By DAVE COLLINS and PAT EATON-ROBB Associated Press Work crews began demolishing a bridge damaged in a fiery crash that kept Interstate 95 in Connecticut closed for a second day Friday, as motorists’ nerves continued to fray in hours of traffic jams on and around the main artery linking New England and New York. “It’s […]
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Massachusetts woman wins $1 million lottery twice in 10 weeks
DORCHESTER, Mass. (AP) — A Massachusetts woman has won $1 million twice on lottery tickets in the last 10 weeks. Christine Wilson, of Attleborough, won the most recent prize on Wednesday playing the “100X Cash” $10 instant ticket game, the state lottery announced. Wilson decided to receive the winnings in a one-time payment of $650,000 […]
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Rhode Island bill would allow certain electric bicycles on bike paths, require helmets for riders under 21
A bill approved by the Rhode Island House on Thursday would allow the use of certain electric bicycles on bike paths, in an effort to safeguard pedestrians and cyclists. This legislation (2024-H 7713A) would update Rhode Island regulations of electric bicycles in four main ways. First, it would define three classes of electric bicycle, consistent […]
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Senate approves Chairwoman Euer’s Healthcare Provider Shield Act
The Rhode Island Senate on Thursday voted to approve Senate Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Dawn Euer’s bill to protect medical providers who provide transgender and reproductive health care services in Rhode Island from civil or criminal suits from other states or their residents. “As more states have banned established, best-practice medical care, particularly care involving reproductive […]
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Newsletter: What’s Up in Newport – Friday, May 3
This story was originally published as a What’sUpNewp newsletter. Sign up for our free newsletter to receive this post in your inbox every weekday morning! Good Friday Morning, 🚧 The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority announced Thursday that lane restrictions on the Mount Hope Bridge have been lifted, with the completion of a cable […]
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Rhode Island man sentenced to prison for $130,000 scam targeting elderly
A 39-year-old Providence man who posed as a relative to scam more than $130,000 from elderly people in Rhode Island and Massachusetts has been sentenced to a year and one day in federal prison, prosecutors said. Vidal Roquez was also ordered to pay restitution to his victims and perform community service by speaking to senior […]
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Rhode Island lawmakers require monthly updates on Washington Bridge status
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation will now be required to provide monthly updates on the status of the Washington Bridge to state lawmakers and the governor’s office under legislation approved Thursday by the Rhode Island House and Senate. The new law is aimed at keeping the public informed as it deals with the lengthy […]
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Lane restrictions on Mount Hope Bridge lifted
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) today announced that lane restrictions on the Mount Hope Bridge has been lifted, with the completion of a cable air flow testing project two weeks ahead of schedule. The project was part of a broader plan to dehumidify the bridge, and will help extend its life by […]
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Free soil testing offered at Maher Center Garden Center
The James L. Maher Center Garden Center will be offering free soil testing on the second Saturday of every month during the spring season The free tests are part of a partnership between the Maher Center and URI Master Gardeners. The next testing will take place on May 11 from 10 am to 12 pm […]
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RIPEC analyzes Governor’s FY 2025 Budget Proposal as revenues tighten and spending increases persist
The Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council (RIPEC) released a report today analyzing Governor Daniel J. McKee’s proposed fiscal year (FY) 2025 budget, revisions to the FY 2024 budget, and the state’s fiscal outlook ahead of the May Revenue Estimating Conference. RIPEC found that the governor’s proposed budget represented a transitional spending plan between a series […]
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Food Pantry at MLK Community Center is now open five days a week
Starting May 2, the Food Pantry at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center (MLK Community Center) will be open every weekday to better serve the community. “Healthy food is vital to a healthy life.” said Heather Hole Strout, Executive Director. “We want to make it as easy as possible for anyone in Newport […]
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On heels of interim commission report, Rep. Carson submits bills for transparency, equity in short-term rental industry
After several months of studying the challenges faced by the state and municipalities in regulating the short-term rental industry in Rhode Island, Rep. Lauren Carson has introduced legislation aimed at improving regulatory compliance and transparency and enabling local controls on the industry’s growth. Representative Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport) is the chairwoman of the Special Legislative Commission […]
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Rhode Island’s Mental Health Association Honors Blazejewski and Murray with 2024 Legislator of the Year Awards
The Mental Health Association of Rhode Island (MHARI) has selected House Majority Leader Christopher Blazejewski and Senate Deputy Majority Leader Melissa Murray as the winners of its 2024 Legislators of the Year awards. The awards were presented to Blazejewski and Murray during a ceremony at MHARI’s annual May is Mental Health Month kick-off event on […]
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Preview: Docket for Newport City Council’s Regular Meeting on May 8
Newport City Council will host a Regular City Council Meeting on Wednesday, May 8 at 6:30 pm. The meeting, which is open to the public, will take place in the City Council Chambers at Newport City Hall. Here’s a look at what’s on the docket; CITY OF NEWPORTDOCKET OF THE COUNCIL MEETINGMAY 8, 2024 THE […]
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Bernhard Langer among 11 champions exempt for 44th U.S. Senior Open at Newport Country Club
Eleven champions, including two-time winner and defending champion Bernhard Langer, are among the 3,019 entries accepted by the United States Golf Association (USGA) for the44th U.S. Senior Open Championship. The U.S. Senior Open will be played for the first time at Newport (R.I.) Country Club, from June 27-30. This year’s entry total surpassed the 3,000 […]
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West Warwick man facing charges after being found driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs with large capacity magazine
A West Warwick man is facing several charges after police say he was found to be driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs while also carrying a large capacity magazine. Lawrence Cole, 77, is facing one count of possession of a large capacity magazine, one count of carrying a firearm while under the influence, […]
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Newsletter: What’s Up in Newport – Thursday, May 2
This story was originally published as a What’sUpNewp newsletter. Sign up for our free newsletter to receive this post in your inbox every weekday morning! Good Thursday Morning, 💰 Leadership has benefits—at least regarding campaign finances in Rhode Island. WUN’s Frank Prosnitz has the story Campaign Finance: Leadership has its benefits. 👉 Newport Folk Festival announced yesterday that […]
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6 popular Kentucky Derby traditions, explained
The Kentucky Derby is one of the most iconic events and horse races on the calendar. The first leg of the Triple Crown occurs annually on the first Saturday in May, when thousands of people flock to Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch (and place bets on) what’s often considered “The Greatest Two Minutes […]
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Campaign Finance: Leadership has its benefits
Leadership has its benefits – at least when it comes to campaign finances in Rhode Island. Just ask Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives K. Joseph Shekarchi, D-Warwick, who reported on April 30 that his campaign fund had raised over $200,000 in the first quarter of 2024, leaving a fund balance of nearly […]
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Recently opened restaurants in the Providence area
Many families around the country have traditions involving restaurants, whether it’s returning to the same spot year after year for birthdays, Sunday morning brunches at a favorite local diner, or Friday night pies at a neighborhood pizza place. While plenty of diners like to visit the same restaurants every year, every month, or even every […]
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New starting location and family-friendly party planned for the start of the 2024 Newport Bermuda Race
For the first time in its 118-year history, the Newport Bermuda Race proudly unveils a new starting location just off the shoreline of Fort Adams State Park. This exciting shift in venue provides an opportunity to celebrate and cheer on the 170 boats starting the 636-mile journey, renowned for its challenge and tradition. Free and open to the public, […]
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Newport Robotics Team finishes 5th at World Championship
Aquidneck Island Robotics FRC Team 78 – AIR STRIKE finishes 5th in the world after winning their division at the FIRST World Championship held in Houston, TX, from April 17 to April 20. AIR STRIKE is a community-based team comprised of 26 students from 15 communities in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts. The FIRST Robotics […]
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Middletown Police Department completes training to better respond to mental health calls
The Middletown Police Department is continuing its training for officers to better respond to mental health calls. Officers have now completed an intense training program to assist them with these types of calls. The training was part of the One Mind Campaign Pledge, which was offered by the International Association of Chiefs of Police. This […]
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Sen. Ujifusa introduces bills to lower prescription drug and Medicaid costs
Sen. Linda Ujifusa is taking aim at the high cost of prescription drugs with two bills that protect Rhode Island patients and taxpayers from the harmful activities of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), private corporations that work on behalf of insurers and make enormous revenues in the complex, nontransparent system that gets drugs from manufacturers to patients. PBMs, […]
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Middletown Public Library unveils new logo
The Middletown Public Library has unveiled a new logo as part of a major rebranding effort to modernize its visual identity. The logo was designed by Natalie J Leroux at Studio Eighty Seven and reflects the library’s mission of empowering and serving its diverse community. The Middletown Public Library has unveiled a new logo as […]