City & Government

The Rhode Island Black, Latino, Indigenous, Asian American, and Pacific Islander Caucus (RIDLIA) has announced changes it wants to see included in the state’s Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights (LEOBOR) reform bill. The caucus’s priorities include public reporting of LEOBOR cases and outcomes, the full removal of the gag order on officers accused of […]

Middletown will receive $462,434 to replace the HVAC system and the dispatch consoles at the Middletown Police Station. The funding will also be used to upgrade the station’s communications capabilities. The town also plans to purchase two new radio repeaters for regional public safety communications. The funding is part of the state’s Municipal Public Safety […]

The Middletown Police Department is still looking for a 17-year-old boy who was reportedly last seen leaving his job at Anthony’s Seafood in Middletown on the night of Saturday, March 23, 2024. Owen Cameron was last seen leaving the seafood restaurant at around 7 p.m., according to police. He was wearing a navy blue Anthony’s […]

U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today announced that more than $20.2 million is heading to Rhode Island to support a total of 36 local projects that will help strengthen community-based programs and create jobs for Rhode Islanders.  Whitehouse voted Saturday to pass a package of six fiscal year 2024 appropriations bills, sending it to President Biden’s […]

By the Rhode Island Legislative Press Bureau Here are the highlights from news and events that took place in the General Assembly this week. For more information on any of these items, visit http://www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease. Senate OKs bill requiring safe storage of firearmsThe Senate approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Pamela J. Lauria (D-Dist. 32,Barrington, Bristol, East […]

The following road and lane closure notices have been scheduled by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) and Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA).All schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change. RITBA Weekly Lane Closure UpdatesMarch 24 – 30, 2024 Newport Claiborne Pell Bridge Upcoming improvements in the roadway between the old toll […]

Two Rhode Island lawmakers have introduced legislation that would ban the use of PFAS chemicals in many consumer products, including nonstick cookware and stain-resistant carpets. Legislation sponsored by state Sen. Meghan Kallman (D-Dist. 15, Pawtucket, Providence) and state Rep. Terri Cortvriend (D-Dist. 72, Portsmouth, Middletown) would require the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management to […]

Four U.S. Congressional members, including Congressman Gabe Amo (RI-01). have introduced legislation aimed at closing what they say is a “zombie gun” loophole that allows some parts of a gun to be destroyed and resold as a kit. The Destroy Zombie Guns Act would require gun destruction companies to destroy the entire gun, including the […]

The City of Newport announced on Thursday afternoon that its Utilities Department broke ground this week on an infrastructure project that will include installing a Tide Gate on Wellington Avenue. The roughly $1.6 million project, which includes $500,000 in grant funding, is expected to eliminate dry-weather flooding and cut down on wet-weather flooding by up […]

The federal government will support Rhode Islanders affected by severe weather and flooding earlier this year and in December of last year, Gov. Dan McKee announced Thursday after President Joseph Biden approved two federal disaster declarations for the state. The first declaration covers areas affected from Dec. 17 to 19, 2023, while the second includes […]

Due to inclement weather, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation has announced that the scheduled lane closures for this weekend on Route 138 East and West between the Pell Bridge and JT Connell Highway in Newport have been postponed. The operation has been rescheduled for the weekend of Friday night, April 5, at 5 p.m. […]

Newport City Council has an Executive Session and a Regular Council Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, March 27, 2024. Before the Regular Council Meeting at 6:30 p.m., Members of the City Council will meet at 5 p.m. and vote to go into an executive session to discuss the performance of the Government Relations Consultant and the […]

Two Rhode Island lawmakers have introduced legislation banning the sale of products containing intentionally added microplastics in the state starting in 2028. The legislation would also require the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the Department of Health to conduct testing to monitor microplastic levels in water and soil. “The most effective way to […]

A Bristol man was arrested in the early morning hours of Wednesday, March 20, according to Newport Police Department. Here’s a look at the Newport Police Department’s arrest and dispatch log for Tuesday, March 19, through 7 am on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Arrest Log At 1:41 am on Wednesday, March 20, Dylan Mello, 22, […]

Two East Bay legislators are proposing a tax credit to help offset some of the financial costs for those who provide care for an elderly or disabled family member. Sen. Linda L. Ujifusa (D-Dist. 11, Portsmouth, Bristol) and Rep. Susan R. Donovan (D-Dist. 69, Bristol, Portsmouth) have introduced legislation that would help defray some of […]