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

Accountability and leadership in the I-195 crisis

STORY OF THE WEEK: The emergency closing of the westbound part of the Washington Bridge put Gov. Dan McKee — and how he performs during a crisis — under a microscope. McKee was … more

By Ian Donnis | 12/19/23

Letter: What can you do to help clean our community?

We should all be proud of ourselves that, as a nation, we have set aside one day every year to celebrate the Earth and hopefully do a small thing to help keep it clean and livable. For … more

4/28/21

Letter: America’s role in ending slavery … Facts or fabrications?

I find it difficult to understand why some Americans are reluctant to give credit to America for taking a lead in ending slavery in North America. We will concede ending slavery was not a unique … more

6/11/21

McKee shows another side of himself

My parents always taught us to be gracious in victory as well as in defeat. One event that should be a source of gratitude to others and respect for a vanguished opponent is a stunning victory in a … more

10/6/22

The busted bridge continues to invite both follies and frustration

STORY OF THE WEEK: Last week, Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee and RIDOT Director Peter Alviti offered a glimmer of hope for frustrated drivers. A plan developed with the Federal Highway Administration … more

By Ian Donnis | 2/26/24

Letter: Texting and driving is illegal, but who knows the law?

To the editor: I am writing you with the hope you can answer a question for me in your weekly paper. I am a resident of Bristol, but my business is located in Portsmouth. Our so-called … more

11/6/19

Letter: Senior Center staff keep rising to the occasion

We would like to express our extreme appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the Bristol Senior Center staff. The past eight months have been hard on everyone, but trying to keep our … more

12/3/20

Letter: DOT needs to repair bike path bridges immediately

Experienced and inexperienced bicyclists are all welcome on the East Bay Bike Path. It is one of Rhode Island’s popular calling cards for tourism. The two bicycle bridges in Warren and … more

4/29/21

Letter: It’s time to restore music, plus more

More than 600 Rhode Island students from grades 7 to 12 were featured in the 2021 RIMEA (Rhode Island Music Education Association) All-State Music Festival Concert, premiering on YouTube on May 2, … more

5/26/21

Letter: School Committee needs to follow their own rules

At the Bristol Warren Region School Committee meeting held on May 27, I had planned on speaking during public comment to share my opinions on school committee member Carly Reich’s sexist and … more

5/27/21

Latest fertility ruling – yes, yes, no, no!

Three couples sued the Center for Reproductive Medicine, a fertility clinic in Alabama, for inadvertently destroying their embryos. An interloper got into the storage facility, opened up a … more

By Arlene Violet, Esq. | 2/26/24

Letter: Racism is not a one-way street

I’m writing in response to frequent letter-writer Michael Proto and his recurring commentary on racism . How can anyone tell who is a racist and who is not? Can you see into a person’s … more

5/27/21

Op-Ed: A lifeline for those battling substance use disorder

There is a resource available in hundreds of languages, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week that provides immediate help for those experiencing substance use disorder, thoughts of suicide, mental health crises, and emotional distress – the 988 Lifeline. more

By Tom Joyce | 9/25/23

Editorial: Pandemic brings out the best in Bristol

Bristol residents are in good hands these days — which is noteworthy, since “these days” are some of the worst days in anyone’s lifetime. The pandemic is approaching its … more

3/4/21

Letter: Bristol does care, and America is not systemically racist

The letter in last week’s Phoenix entitled “ Bristol has shown it does not care about systemic racism ” was written with great passion, but grossly mischaracterizes our … more

5/27/21

The AG is getting vocal about issues today and in the future

STORY OF THE WEEK: In recent weeks, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha has used Twitter to amplify the fight for continued access to mifepristone, cite the need for those with power to … more

By Ian Donnis | 4/25/23

Letter: Questions unasked at the CNN Town Hall

The moderator of the recent CNN Trump Town Hall tried valiantly to ask pertinent, newsworthy questions to a declared presidential candidate, now convicted and under other legal duress. He … more

5/17/23

Editorial: APRA fight has government protecting government

Committees in both the Rhode Island House of Representatives and Rhode Island Senate have listened to testimony on a bill that would update and improve the state’s public records law. … more

4/4/24

Editorial: The public has a right to speak, good or bad

Public bodies can meet behind closed doors if they’re discussing someone’s job performance or negotiating terms of a contract. They can add things to their agenda if a majority agree to … more

5/27/21

Commentary: Time for Rhode Island to put oil companies on trial

While Rhode Island communities experienced extreme drought, torrential rain, and flash floods last year, the oil and gas companies pouring fuel on our climate crisis were raking in record profits. … more

By Rep. Terri Cortvriend | 5/5/23