Author

Janine L. Weisman

Janine L. Weisman

Rhode Island Current Editor-in-Chief Janine L. Weisman served as a reporter and editor during her 25-year career in the newsroom of The Newport Daily News. She is an adjunct journalism faculty member at Roger Williams University.

Proposed ordinance would create Providence rental unit registry

By: - September 21, 2023

The city of Providence could join a number of communities across the country that have created rental registries to better ensure enforcement of housing code provisions and protect the health and safety of residents. City Council President Rachel Miller and Majority Whip Miguel Sanchez on Thursday introduced a proposed ordinance that would create an online […]

Documentary on election workers’ role in our democracy to screen Sept. 28 at RIC

By: - September 21, 2023

Spoiler alert: The last scene of the documentary film “No Time to Fail” features Cranston Director of Elections Nick Lima renewing his oath to continue serving the city. Lima took the oath on Jan. 3, 2021. “The whole audience understands what’s to come,” Providence filmmaker Sarah Archambault said of the Capitol riots of Jan 6, […]

Keeping watch on Lee

By: and - September 14, 2023

Hurricane Lee is expected to pass offshore of southern New England Saturday, but its impact will extend far with rough surf and coastal flooding, damaging winds and bands of heavy rain expected in Rhode Island and Massachusetts Friday night into Saturday. As of 11 p.m., when the National Hurricane Center issued an advisory, the storm […]

Ethics Commission: No conflict for CRMC attorney who is Little Compton solicitor

By: - September 12, 2023

The Rhode Island Ethics Commission saw no conflict of interest preventing an attorney representing the state’s coastal regulatory agency from simultaneously serving as the town solicitor of Little Compton, according to an advisory opinion issued Tuesday. Anthony DeSisto, who was hired by the Little Compton Town Council last April, has served as outside counsel to […]

Amo in clear lead in CD1 Democratic primary; Leonard easily wins Republican race

By: - September 5, 2023

Democrat Gabe Amo catapulted to the top in the primary race for Rhode Island’s open 1st Congressional District seat in early unofficial results after the polls closed Tuesday night. Amo had 32.1% of the vote to rival Aaron Regunberg’s 24.8%, with 86 of 94 polling places reporting as of 8:52 p.m. State Rep. Sandra Cano […]

COMMENTARY

The Tiverton Four Corners whipping post is missing. Or is it?

By: - August 31, 2023

A giant stone pillar protrudes from a patch of manicured grass alongside a red truck from my grandfather’s generation permanently parked outside an upscale cafe and bakery at Tiverton Four Corners. The school bus used to carry me right past the big rock every day when I was growing up, but I never paid any […]

Stalled military nominations under the surface at Newport defense industry conference

By: - August 29, 2023

NEWPORT — Long-term commitment is one of the hallmarks of innovation, Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the U.S. Navy’s vice chief of naval operations, told defense industry representatives and policymakers at a major conference at the Newport Marriott Tuesday. The theme of obligation lingers just below the surface these days as Franchetti carries on amid a battle […]

Glocester mosquito sample is state’s first to test positive for EEE this year

By: - August 29, 2023

A mosquito sample  collected in Glocester last week tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEE), the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) announced Tuesday afternoon. The detection of the virus is the first in Rhode Island for 2023. The sample was collected on Monday, Aug. 21. […]

Meet the candidates running for Rhode Island’s open 1st Congressional District seat

By: - August 22, 2023

Ten of the 14 Democrats vying to represent Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives responded to Rhode Island Current’s request for biographical information and answers to three questions. Below in alphabetical order are their answers which have been lightly condensed and edited. Democratic candidates Rhode Island Rep. Stephen Casey, Sen. […]

Commercial health insurance rate hike requests draw opposition from AG

By: - August 10, 2023

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha is urging the Rhode Island Office of Health Insurance Commissioner (OHIC) to reject all commercial health insurance rate increases requested by six carriers for 2024. Requested average rate increases had wide ranges from the individual market (4.4% to 9.3%); small group market (5.8% to 16.1%); and large group market […]

Second gentleman Douglas Emhoff to speak at Biden fundraiser on Block Island

By: - August 2, 2023

Douglas Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, will travel to Block Island Friday, Aug. 4, to speak at a fundraiser for President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign. The host of the reception for the Biden Victory Fund is Matt O’Hayer, who owns The Hygeia House on Beach Avenue. O’Hayer is the founder, executive chairman […]

CD1 campaign finance reports highlight haves and have-nots in crowded race

By: , and - July 18, 2023

Jamestown investor Don Carlson is flaunting his deep pockets in the 1st Congressional District race by pouring $600,000 into his own campaign, according to newly published federal campaign finance reports.  Thanks to that six-figure personal loan, Carlson, a Democrat, closed the second quarter with the biggest war chest: $769,988. That’s nearly double the amount of […]