Join us for a festive morning at the Ocean Community YMCA in Westerly, RI, featuring delicious breakfast foods, holiday fun, and a special visit from Santa. Event runs from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM EST on Sunday, December 14, 2025. Fees: $20/family for members, $30 for non-members.

The Museum of Newport Irish History hosts its 9th Annual Christmas Open House at its Interpretive Center in Newport on Saturday, December 13, from 12:00 noon to 4:30 p.m. Visitors can enjoy exhibits on Irish immigration to Newport County, eggnog, cookies, Celtic holiday music, and a performance by the Ancient Order of Hibernian Men Singers from 4:00 to 4:30 p.m. Celtic-inspired ornaments and lapel pins made in Rhode Island will be available for purchase, with complimentary admission and donations appreciated.

The alert and call was sent to students immediately by DPS following the incident, urging students to hide, run or evacuate until further notice. 

University of Rhode Island economist Leonard Lardaro reported that Rhode Island’s economy moved back to ‘neutral’ in September, with six of 12 economic indicators improving year‑over‑year and notable gains in total manufacturing hours and employment service jobs, though he maintained the state remains in a recession and highlighted mixed signals such as weak consumer sentiment and rising long‑term unemployment measures.

The Goldwater Institute filed arguments with the Rhode Island Supreme Court advocating for a broad interpretation of the state's Open Meetings Act to favor maximum public access to government proceedings, emphasizing transparency and civil liberties in public participation.

Coventry, RI hosts holiday community events on December 12, 2025, including an artisan Christmas party, photos with Santa, a honey tasting party, and live music.

Get your holiday shopping done while supporting small businesses at Proclamation Brewery in Warwick. Shop small for holiday gifts, sip award-winning craft beer, and enjoy delicious eats from rotating food trucks. This family-friendly event runs from 5:00-8:00 p.m., with the family-friendly portion until 7:00 p.m.

On December 8, 2025, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Denise J. Casper ruled that a Turkish PhD student at Tufts University, who had her visa revoked after criticizing Israel, can resume her research and teaching. The judge found that the termination of the student's record in the government's foreign student database was likely arbitrary, capricious, and violated her First Amendment rights. The case highlights legal challenges related to immigration enforcement actions intersecting with free speech protections, especially for foreign students involved in political advocacy.

On December 11, 2025, The Vets in Providence will host 'The Christmas Show,' a one-night-only, 90-minute variety performance by artists from Trinity Rep. The show features music and dancing with new numbers and familiar classics, suitable for all ages.

The 2025 Annual Stonington Lobster Trap Tree Buoy Auction Day is an art and community event featuring a unique art installation where professional artists from Rhode Island and Connecticut decorate lobster trap buoys using various artistic techniques such as acrylic paints, decoupage, mosaic tile, and yarn. These artworks are displayed on a community tree and later auctioned to the public. The event fosters cultural engagement and supports the local economy. An in-person inspection event is scheduled for January 17, 2026, at The Velvet Mill Studios in Stonington Borough, with free admission. A private, ticketed auction event follows the inspection.

Rhode Island has entered a new financial agreement placing the state on the hook for $60.22 million in bonds to refinance the Pawtucket minor league soccer stadium. According to a recent S&P rating report, the state now guarantees these bonds, marking a significant shift from previous arrangements. This commitment involves annual appropriations in the state budget starting fiscal year 2027 to cover debt service, effectively making Rhode Island responsible for financing a private sports facility it neither owns nor controls. The bond refinancing package is over $6 million higher than the 2024 issuance, reflecting increased financial exposure for the state.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Rhode Island and Common Cause have intervened in a federal lawsuit to prevent the U.S. Department of Justice from obtaining Rhode Island's complete non-public voter database, which includes sensitive personal information such as full names, addresses, dates of birth, and driver's license or social security numbers. The DOJ's request is part of an effort to create a national voter database, which has not been authorized by Congress and raises concerns about voter privacy, potential misuse of data, and risks of disenfranchisement through faulty database matching. Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore has refused the DOJ's request, emphasizing the state's responsibility to safeguard voter data privacy. The ACLU and Common Cause argue that the federal government's demand constitutes overreach and threatens the fundamental right to vote by risking data breaches and voter suppression.

On December 10, from 4 to 7 p.m., the Smith Hill Library in Providence hosts its Holiday Bazaar featuring Santa Claus with gifts for every child. The event encourages guests to take what they need from the 'Keep Our Families Warm' campaign, which provides free coats, hats, scarves, gloves, and other warm clothing. Additional activities include raffles and a craft project for kids, making it a festive community gathering with a focus on holiday cheer and support for families in need.

Providence Flea is hosting Holiday Sundays, a community event featuring local vendors and artisans offering unique handmade goods and holiday gifts. This event supports local businesses and provides a festive atmosphere for holiday shopping in Providence.

The University of Rhode Island College of Business announced that its marketing major has received full accreditation from the Digital Marketing Institute (DMI), enabling graduating marketing students to earn dual certifications from both DMI and the American Marketing Association. This dual certification provides URI graduates with a competitive edge in the job market by combining a respected business degree with industry-recognized credentials and real-world skills. The DMI curriculum is developed with input from global leaders such as Google, Meta, and LinkedIn, reflecting URI's commitment to innovation, experiential learning, and employer-aligned education.

The University of Rhode Island (URI) highlighted its use of artificial intelligence (AI) in research, teaching, and innovation at the 'Discovering AI @ URI Day.' As Rhode Island's flagship R1 research university, URI is leading the development and thoughtful application of AI across higher education to expand discovery, prepare students for an AI-shaped workforce, and drive innovations benefiting Rhode Island and beyond. Key university leaders and AI experts participated in the event to discuss these advancements.

On December 8, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, the Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum will host a Children’s Holiday Tea in the Dining Room and other areas. This event offers a festive holiday celebration for families, featuring seasonal decorations and activities suitable for children.

Ocean State Card Con returns on December 7, 2025, at the West Warwick Civic Center, featuring over 100 vendors, artists, and collectors. This family-friendly event celebrates trading cards, collectibles, and nerd culture, offering a community-focused atmosphere with vendors selling trading cards, handmade goods, vintage treasures, and TCG accessories. The event is RIDEM-certified Green and partners with local nonprofits in health, housing, and environmental justice.

Rhode Island lawmakers have approved a minimum wage increase from $15 to $16 per hour effective in 2026. The legislation proposes annual $1 hikes culminating in a $20 per hour minimum wage by 2030. Due to business group opposition and economic concerns, the plan was adjusted to a more gradual increase, reaching $17 per hour by 2027. This wage hike aims to support workers but has faced criticism from some Republicans who warn it could lead to layoffs and higher consumer prices.

A Rhode Island legislator introduced a bill aiming to decriminalize possession of small amounts of hard drugs, including heroin and cocaine. The proposed legislation would treat such possession as a civil violation punishable by a $100 fine for the first offense, shifting the approach from criminal prosecution to civil penalties.

On December 6 and 7, over 30 artist studios in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, open their doors for a special two-day event showcasing a wide variety of artworks including jewelry, rugs, blown glass, sculpture, photography, paintings, rare books, art relics, pottery, and fiber art. The event offers free admission and parking, tax-free purchases, and encourages attendees to support local artists and artisans while kickstarting holiday shopping. Visitors are also encouraged to bring donations for the North Kingstown Food Pantry.

The Mill at Shady Lea in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, is hosting an Artists and Artisans Community Open Studios event on December 6 and 7, 2025. Visitors can explore local art and craftsmanship from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at 215 Shady Lea Road, RI 02852. This event offers a chance to engage with the local arts community and experience a variety of creative works in a welcoming studio environment.

A federal court in Rhode Island ruled that a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) policy requiring grant applicants to comply with President Trump's executive order on 'gender ideology' violates the First Amendment. The policy had required arts organizations seeking NEA funding to agree not to promote 'gender ideology,' which the court found to be an unconstitutional condition on government funding that discriminates based on viewpoint. The American Civil Liberties Union and ACLU of Rhode Island challenged the policy on behalf of multiple arts groups, arguing it suppressed protected speech and artistic expression. The court’s decision affirms that even when the government funds private speech, it cannot restrict support only to messages that align with its ideological preferences.

The Narragansett Holiday Street Faire features an Artisan Barn & Tent, Outdoor Village & Vendor Tent, Warming Lodge, live music, Holiday Faire commemorative items, Bake Sale, Raffles, “Grab and Go” tasty snacks, and specialty seasonal drinks for the whole family. The event takes place at the Clarke Center Community Skating Rink from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Centreville Bank has announced a partnership with Rhode Island General Treasurer James A. Diossa to launch a new economic initiative aimed at supporting local businesses and fostering job growth in the state.