Providence fire chief Derek Silva plans to leave Jan. 10
WPRI reported Jan. 10, 2027, as Silva’s last day as Providence fire chief. Mayor-elect David Morales opened the successor search two months earlier.
Rhode Island
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Rhode Island voters approve $120 million housing bond
Rhode Island voters approved Question 2, authorizing $120 million in general obligation bonds for housing and homeownership. Unofficial Board of Elections returns showed 208,562 votes to approve, or 61.17%, against 132,408 votes to reject, or 38.83%, with all 39 cities and towns reporting.
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Providence superintendent plans exit; final day unset as of Oct. 30
Javier Montañez announced Oct. 30, 2026, that he would step down. His final workday was unset as of that date, when the district said he would continue overseeing schools during departure discussions.
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FSIS told USA TODAY Trader Joe’s wraps were a common E. coli exposure
USA TODAY reported that FSIS identified chicken wraps from certain Trader Joe’s stores as a common exposure in an ongoing E. coli outbreak.
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State police task force arrests man on Providence assault warrant
Rhode Island State Police say Justin Brito was arrested on a Providence warrant alleging felony assault with a deadly weapon.
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Rhode Island tax amnesty waives penalties starting Dec. 3
A 75-day program will let qualifying taxpayers resolve eligible past-due state taxes with penalties waived and 25% of interest reduced.
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Providence opens first round of two-year, $700,000 facilities program
Providence announced two cultural grant programs totaling $750,000. The facilities program’s first application round closes Nov. 16, 2026; festival applications are scheduled to open Nov. 15.
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Rhode Island early voting runs through Nov. 2 at 4 p.m.
In-person early voting for Rhode Island’s Nov. 3, 2026, election began Oct. 14 and is scheduled to continue through 4 p.m. Nov. 2.
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I-95 northbound lanes to shift near Cranston-Warwick line Oct. 14
RIDOT plans a northbound I-95 lane shift near Exit 31C starting Wednesday night, Oct. 14. The new traffic pattern is expected to remain for about two months during bridge work.
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Lake Washington advisory urges people to avoid contact
Rhode Island officials advise avoiding Lake Washington in Glocester after initial samples exceeded an advisory threshold.
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Twenty States Sue Over Trump Rules Narrowing Species Protections
Twenty states and D.C. sued over Endangered Species Act changes affecting habitat harm, threatened-species protections and critical-habitat decisions.
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FBI warns of scam spoofing its number and pushing encrypted apps
The FBI says scammers are spoofing its Boston number, faking agent credentials and pressuring targets to move alleged fraud cases to encrypted apps.
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Rhode Island Energy customers will begin seeing temporary bill credits in October
Rhode Island Energy electric customers are scheduled to receive fixed monthly credits beginning in October, while gas credits begin in December after deferred gas-cost balances are addressed.
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Rhode Island opens statewide competition for ready-to-use ADU designs
Rhode Island is seeking attached and detached ADU concepts for a free public catalog, but homeowners will still need site-specific design work, local review and permits before building.
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Twenty-six jurisdictions challenge FY2026 FEMA grant conditions
Twenty-five states and Washington, D.C., are asking a Rhode Island judge to block FEMA and DHS from tying emergency grants to election and immigration terms.
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East Greenwich school construction moves into active 2026 building phase
Construction is advancing at three East Greenwich school facilities, including a July 23 concrete-pour update at the high school and plans for a new Frenchtown Elementary School.
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Providence Mayor, Council Remain Divided Over Rental Policy
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley and the City Council remain split over rent stabilization, eviction prevention and how the city should respond to housing pressure.
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Providence agency allocates $3.4 million for three housing projects
The Providence Redevelopment Agency approved Housing Trust Fund awards for projects in South Providence, Mount Hope and the West End.
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Narragansett moves toward year-round rental incentive program
Narragansett is proposing to seek an administrator for a homeowner rental incentive program intended to expand year-round housing for residents and workers.
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Rhode Island enters statewide drought watch amid historically low water levels
Gov. Dan McKee issued a statewide drought watch July 1 after officials reported unusually low groundwater, reservoir and streamflow conditions. Water advisories, a second West Nile detection and a shellfishing closure followed during July.
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Rhode Island directs $28 million winter electric-bill credit proposal
An executive order from Gov. Dan McKee directs the state energy office to seek a $28 million residential electric-bill credit as energy-assistance calls surge.
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Rhode Island governor directs $28 million in emergency aid ahead of winter electricity-price spike
Gov. Dan McKee signed an executive order directing $28 million in emergency relief after Rhode Island Energy announced a double-digit winter electricity-price increase.