Kimberlee Kruesi, Author at The Rapid City Post

FILE - A Planned Parenthood sign is displayed outside a facility in Austin, Texas, Monday, Aug. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

Planned Parenthood drops lawsuit against Trump administration’s Medicaid cuts

February 2, 2026

Planned Parenthood has dropped its legal challenge against the Trump administration’s decision to cut off Medicaid funding to its abortion providers. Since July, the organization has been fighting a part of Trump’s tax bill that they claim unfairly targeted their clinics. In December, a federal appeals court ruled the administration could continue withholding Medicaid funding. Planned Parenthood says the lawsuit is now no longer the best way to help patients. The funding cuts have already forced 23 of their clinics to close since the tax bill took effect.

FILE - In this Oct. 12, 2000 file photo, a Mr. Potato Head statue stands outside the Hasbro, Inc. headquarters in Pawtucket, R.I. (AP Photo/Stew Milne, File)

Rhode Island may ditch Mr. Potato Head license plates after Hasbro’s move to Boston

January 22, 2026

Rhode Islanders have long been able to choose Mr. Potato Head for their specialty license plates. However, Hasbro’s decision to move its headquarters to Boston has motivated two lawmakers to propose ending the option of Mr. Potato Head plates. The proposal was introduced earlier this month. Currently, the plate costs $40, with half supporting the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. Mr. Potato Head plates were first issued in 2002 to mark the toy’s 50th anniversary. The toy, which debuted in 1952, originally required kids to use a real potato before Hasbro added a plastic version.

A poster seeking information about the campus shooting suspect is seen on the campus of Brown University, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, in Providence, R.I. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

How 1 anonymous tipster cracked the Brown University shooting case

December 18, 2025

Law enforcement officials say an anonymous tipster known only as “John” helped crack the case of two Brown University students’ deaths and the wounding of nine others. The tipster’s information led police to identify Claudio Neves Valente as the suspect. Anxiety and frustration had plagued the Providence community until police announced late Thursday that they found the suspected gunman dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. John recognized Valente from police images and suggested looking into a grey Nissan. John provided additional critical details to investigators, helping solve the case.

FILE - Protesters rally outside the Rhode Island State House in support of deported Brown University Dr. Rasha Alawieh, March 17, 2025, in Providence, R.I. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

Judge dismisses lawsuit over deportation of Brown Medicine doctor

November 5, 2025

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit challenging the deportation of a Brown Medicine physician. Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a kidney transplant specialist, was deported in March despite having a visa. Homeland Security officials say they found photos of Hezbollah fighters on her phone. Alawieh claims she was only interested in the spiritual beliefs of a Hezbollah leader whose funeral she attended. Her case gained national attention, but U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin ruled he didn’t have the authority to provide the relief she sought in her lawsuit. He cited a U.S. Supreme Court decision limiting court intervention in fast-track deportations.

A Brown University police vehicle parks near campus, in Providence, R.I., Monday, Sept. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Kimberlee Kruesi)

Lawsuit against Brown University sparks debate on campus police secrecy at private colleges

September 30, 2025

A new lawsuit against Brown University has sparked debate over the secrecy of law enforcement at private colleges. Unlike public institutions, private universities often don’t have to disclose arrest records or incident reports. This lack of transparency has been criticized by watchdog groups. The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island is challenging this practice, arguing that Brown’s police should comply with public records laws. Brown has filed a motion to dismiss the suit. Currently, only a few states require private college police departments to follow public records laws. The ACLU is representing journalists denied access to Brown’s arrest reports.

FILE - Sen. Claiborne Pell, D-R.I., is shown at Capitol Hill in Washington on Sept. 15, 1991. (AP Photo/Marcy Nighswander, file)

What to know about the opposition around renaming new Pell grants after Trump

September 25, 2025

A proposal to name a new provision in the federal Pell Grant program after President Donald Trump has sparked controversy. The name change is part of a House appropriations bill for the upcoming fiscal year. Rhode Island’s congressional delegation says renaming the new grant would erase the legacy of U.S. Sen. Claiborne Pell, who was instrumental in creating the program in 1973. Pell Grants provide financial aid to students with significant financial need. A new grant called the Workforce Pell Grant was introduced under a tax and spending cuts package Trump signed into law earlier this year.

Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee presents a signed bill that bans the sale of assault-style weapons in the state of Rhode Island at the Rhode Island Statehouse in Providence, Thursday, June 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Sydney Roth)

Rhode Island’s assault weapon ban offers a peek into why such laws are difficult to pass

July 3, 2025

It took 10 years, but Rhode Island politicians finally found a way to ban the sale, manufacturing and distribution of certain assault weapons. The Democratic supermajority did it through a compromise that says firearms owners that have the weapons can keep them but purchasing them will become more difficult starting next year. This distinction makes Rhode Island less restrictive than similar laws in other states. Currently, only Washington state has a similar law. Some advocates have applauded the measure, but others say they will continue working to pass a ban on possession too.

Kimberlee Kruesi.