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Letter: Closing gyms was excessive government overreach

Last week, Gov. Gina Raimondo petitioned the Rhode Island Superior Court and obtained a temporary restraining order closing two Maxx Fitness Clubs in Lincoln and Warren, and in the case of the Warren … more

12/9/20

Gov. Raimondo: Early data suggests Rhode Islanders are in compliance of the two-week 'pause'

Four days into the two-week ‘pause’ and the evidence was suggesting that Rhode Islanders were complying with the new rules and regulations, Gov. Gina Raimondo shared during her COVID-19 … more

By Kristen Ray | 12/3/20

Editorial: Shopping locally matters more than ever

It’s always a good idea to shop locally, and it might mean more this year than ever before. The pandemic has disrupted everything — every person, every organization, every business. … more

11/25/20

Warren DMV branch closing for good

Warren's part time DMV branch at Warren Government Center has been closed since March. Now, it has likely served its last customer. DMV spokesman Paul Grimaldi confirmed Friday morning that the … more

By Ted Hayes | 11/20/20

Governor: Two week 'pause' begins Nov. 30 — social gatherings stop immediately

With cases continuing to surge and hospitals now reaching 97 percent capacity of their available COVID-19 beds, Gov. Gina Raimondo said she had no choice but to place Rhode Island on a two-week … more

By Kristen Ray | 11/19/20

Gov. Gina Raimondo, speaking during a Nov. 12 briefing.

Governor warns of 'dire' consequences and lockdown if Covid trends continue

Rhode Island could be heading toward another lockdown if people continue to disregard the rules and regulations, Gov. Gina Raimondo warned during her COVID-19 briefing Thursday afternoon. Just … more

By Kristen Ray | 11/12/20

Letter: Those who wanted state name change should pay for it

To the editor: I am very disappointed in the vote to remove our 387-year-old name from the State's nomenclature. I realize that those who voted to remove it probably did not know the origin behind … more

11/11/20

Seven new restrictions to go into effect on Sunday

Seven new restrictions will go into effect this Sunday, Gov. Gina Raimondo announced during her COVID-19 briefing Thursday afternoon. Starting Nov. 8, the following regulations will be in effect … more

By Kristen Ray | 11/5/20

Governor enacts measures to tamp down social gatherings

Gov. Gina Raimondo announced new measures to curb spread of the coronavirus, which is on the rise throughout Rhode Island. In a Friday afternoon press conference, the governor had one clear target … more

By Scott Pickering | 10/30/20

Opinion: Reject Question 1 and preserve the true meaning of this ‘plantation’

I am not a racist. I make this candid statement to avert such an unfounded charge against me in response to the position I will herein assert against changing the formal historical name of our state … more

10/28/20

Editorial: A vote to ‘Restore the soul of America’

Many people, including both presidential candidates, have described the coming election as historic. President Trump and former Vice President Biden have reached this conclusion for different … more

10/22/20

Letter: A lesson from RBG — one relationship at a time

My wife and I attended an appearance by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg in 2018 at Roger Williams University Law School, and I took with me one typewritten question I had drafted for any possible … more

9/24/20

Dead animals lie as investigators found them in one of the Route 177 rented lots. (Westport Police photos.)

Animal cruelty charges dismissed in immense Westport case

Claiming credibility issues involving the Westport Police Department’s lead detective in the investigation, the state has dismissed charges against 25 defendants accused in … more

By Bruce Burdett | 9/24/20

Developer’s rendering shows solar panels on land between Drift Road and Route 88 along Soules’ Way (an additional section is barely visible in the foreground).

Westport planners take dim view of solar plan

WESTPORT — A developer’s request to stretch town guidelines for a new solar project received a cool reception from the Planning Board at the board’s September 8 meeting. After … more

By Bruce Burdett | 9/24/20

Letter: The Marines, too, have old and real issues with race

To the editor: In Peter Fossel’s letter (Sakonnet Times, 17 Sept., 2020) I hear echoes emanating from the surrounding hills and valleys of Con Thien (“Hill of Angles”) Khe Sanh … more

9/24/20

Letter: Court at risk of wild swing to the far right

To the editor: There are no liberals on the Supreme Court. Only a liar or a lunatic would call Kagan or Sotomayor liberals. President Obama, himself not a liberal, nominated Garland, the centrist … more

9/23/20

More Portsmouth families opt for in-person/hybrid learning plan

PORTSMOUTH — After running the figures again, the School Department is reporting a further reduction in the number of students opting for full distance learning as opposed to the … more

By Jim McGaw | 9/22/20

Letter: The U.S. Postal Service needs our support more than ever

President Donald J. Trump doesn’t want to lose his re-election. One of the ways he’s trying to stay in power is to try to impede the U.S. Postal Service in doing its job. According … more

9/3/20

Advocates of outlawing the Animal Registry and amending town Right to Farm rules celebrate moments after their victory at last February’s special town meeting. Last week, though, the state Attorney General’s office notified the town that those changes run contrary to state law.

AG rejects Westport farm rule changes

WESTPORT — Six months after special town meeting voters threw out the Westport Board of Health’s animal registry, the state Attorney General has ruled that voters had no business … more

By Bruce Burdett | 8/26/20

Gov. Gina Raimondo at her regular weekly Coronavirus briefing on Wednesday, Aug. 12.

It’s official: Opening of public schools pushed back to Sept. 14

PROVIDENCE — At her regular weekly press conference today, Gov. Gina Raimondo confirmed what she had already hinted at during media interviews earlier this week: The opening day for Rhode … more

By Jim McGaw | 8/12/20

Blue-Green Algae found in Tiverton's Stafford Pond

TIVERTON — The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) are advising the public to avoid contact with the water in Stafford … more

7/17/20

School Department chart compares the first-year cost of the just-approved school bus contract with First Student company (in yellow), with the amount the schools had budgeted for the coming year.

School bus costs soar under new Tiverton contract

TIVERTON — The Tiverton School Committee voted, because they have no choice several members said Thursday, to approve a new school bus contract that pushes town payments over budget by more … more

By Bruce Burdett | 7/15/20

Commentary: I miss my dad each Father’s Day and salute him for days and weeks beyond

He was born in London, the Edwardian early 20th century, when Britain still ruled the world's waves. But shortly after the death of his younger brother, their mother died and he was sent to New York … more

By Mike Fink | 6/18/20

Gov. Gina Raimondo begins her COVID-19 briefing on Friday afternoon, June 12.

Governor urges restaurant workers, bus drivers to get tested

PROVIDENCE — The state is expanding its symptomatic testing for COVID-19 to include restaurant workers and bus drivers, Gov. Gina Raimondo announced at a news briefing Friday, June … more

By Jim McGaw | 6/12/20

Letter: Thank you, President Trump, for all you've revealed

To the editor:My grandfather once told me that a person needed just three shirts: one in the drawer, one in the wash, and one on the back. He never could have imagined needing a special Hawaiian … more

6/11/20