those posts. Also sent packing was the woman serving as the senior military assistant to the secretary of defense.

Black women in particular found themselves under attack. Early removals of Black women included Carla Hayden, the librarian of Congress; Gwynne Wilcox, the first Black woman to serve on the National Labor Relations Board; and Lisa Cook, the first Black woman to serve on the board of governors of the Federal Reserve Board. Meanwhile, Peggy Carr, the first Black person and the first woman to be commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics, was cruelly and unexpectedly escorted out of the building in front of her staff.

The circumstances surrounding the ouster of the first female to lead the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), acting administrator Janet Petro, highlighted the conviction that emptying offices of women occupants took precedence over quality, efficiency, or overall professionalism. Petro was replaced by an interim appointee, Sean Duffy, who continued to serve in the demanding job of secretary of transportation even as he assumed the leadership of NASA. Better, it seems, to overtax a man than allow a woman to lead anything whatsoever.

The Pentagon

The Pentagon took an early lead in the crusade against women. Even before he was confirmed as secretary of defense (now the Department of War), nominee Pete Hegseth signaled the changes to come under his leadership. Former President Barack Obama’s Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta had opened up combat roles to women in 2015. Hegseth promised to change that. 

Doctor Robby's medical advice

Make big bucks

Rhode Island joins states, health organizations in rejecting new CDC vaccine guidance

Saying "NO" to Bobby Jr.'s phony science

Liz Szabo, MA

Fighting for the right to die from a preventable disease

A growing number of states are pushing back against sweeping changes to the US childhood vaccine schedule.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced an overhaul of the immunization schedule January 5, paring the number of universally recommended immunizations from 17 to 11.

Since then, at least 17 states have announced that they won’t follow new CDC vaccine schedule: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Instead, these states say they plan to follow vaccine guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which continues to recommend immunization plans approved by the CDC prior to the Trump administration.

EDITOR'S NOTE: On Jan. 12, the RI Department of Health sent out a news release stating: 

"The CDC's changes to the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule did not follow established procedures for vaccine recommendations. This change also creates confusion for families already trying to navigate a complex system and sows doubt about the effectiveness and science behind vaccines.."

Further, "Rhode Island's school immunization schedule is not affected by this change. All current immunization requirements for school and childcare attendance remain in effect, and schools should continue to follow existing state regulations and guidance issued by RIDOH."

- Will Collette

Despite being a top priority for Bobby Jr., artificial food coloring is still abundant

Synthetic Dyes Still Found in One in Five U.S. Foods, Study Finds

By George Institute for Global Health

Almost one in five packaged foods and drinks available in U.S. grocery stores contain synthetic food dyes, according to a new analysis of 39,763 products. The research was recently published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.^[1]

Synthetic dyes are frequently added to make foods look more appealing, especially those sold to children. However, a growing body of research suggests these additives may contribute to or worsen behavioral problems such as hyperactivity and inattention.^[2]

If approached by ICE, you have legal rights even though ICE may not honor them

No one is safe from an unrestrained secret police force

Native American Rights Fund

IF YOU ARE APPROACHED BY ICE AT YOUR HOME:

Do not open the door unless ICE presents a valid judicial warrant signed by a judge. Most ICE warrants are administrative and do not allow them to enter your home without permission.

A valid judicial warrant: 1. Names a person in your residence and/or what specific areas are to be searched at your residence and 2. Is signed by a judge (must be a judge that is not an immigration judge)

An administrative warrant is: signed by an ICE officer

(If you need help determining what is a valid judicial warrant you can review this resource: https://www.nilc.org/resources/know-your-rights-warrants/)

Ask ICE to slide the warrant under the door for you to review. Do not open the door to receive the warrant.

If an ICE agent enters your home without your permission or a valid judicial warrant, do not physically resist as that could subject you to potential criminal charges. But make it clear that you did not provide consent.

If ICE begins to search your home, make it clear that you do not consent to the search.

You do have a right to remain silent or state clearly: “I am exercising my right to remain silent.”

If you do not remain silent, do not lie to ICE agents as that may impact you in the future.

Record the interaction if it is safe to do so or ask someone else to record it. If you record, do not interfere with the ICE operation.

IF YOU ARE APPROACHED BY ICE AT WORK:

ICE can enter the public space of any workplace without any type of warrant.

Public spaces can include an office lobby, a supermarket, retail store, or dining area of a restaurant.

ICE cannot legally enter the private space of a workplace unless they have the permission of your employer or a judicial warrant. Private spaces include employee-only areas.

If approached, do not panic. Stay calm and avoid running or making sudden movements.

Ask if you are free to leave. If yes, calmly walk away. If you are not free to leave, ask if you are being detained. If you are being detained, you do not have to answer any questions. You always have the right to remain silent.

If you are asked about another person’s identification or for information pertaining to another person’s whereabouts, you do not have to answer those questions.

If you are being detained, you must show a form of identification. You can use your non-expired state-issued ID or Tribal ID to show your United States citizenship.

If an ICE agent does not accept your Tribal ID, request to speak with their supervisor. Not all ICE agents are aware that a Tribal ID is a legal form of identification in the United States.

Do not sign anything without consulting an attorney.

If it is safe to do so, record the interaction or ask someone else to record it. Do not interfere with the operation.

IF YOU ARE APPROACHED BY ICE IN PUBLIC:

ICE can enter public spaces without any type of warrant.

Public spaces include an office lobby, a supermarket, retail store or dining area of a restaurant.

If approached, do not panic. Stay calm and avoid running or making sudden movements.

Ask if you are free to leave. If yes, calmly walk away. If you are not free to leave, ask if you are being detained. If you are being detained, you do not have to answer any questions. You always have the right to remain silent.

If you are being detained, you must show a form of identification.

You can use your non-expired state-issued ID or Tribal ID to show your United States citizenship.

If an ICE agent does not accept your Tribal ID, request to speak with their supervisor. Not all ICE agents are aware that a Tribal ID is a legal form of identification in the United States.

If it is safe to do so, record the interaction or ask someone else to record it. Do not interfere with the operation.

South County women under attack from MAGA gun nut

Charlestown’s Rep. Tina Spears and Sen. Victoria Gu among them

By Will Collette

A new right-wing political group hopes to decimate the ranks of Democratic state legislators representing most of South County. It’s called “The League of Rhode Island Businesses (LORIB)” which has set up 40 political action committees all over the state – one in each municipality and the state PAC.

This new group was founded by Trump supporter David Levesque, a Warwick coffee shop owner who says he was motivated by the state’s passage of a ban on assault weapons. In addition to gun rights, the League is also vehemently opposed to taxes on the rich such as the state’s new Taylor Swift law that levees a state surcharge on high-priced absentee-owned property.

The League has already announced a slate of candidates and plans to recruit more who will push Levesque’s MAGA agenda. Most of his targets are women, all are Democrats. Most of the targets voted to ban military-style assault rifles.

Who is on the LORIB target list in South County?

•     Rep. Tina Spears (Charlestown, Westerly, Block Island, So. Kingstown)
•     Sen. Victoria Gu (Westerly, Charlestown)
•     Sen. Alana DiMario
•     Sen. Bridgette ValVerde
•     Rep. Carol Hagen McEntee
•     Rep. Kathy Fogarty

Levesque is looking for candidates to challenge:

•     Rep. Teresa Tanzi
•     Rep. Julie Casimiro
•     And to challenge for the open seat being vacated in North Kingstown by Rep. Bob Craven

In all but one instance, the League is backing DINO candidates in the hope of unseating incumbents in the Democratic primary. The exception is Sen. Victoria Gu – LORIB’s only Republican pick is MAGAnut Westin Place who was trounced by Victoria twice (2022 and 2024).

Levesque also has a major South County footprint as a Narragansett resident and principal in the following businesses:

I am hoping Levesque’s focus on the primaries will backfire. By definition, only registered Democrats can vote in those primaries and primary voters tend to pay more attention than voters in the General election. Democratic Town Committees will need to make sure voters understand what’s at stake and may need to prepare to counter business-sponsored mailer blitzes.

The Providence Journal says the League of Rhode Island Businesses “pledged full financial support” to its endorsed candidates. Whether Levesque can actually raise enough money to back up that pledge remains to be seen. It’s not showing up in any serious way in their most recent Campaign Finance reports.

The League of RI Businesses Charlestown reported a cash balance of $15. Its registered office is in Cranston.

Last October, attorney Leah Boisclair was among the first of the LORIB candidates to declare, bagging a Westerly Sun “top story.” The article was pretty much a news release, light on detail and high on puff. However, looking a little deeper into Boisclair’s record, there wasn’t much there besides her defense of criminal defendants.

She’s a defense attorney who, according to her website, defends clients charged with violent crime, domestic abuse, crimes against property and sex crimes.

She is a self-described "Sex Crimes Defense Attorney." I'm not making this up.

Of course, under the Constitution, everyone is judged to be innocent until proven guilty and is entitled to a defense. Here is a list copied directly from her website listing the types of sex crimes she defends:

Sexual Assault

• First-Degree Sexual Assault (Rape)
• Second-Degree Sexual Assault (Sexual Contact)
• Third-Degree Sexual Assault (Statutory Rape)

Child Molestation

• First-Degree Child Molestation (Rape)
• Second-Degree Child Molestation (Sexual Contact)
• Third-Degree Child Molestation (Statutory Rape)

Sex Crimes Charges

• Indecent Exposure
• Video Voyeurism
• Unauthorized Dissemination of Indecent Material

Child Exploitation or Harm

• Possession of Child Pornography
• Distribution of Child Pornography
• Indecent Solicitation of a Minor
• Exploitation for Commercial Purposes
• Electronic Dissemination of Indecent Material to Minors
• Cruelty to or Neglect of a Child
• Child Endangerment
• Patronizing a Minor for Commercial Sexual Activity

Prostitution-Related Offenses

• Procurement of Sexual Conduct for a Fee
• Loitering for Prostitution
• Solicitation of Prostitution
• Promoting or Permitting Prostitution
• Trafficking an Individual
• Sexual Servitude
• Forced Labor

I’m not making any of this up – this is from HER website.

Again, while everyone is entitled to a defense and presumption of innocence, I’m sure glad I’m not the one doing the defending. Further, I’m not very comfortable with this promotional piece, especially the stilettos and underwear, shown in this screenshot from her website:

Given her portfolio, her practice would probably be very successful in Washington, DC with its abundance of pedos and sexual predators. Maybe her MAGA sponsor felt that this portfolio was a plus for her. This is a question that I hope will be explored during the campaign.

I didn’t see much in her history about any sort of public service or civic engagement. She waitressed at the Homestead on Route 2 and staffed a booth for the Grange at the Washington County Fair, but that was about it. She’s running as a Democrat, but I’ve never seen her at any local Democratic function.

Maybe we’ll learn more about her as the campaign year progresses.

I’ll also be curious to see whether the Charlestown Citizens Alliance (CCA) weighs in. The CCA backed Libertarian Republican Blake “Flip” Filippi in his defeat of long-time District 36 state Rep. Donna Walsh. Will they support the LORIB PAC effort to oust Rep. Spears and Senator Gu?

But for now, Charlestown has an outstanding state representative in Tina Spears who is running for reelection to a 3^rd term. Compare her record of community service and legislative effectiveness to Boisclair’s and I believe the choice is clear.

We're only two week in. Seriously.

She will be a big help clearing all those World Cup visitors

Stephen Miller lays out Trump rationale for military action to seize Greenland

In ‘Unhinged’ Rant, Miller Says US Has Right to Take Over Any Country For Its Resources

Julia Conley for Common Dreams

Miller's wife Katie tweeted this map. Kinda says it all

“Belligerent” was how one Democratic lawmaker described a diatribe given by top White House adviser Stephen Miller on CNN Monday evening regarding the Trump administration’s right to take over Venezuela—or any other country—if doing so is in the supposed interest of the US.

To Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), however, Miller was simply providing viewers with “a very good definition of imperialism” as he described the worldview the administration is operating under as it takes control of Venezuela and eyes other countries, including Greenland, that it believes it can and should invade.

“This is what imperialism is all about,” Sanders told CNN‘s Jake Tapper. “And I suspect that people all over the world are saying, ‘Wow, we’re going back to where we were 100 years ago, or 50 years ago, where the big, powerful countries were exploiting poorer countries for their natural resources.’”

The senator spoke to Tapper shortly after Miller’s interview, in which the news anchor asked whether President Donald Trump would support holding an election in Venezuela days after the US military bombed the country and abducted President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.

Miller refused to directly engage with the question, saying only that it would be “absurd and preposterous” for the US to install Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado as the leader of the country, before asking Tapper to “give [him] the floor” and allow him to explain the White House’s view on foreign policy.

“The United States is using its military to secure our interests unapologetically in our hemisphere,” said Miller. “We’re a superpower and under President Trump we are going to conduct ourselves as a superpower. It is absurd that we would allow a nation in our backyard to become the supplier of resources to our adversaries but not to us.”

Instead of “demanding that elections be held” in Venezuela, he added, “the future of the free world depends on America to be able to assert ourselves and our interests without an apology.”

Bobby Jr. is wrong about fat

Why It Still Makes Sense to Limit Saturated Fats

By Joshua Cohen

Maybe that's where he got his brain worm

After repeated delays, the United States Department of Health and Human Services published new dietary guidelines on Jan. 7, which for the first time prioritize certain sources of saturated fats. “We are ending the war on saturated fats,” HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declared at a press conference. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary lamented that for decades there’s been a “myopic focus on demonizing natural, healthy saturated fats.”

While the new guidelines say that generally, “saturated fat consumption should not exceed 10% of total daily calories,” the document’s new food pyramid features red meat, cheese, and whole milk at or near the top. The guidelines also advise Americans who cook with oils to use those “with essential fatty acids,” while offering butter and beef tallow as additional options. Christopher Gardner, a professor at Stanford University and a member of the most recent guidelines advisory committee, told NPR that he is "very disappointed in the new pyramid that features red meat and saturated fat sources at the very top, as if that's something to prioritize. It does go against decades and decades of evidence and research."

These are significant changes. For more than 45 years, the guidelines have cautioned against overconsumption of saturated fats. And while nutrition research is notorious for producing conflicting findings on the risks and benefits of a range of foods — including fats — this particular pivot has many experts worried. This is partly because the health risks associated with higher consumption of saturated fats are well-documented, and partly because the new guidance could inadvertently create a situation in which foods such as red meat end up displacing healthier fiber-filled options.

The guidelines are a cornerstone of federal food and nutrition guidance, updated every five years to reflect changes in science. National dietary guidance has historically been quite impactful. Health care providers and dietitians refer to them when advising patients. The guidelines also influence federal nutrition policy and programs and inform school lunch menus.

HHS announces unprecedented overhaul of US childhood vaccine schedule

Two articles: Kids don't need no stinkin' vaccinations

Trump and Bobby Jr. seem intent on bringing back infectious diseases for reasons unknown

Stephanie Soucheray, MA and Liz Szabo, MA

Federal officials today announced an unprecedented overhaul of the US childhood immunization schedule, paring the number of universally recommended immunizations from 17 to 11.

The new vaccination policy, which takes effect immediately, is modeled after the schedule used by Denmark. Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will continue to recommend 11 shots for all children, six others will be recommended only for children deemed to be at high risk of infection, said the agency’s acting director, Jim O’Neill.

A third group of vaccines will be available through “shared clinical decision-making” with medical providers. 

Public health experts immediately decried the change. Experts said there’s no reason to change a system that has prevented 1.1 million deaths over the past 30 years.

“Abandoning the U.S. evidence-based process is a dangerous and potentially deadly decision for Americans,” said Jason M. Goldman, MD, president of the American College of Physicians. “The evidence is clear that vaccines prevent deaths, hospitalizations, and spread of disease.”

It is happening here. So what are you going to do about it?

All the signs are here

Aaron Regunberg

I’ve had four thoughts that I haven’t been able to get out of my head this week.

First, it’s clear that if there hadn’t been video of the execution of Renee Nicole Good, ICE would have just murdered her, lied, and moved on. This is, in fact, what is almost certainly happening all around our country. We are outraged about this particular instance of wanton violence because we saw it. We should keep in mind what this implies about everything we’re not seeing.

Second, if a masked thug can do this to Good—can shoot her three times in the face, and call her a “fucking bitch” as she bleeds out, and then be named a hero by Trump and his entire administration—if ICE can do that to a friendly mother in a car filled with her kids’ stuffies who told those thugs explicitly, “I’m not mad at you,” then there is nobody they can’t do this to. Every one of us is vulnerable to being murdered in cold blood, and then having the president of the United States say we were domestic terrorists who deserved to die.

Third, we need to be clear—and loud—right now with Democratic leaders that “we shouldn’t have a Gestapo in this country” isn’t a radical position. It is actually the only non-radical position one can have. 

Dismantling this unaccountable, overtly fascist domestic militia is nonnegotiable, and we need to insist on this commitment in all of our communications with every Democratic official who wants to keep their seat.

Fourth, particularly after this week, it is essentially impossible to deny that we have crossed the Rubicon—that “it” is, in fact, happening here. A quick survey of the developments leading to every major fascist takeover of a state in the 20th century illustrates the degree to which all the pieces are currently on the board:

• Legal mechanism to label your political opposition domestic terrorists? That’s quite literally what Trump’s NSPM-7 directive does. Check.
• Internal deployment of a quasi-official armed militia with personal loyalty to the fascist leader rather than civic loyalty to the state? That’s a perfect description of ICE’s massive expansion and deployment to American cities. Check.
• Justification for the use of lethal force against ideological opponents? That’s exactly what we saw with the administration’s disgusting lies about Good’s murder (among many other examples). Check.
• Rapid dissolution of domestic political constraints? We’ve got Congress essentially disappearing and giving up its power of the purse, while the Supreme Court is already fully in Trump’s pocket. Check.
• Expansion of youth indoctrination programs? We’ve got the Hitler Youth—er, I mean, Turning Point USA—expanding into high schools, sometimes with backing from the state. Check.
• Shift from public control of expenditures to private? This week Trump announced his administration will place the oil money it is looting from Venezuela into external bank accounts outside of the U.S. Treasury—literally a system for collecting personal imperial tribute that Trump can dispense extra-constitutionally. Check.
• Withdrawal from international treaties? There’s too many to count, including 66 additional ones this week. Check.
• Massive military expansion? Trump just unilaterally announced he wants a $1.5 trillion military budget. Check.
• Annexation threats? Trump’s actions in Venezuela and his likely future takeover of Greenland are arguably even less justified than Hitler’s annexation of the Sudetenland and the Anschluss. Check.

I know I’m not saying anything new here. But it’s worthwhile, sometimes, to step back and get a bird’s eye look at the landscape. When you do so, it becomes undeniable: It is happening here.