Rhode Island Current
@rhodeislandcurrent.com
The Rhode Island Current is an independent, nonprofit news outlet covering state government and the impact of public policy decisions in the Ocean State.
State employee unions demand accountability for paycheck errors amid new software rollout rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/09/s...
State employee unions demand accountability for paycheck errors amid new software rollout • Rhode Island Current
After a rocky first month for the state’s new payroll software, Rhode Island state employee unions are calling for the General Assembly’s oversight committees to hold hearings on complaints ranging fr...
rhodeislandcurrent.com
January 10, 2026 at 3:14 PM
State employee unions demand accountability for paycheck errors amid new software rollout rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/09/s...
Complaints pile up as R.I. Department of Administration rolls out new payroll system after six years of planning. By @ohnocastro.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/09/s...
State employee unions demand accountability for paycheck errors amid new software rollout • Rhode Island Current
After a rocky first month for the state’s new payroll software, Rhode Island state employee unions are calling for the General Assembly’s oversight committees to hold hearings on complaints ranging fr...
rhodeislandcurrent.com
January 9, 2026 at 11:07 PM
Complaints pile up as R.I. Department of Administration rolls out new payroll system after six years of planning. By @ohnocastro.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/09/s...
Feds identify two people shot in Portland, Oregon. Via @oregoncapitalchronicle.com rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/09/r...
Feds identify two people shot in Portland • Rhode Island Current
The Department of Homeland Security claims the two are affiliated with a Venezuelan gang but has not yet provided any evidence
rhodeislandcurrent.com
January 9, 2026 at 8:22 PM
Feds identify two people shot in Portland, Oregon. Via @oregoncapitalchronicle.com rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/09/r...
Providence Police clocked over $500,000 in overtime hours in the 10 days they investigated last month’s shooting at Brown University. By @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/09/p...
Providence police clocked over half a million in overtime costs after Brown shooting • Rhode Island Current
Providence Police clocked in a little over $500,000 in overtime hours after a gunman killed two students and wounded nine others at Brown University on Dec. 13. On Monday, Rhode Island State Police pl...
rhodeislandcurrent.com
January 9, 2026 at 8:14 PM
Providence Police clocked over $500,000 in overtime hours in the 10 days they investigated last month’s shooting at Brown University. By @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/09/p...
Trump attorneys defend second stop work order but keep mum in court filings on the 'specific national security risks' that prompted it. By @nancyklavin.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/09/s...
'Specific' Revolution Wind national security risks remain classified in court documents • Rhode Island Current
U.S. Department of Justice attorneys representing the Trump administration offered little detail in court filings Thursday on the national security concerns that prompted them to suspend work on five ...
rhodeislandcurrent.com
January 9, 2026 at 7:29 PM
Trump attorneys defend second stop work order but keep mum in court filings on the 'specific national security risks' that prompted it. By @nancyklavin.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/09/s...
Feds oust Minnesota investigators from ICE shooting probe. Via @minnesotareformer.com rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/08/r...
Feds oust Minnesota investigators from ICE shooting probe • Rhode Island Current
The Trump administration ousted the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension from the investigation into the killing of 37-year-old Renee Good by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis, the head ...
rhodeislandcurrent.com
January 9, 2026 at 12:16 AM
Feds oust Minnesota investigators from ICE shooting probe. Via @minnesotareformer.com rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/08/r...
75% of RIPTA’s bus routes lost ridership since September when the cuts took effect. And two full buses sailed past a stop where a high school student waited in Pawtucket, making her 90 minutes late. She missed two classes. By @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/08/t...
Transit advocates present legislative priorities to build a better public bus system • Rhode Island Current
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority's recent service cuts have led to overcrowded buses, longer waits, and lost ridership, according to a new report. Transit advocates released a list of propose...
rhodeislandcurrent.com
January 9, 2026 at 12:06 AM
75% of RIPTA’s bus routes lost ridership since September when the cuts took effect. And two full buses sailed past a stop where a high school student waited in Pawtucket, making her 90 minutes late. She missed two classes. By @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/08/t...
US House backs extension of health insurance subsidies after Dems force vote. By @jennifershutt.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/08/r...
US House backs extension of health insurance subsidies after Dems force vote • Rhode Island Current
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House approved a bipartisan bill Thursday to resurrect the enhanced tax credits that expired at the end of last year for people who purchase their health insurance from the Affor...
rhodeislandcurrent.com
January 8, 2026 at 10:41 PM
US House backs extension of health insurance subsidies after Dems force vote. By @jennifershutt.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/08/r...
@risecstate.bsky.social Secretary Gregg Amore: “This is a really good and secure way to make sure the signature is accurate.This way, this person is who they say they are, they live in the right district, and are alive.” By @nancyklavin.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/08/y...
You can register to vote online. Why not sign candidate nomination papers too? • Rhode Island Current
Secretary of State Gregg Amore wants to let Rhode Island voters sign candidate nomination forms electronically as a way to reduce fraud and ease access to the ballot. If approved, Rhode Island would b...
rhodeislandcurrent.com
January 8, 2026 at 9:15 PM
@risecstate.bsky.social Secretary Gregg Amore: “This is a really good and secure way to make sure the signature is accurate.This way, this person is who they say they are, they live in the right district, and are alive.” By @nancyklavin.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/08/y...
Maryland Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer, first elected in 1981, joins the dozens of members who have announced they will not seek reelection this November. By @jennifershutt.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/08/r...
'We must respect and love one another': Steny Hoyer tells the US House he’s retiring • Rhode Island Current
WASHINGTON — Maryland Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer announced Thursday he will retire from Congress at the end of this year, telling colleagues from both political parties in a floor speech he made the ...
rhodeislandcurrent.com
January 8, 2026 at 8:08 PM
Maryland Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer, first elected in 1981, joins the dozens of members who have announced they will not seek reelection this November. By @jennifershutt.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/08/r...
US Senate with GOP support advances war powers resolution rebuking Trump on Venezuela. By @ashleymurray.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/08/r...
US Senate with GOP support advances war powers resolution rebuking Trump on Venezuela • Rhode Island Current
WASHINGTON — In a rare rebuke to President Donald Trump, Senate Republicans joined Democrats in advancing a war powers resolution to halt U.S. military action in Venezuela without congressional author...
rhodeislandcurrent.com
January 8, 2026 at 5:35 PM
US Senate with GOP support advances war powers resolution rebuking Trump on Venezuela. By @ashleymurray.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/08/r...
Federal judge in D.C. OKs request by Rhode Island and Connecticut attorneys general to merge their joint suit against the Trump administration with that of Revolution Wind developers. By @nancyklavin.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/08/f...
Federal judge grants RI and CT attorneys general request to join Revolution Wind developers’ lawsuit • Rhode Island Current
Rhode Island and Connecticut state attorneys general will now fight alongside the Revolution Wind developers in D.C. federal court to stop the Trump administration from halting project construction, a...
rhodeislandcurrent.com
January 8, 2026 at 2:43 PM
Federal judge in D.C. OKs request by Rhode Island and Connecticut attorneys general to merge their joint suit against the Trump administration with that of Revolution Wind developers. By @nancyklavin.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/08/f...
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley will be asking the General Assembly for an increase in the PILOT base rate and a new authority to take over the Crook Point Bridge, among other wish list items. By @ohnocastro.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/07/p...
Providence mayor unveils New Year's resolutions in legislative package • Rhode Island Current
Mayor Brett Smiley’s 2026 legislative package focuses on financial stability, local control of schools, housing, traffic enforcement, and the Crook Point Bridge.
rhodeislandcurrent.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley will be asking the General Assembly for an increase in the PILOT base rate and a new authority to take over the Crook Point Bridge, among other wish list items. By @ohnocastro.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/07/p...
ICE officer fatally shoots driver through car window in Minneapolis. Via @minnesotareformer.com rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/07/r...
ICE officer fatally shoots driver through car window in Minneapolis • Rhode Island Current
The driver then slowly backs up and appears to be leaving, when another officer fires three shots.
rhodeislandcurrent.com
January 7, 2026 at 7:04 PM
ICE officer fatally shoots driver through car window in Minneapolis. Via @minnesotareformer.com rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/07/r...
Tiny plastic trash came in 2nd to cigarette butts among the types of trash in the 15,561 pounds of litter and debris collected from Rhode Island beaches from September to November 2025 in new @savethebayri.bsky.social report. By @nancyklavin.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/07/r...
R.I. has a rising tide of tiny trash on its beaches. But it still doesn’t have a bottle bill. • Rhode Island Current
A new report from Save the Bay breaks down data on the surge in microplastics washing up on Rhode Island beaches last year. But it’s unclear if there is enough momentum at the State House this year fo...
rhodeislandcurrent.com
January 7, 2026 at 6:59 PM
Tiny plastic trash came in 2nd to cigarette butts among the types of trash in the 15,561 pounds of litter and debris collected from Rhode Island beaches from September to November 2025 in new @savethebayri.bsky.social report. By @nancyklavin.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/07/r...
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley issues statement on "truly disturbing" transcripts released by DOJ: "I hope this information can provide further comfort to our neighbors that there is no ongoing threat to our community.”
rhodeislandcurrent.com/briefs/doj-r...
rhodeislandcurrent.com/briefs/doj-r...
DOJ releases transcripts of videos by suspect in Brown, MIT professor shootings • Rhode Island Current
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts late Tuesday afternoon released transcripts from videos attributed to the suspect in the Dec. 13 mass shooting at Brown University and the ...
rhodeislandcurrent.com
January 7, 2026 at 2:22 AM
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley issues statement on "truly disturbing" transcripts released by DOJ: "I hope this information can provide further comfort to our neighbors that there is no ongoing threat to our community.”
rhodeislandcurrent.com/briefs/doj-r...
rhodeislandcurrent.com/briefs/doj-r...
The second floor entrance to the floor of the Rhode Island House of Representatives will remain closed when Gov. Dan McKee unveils his 2026 State of the State address on Tuesday, Jan. 14.
rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/06/r...
rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/06/r...
R.I. State House rotunda to remain mostly open during State of the State per ACLU agreement • Rhode Island Current
Gov. Dan McKee’s administration agreed to allow public access to much of the State House during his upcoming 2026 State of the State address amid a lawsuit from the ACLU of Rhode Island after…
rhodeislandcurrent.com
January 7, 2026 at 12:00 AM
The second floor entrance to the floor of the Rhode Island House of Representatives will remain closed when Gov. Dan McKee unveils his 2026 State of the State address on Tuesday, Jan. 14.
rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/06/r...
rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/06/r...
DOJ releases transcripts of videos by suspect in Brown, MIT professor shootings rhodeislandcurrent.com/briefs/doj-r...
DOJ releases transcripts of videos by suspect in Brown, MIT professor shootings • Rhode Island Current
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts late Tuesday afternoon released transcripts from videos attributed to the suspect in the Dec. 13 mass shooting at Brown University and the ...
rhodeislandcurrent.com
January 6, 2026 at 11:21 PM
DOJ releases transcripts of videos by suspect in Brown, MIT professor shootings rhodeislandcurrent.com/briefs/doj-r...
Budget uncertainty, fate of hospitals and healing after Brown tragedy will test General Assembly over the next six months. We bring you coverage from the first day of the 2026 legislative session. By @nancyklavin.bsky.social & @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/06/l...
Legislative leaders call for collaboration and inclusion as 2026 session begins • Rhode Island Current
While uncertainty over federal funding for Rhode Island looms, the first day of the 2026 legislative session saw leaders of both chambers recognize the need to heal after the mass shooting at Brown Un...
rhodeislandcurrent.com
January 6, 2026 at 10:28 PM
Budget uncertainty, fate of hospitals and healing after Brown tragedy will test General Assembly over the next six months. We bring you coverage from the first day of the 2026 legislative session. By @nancyklavin.bsky.social & @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/06/l...
Death of US House member from California narrows already slim GOP majority. By @jennifershutt.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/06/r...
Death of US House member from California narrows already slim GOP majority • Rhode Island Current
WASHINGTON — U.S. California Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa has died and Indiana Republican Rep. Jim Baird was injured in a car accident, President Donald Trump said Tuesday. Speaking to a meeting of H...
rhodeislandcurrent.com
January 6, 2026 at 7:35 PM
Death of US House member from California narrows already slim GOP majority. By @jennifershutt.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/06/r...
Rhode Island and Connecticut attorneys general in legal filings Monday asked to consolidate their federal lawsuit against the Trump administration with a separate complaint lodged by the developers of the Revolution Wind project. By @nancyklavin.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/06/r...
RI, CT attorneys general move to join forces with Revolution Wind developers in case against feds • Rhode Island Current
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha and Connecticut Attorney General William Tong are seeking court approval to consolidate their lawsuit against the Trump administration with a similar, but s...
rhodeislandcurrent.com
January 6, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Rhode Island and Connecticut attorneys general in legal filings Monday asked to consolidate their federal lawsuit against the Trump administration with a separate complaint lodged by the developers of the Revolution Wind project. By @nancyklavin.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/06/r...
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the Rhode Island chapter of Trout Unlimited will hold their annual “Trees for Trout” collection on Saturday. By @ohnocastro.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/briefs/rhode...
Rhode Island DEM, Trout Unlimited seeking Christmas trees to prevent erosion • Rhode Island Current
Recycle your real Christmas tree in Exeter on Jan. 10 to help restore habitats for wild brook trout through Rhode Island’s Trees for Trout program.
rhodeislandcurrent.com
January 6, 2026 at 1:19 AM
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the Rhode Island chapter of Trout Unlimited will hold their annual “Trees for Trout” collection on Saturday. By @ohnocastro.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/briefs/rhode...
How will Rhode Islanders remember 2025, the halfway point of the most interesting time that is the 2020s? The state’s complicated relationship with change — at times an embrace, at others an aversion — was certainly tested in the past year.
rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/31/t...
rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/31/t...
Top 10 stories of 2025 in Rhode Island • Rhode Island Current
Rhode Island Current’s top stories of 2025, from the Brown University shooting and federal budget cuts to offshore wind, hospital instability, labor unrest, elections and the Washington Bridge.
rhodeislandcurrent.com
January 6, 2026 at 1:00 AM
How will Rhode Islanders remember 2025, the halfway point of the most interesting time that is the 2020s? The state’s complicated relationship with change — at times an embrace, at others an aversion — was certainly tested in the past year.
rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/31/t...
rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/31/t...
ABLE accounts used to be for people who had a qualifying medical condition that began before their 26th birthday. As of 2026, those up to age 46 can open these savings accounts without jeopardizing their federal benefits. By @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/briefs/more-...
More Rhode Islanders with disabilities now eligible for federally tax-deferred savings accounts • Rhode Island Current
Rhode Island Treasurer James Diossa hopes to reach 1,000 ABLE accounts in 2026 as eligibility expands to residents with disabilities that began before age 46.
rhodeislandcurrent.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:12 PM
ABLE accounts used to be for people who had a qualifying medical condition that began before their 26th birthday. As of 2026, those up to age 46 can open these savings accounts without jeopardizing their federal benefits. By @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/briefs/more-...
Rhode Island GOP Chairman Joe Powers announced his resignation on Sunday — though it doesn’t take effect until Jan. 15 — citing the demands and rigorous travel schedule of his job as a business consultant. By @nancyklavin.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/05/r...
RI GOP chair to resign citing scheduling conflicts with full-time job • Rhode Island Current
Rhode Island GOP Joe Powers will resign on Jan. 15, citing the demands and rigorous travel schedule of his job as a business consultant. His departure prompts a special election to choose the new lead...
rhodeislandcurrent.com
January 5, 2026 at 7:39 PM
Rhode Island GOP Chairman Joe Powers announced his resignation on Sunday — though it doesn’t take effect until Jan. 15 — citing the demands and rigorous travel schedule of his job as a business consultant. By @nancyklavin.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/05/r...