Rhode Island Current

ICYMI: Gov. Dan McKee praises his administration for staying on schedule with the Washington Bridge rebuild Wednesday. Meanwhile court filings reveal conflict between state officials and former contractors over records access.

You’re not dreaming. The Washington Bridge rebuild has finally started. • Rhode Island Current Construction on a new westbound Washington Bridge officially began Wednesday, more than two years after the old highway connecting Providence and East Providence was shut down by Rhode Island state officials.

ICYMI: The Rhode Island Association of Democratic City and Town Chairs on Monday night endorsed Democratic challengers for governor and lieutenant governor, Helena Buonanno Foulkes and Xay Khamsyvoravong. Local party leaders did not make an endorsement in the open, four-way Democratic attorney general’s race during their closed-door meeting at the Rochambeau Library in Providence.

Local Democratic party leaders endorse Foulkes and Khamsyvoravong over incumbents • Rhode Island Current The Rhode Island Association of Democratic City and Town Chairs endorsed Helena Foulkes for governor and Xay Khamsyvoravong for lieutenant governor in a closed-door meeting Monday. The same group also did not back incumbent Gov. Dan McKee and Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos in 2022.

The $15.2 billion budget, which takes effect July 1, doesn’t include everything on Gov. Dan McKee’s wish list. But he praised lawmakers for keeping him in the loop during their revision process — which he said didn’t happen last year.

McKee signs $15.2B FY27 budget to great fanfare from lawmakers and advocates • Rhode Island Current Gov. Dan McKee presented a united front with lawmakers in a ceremonial signing of the fiscal 2027 budget at Children's Friend in Providence Friday morning. But he declined to say whether he will sign a contested charter school moratorium bill, a priority of teachers' unions and Senate President Vala...

No drones over downtown Providence and Bryant University after the World Cup soccer tournament wraps up per FAA.

Sky over parts of Rhode Island off-limits to drones during World Cup • Rhode Island Current Drone flights are banned over Providence and Bryant University through July 21 as part of FIFA World Cup security measures by the Federal Aviation Administration.

The lack of fiery debate contrasted with the steamy temperatures in the airless State House, inspiring Senate Majority Leader Frank Ciccone to replace his usual business attire with a pair of shorts for a second year in a row.

https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/06/11/rhode-island-lawmakers-move-at-lightning-speed-on-last-night-of-session/

“UFC Freedom 250" is scheduled for Sunday, President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday, on th White House grounds. The event is billed as a celebration of America’s 250th birthday.

Corporate logos abound on White House grounds in prep for fights by Trump-allied UFC • Rhode Island Current WASHINGTON — Advertisements for Polymarket and Bud Light lined an eight-sided cage on the White House grounds Thursday ahead of a series of mixed martial arts fights scheduled for Sunday, President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday, and billed as a celebration of America’s 250th birthday. The Las V...

The Rhode Island Senate confirmed Michelle Reddish as the new Cannabis Control Commission chair, filling a seat that has been vacant since last October.

RI Senate confirms new Cannabis Control Commission chair • Rhode Island Current The Cannabis Control Commission has a new chairperson, following the Rhode Island Senate's unanimous confirmation of Michelle Reddish on Thursday.

Rhode Island lawmakers whipped through the final day of the 2026 legislative session Thursday with unusual speed and agreement.

Rhode Island lawmakers move at lightning speed on last night of session • Rhode Island Current With controversial topics like charter schools and s*x abuse claims against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence already decided — or preemptively killed in the case of a state Voting Rights Act — lawmakers whipped through the final day of the 2026 legislative session with unusual speed and ...

Rhode Island is now poised to join 41 other states — including the rest of New England, New York and New Jersey — that provide early rental lease termination protections for victims of domestic or s*xual abuse if they are in fear of their safety. Nineteen other states also allow survivors to request lock changes.

McKee plans to sign legislation allowing abuse victims to break rental leases early • Rhode Island Current Legislation passed this week by the Rhode Island General Assembly to enable abuse survivors to terminate rental leases to leave dangerous living situations without facing financial penalties or legal ramifications awaits Gov. Dan McKee’s signature. “The Governor plans to sign this,” Olivia DaR...

Final Rhode Island Senate vote set for Thursday on three-year charter school moratorium before legislation would move to Gov. Dan McKee’s desk, where charter school proponents are hoping the governor will veto it.

Olivia DaRocha, a spokesperson for the governor’s office, said his final stance on the bill, which has strong support from teacher’s unions, is “still under review.”

Charter school moratorium passes RI House, awaits clearance from a favorable Senate • Rhode Island Current A bill imposing a three-year moratorium on new charter schools and reducing the statewide cap has passed the Rhode Island House. The legislation needs one more concurrence vote from the Senate before it can head to Gov. Dan McKee, who faces pressure from both proponents and opponents of charter scho...