City & Government

Magaziner named a “Gun-Sense Candidate”  General Treasurer and congressional candidate Seth Magaziner yesterday was named a Gun-Sense Candidate by Mom’s Demand Action for his strong record of taking action to reduce gun violence, according to a press release from Magaziner’s campaign.  Following yesterday’s horrific mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Texas, Magaziner is calling […]

PROVIDENCE, RI – Following yesterday’s senseless shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, Governor Dan McKee renewed a call for immediate action on crucial gun safety legislation in Rhode Island and at the federal level.
“Too many lives have been tragically cut short by senseless gun violence across our nation – we cannot allow this to continue. We need action now, here in Rhode Island and in our nation’s capital.
Last year, I was proud to sign into law the Harold M. Metts School Safety Act and legislation that bans straw purchases of firearms. However, further action is needed to keep our communities safe. That’s why, I joined Rhode Island’s General Officers in submitting legislation this session to ban high-capacity magazines and assault weapons. It’s time for the General Assembly to act immediately and pass those common-sense gun safety bills and send them to my desk for signature – it is time.”
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Pryor enters Democratic primary election ​Stefan Pryer, Rhode Island’s Commerce Secretary for the past six years, announced that he will run for state General Treasurer, setting up another competitive Democratic primary election this fall. Pryer, who was Connecticut’s Education Secretary before then Gov. Gina Raimondo brought him to Rhode Island to fill the Commerce Secretary’s […]

Rhode Island State House Representative Lauren Carson today announced that she will run for reelection for her seat representing Newport in House District 75. Carson was first elected in 2014 to the House of Representatives. If re-elected, this would be her fifth term representing Newport in the House of Representatives. “In her time at the […]

Several area high school students were among 137 Rhode Island students that were honored earlier this month with 2022 Civic Leadership awards, given annually by Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea in recognition of high school students who have made outstanding contributions to their schools and communities over the past year. The Civic Leadership Awards […]

PROVIDENCE – Continuing a practice it began several years ago, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is announcing that it has opened two state surf beaches – Scarborough North and Roger Wheeler, both located in Narragansett – before the traditional start of the summer outdoor recreation season on Memorial Day weekend. Going to the beach could help Rhode Islanders beat the heat, with the National Weather Service forecasting the season’s first 90+ degree days with elevated humidity May 21-22 away from the immediate coast.
There will be full amenities at both beaches with lifeguards, restrooms, and concessions. Visitors arriving in cars will have to pay a daily parking fee unless they already have purchased their daily flex pass or season parking pass online (www.beachparkingri.com). The daily beach parking fee is $7 on weekends ($14 for non-residents). Prepaid customers may use the express lanes at both beaches for speedier access. DEM’s parking vendor employs license plate recognition technology at the express lanes whereby a scan is taken of the rear license plates of prepaid customers confirming that the customer has paid to allow for quick entry. Please allow space for the car at the gate space for the reader to recognize the license plate.
DEM is advising that because of storms since 2021, Scarborough North has experienced some erosion and there is less occupiable beach area than in previous years. This will be particularly pronounced at high tide, which is expected at around 1 PM on May 21 and 2 PM on May 22, when water will be covering most of the beach front. DEM will be monitoring this situation and may not be able to allow both parking lots at Scarborough, the main and overflow lots, to reach capacity.
Along with the online option, season beach parking passes also may be purchased in-person this weekend, at the Scarborough overflow lot located across the street from the beach, and weekdays from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. DEM cautions that if the overflow lot is used for actual beach parking, season beach parking sales will stop. DEM encourages customers to purchase their season and daily flex passes in advance online at www.beachparkingri.com. Daily flex passes allow for one-day parking. DEM asks customers purchasing a season pass in-person at the overflow lot to have their registration information ready to show the attendant to allow for these transactions to occur quickly and efficiently. Transactions prior to June 1 may take 7-10 business days to be confirmed following purchase. Transactions after June 1 until Labor Day are up to 24 hours.
For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Facebook, Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates.

PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee on Friday hosted a two-hour Facebook Live event in observance of Rhode Island’s second annual ‘Mental Health Action Day.’ The event featured state, federal and community leaders taking action to end the stigma surrounding mental health and substance use disorders. During the event, Governor McKee signed a proclamation declaring May 20 ‘Mental Health Action Day’ in Rhode Island.
As the global conversation around mental health continues – including the White House’s new unity agenda strategy to address mental health in the United States – finding effective resources and knowing how to get help remains a challenge. Rhode Island’s Mental Health Action Day encourages people to take their first steps towards mental health action – whether for themselves, for their loved ones or to advocate for systemic changes through a wide range of tools.
“The last two years have exacerbated mental health challenges, especially for young people, but also have encouraged us to talk about them more openly,” said Governor McKee. “At this time, it is important that we come together as Rhode Islanders with the common goal of changing the narrative surrounding mental health. It’s our goal to enhance the community of supports and services – and show people that help is available.”
Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline, Lt. Governor Sabina Matos, Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, and General Treasurer Seth Magaziner joined Governor McKee to launch the inaugural event.
Executive Office of Health and Human Services Acting Secretary Ana Novais; Rhode Island Department of Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green; Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals Director Richard Charest; Office of Veterans Services Director Kasim Yarn; and Adjutant General and Commanding General of the Rhode Island National Guard Christopher Callahan, as well as community partners, joined Governor McKee at the event calling attention to mental health and wellness, and ensuring all Rhode Islanders have access to essential resources.
“In the wake of the pandemic, our ability to prioritize mental health and substance use disorders is more important than ever,” said EOHHS Acting Secretary Novais. “Normalizing action, not just awareness, is critical to restoring our collective well-being and ushering in a new era of mental health equity. The Governor’s Overdose Prevention and Intervention Task Force is dedicated to our mission of saving lives. We also are continuing our collective efforts to deliver supports and services that meet the specific needs of Rhode Islanders and allow them to be healthy, safe and independent.”
The first panel during the Facebook Live event featured Commissioner Infante-Green and Rosemary Reilly-Chammat, School Health Policy and Program Specialist, speaking about mental health and wellness for school age children. Kids’ Link RI is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help children and youth in need of mental health services and refer them to treatment providers. Contact Kids’ Link RI at 855-543-5465.
The Vet Center gave a presentation on programs and resources available, including confidential help for Veterans, service members, and their families. Services include counseling for needs such as depression, post traumatic stress disorder, and the psychological effects of military sexual trauma. The Providence Vet Center can be reached at 401-739-0167.
Care New England and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services presented on preventing bias in our community and our daily lives. Depression, anxiety and suicide are common mental health conditions associated with lacking a sense of belonging. These conditions can lead to social behaviors that interfere with a person’s ability to connect to others, creating a cycle of events that further weakens a sense of belonging.
Director Yarn, Major General Callahan, and Captain James McIver, Naval Station Newport discussed reducing military mental health stigma, improving treatment engagement, and resources available to Rhode Island’s active duty and Veteran populations. To connect with these resources, go to www.vets.ri.gov or call 401-921-2119.
EOHHS Acting Secretary Novais and BHDDH Director Charest presented the work of the Governor’s Overdose Prevention and Intervention Task Force. BH Link, Rhode Island’s one-stop, state-wide 24/7 call-in center that connects people to appropriate care and resources, when they or someone they care about is experiencing a behavioral healthcare crisis. It is also a 24/7 community-based walk-in and drop-off facility where clinicians can connect people to immediate, stabilizing emergency behavioral health services, and long-term care and recovery supports. Connect to BH Link at bhlink.org or by calling 401-414-LINK (5465).
Though more people than ever are comfortable discussing mental health, some people struggle finding resources and knowing how to get help can be a challenge. Rhode Island’s Mental Health Action Day is driving culture from mental health awareness to mental health action. The panelists offered tangible tools for Rhode Islanders to take action for themselves, for their loved ones, and for our community.
In closing the event, Director Yarn remarked: “If you have concerns about your own, or a loved one’s mental health, don’t remain silent; please take action, that’s what today is all about. The bottom line is that you are not alone.”
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CRANSTON, R.I. – The Rhode Island Board of Elections applauds the General Assembly for passage of the “Let RI Vote Act” (H-7100, S-2007), which codifies a number of practices successfully implemented during the 2020 general election to give qualified voters more convenient options to cast a ballot amidst a pandemic.
“Facing a global pandemic, the 2020 election was the most challenging the Board of Elections had ever faced” said Diane Mederos, Chair of the Rhode Island Board of Elections. “We were pleased to see that many of the emergency measures implemented to ensure voters had multiple convenient and secure options to cast their ballots by mail, early in-person, or in-person at the polls on Election Day worked well and proved so popular. Indeed, 62% of voters chose to cast their ballot either via mail ballot or early in-person. The Board of Elections strongly believes that Rhode Island voters deserve secure and convenient access to the ballot, and that is why we have worked closely with the General Assembly to codify in statute the voting innovations successfully implemented during the 2020 election. I want to thank Representative Katherine Kazarian and Senator Dawn Euer for sponsoring the Let RI Vote Act, and for shepherding this important legislation to final passage by the General Assembly.”
“Voting by mail ballot, the use of secure drop boxes, and early in-person voting proved popular and convenient options during the pandemic impacted 2020 election, and the Let RI Vote Act codifies these innovations for future Rhode Island elections,” said Robert Rapoza, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Board of Elections. “Our staff and Board of Canvassers partners are dedicated to ensuring that these measures are implemented in an open and transparent fashion that increases access to voting, while maintaining the security and integrity of our election system, the bedrock of our democracy. I thank the General Assembly for working closely with our staff to develop the Let RI Vote Act, and for passing this important election modernization legislation.”
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