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The South Quay, vacant since its creation in the 1970s, was poised to become a port facility for offshore wind construction.

Article

Economy

Offshore wind plans stall at East Providence’s South Quay

Rhode Island has pulled back its $35M investment, rerouting funds to other projects as the Trump administration freezes offshore wind permitting

April 22, 2026

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Ben Berke

Article

Climate + Environment

How can smell improve Rhode Island’s Air Quality?

A research team at Brown called Breathe Providence is asking people to track what they smell, in an effort to better understand air pollution in Rhode Island

April 21, 2026

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Megan Hall

Isha Thakkar

April 21, 2026

Ocean State Media political reporter Ian Donnis interviews two people on Main Street in East Greenwich on Thursday, April 16, 2026.

Article

Community

Community voices in East Greenwich point to growing gap between daily life and politics

Residents cite screen time, news fatigue and low early interest in the governor’s race

April 21, 2026

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Luis Hernandez

Ken Block, chairman of Watchdog RI, says he believes lives were jeopardized before the westbound Washington Bridge was closed.

Article

Elections

Internal poll shows Ken Block within striking distance in governor’s race

Campaign-funded survey finds Block trailing Dan McKee and Helena Foulkes head-to-head, but gaining ground when voters hear more about his background

April 20, 2026

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Ian Donnis

Dolen Perkins-Valdez discusses themes from her book with students at an Ocean State Media event.

Article

Arts + Entertainment

‘Happy Land’ author hopes novel inspires Rhode Islanders to explore African American history

Dolan Perkins-Valdez says her story about a secret community of formerly enslaved people in the Appalachians is resonating in Rhode Island

April 20, 2026

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Luis Hernandez

Gregg Amore sits down with Ocean State Media's Ian Donnis.

Article

Politics + Justice

Federal judge blocks Trump administration request for Rhode Island voter data

Judge calls the Justice Department’s request a “fishing expedition” for sensitive voter information

April 17, 2026

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Ian Donnis

Article

Housing

Rent control ordinance vetoed by Providence mayor

The city council approved the Providence Rent Stabilization Act on Thursday, which would have placed a 4% cap on annual rent increases for most Providence apartments

April 17, 2026

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Ben Berke

Traffic on I-195 in Providence passes under a gantry erected to support Rhode Island’s truck tolling program on April 10, 2026.

Article

Economy

Rhode Island bet big on truck tolls. The payoff still hasn’t come

Officials project $38 million a year once tolling resumes, but spending obligations have outpaced revenue by millions

April 17, 2026

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Ian Donnis

A sign advertising an apartment for rent is seen in Providence, R.I., on Oct. 17, 2024.

Article

Housing

Rent control passes in Providence, but mayor plans to veto

The Providence City Council is still one vote short of a supermajority that could override Mayor Brett Smiley’s expected veto. The policy would cap annual rent increases at 4% with exceptions for owner-occupants.

April 16, 2026

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Ben Berke