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May 30, 2025

A roulette wheel inside the 40,000 square-foot gaming space and food hall Bally’s opened at its Twin River Lincoln casino in 2023.

Article

News & Culture

If Rhode Island Passes Casino Smoking Ban, State Would Pay More to Cover Bally’s Ads Under This Bill

Rhode Island Lottery says bill’s cap increase for marketing reimbursements would have cost the state nearly $3 million this year

May 30, 2025

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Christopher Shea

CharterCare properties at Roger Williams Hospital in Providence and Our Lady of Fatima in North Providence.

Article

Health

McKee Proposes Reviving Fatima’s Long-Term Psychiatric Bed Unit to Ease Mental Health Crisis

$10M budget amendment comes amid pending sale of struggling hospitals. Coincidence?

May 30, 2025

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Nancy Lavin

The bill would limit requests to reconsider books from school libraries from students who go to that school or their parents or guardians.

Article

News & Culture

Trump Budget Proposal Targets Library Funding, Sparking Outcry from Rhode Island Lawmakers

With $1.4 million in local funding at risk, Rhode Island’s congressional delegation slams White House move to eliminate federal library agency as part of broader “attack on knowledge” and copyright protections

May 30, 2025

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David Wright

Rep. Brian Patrick Kennedy, a Westerly Democrat, rises to defend his bill that would regulate the psychoactive compound kratom during the Rhode Island House of Representatives’ floor session on Thursday, May 29, 2025.

Article

Health

Kratom Regulation Bill Clears Rhode Island House

Backed by Speaker Pro Tempore Brian Kennedy on his first day back from medical leave, the bill to legalize and regulate kratom passed 40–23 — reigniting debate over public health risks, regulatory consistency, and the potential for new state revenue

May 30, 2025

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Alexander Castro

Advocates hold signs in support of raising taxes on Rhode Island’s highest earners outside the State House on May 29, 2025.

Article

Politics

Unions Draw Striking Butler Workers, RIPTA Driver in Push to Pass ‘Tax the Rich’ Legislation

With just 20 days left in the legislative session, union workers, activists, and striking Butler Hospital staff rallied at the State House, urging lawmakers to pass a surtax on Rhode Island’s wealthiest residents to fund public services and close critical budget gaps

May 30, 2025

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Alexander Castro

Karen Read, who is accused of killing her boyfriend, Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022, during her murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Dedham, Mass.

Article

News & Culture

Prosecution Rests in Trial of Karen Read Who’s Charged in Death of Boston Police Officer Boyfriend

After weeks of testimony and a streamlined approach, prosecutors rested their case in Karen Read’s second trial, focusing on forensic evidence and her own statements while avoiding controversial witnesses from the first mistrial

May 29, 2025

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Patrick Whittle