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Alexander Castro

@ohnocastro.bsky.social

Reporter for Rhode Island Current, covering technology, health and education. Previously: Arts writer, curator and adjunct prof. /// acastro@rhodeislandcurrent.com

135 Followers  |  67 Following  |  42 Posts  |  Joined: 30.12.2024  |  2.0713

Latest posts by ohnocastro.bsky.social on Bluesky


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RI Supreme Court lets municipalities off the hook for cost of some students in residential care โ€ข Rhode Island Current A 3-1 Rhode Island Supreme Court decision in favor of Cumberland and Newport settles a seven-year dispute over the interpretation of a state law amended 25 years ago governing the financial responsibi...

RI Supreme Court lets municipalities off the hook for cost of some students in residential care rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/02/24/r...

25.02.2026 17:57 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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37.9(!) at TF Green
Over 3 feet

www.providencejournal.com/live-story/w...

24.02.2026 01:02 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 17    ๐Ÿ” 10    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 2
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Reading Across Rhode Island 2026: โ€˜This story reminded me why I love books.โ€™ โ€ข Rhode Island Current โ€œHappy Land,โ€ Dolen Perkins-Valdezโ€™s historical fiction novel tracing an African American community in the hills of western North Carolina, is the 2026 statewide read for Reading Across Rhode Island w...

Good day to read.... Reading Across Rhode Island 2026: โ€˜This story reminded me why I love books.โ€™ HAPPY LAND author Dolen Perkins-Valdez interviewed right here by @ohnocastro.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/12/r...

23.02.2026 21:07 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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FM buys IGT building in downtown Providence for $68.5M โ€ข Rhode Island Current Johnston-based insurance giant FM is buying the downtown Providence building that houses the stateโ€™s lottery contractor formerly known as IGT, Fidelity Investments Inc. and The Capital Grille. The 202...

One of the stateโ€™s top employers, with a 1,500-person workforce housed mostly at its 8-acre campus in Johnston, is expanding into downtown Providence. By @nancyklavin.bsky.social

rhodeislandcurrent.com/briefs/fm-bu...

19.02.2026 17:49 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Providence rent stabilization plan draws standing room only crowd at first public hearing โ€ข Rhode Island Current Tenants, landlords, and Providence city officials on Wednesday night debated costs and consequences of a proposed rent stabilization ordinance that would cap annual rent increases at 4% during a heari...

For over five and a half hours Wednesday night, fans and foes of a Providence ordinance that would cap rent increases at 4% annually sparred passionately during the first public hearing on the matter at City Hall. By @ohnocastro.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/02/19/p...

19.02.2026 20:39 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Pawtucket police chief asks for respect for family after tragedy at ice rink โ€ข Rhode Island Current With a large contingent of state and local elected officials standing by, Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves Tuesday released the names of the mother and son killed in the shooting at an ice rink i...

Pawtucket police chief offers update on hockey rink shooting; governor announces online mental health hub with resources for domestic violence and suicide prevention. By @ohnocastro.bsky.social and @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/02/17/p...

17.02.2026 23:53 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Auditors showed up unannounced at 3 independent pharmacies. This RI law was ready for them. โ€ข Rhode Island Current Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha used the newly strengthened Pharmacy Audit Act to halt unannounced on-site audits by Prime Therapeutics at three independent pharmacies in the state, after ...

The office of RI AG @peterneronha.bsky.social stepped in to crack down on PBMs that donโ€™t follow the rules under an updated state law. By @ohnocastro.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/02/16/a...

16.02.2026 14:28 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Smiley releases โ€˜full and complete responseโ€™ to flood of records requests on Brown shooting โ€ข Rhode Island Current Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said Monday that bodycam video, audio files, fire and police incident reports, and logs of phone calls now posted on the cityโ€™s website will be the final collection of re...

A spokesperson for Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said the city had 67 requests for public records related to the shooting โ€” โ€œthe highest volume of requests the City has received for a single event during the Smiley Administration.โ€ By @ohnocastro.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/02/09/s...

10.02.2026 00:00 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Beacon Mutual hit by ransomware attack โ€ข Rhode Island Current The Beacon Mutual Insurance Company, a state vendor and major provider of workersโ€™ compensation insurance in Rhode Island, has confirmed it was the victim of a cyberattack in January.

Beacon Mutual Insurance Company in Warwick says its live systems remain safe from harm as investigation into potential data affected by January cyberattack continues. By @ohnocastro.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/02/05/b...

06.02.2026 01:25 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Shareholders sue Hasbro over allegedly printing too many Magic: The Gathering cards โ€ข Rhode Island Current Two Hasbro shareholders claim the Pawtucket-based toy giant printed too much product for its most lucrative holding, the trading card game Magic: The Gathering, while misrepresenting its strategy, acc...

ICYMI: Two Hasbro shareholders are claiming the Pawtucket-based toy giant printed too much product for its most lucrative holding: Magic cards. rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/30/s...

04.02.2026 17:02 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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McKeeโ€™s proposed FY2027 budget drops GLP-1 drugs for weight loss from Medicaid โ€ข Rhode Island Current Gov. Dan McKeeโ€™s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget would remove GLP-1 drugs from Rhode Islandโ€™s Medicaid formulary for weight loss, saving $6.3 million in general revenue. Coverage of the drugs for wei...

McKeeโ€™s proposed FY2027 budget drops GLP-1 drugs for weight loss from Medicaid rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/27/m...

27.01.2026 14:22 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Rhode Island releases its roadmap for AI. Some boundaries have yet to be drawn. โ€ข Rhode Island Current The Governorโ€™s AI Task Force on Wednesday released its first report offering a blueprint for how Rhode Island can stay competitive and use artificial intelligence responsibly and wisely.

In new report released Wednesday, the Governorโ€™s AI Task Force recommends forming cross-industry and cross-region partnerships and an AI for Rhode Island virtual and physical hub. By @ohnocastro.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/28/r...

29.01.2026 01:01 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Rhode Island arts council approves nearly $2.75 million in cultural facilities grants from 2024 bond โ€ข Rhode Island Current Rhode Islandโ€™s state arts council is awarding $2.75 million in matching cultural facilities grants to 17 arts and culture organizations, with funding from a $10 million bond voters approved in Novembe...

Accessibility and safety upgrades and even some new masonry and roofing will be among the facility improvements arts and culture organizations will be able to make this year thanks to Rhode Island voters.
rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/21/r...

21.01.2026 22:09 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Ready or not, the Providence City Council is pursuing rent stabilization โ€ข Rhode Island Current The Providence City Councilโ€™s much-anticipated measure to regulate apartment prices has finally entered into public view, two days ahead of its formal introduction at Thursday's upcoming council meeti...

ICYMI: Rent stabilization? Rent control? Whatever name you choose for the Providence City Councilโ€™s much-anticipated measure to regulate apartment prices, the ordinance has finally entered into public view. rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/20/r...

21.01.2026 17:27 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Under a federal buzzsaw, McKee pitches affordability in nearly $15 billion budget โ€ข Rhode Island Current Helping Rhode Islanders afford health insurance, home energy bills and child care is an expensive proposition: nearly $15 billion in fiscal 2027 under Gov. Dan McKeeโ€™s budget proposal unveiled on Thur...

McKee's record-high proposed FY27 state budget taxes millionaires but offers aid for health insurance, energy bills and child care. rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/15/u...

15.01.2026 21:34 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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US Education secretary promotes returning school autonomy to states โ€ข Rhode Island Current U.S. Secretary of Education visited high school students in West Greenwich on her tour emphasizing what public education funding and regulation might look like once transformed by President Donald Tru...

U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon makes pitstop in politically friendly West Greenwich on her โ€˜Returning Education to the States Tour.โ€™ By @ohnocastro.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/12/u...

13.01.2026 01:07 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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State employee unions demand accountability for paycheck errors amid new software rollout โ€ข Rhode Island Current After a rocky first month for the stateโ€™s new payroll software, Rhode Island state employee unions are calling for the General Assemblyโ€™s oversight committees to hold hearings on complaints ranging fr...

Complaints pile up as R.I. Department of Administration rolls out new payroll system after six years of planning. By @ohnocastro.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/09/s...

09.01.2026 23:07 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Providence mayor unveils New Year's resolutions in legislative package โ€ข Rhode Island Current Mayor Brett Smileyโ€™s 2026 legislative package focuses on financial stability, local control of schools, housing, traffic enforcement, and the Crook Point Bridge.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley will be asking the General Assembly for an increase in the PILOT base rate and a new authority to take over the Crook Point Bridge, among other wish list items. By @ohnocastro.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/07/p...

07.01.2026 23:59 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Legislative leaders call for collaboration and inclusion as 2026 session begins โ€ข Rhode Island Current While uncertainty over federal funding for Rhode Island looms, the first day of the 2026 legislative session saw leaders of both chambers recognize the need to heal after the mass shooting at Brown Un...

Budget uncertainty, fate of hospitals and healing after Brown tragedy will test General Assembly over the next six months. We bring you coverage from the first day of the 2026 legislative session. By @nancyklavin.bsky.social & @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/06/l...

06.01.2026 22:28 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 64    ๐Ÿ” 24    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 4    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
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Suspected Brown mass shooter found dead in N.H. storage facility; linked to MIT physicistโ€™s killing โ€ข Rhode Island Current Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, the former Brown University student responsible for a fatal shooting in Providence Saturday, was found dead in a storage unit in Salem, New Hampshire, shortly before 9 p....

โ€œWe got him.โ€ Suspected Brown mass shooter, also suspect in MIT physicistโ€™s killing, found dead in New Hampshire storage facility. By @nancyklavin.bsky.social and @ohnocastro.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/18/p...

19.12.2025 18:49 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Suspected Brown mass shooter found dead in N.H. storage facility; linked to MIT physicistโ€™s killing โ€ข Rhode Island Current Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, the former Brown University student responsible for a fatal shooting in Providence Saturday, was found dead in a storage unit in Salem, New Hampshire, shortly before 9 p....

Suspected Brown mass shooter found dead in N.H. storage facility; linked to MIT physicistโ€™s killing rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/18/p...

19.12.2025 04:06 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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โ€˜We have not yet solved this case.โ€™ Officials say person of interest to be released. โ€ข Rhode Island Current Officials say the man detained after the Brown University shooting will be released as police and Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha seek more video evidence and leads.

Late Sunday night surprise...โ€˜We have not yet solved this case.โ€™ Officials say person of interest to be released. rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/14/w...

15.12.2025 04:52 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 6    ๐Ÿ” 6    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Police withhold details on Brown mass shooting suspect; investigators search Coventry hotel โ€ข Rhode Island Current Providence police and federal agents searched a Coventry hotel Sunday as investigators build a case in the Brown University mass shooting that killed two and injured nine.

Police withhold details on Brown mass shooting suspect; investigators search Coventry hotel rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/14/p...

14.12.2025 20:07 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 6    ๐Ÿ” 7    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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DCYF looks to buy St. Maryโ€™s Home for Children at a discount but costly upgrades needed โ€ข Rhode Island Current Rhode Islandโ€™s child welfare agency wants to buy the former St. Maryโ€™s Home for Children for $1.5 million and reopen 16 psychiatric beds for girls, despite up to an estimated $25 million in costs for ...

DCYF wants to take ownership of the former campus of St. Maryโ€™s Home for Children, the nonprofit that ran the psychiatric care campus which closed its doors in August 2024 after a year of scandals and accusations of chaos and abuse. By @ohnocastro.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/10/d...

10.12.2025 23:46 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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State steps in to coordinate R.I.โ€™s 2026 homeless census For the first time, state housing officials will take an active role in gathering data for the annual census of Rhode Islandโ€™s unhoused population likely in late January.The Executive Office ofโ€ฆ

For the first time, state housing officials will take an active role in gathering data for the annual census of Rhode Islandโ€™s unhoused population likely in late January.

via @rhodeislandcurrent.com

04.12.2025 16:00 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 12    ๐Ÿ” 5    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 3    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1

Thanks for flagging. Iโ€™ve updated the story.

13.11.2025 19:44 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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R.I. federal judge orders Trump to fully fund SNAP; USDA wastes no time filing appeal โ€ข Rhode Island Current The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) must use available contingency funds and other allocated emergency subsidies to restore the full $9 billion in November food stamp benefits by Friday, a Rhode...

UPDATED piece on today's SNAP hearing: "The number of viewers watching the courtโ€™s livestream on YouTube climbed steadily upward over the half-hour, from about 261 to 570, coinciding with an increasing sternness from McConnell."
rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/11/06/r...

07.11.2025 00:12 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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McKee OKs $6M in funding to replace federal food benefits โ€” far short of what RI needs โ€ข Rhode Island Current With November 1 food stamp benefits unfunded, Gov. Dan McKee moves $6 million from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and adds food bank support.

UPDATED: McKee OKs $6M in funding to replace federal food benefits โ€” far short of what RI needs
rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/10/28/m...

29.10.2025 16:52 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Bloody bloody โ€˜American Revolutionโ€™: Dark story comes to light in latest Ken Burns project โ€ข New Hampshire Bulletin Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns acknowledges the sinister, the cruel, and the dark in Americaโ€™s revolutionary story in his latest project โ€˜The American Revolution,โ€™ premiering Nov. 16 on PBS. Duringโ€ฆ

โ€œI hope that the series makes everyone think โ€ฆ โ€˜Would I have been a patriot? Would I be willing to fight for my beliefs?'" Bloody bloody "American Revolution": Dark story comes to light in latest Ken Burns project. From @ohnocastro.bsky.social via @rhodeislandcurrent.com

17.10.2025 20:00 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Bloody bloody โ€˜American Revolutionโ€™: Dark story comes to light in latest Ken Burns project โ€ข Rhode Island Current Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns acknowledges the sinister, the cruel, and the dark in Americaโ€™s revolutionary story in his latest project โ€˜The American Revolution,โ€™ premiering Nov. 16 on PBS. During a...

Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns highlights the nationโ€™s complicated history during Rhode Island State House visit Thursday ahead of next monthโ€™s PBS series premiere. By @ohnocastro.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/10/16/b...

17.10.2025 00:13 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

@ohnocastro is following 20 prominent accounts