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May 16, 2025

A second-floor hallway at the Rhode Island State House outside the Senate Chamber looking toward Smith Street is shown.

Article

Politics & Justice

Senate Allows McKee Cabinet Pay Raises to Take Effect, Marking Split With House

Despite unanimous House opposition, Senate leaders opt not to stop $82K in raises for 11 of Gov. McKee’s department heads amid budget deficit and economic uncertainty

May 16, 2025

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Nancy Lavin

Department of Administration Director Jonathan Womer, Gov. Dan McKee, and Chief Digital Officer Brian Tardiff, are seen at a May 15, 2025, press conference unveiling findings from a forensic investigation into the 2024 RIBridges data breach.

Article

News + Culture

RIBridges Firewall Worked. But Forensic Report Says Hundreds of Alarms Went Unnoticed

Hackers exploited stolen credentials to infiltrate RIBridges for five months while Deloitte failed to act on hundreds of firewall alerts. Now, state officials vow accountability, credit monitoring, and a push to reduce reliance on outside vendors

May 16, 2025

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Alexander Castro

Juan Francisco Méndez is pictured with his son in this photo taken prior to his detention in April. His attorney said she plans to discuss the possibility of pursuing a civil lawsuit for violation of his Constitutional rights once Méndez has had time to spend with his family.

Article

Immigration

New Bedford Man Arrested in ICE Road Stop is Released on Bond

A New Bedford man originally from Guatemala who was detained by ICE agents in a road stop last month has been released on bond from a New Hampshire detention facility

May 16, 2025

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Paul C. Kelly Campos

Article

Health

Butler Hospital Workers Picket in the Rain and Mud for Higher Wages, More Staff

Nurses, mental health workers and other employees at a psychiatric hospital in Providence have been on strike with their union, the Service Employees International Union local 1199, since early Thursday morning

May 16, 2025

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Olivia Ebertz

Article

Arts & Entertainment

Art, Energy, and Community Shine at Chepachet Stained Glass Studio

At Holidaze Stained Glass, Karyn Szaro blends creativity, adventure, and connection—turning every class into a vibrant celebration of spirit and self-expression

May 15, 2025

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Dewey Raposo

Jennifer Douglas, a Charlestown Democrat who ran for state Senate in 2018, 2020, and 2022, turned in three-year-old campaign finance reports to the Rhode Island Board of Elections on Friday, May 9, 2025. the day before, she pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges related to violating state campaign finance laws.

Article

Politics & Justice

‘I Was Wrong.’ Former R.I. Senate Candidate Resolves Campaign Finance Violations After Court Plea

Charlestown Democrat Jennifer Douglas pays fine and turns in late reports to settle three-year-old case

May 15, 2025

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Nancy Lavin

Article

Bridge Questions

You Asked: How Closely Are Rhode Island Bridges Being Monitored?

We’re answering your questions about the Washington Bridge as part of our project Breaking Point. Here’s what we’ve learned so far about the safety of other bridges across Rhode Island

May 15, 2025

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Ian Donnis

Alex Shieh, a 20-year-old Brown University sophomore from Salem, N.H., sent DOGE-inspired emails to university administrators

Article

Education

DOGE Copycat at Brown Cleared of Wrongdoing

An independent disciplinary process at Brown University has exonerated an undergraduate accused of violating campus policies with a DOGE-inspired stunt

May 15, 2025

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David Wright

Tracey Wiley, executive director of diversity, equity and inclusion at Bally’s Corp., was nominated by Gov. Dan McKee to the Rhode Island Commerce Corp. board of directors.

Article

Economy

McKee Nominates Bally’s DEI Executive to Join R.I. Commerce Board

May 15, 2025

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Nancy Lavin