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The Catholic Church Has Elected Cardinal Robert Prevost as Pope

Prevost, who will take the name Leo XIV, was elected as the first American pope in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church

May 8, 2025

Live video feed from the Associated Press.

Cardinal Robert Prevost, an American missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and led the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops, was elected the first American pope in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church. Prevost, 69, took the name Leo XIV.

White smoke poured out of the Sistine Chapel chimney Thursday at 6:07 p.m. local time, signaling that a pontiff had been elected to lead the Catholic Church.

Read more updated news on the Associated Press.

News & Culture

Rhode Island’s Crumbling Bridges: Are They Safe?

With more than 100 bridges rated in poor condition and urgent repairs lagging, new reporting by Rhode Island PBS and The Public’s Radio reveals the deeper infrastructure risks across the state — and the lack of clear accountability for fixing them

June 22, 2025

David Wright

Politics

Power, Transparency, and Public Trust: What Rhode Island’s Legislative Session Revealed About Good Government

From Senate President Val Lawson’s dual roles to stalled ethics reforms and lobbying imbalances, Common Cause RI’s John Marion joins ‘Political Roundtable’ to assess where democracy stands—and how everyday Rhode Islanders can still make a difference

June 20, 2025

James Baumgartner

Food & Drink

Sky Kim Wins ‘Best Chef Northeast’ for Her Locally-Inspired Korean Cuisine

Every year, the James Beard Foundation recognizes exceptional restaurants and chefs throughout the country, one of the highest honors in the culinary field. Earlier this week, they announced this year’s winners. Sky Haneul Kim, the chef at Gift Horse in Providence, won ‘Best Chef Northeast’

June 20, 2025

James Baumgartner

Health

As 2025’s First Major Heat Wave Hits, Experts Warn of Rising Health Risks Across the U.S.

Rhode Islanders and others nationwide are urged to take precautions as high heat and humidity raise the risk of illness, especially for children, seniors, and outdoor workers

June 20, 2025

Brian Bossak, College of Charleston

Climate & Environment

Bottle Bill Shelved in Favor of Another Study While CRMC Reform Effort is Set Adrift

2 high-profile environmental bills get taken down a notch, or two, or three

June 20, 2025

Nancy Lavin

Education

GOP’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Slashes Aid for Low-Income Families to Fund Tax Cuts for the Wealthy, CBO Finds

Rhode Island’s most vulnerable children could lose Medicaid and food assistance under House and Senate Republican proposals, while top earners stand to gain $12,000 a year in tax breaks.

June 20, 2025

Cory Turner