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Politics + Justice

Providence mayor: City’s housing and SNAP challenges affect everyone

Mayor Brett Smiley discusses how his administration is tackling the city’s biggest issues — from the housing shortage and SNAP crisis to community trust in police — as he looks ahead to a 2026 re-election bid

October 29, 2025

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Ian Donnis

“The cost of everything is so high right now, it's all adding up for people: basic necessities, the cost of rent, the cost of utilities, of food in the store, child care,” said Kate MacDonald, a spokesperson for Rhode Island Community Food Bank, the organization which released the data.

Article

Community

Where to turn — and how to help — as SNAP benefits stall in Rhode Island

October 29, 2025

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Heide Borgonovo

Wendy Gomes (right) looks through canned and dry goods at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center in Newport.

Article

Economy

SNAP shutdown leaves 145,000 Rhode Islanders facing food insecurity as Nov. 1 deadline looms

USDA says it will not send out food stamp money in November due to the federal shutdown. Now, Rhode Islanders are grappling with how to make ends meet

October 29, 2025

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Isabella Jibilian

Article

Health

How federal Medicaid cuts could impact Rhode Island residents and the state’s health care system

Federal cuts to Medicaid could leave up to 50,000 Rhode Islanders without health insurance, straining the state’s already limited primary care system and putting communities like Central Falls - where half the population relies on Medicaid - at particular risk, according to Dr. Michael Fine

October 29, 2025

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Luis Hernandez

The Rhode Island Community Food Bank provides food to pantries, meal sites, and school programs.

Article

News + Culture

Rhode Island declares state of emergency as federal SNAP food aid halts amid government shutdown

Gov. Dan McKee says the state will shift $6 million from other federal programs to help feed Rhode Islanders as SNAP benefits run out — while Attorney General Peter Neronha joins a multistate lawsuit against the Trump administration to restore funding

October 28, 2025

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David Wright

Article

Climate + Environment

The oldest research vessel in the country was just retired. What does it mean for Rhode Island scientists?

The R/V Endeavor, which spent the last 49 years operating out of URI’s Narragansett Bay Campus, was retired last month. Possibly took a tour of the vessel before it’s decommissioned

October 28, 2025

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Nat Hardy