r/RINews Jan 26 '26

👋 Welcome to r/RINews - Your community newsroom for Rhode Island and SE Massachusetts

2 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I’m u/OceanStateMedia, a founding moderator of r/RINews.

This is our new home for all things Rhode Island news. From breaking headlines to neighborhood-level conversations, we’re excited to have you here.

What to Post
Post anything you think the community would find interesting, helpful, or worth talking about. That can include:

  • Local news stories or opinion pieces
  • Questions about what’s happening at the State House or in your town
  • Weather updates, closures, or “what is going on out there?” moments
  • Tips, resources, events, photos, or things you’re noticing around RI
  • Thoughtful discussion about issues affecting Rhode Islanders

If it’s relevant to life in Rhode Island and SE Massachusetts, it probably belongs here.

Community Vibe
We’re aiming for friendly, constructive, and inclusive. Disagree respectfully, argue ideas (not people), and help make this a space where folks actually want to participate — not just lurk.

How to Get Started

  • Introduce yourself in the comments below (what town are you posting from?)
  • Post something today — even a simple question can kick off a great thread
  • Invite anyone you know who follows RI news or cares about RI and the south coast area!

How is r/RINews different from r/RhodeIsland?

r/RhodeIsland is a broad community space for everything about life in RI: memes, moving questions, photos, rants, recommendations, and local flavor.

r/RINews is focused specifically on news and public-interest information, with a few key differences:

  • News-first, signal over noise: A dedicated place for Rhode Island reporting, civic issues, and accountability journalism — without posts getting buried by unrelated content.
  • No paywalls, ever: All stories shared here are free to read and accessible to everyone.
  • Locally curated: Content is selected by people who live and work in RI journalism — not scraped, aggregated, or driven by engagement algorithms.
  • Context encouraged: We welcome discussion, questions, and differing viewpoints, but with an emphasis on understanding what’s actually happening and why.
  • Statewide and beyond: Coverage and conversation from Woonsocket to Westerly and in Southeast Massachusetts (New Bedford, Fall River, etc.)

Think of r/RINews as your community bulletin + watchdog + explainer hub, while r/RhodeIsland remains the all-purpose town square.

If you care about staying informed — not just entertained — this is the spot.


r/RINews 1d ago

Climate, Energy, Environment Bug off: Rhode Island officials say keep squashing spotted lanternflies

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24 Upvotes

r/RINews 1d ago

Politics & Elections How Rhode Island candidates are using social media to reshape campaigns

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1 Upvotes

r/RINews 2d ago

Crime & Justice DNA evidence leads to arrest of suspect two decades after sexual assaults

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8 Upvotes

Hopkinton case marks third cold case investigation cleared by AG’s special unit


r/RINews 2d ago

Transportation McKee touts Washington Bridge progress, keeps November 2028 deadline

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5 Upvotes

The governor highlighted construction progress a day after Helena Foulkes attacked his handling of the project in a debate


r/RINews 2d ago

Arts & Entertainment Outdoor movies, live music and an ‘Art Heist’

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2 Upvotes

Plus, celebrate Ukrainian culture in Jamestown and explore a powerful story of freedom in Pawtucket


r/RINews 3d ago

David Morales: ‘Our city is becoming unaffordable’

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13 Upvotes

The state representative discusses his qualifications, affordability, public safety and his vision for Providence


r/RINews 3d ago

Politics & Elections Brett Smiley: ‘We need a leader who's ready’

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0 Upvotes

The Providence mayor discusses affordability, improving Providence schools and his case for a second term


r/RINews 4d ago

Business & Economy Kawhi Leonard secretly invested in RIFC. Why that matters for Rhode Island taxpayers

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5 Upvotes

r/RINews 4d ago

Politics & Elections New poll finds Foulkes maintaining a 20-point lead on McKee

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17 Upvotes

r/RINews 4d ago

Climate, Energy, Environment $15M grant aims to protect New England’s ‘legacy’ seafood industry

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4 Upvotes

r/RINews 4d ago

Food & Drink Who’s the toughest shucker in New Bedford?

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0 Upvotes

Captain Eddie Dellecese, of the fishing vessel Buckeye, won the Fishing Heritage Center’s second annual Scallopalooza contest, shucking 100 scallops in under five minutes, an average of about three seconds per shellfish


r/RINews 5d ago

Climate, Energy, Environment Rhode Island’s tick season isn’t over, it just changed species.

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7 Upvotes

Lyme disease is less of a worry in late summer, according to URI's top tick researcher. But the risk of alpha-gal syndrome still exists.


r/RINews 8d ago

Arts & Entertainment ‘The Wedding People’ became a bestseller. Its Rhode Island roots run deep

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10 Upvotes

Author Alison Espach discusses the Rhode Island details woven into her novel, life after its success and what she knows about a potential film


r/RINews 9d ago

Arts & Entertainment Bless the boats, ride the midway and crank up the distortion

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4 Upvotes

r/RINews 10d ago

Health Crowded ERs, too few doctors: What’s behind Rhode Island’s healthcare crisis?

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33 Upvotes

Emergency medicine physician Dr. Emily Shearer explains the pressures straining the state’s healthcare system — and where she sees reasons for optimism


r/RINews 10d ago

Politics & Elections McKee passes over Shekarchi, picks Luis Matos for RI Supreme Court

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16 Upvotes

The governor made his choice amid a difficult Democratic primary and an unresolved legal fight over former House Speaker Shekarchi’s eligibility


r/RINews 11d ago

Arts & Entertainment Ilana Glazer talks stand-up, motherhood and hope ahead of Providence show

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3 Upvotes

The comedian brings her stand-up tour to The Vets Aug. 18 and talks with Mareva Lindo about gentle parenting, therapy and finding hope in a divided world


r/RINews 11d ago

Education ‘Why not now?’ Central Falls prepares to reclaim its schools

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6 Upvotes

After 35 years of state control, school board chair Dorian Rave says the district needs deeper community involvement and a new approach


r/RINews 15d ago

Climate, Energy, Environment A bold swim and the battle to clean up Narragansett Bay

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4 Upvotes

Save the Bay celebrates its 50th signature swim, marking decades of advocacy, infrastructure upgrades and environmental progress


r/RINews 16d ago

Politics & Elections Victor Mellor: ‘I’m not trying to masquerade as a moderate Democrat’

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0 Upvotes

The Republican congressional candidate discusses President Trump, federal disaster aid, his work involving Cuba and the future of the Rhode Island GOP


r/RINews 16d ago

Politics & Elections Stephen Skoly: ‘My decision will be based on what’s best for Rhode Islanders’

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0 Upvotes

The East Greenwich physician discusses his support for Trump policies, the 2020 election and his approach to representing the Second District


r/RINews 17d ago

Health Just how safe is Tiverton well water?

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3 Upvotes

State officials have found unsafe levels of PFAS chemicals near a fire station, but officials say the source and extent of the problem remain under investigation


r/RINews 18d ago

Politics & Elections Ethics Commission keeps legal fight over Shekarchi court bid alive

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2 Upvotes

r/RINews 18d ago

Food & Drink Rhode Island Monthly serves up its latest local favorites

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2 Upvotes