LATEST NEWS

We've reached the end of summer, but that doesn't mean there isn't time to get in one last beach day.

Large temperature variations can negatively affect systems of the human body. Record-breaking heat waves around the world have caused thousands of deaths this year. Researchers have found that, in addition to extreme temperatures, large daily temperature swings can also increase health risks and add to the death toll. What's happening?

Lawmakers are evaluating the feasibility of establishing a medical school at the University of Rhode Island.

STORY OF THE WEEK: With the end of the Democratic National Convention, the stage is now set for a sprint to the high-stakes November election. Rhode Island’s delegation, like other Democrats at the DNC, appeared energized by Kamala Harris’ emergence as the party’s nominee. The convention gave Harris control over her public reintroduction as she made the case against Republican Donald Trump. Republicans countered by citing what they called a lack of substance at the DNC. GOP pollster John McLaughlin remains bullish on Trump’s chances, while Democrats have high hopes for Harris. Regardless of the view, the gloves will be off now that the conventions are over. One key date is a debate set for Sept. 10. If current trends hold, a relatively small number of votes in a handful of key battleground states will decide the November election.

With a commitment to community engagement, the public health graduate student and aspiring physician is spending her summer helping underinsured Rhode Islanders access protective health care. PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — She is a self-professed science lover, but it’s difficult to imagine Brown master’s degree candidate Petranea Smith holed up...

The forensic analysis ordered to determine what went wrong and who is responsible for the failure of the Washington Bridge is not being released to the public because of the state's lawsuit. No state leaders will say if that report found anyone working for the state is even partially to...

The retailer said it will stop selling cigarettes and tobacco products by Aug. 31 as part of its commitment to “community wellness.”

Providence, RI – O&G Industries Inc.’s Building Group announced it is underway on several education projects in Rhode Island. The firm recently completed the fast-track design-build of Providence’s Spaziano Elementary School. The company is also engaged in preconstruction planning for Providence’s Spaziano Middle School project, which is expected to start construction in the late fall. The $28.6 million facility spans 38,756sf and is designed by Tecton Architects. The construction timeline is estimated at 14 months, aiming to replicate the success of the Spaziano Elementary School, which was completed in 10 months.

KINGSTON, R.I. – Aug. 28, 2024 – The Office of Naval Research has awarded a three-year, $418,300 grant to University of Rhode Island mechanical engineering assistant professor Ashutosh Giri for his project titled “Leveraging Novel Nanothermometries and First-principles Based Computational Frameworks to Uncover Disruptive EnergyTransfer Mechanisms in Nanostructures.”

Scooter Braun is fanning the flames of his infamous feud with Taylor Swift. The former music manager, 43, took to his Instagram Stories on Tuesday, August 27, to troll his arch-nemesis, 34, after he viewed the film Taylor Swift vs Scooter Braun: Bad Blood, which highlights their public battle. "I finally watched it," Braun wrote alongside a picture of the poster for the juicy HBO documentary. That wasn't the only swipe he took at Swift, as in another update, he shared an article about the "Karma" singer's recent star-studded bash at her Rhode Island home and jokingly asked, "How was...

Rhode Island’s longest-running premiere sketch-comedy showcase, the Empire Revue, is a curation of original sketches and songs, with the music of the Empire Revue House Band featuring special guest comedians, musicians, and other performing artists. Summer is a great time to escape, and August 11, allowed us to do just that! The show is billed as “A convivial conga of comedy carousal! The Sparkling Beatniks have been working hard all summer on new music and material to make you laugh. The Beatniks are hot but the theater was cool, man! This is the perfect way to escape the doldrums of a steamy summer night!” Co-producer and stage manager Nicky Mariani-Wilson said, “This summer’s edition marks our 19th anniversary presenting the show, which debuted in 2005 at the AS220 main stage.” The musicians make their job look easy, but Mariani-Wilson clearly worked hard as she ran around changing out props between skits and musical acts. She runs the 2.25-hour production alongside co-producer/creator Keith Munslow, who also serves as host, band leader, and director. With Munslow on keys, the other members of the House Band include George Dussault (guitar, vocals), Rick Couto (drums), and Joe Potenza (bass). “The Sparkling Beatniks are a troupe of 12 people or so, but not every person in the troupe is necessarily able to be in every show,” explained Mariani-Wilson. Performers on the 11th included Wilbury veteran Dave Rabinow (NASA Mission Control, Piña Colada guy), Kelly Seigh (Grandma, Pina Colada Woman, Cop Singer), Russ Kellogg (Alien, Astronaut, Marshall), Kate Sayles (Game Show Contestant, Hermit), Stuart Wilson (The Dictator, Game Show Host), Tiffany Fenton (Bubbles Woman, Bartender, Bailiff), and guest Beatnik Chris Brunelle (Prisoner Contestant, Prisoner Singer). Other performers you might see in the future include Tina Wolstencroft, Rachel Winslow, Jimmy Sorel, Brian Elliot, and Jake Goldman. Standout performances included a sketch called “The Easy Way Out.” Stuart Wilson, who played a dictator, and his wife, portrayed by Kelly Seigh, hysterically tried to off themselves with cyanide. Another skit, called “Grandma Won’t Leave,” features a woman (Kelly Seigh) kissing an alien (Russell Kellogg). Too funny! What will they think up next? •

Rhode Island’s largest hospital operator has sealed the deal to buy two Bristol County, Massachusetts hospitals from their bankrupt owner for a $175 million price tag. The tentative agreement announced by Lifespan Corp. on Thursday, pending approval by a federal bankruptcy court judge, would make the Ocean State hospital giant the owner of St. Anne’s […]

The Massachusetts-based grocery store chain said tobacco products will no longer be sold in any of its 360 stores.

Host and ecoRI News reporter Colleen Cronin sits down with Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management director Terry Gray to understand where the state is in terms of meeting its climate goals and what happens if it falls short. Subscribe and listen on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your...

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A California man who served 20 years in the United States Navy has pleaded guilty to the theft and sale of hundreds of thousands of dollars of government property. Richard Allen, 52, pleaded guilty in Rhode Island federal court Thursday to conspiracy and six counts...

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has raised Newton’s risk rating to “high” after the deadly mosquito-borne illness was found in patients in two nearby counties. There have been four cases of West Nile virus reported in Massachusetts this summer. Earlier this week, two new cases were...

Nicholas Rossi, who was deported earlier this year from Scotland to face charges in Utah, has now been linked to a further case as he appeared before a US judge. While in Britain, the American maintained his arrest was a case of mistaken identity since being detained in 2021. But...

(WJAR) — It’s back to school for districts across Southern New England. One focus in Rhode Island over the last few years has been improving attendance. Since the height of the pandemic chronic absenteeism has been an issue. State leaders said things are improving but there is still...

QUINCY - Dunkin' is rolling out its fall menu that features a new $6 meal deal and a coffee milk beverage inspired by the state of Rhode Island. Dunkin' $6 meal dealDunkin' is the latest restaurant chain to try to entice customers hit hard by rising prices with a combo offer. The Dunkin' $6 meal deal includes a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich, hash browns and a medium hot or iced coffee for a limited time.McDonald's launched a $5 meal promo this summer to try to win back consumers who have cut back on their fast food spending. And...

Good morning, I'm Will Richmond at The Providence Journal and this is the Daily Briefing.  When my brother-in-law and his family visited this summer from Iowa one of the things he wanted to do was walk along the docks in Newport to find the largest yachts. For some reason, the shorter trip to Galilee to view the fishing boats wasn't on his list. ...