Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

LightNews

Rhode Island Current

@rhodeislandcurrent.com

2.3K followers 180 following 8.6K posts

The Rhode Island Current is an independent, nonprofit news outlet covering state government and the impact of public policy decisions in the Ocean State.

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Rhode Island Current @rhodeislandcurrent.com · 20h

Brown University economist Peter Howitt shares Nobel Prize for work focused on how new technologies brought in by disruptive outsiders to shake up the status quo succeed in ultimately becoming the status quo. By @ohnocastro.bsky.social

rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/10/13/b...

Brown professor emeritus shares Nobel Prize for groundbreaking economic theories • Rhode Island Current

Brown University Professor Emeritus Peter Howitt and his colleague, the French economist Philippe Aghion, were awarded the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for their research on how new technologies c...

rhodeislandcurrent.com

Reposted by Rhode Island Current

The New Bedford Light @newbedfordlight.bsky.social · 1d

During the season’s first nor’easter, a small plane crashed into the median on I-195 in Dartmouth Monday morning, leaving two plane passengers dead and someone on the ground injured, according to police. newbedfordlight.org/2-dead-in-pl...

2 dead in plane crash on I-195 in Dartmouth - The New Bedford Light

The single-engine plane crashed on the highway shortly after leaving New Bedford Regional Airport Monday morning.

newbedfordlight.org

Rhode Island Current @rhodeislandcurrent.com · 1d

The Rhode Island Press Association welcomes submissions for nominations to the Rhode Island Journalism Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026. rhodeislandcurrent.com/briefs/rhode...

Rhode Island Journalism Hall of Fame nominations open • Rhode Island Current

The Rhode Island Press Association is accepting nominations for the Class of 2026 Hall of Fame, honoring those who have made lasting contributions to journalism in Rhode Island or beyond. Deadline is ...

rhodeislandcurrent.com

Rhode Island Current @rhodeislandcurrent.com · 1d

“We are so very grateful that President Trump, again showing strong leadership, has stepped up to ensure that our troops are going to be paid on Oct. 15,” House Speaker Mike Johnson said. By @jennifershutt.bsky.social & @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/10/13/r...

Pentagon to shift research dollars to pay troops during shutdown • Rhode Island Current

The Trump administration plans to send paychecks to active duty troops this week, despite Congress not passing legislation to allow it during the ongoing shutdown.

rhodeislandcurrent.com

Rhode Island Current @rhodeislandcurrent.com · 1d

The emerald ash borer was first detected in New Hampshire. Rhode Island recorded its first emerald ash borer detection in 2018. Via @newhampshirebulletin.com rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/10/13/w...

What can the emerald ash borer reveal about the long-ago loss of American chestnut? • Rhode Island Current

For more than 70 years, the American chestnut tree has, mostly, been absent from the landscape. But historical accounts of its grandeur and the tons of nutritious seeds it produced every fall have mad...

rhodeislandcurrent.com

Rhode Island Current @rhodeislandcurrent.com · 1d

COMMENTARY: "Like pasta primavera and the Feast of the Seven Fishes, Columbus Day is largely an Italian American invention." Via @newjerseymonitor.com rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/10/13/r...

Columbus is now an Italian American myth. Let’s name the day after someone else. • Rhode Island Current

Writer Jen A. Miller says she's proud of her Italian American heritage — but thinks Columbus Day in name has to go.

rhodeislandcurrent.com

Rhode Island Current @rhodeislandcurrent.com · 1d

Tuesday is the deadline to make the move to Microsoft’s latest OS or put temporary fix in place. Here’s how local and state government IT officials are preparing. By @ohnocastro.bsky.social

rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/10/13/t...

The end is near for Windows 10. Here’s how local and state government IT officials are preparing. • Rhode Island Current

Microsoft will no longer provide support and security updates for Windows 10 as of Tuesday, Oct. 14, requiring machines all over the globe to be upgraded to Windows 11. Most local and state government...

rhodeislandcurrent.com

Rhode Island Current @rhodeislandcurrent.com · 1d

COVID-19 vaccines are finally expected to arrive at primary care centers in Rhode Island by Oct. 14.

rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/10/09/r...

Rhode Islanders are slow to get the COVID-19 shot this year. Are federal guidelines to blame? • Rhode Island Current

Half as many Rhode Islanders have gotten the COVID-19 booster this year compared with this time a year ago. Public health experts blame federal misinformation for sowing distrust and impeding access…

rhodeislandcurrent.com

Rhode Island Current @rhodeislandcurrent.com · 1d

Shutdown forces Medicare patients off popular telehealth and hospital-at-home programs. Via @stateline.org rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/10/12/r...

Shutdown forces Medicare patients off popular telehealth and hospital-at-home programs • Rhode Island Current

The federal shutdown has forced a reckoning for two increasingly popular programs — telehealth visits and in-home hospital care — because Medicare waivers automatically expired Oct. 1.

rhodeislandcurrent.com

Rhode Island Current @rhodeislandcurrent.com · 2d

Trump undertakes a MAGA-centric makeover of US civics education rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/10/11/r...

Trump undertakes a MAGA-centric makeover of US civics education • Rhode Island Current

WASHINGTON — A slew of conservative groups will lead a new coalition to spur civics education and push the subject in a more patriotic direction, the U.S. Education Department announced last month, ra...

rhodeislandcurrent.com

Rhode Island Current @rhodeislandcurrent.com · 3d

Rhode Island’s Medicaid program is contemplating an end to coverage for GLP-1 drugs prescribed for weight loss. By @ohnocastro.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/10/10/r...

Rhode Island considers ending Medicaid coverage of GLP-1 drugs for weight loss • Rhode Island Current

Rhode Island's Medicaid agency proposes ending GLP-1 coverage for weight loss while keeping diabetes uses, citing soaring costs.

rhodeislandcurrent.com

Rhode Island Current @rhodeislandcurrent.com · 3d

Otis Brown, a spokesperson for The Centurion Foundation, confirmed the Atlanta nonprofit wants a “return” of donations meant to help the hospitals before they parted ways with the foundation in 2014. By @nancyklavin.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/10/10/c...

Charity case: Prospective buyer of Roger Williams, Fatima hospitals eyes past donations • Rhode Island Current

The Centurion Foundation, the prospective buyer of Our Lady of Fatima Hospital and Roger Williams Medical Center, has asked a charitable organization once tied to the safety net hospitals to "return" ...

rhodeislandcurrent.com

Rhode Island Current @rhodeislandcurrent.com · 4d

Trump administration begins mass layoffs of federal employees, a step not taken during previous government shutdowns and one that could significantly reshape the size and scope of the government. By @jennifershutt.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/10/10/r...

‘Substantial’ layoffs of federal workers launched by Trump administration amid shutdown • Rhode Island Current

The Trump administration has begun mass layoffs of federal employees amid the ongoing government shutdown, an unprecedented move that could permanently shrink the federal workforce as Congress remains...

rhodeislandcurrent.com

Rhode Island Current @rhodeislandcurrent.com · 4d

Retail pharmacies already carry COVID-19 vaccines, but primary care providers and public health clinics are still waiting for their orders through the Rhode Island Department of Health. Here's why.

rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/10/09/r...

Rhode Islanders are slow to get the COVID-19 shot this year. Are federal guidelines to blame? • Rhode Island Current

Half as many Rhode Islanders have gotten the COVID-19 booster this year compared with this time a year ago. Public health experts blame federal misinformation for sowing distrust and impeding access…

rhodeislandcurrent.com

Rhode Island Current @rhodeislandcurrent.com · 4d

Retail pharmacies already carry COVID-19 vaccines, but primary care providers and public health clinics are still waiting for their orders through the Rhode Island Department of Health. Here's why... By @nancyklavin.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/10/09/r...

Rhode Islanders are slow to get the COVID-19 shot this year. Are federal guidelines to blame? • Rhode Island Current

Half as many Rhode Islanders have gotten the COVID-19 booster this year compared with this time a year ago. Public health experts blame federal misinformation for sowing distrust and impeding access t...

rhodeislandcurrent.com

Rhode Island Current @rhodeislandcurrent.com · 4d

R.I.’s sportsbook market may open up to competition next year. Here’s who’s waiting in the wings. By @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/10/08/r...

R.I.’s sportsbook market may open up to competition next year. Here’s who’s waiting in the wings. • Rhode Island Current

State gambling regulators are laying the groundwork to possibly expand online sports betting options beyond the single app run by Rhode Island’s exclusive lottery equipment and technology provider.

rhodeislandcurrent.com

Rhode Island Current @rhodeislandcurrent.com · 5d

Got something on your mind? We welcome commentary submissions!

rhodeislandcurrent.com/commentary-s...

Commentary submission guidelines • Rhode Island Current

Rhode Island Current welcomes commentary submissions. Preference goes to timely topics of interest to Rhode Island. Rhode Island Current reserves the right to edit for clarity and style. …

rhodeislandcurrent.com

Rhode Island Current @rhodeislandcurrent.com · 6d

R.I.’s sportsbook market may open up to competition next year. Here’s who’s waiting in the wings. rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/10/08/r...

R.I.’s sportsbook market may open up to competition next year. Here’s who’s waiting in the wings. • Rhode Island Current

State gambling regulators are laying the groundwork to possibly expand online sports betting options beyond the single app run by Rhode Island’s exclusive lottery equipment and technology provider.

rhodeislandcurrent.com

Rhode Island Current @rhodeislandcurrent.com · 6d

COMMENTARY: "My parents taught me that storytelling isn’t just personal," writes Marcus Rivers. "It is political."

rhodeislandcurrent.com

Rhode Island Current @rhodeislandcurrent.com · 6d

At a routine oversight hearing Tuesday before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi clashed with Democratic senators, including Rhode Island's Sheldon Whitehouse. By @ashleymurray.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/10/07/r...

A combative AG Pam Bondi confronts US Senate Judiciary over Trump crackdown • Rhode Island Current

Attorney General Pam Bondi on Tuesday clashed with Democratic senators, including Rhode Island's Sheldon Whitehouse, over the Trump administration’s deployment of federal agents and the DOJ’s handling...

rhodeislandcurrent.com

Rhode Island Current @rhodeislandcurrent.com · 6d

Bondi declined to answer Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse when he asked, “What became of the $50,000 in cash that the FBI delivered evidently in a paper bag to Mr. Homan?” By @ashleymurray.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/10/07/r...

A combative AG Pam Bondi confronts US Senate Judiciary over Trump crackdown • Rhode Island Current

WASHINGTON — U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi aimed heated rhetoric at Democratic senators on Capitol Hill Tuesday as she faced questions over the administration’s surge of federal agents to blue citie...

rhodeislandcurrent.com

Rhode Island Current @rhodeislandcurrent.com · 7d

Trump floats plan to deny back pay to furloughed federal workers after shutdown. By @jennifershutt.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/10/07/r...

Trump floats plan to deny back pay to furloughed federal workers after shutdown • Rhode Island Current

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration may try to interpret a law enacted during his first term in office differently than it did following the last government shutdown, potentially denying back pay to...

rhodeislandcurrent.com

Rhode Island Current @rhodeislandcurrent.com · 7d

The Providence City Council’s Committee on Ordinance voted Monday to advance a proposal introduced by Councilor Justin Roias last January to impose new limits on how police officers can cooperate with ICE. By @krish-eh.bsky.social

rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/10/06/p...

Providence officials want to further prohibit police cooperation with ICE • Rhode Island Current

Providence City Council committee votes to advance a proposal to impose new limits on how the city's police can cooperate with ICE

rhodeislandcurrent.com

Rhode Island Current @rhodeislandcurrent.com · 8d

Brown cuts staff to deal with impact of federal threats to funding rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/10/03/b...

Brown cuts staff to deal with impact of federal threats to funding • Rhode Island Current

Brown University will fire 48 staff and leave 55 vacancies unfilled, trimming 2.5% in spending to close a $30 million gap in fiscal year 2026 amid federal funding threats.

rhodeislandcurrent.com

Rhode Island Current @rhodeislandcurrent.com · 11d

News from @peterneronha.bsky.social