PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Rhode Island PBS and The Public’s Radio announced Tuesday that their proposed merger has been approved by R.I. Attorney General Peter Neronha.

“Public media contributes uniquely and substantially to the quality of life in Rhode Island, and its ongoing vitality is critical,” Neronha said. “For many Rhode Islanders, PBS and The Public’s Radio have been important local sources of media and as a new combined entity, they will be able to sustain the value they contribute to our state.”

Under Rhode Island state law, the Attorney General’s office had six months to approve the merger after the organizations submitted their plans to merge in November.

The Federal Communications Commission approved the merger back in January. In a release, Rhode Island PBS announced that the two organizations’ next step is to file with the Secretary of State’s Office for formal incorporation.

At the time of the merger’s announcement, Torey Malatia of The Public’s Radio and David Piccerelli of Rhode Island PBS indicated that they would serve as co-CEOs of the merged organization.