Columns | EastBayRI.com - News, Opinion, Things to Do in the East Bay

Driver’s licenses for undocumented is not a panacea

This legislative year the Rhode Island General Assembly agreed to allow the issuance of driver’s permits/licenses for undocumented immigrants who can prove they have income and income tax … more

By Arlene Violet, Esq. | 7/8/22

Column: Okay, Bristol, now I get it

I've never been much for parades or overt patriotism, but then I went to my first Bristol 4th of July Celebration. more

By Ethan Hartley | 7/7/22

The Acoaxet Chapel in Westport celebrates 150 years this July.

Acoaxet Chapel at 150: Construction was a true community effort

The notes below are taken from the historical record and continue from a previous article detailing the history of the Acoaxet Chapel in Westport, MA. They are being presented as the Acoaxet Free … more

7/7/22

It takes a village – Caring for the family caregiver

If there are more than 53 million family caregivers in the U.S., we all know someone doing this challenging and compassionate work, and they need our support. It is work, requiring physical and … more

7/6/22

Abortion will be a big topic in state races this year

The sweeping ability of the U.S. Supreme Court to reshape American life – and the power of justices with lifetime appointments -- used to be a quiet topic for the inside baseball of political … more

By Ian Donnis | 6/28/22

ACLU: With Roe overturned, what comes next for abortion rights?

The Supreme Court’s ruling today, which overturned Roe v. Wade , is nothing less than a shameful, sweeping, … more

By Jessica Arons, ACLU Senior Policy Counsel | 6/25/22

Westport Health Notes: Lots to report at the transfer station

Welcome to Westport Health Notes, a monthly column from the Westport Board of Health (BOH). The goal is to share information with our community about local issues and projects, public health … more

By Tanja Ryden | 6/15/22

Big spending and big relief in a very big budget

STORY OF THE WEEK: Failure is an orphan, and victory has many fathers, as the saying goes. That helps explain why Gov. Dan McKee gathered with House Speaker Joe Shekarchi and Senate President … more

By Ian Donnis | 6/14/22

Commentary: Senate needs to act on shoreline access

The Rhode Island General Assembly has a singular opportunity in this session to end years of chaos and confusion regarding where Rhode Islanders can exercise their constitutionally-protected rights … more

By Thomas J. Gibson, Jr. | 6/13/22

Advance directives – Why one and done doesn’t work

“The end of life deserves as much beauty, care, and respect as the beginning.” – Andrew Murray Maybe you have completed advance care documents at some point, either a … more

By Bonnie Evans | 6/9/22

Gun debate looms large in General Assembly’s final days

The Senate Judiciary Committee is the key battleground for contentious legislation in Rhode Island. So what happens when the majority of support on the committee for gun … more

By Ian Donnis | 6/7/22

Letter: School safety is everyone's responsibility

As I watched our middle school students and teachers perform beautifully at the Spring Band concert yesterday evening, I have to admit that I was profoundly distracted; distracted … more

By Thomas Aubin | 6/3/22

Not another moment of silence

I’m sick to death of observing another moment of silence when children have been murdered, particularly in a school setting. Since 2018 there have been 119 school shootings. The most recent … more

By Arlene Violet, Esq. | 6/3/22

Op-Ed: The Coffee Depot turns 20

Twenty years ago this month a former mattress store opened its doors as a warm, spacious, California-style coffee house: The Coffee Depot. Pioneering and exciting at its inception, the Depot has now … more

By Jerry Blitefield | 5/26/22

Big issues simmer — How will they impact voters a few months from now?

STORY OF THE WEEK: With summer fast approaching – and Rhode Island’s election season coming into sharper focus – how will the whipsaw of American life in 2022 affect the results? … more

By Ian Donnis | 5/17/22

Ashley Kalus’ media buy is a knockout

Since she is an unknown candidate in the gubernatorial race, Republican Ashley Kalus has commenced a media buy in order to get name recognition. One campaign ad shows her as a boxer (with … more

By Arlene Violet | 5/13/22

Column: Important lessons from (almost) forgotten history

As someone who makes it their profession to know things and seeks out knowledge when I find myself ignorant on issues of importance, I will admit flatly that I was ashamed to learn how little I truly … more

By Ethan Hartley | 5/12/22

May baskets — our forgotten Rite of Spring

By Jenny O'Neill Westport’s old-timers have fond memories of a now forgotten tradition of May baskets. These hand-made paper or cardboard baskets, filled with small treats and trinkets, … more

5/6/22

Westport Health Notes: May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Welcome to Westport Health Notes, a monthly column from the Westport Board of Health (BOH). The goal is to share information with our community about local issues and projects, public health alerts, … more

5/5/22

Welcome to the America of Me, Myself and I

I was not among those jumping for joy when a federal court judge struck down the mask mandate on the basis that the CDC had no authority to require masks on folks using modes of public … more

By Arlene Violet | 4/29/22

The Acoaxet Chapel was built in 1872, on a $35 lot of land near Westport Point.

Acoaxet chapel at 150 years: Faithful paid $35 for the land

Editor's note: This is a second in a series of articles commemorating this year's 150th anniversary of the Acoaxet Chapel Association. By Neil Timpson From 1840 on, neighbors in Acoaxet, … more

4/29/22

Commentary: On Mother’s Day, don’t forget moms who struggle

Mother’s Day is the day when we celebrate our moms and the other women in our lives who have given us love, guidance, inspiration, and support.What we don’t often do on Mother’s … more

By Diane LeValley | 4/29/22

Westport Health Notes: Rabies clinic is Saturday

Welcome to Westport Health Notes, a monthly column from the Westport Board of Health (BOH). The goal is to share information with our community about local issues and projects, public health … more

By Tanja Ryden | 4/22/22

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a bamboozle!

Here we go again! Armed with a four-page term sheet, Gov. Dan McKee, Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza, and the Principal of High Rock Westminster Street LLC announced an “agreement” that … more

By Arlene Violet | 4/22/22

What exactly is palliative care, and where does it fit in?

Palliative care is described simply as “specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness,” but most people do not know what it is, whether to ask for it or what to think … more

By Bonnie Evans | 4/20/22