by Alexander Castro, Rhode Island CurrentMarch 11, 2026 Democratic Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore launched his reelection campaign on his home turf Wednesday in the company of his many friends in high places, from General Assembly leaders to local union and party bosses. Also present: the GOP opponent Amore beat in the 2022 […]
Alexander Castro, Rhode Island Current
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Lieutenant governor’s race expands as Khamsyvoravong kicks off campaign
by Alexander Castro, Rhode Island CurrentMarch 2, 2026 Newport City Councilor and former mayor Xaykham “Xay” Khamsyvoravong joined a group of seasoned health care workers for breakfast at the IHOP near the East Providence–Seekonk, Massachusetts, line Monday morning. Over plates of scrambled eggs and tiny bowls of fruit cocktail, the group was to discuss the […]
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Rhode Island Foundation panel urges R.I. to rewrite school funding formula, boost state share
by Alexander Castro, Rhode Island Current January 5, 2026 Boosting Rhode Island’s share of funding to K-12 public schools could relieve some pressure on municipal property taxes, according to a commission calling for an overhaul of the state allocation to local school districts. The group convened by the Rhode Island Foundation found the state only […]
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Republican Chas Calenda sworn in as interim U.S. attorney for Rhode Island
by Alexander Castro, Rhode Island CurrentDecember 30, 2025 For at least the next 120 days, Rhode Island has a freshly appointed federal attorney who will prosecute criminal cases on behalf of the U.S. government and represent it in civil matters. Charles “Chas” Calenda was sworn in as interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Rhode […]
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Anti-hazing bill will be on RI legislature’s agenda in January
The chair of the Rhode Island House Committee on Education plans to submit a bill in the 2026 legislative session that would craft a new, statewide anti-hazing policy after two recent incidents in Newport and Smithfield. Rep. Joseph M. McNamara, a Warwick Democrat, announced Tuesday that he has “pre-filed” a bill which would create a […]
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As winter heating costs rise, so does consumer anxiety in Rhode Island, poll finds
Feeling anxious about how to pay for your winter heating bill? You’re not alone, according to the latest Ocean State Poll from the University of New Hampshire Survey Center, which found roughly 78% of Rhode Islanders feel the same way about their upcoming winter heating bills. Unease over heating prices has risen since last November, […]
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‘No Kings’ protests return to Rhode Island on Saturday
Four months after millions of “No Kings” protesters rallied across the country against the policies of President Donald Trump and his administration, more peaceful protests are planned for Saturday, Oct. 18, including nine across Rhode Island. That’s one more than the eight held in the Ocean State on June 14, when an estimated 5 million […]
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RIPTA board tables sweeping cuts after receiving last minute letter from McKee
by Alexander Castro, Rhode Island Current August 7, 2025 It’s back to the drawing board for the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA). The agency’s Board of Directors voted Thursday morning to table a proposal that would have slashed or reduced services on the majority of its bus routes, all in the hope of repairing […]
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Push to raise Block Island ferry landing fees moves forward at R.I. State House
by Alexander Castro, Rhode Island CurrentJune 9, 2025 Sailing away on the Block Island Ferry may soon cost more, pending the passage of state legislation that would increase traveler landing fees to and from the island for the first time in nearly 35 years. Two companion proposals in the Rhode Island General Assembly — each […]