The Senate on Thursday passed a bill sponsored by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Dawn Euer to allow Jamestown to limit expansion of its water supply to within the boundaries of its public water district. “Jamestown is an island with limited fresh water sources that feed into the public water system,” said Senator Euer (D-District 13, […]
News
Posted inArts & Culture
Tiverton Public Library receives a NASA Moon Tree
Today, the Tiverton Public Library announced that it is the recipient of a NASA Moon Tree sapling. The library was chosen out of 1,300 applications to be one of 50 sites nationwide to receive a free sapling. “The seed our new sweetgum tree grew from flew aboard the Orion spacecraft during the Artemis I test […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island moves to update substance use statutes
A new law will require the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals to work with the Department of Health to update the state’s statutes related to substance use disorders and emergency commitment for drug intoxication. Senate Health and Human Services Committee Chairman Joshua Miller and Rep. Jennifer Boylan sponsored the legislation, […]
Posted inCity & Government
How gas prices have changed in Rhode Island in the last week
The national average cost for a gallon of gasoline dipped over the past week, reaching a price lower than at the same point in any of the previous two years. It’s the lowest they’ve been since the Russia-Ukraine war began in 2022, sending prices soaring well above normal levels for much of that year. Lackluster […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island House considers FY 25 Budget
The Rhode Island House of Representatives will consider the FY 25 state budget today, with no other legislative business expected to be conducted, officials announced Friday afternoon. The session is scheduled to begin at approximately 2:30 p.m. and will be televised by Capitol Television, which can be seen on Cox channel 61, on i3Broadband channel […]
Posted inNews
Veterans Get Outside Day Newport will be held at Fort Adams on June 9
Veterans Get Outside Day Newport will be held at Fort Adams State Park on Sunday, June 9, from 9 am to 3 pm. This is the second year of the event that connects veterans with resources and encourages outdoor activities to improve mental health. This event is free, and you don’t have to be a […]
Posted inNews
Senate approves Euer bill to give Assembly control over approval, fees for undersea cable projects
On Thursday, the Rhode Island Senate passed a bill sponsored by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Dawn Euer to give the General Assembly the authority to negotiate all undersea projects impacting areas over 25 acres, including transmission cables for offshore wind projects. The bill (2024-S 2811A) now heads to the House, where Rep. Tina Spears (D-Dist. […]
Posted inNews
Here’s the biggest challenge facing Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard law enforcement
by Robert Ogden and Jody Kasper, CommonWealth Beacon June 2, 2024 IN THE COMING WEEKS, thousands of people from around the world will come to our islands, filling our streets, bars, restaurants, shops, and beaches – and putting enormous stress on our first responders. But the biggest challenge facing our departments – the Dukes County […]
Posted inNews
Conimicut Point Beach in Warwick is closed due to elevated levels of bacteria.
The Rhode Island Department of Health today recommended closing Conimicut Point Beach in Warwick due to high bacteria levels. RIDOH will continue to monitor and review beach water quality through Labor Day. The status of a beach may change as new data become available. The most up-to-date beach information is available through a recorded message […]
Posted inColumns
Dr. Michael Fine: What’s not that crazy about making sure pharmacists are part of the primary care team
On these pages, an Op-Ed (Let Rhode Island Pharmacists Close the Primary Care Gap) by a number of trusted colleagues argued that allowing pharmacists to bill insurance directly for clinical services might close the primary care gap. I’m not sure where I stand on letting pharmacists bill insurance directly. On the one hand, pharmacists are critical […]
Posted inNews
House Committee approves Electric Leaf Blower Rebate Bill
A bill proposed by a Barrington lawmaker would create a rebate program for electric leaf blowers in an effort to reduce air and noise pollution. Rep. Jennifer Boylan’s office says the proposal would allocate $250,000 in funding for the pilot program. It would be run by the Office of Energy Resources with the goal of […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island General Assembly approves bill to educate buyers of shoreline property of the public’s right to access the shoreline
The Rhode Island General Assembly recently passed new legislation that aims to protect property owners from any surprises that may arise from buying property located on the coastline. The law, which was sponsored by state Sen. Victoria Gu and state Rep. Terri Cortvriend, requires all sellers of oceanfront property to clearly disclose any public access […]
Posted inCity & Government
Senator Reed joins World Leaders and U.S. Veterans in France for D-Day 80th Anniversary & Remembrance Ceremony
Today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, traveled to Normandy, France, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, which occurred on June 6, 1944. Traveling as part of a bipartisan Congressional delegation, Senator Reed joined President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, Britain’s King Charles III, […]
Posted inNews
Acrobatica crowned 2024 Atlantic Cup Champions
The Italian team #204 Acrobatica sailed by Alberto Riva and Jean Marre completed their dominate two-week run, becoming the 2024 Atlantic Cup Champions. Their first place finish in the Coastal Series yesterday guaranteed them victory for the overall Atlantic Cup. However, the points standings for the rest of the podium was far from decided going into […]
Posted inNews
Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Your New Best Friend: Special adoption event at the Potter League for Animals
The Potter League for Animals is excited to announce a magical adoption special for all adult dogs aged six months and older! From June 7th through June 10th, prospective pet parents can embark on a journey to find their perfect furry companion at HALF-OFF the adoption fee. Just like Dorothy’s quest to find Toto, our dogs are eagerly […]
Posted inNews, Sports
Quicksand doesn’t just happen in Hollywood. It happened on a Maine beach
PHIPPSBURG, Maine (AP) — A Maine woman enjoying a walk on a popular beach learned that quicksand doesn’t just happen in Hollywood movies in jungles or rainforests. Jamie Acord was walking at the water’s edge at Popham Beach State Park over the weekend when she sunk to her hips in a split second, letting out […]
Posted inNews, Sports
Doris Burke on calling NBA Finals: ‘I am sort of mindful that there is something meaningful here’
By JOE REEDY AP Sports Writer Doris Burke has been a mentor to many female analysts and announcers. However, it will be one of the announcers who helped pave the way for Burke to eventually become the first woman to serve as a game analyst on TV for a championship final in one of the […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island moves to regulate Kratom distribution
The Rhode Island House of Representatives passed a bill Thursday that would regulate the distribution of kratom, a natural substance used to treat opioid addiction and other conditions. The Kratom Consumer Protection Act (2024-H 7231Aaa) would ban the adulteration of kratom with a dangerous non-kratom substance as to render the product injurious to a consumer. […]
Posted inNews
Middletown aims for safer roads with speed cameras
The Middletown town council has approved speed cameras in several school zones to reduce speeding and make the roadways safer for children. The cameras will be in effect when school is in session and will only be operational on school days and hours. The speed cameras will also issue civil violations rather than tickets for […]
Posted inBusiness
New small business, Newport Sailing Lessons, opens this summer
Aquidneck Islanders and Newport summer visitors alike will be delighted to discover new sailing opportunities out of Newport Harbor. Kate Richardson, a native Rhode Islander and U.S. Navy veteran, is now the proud small business owner of Newport Sailing Lessons. She runs the lessons out of her 1978 Pearson 30 sailboat, Hope, in Newport Harbor. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Classical expands Community Concerts Series with a free Children’s Concert on August 17
Newport Classical today announced that it is proud to announce that it will expand its Community Concerts Series, presented by BankNewport, into August with a free Children’s Concert featuring WindSync at the Newport County YMCA on Saturday, August 17 at 4 pm. This new partnership with the Newport County YMCA strengthens Newport Classical’s mission to provide Aquidneck Island children and families free access to […]
Posted inCity & Government
RIPTA will not move forward with previously proposed service reductions
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) officially announced today that it will not move forward with previously proposed service reductions, which were scheduled to go into effect on Saturday, June 15, 2024, as part of the Authority’s seasonal service adjustments. Christopher Durand, interim Chief Executive Officer, asked RIPTA’s Board of Directors not to act […]
Posted inNews
Grey Sail Brewing collaborates with New England Brewing Company to support Work Vessels for Veterans
Grey Sail Brewing of Rhode Island has announced the launch of a special collaboration beer, Work Vessel Double IPA, crafted in partnership with New England Brewing Company (NEBCO). “This unique Double IPA is a testament to our shared commitment to quality brewing and the community,” Grey Sail Brewing says in a press release. Grey Sail Brewing shares that […]
Posted inCity & Government
Preview: Docket for Newport City Council Meeting on June 12
Newport City Council will hold its next Regular Meeting on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will take place in the City Council Chamber at Newport City Hall and is open to the public. Here’s a look at what’s on the docket; CITY OF NEWPORT DOCKET FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING […]
Posted inCity & Government
Eleventh hour bottle bill reignites debate between environmental, business groups
by Nancy Lavin, Rhode Island CurrentJune 5, 2024 Disagreement over a state bottle recycling program is as pervasive as the piles of recyclable bottles and cans littering Rhode Island streets, beaches and waterways. So it’s no surprise that controversy again clouded the bottle bill conversation Wednesday night. Hours of debate unfolded in an airless second-floor […]