Chris Shea

Behind the ad blitz to get R.I. lawmakers to reject bills protecting patient access to discount meds • Rhode Island Current Community Action for Responsible Hospitals spent over $400,000 on ads in the final weeks of the 2025 Rhode Island legislative session in an unsuccessful attempt to persuade state lawmakers to reject l...

Did you notice these ads meant to sway lawmakers against passing the new 340B protections?

Well I did some digging on the group behind them.

Read here:

rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/07/14/b...

Compromises on assault weapons, casino smoking and CRMC reform mark end of 2025 session • Rhode Island Current Rhode Island lawmakers wrapped up the 2025 session with compromises on a ban on assault-style weapons and casino smoking, and reforming the state's coastal regulatory council. But payday lending refor...

R.I. lawmakers keep their cool as compromises on assault weapons, casino smoking and CRMC reform mark end of 2025 session. By @nancyklavin.bsky.social @krish-eh.bsky.social & @ohnocastro.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/06/20/c...

Big Lemon controls all on the Senate floor.

Washington Bridge rebuild to cost up to $427M. Expect to drive on it by late 2028. • Rhode Island Current A new westbound Washington Bridge is expected to be rebuilt by November 2028 and will cost the state upward of $427 million, Gov. Dan McKee announced Friday. The new bridge will be built by Walsh Cons...

Looks like Rhode Island casinos could all go nonsmoking before the new westbound Washington Bridge is completed. @krish-eh.bsky.social covered today's big contract reveal at the State House. rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/06/06/w...

Dept. of Homeland Security puts R.I. on notice as a ‘sanctuary jurisdiction.’ It’s unclear why. • Rhode Island Current The Trump administration put Rhode Island and the cities of Providence and Central Falls on a list of 500 so-called “sanctuary jurisdictions” released Thursday night, meaning they face the possibility...

The Department of Homeland security states that R.I. made the list because of a “Court Order Requiring State Sanctuary Requirements.” I reached for specific details and received a statement reiterating the designation factors on the department’s website.

rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/05/30/d...

Bravo show ‘Real Housewives’ drops anchor in the Ocean State • Rhode Island Current Rhode Island is joining Bravo’s "Real Housewives" empire, the network announced Wednesday. Just don’t expect state film subsidies on this production.

Big drama coming to the smallest state. What to know. By @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/05/07/b...

Airport officials consider privatizing TSA screening duties at T.F. Green • Rhode Island Current Airport officials are considering replacing TSA screeners at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport with private contractors, citing long wait times — a move already facing union and political ...

Today I learned that the TSA tracks wait times by handing a yellow card to the last passenger in line at the top, middle and bottom of the hour.

rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/05/01/a...

Business and labor leaders share concerns about Trump tariff policies with Magaziner • Rhode Island Current U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner heard firsthand Wednesday from Rhode Island industries about how President Donald Trump’s tariffs are threatening jobs, delaying projects, and driving up prices.

If costs spiral under Trump tariff policies, Rhode Island will see ripple effects, representatives from building trades, hospitality, and medical equipment sectors tell @sethmagaziner.bsky.social at Cranston roundtable. By @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/04/16/b...

Johnston land owners have no plans to back down from eminent domain battle • Rhode Island Current An ongoing dispute in Johnston has intensified after a judge reverses the town’s eminent domain takeover to halt an affordable apartment complex.

Owners of 31 acres of undeveloped land in Johnston the town is attempting to seize by eminent domain speak out for the first time. By @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/03/19/j...

RIPTA CEO tells lawmakers: ‘We want to do more.’ Proposed state budget still gives agency less. • Rhode Island Current Over a dozen bus Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) drivers packed into a State House basement hearing room Tuesday evening to watch their new CEO make the case for state lawmakers to plug ...

Since the new wage increase took effect last winter, RIPTA CEO tells lawmakers the bus agency has hired 44 new drivers. If RIPTA doesn’t get more funding, those drivers may be out of a job. By @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/03/12/r...

Wage hikes, bonus in new contract approved for Rhode Island’s airport workers • Rhode Island Current After nearly eight months of negotiations, the Rhode Island Airport Corporation's board of directors on Thursday approved a three-year contract with the union representing 103 police, fire, airfield a...

After nearly eight months of turbulent negotiations, Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport’s unionized airport employees have landed a new three-year contract.

rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/03/13/w...

ACLU announces proposed settlement in lawsuit over RIPTA 2021 data breach • Rhode Island Current The ACLU of Rhode Island on Monday announced a proposed settlement in class-action lawsuit against the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority and UnitedHealthcare over a 2021 data breach that exposed t...

Settlement proposed in class-action lawsuit over 2021 RIPTA data breach. By @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/03/10/a...

How old is too old for a judge to stay on the bench? • Rhode Island Current All Rhode Island judges currently serve for life, but the Senate Committee on Judiciary on Tuesday heard a bill that would set a mandatory retirement age of 75 for most judges.

Bill by Providence senator would set retirement age for judges and magistrates, excluding Supreme Court justices, at 75. By @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/02/25/h...

A quiet promotion to Rhode Island’s acting U.S. attorney for Sara Miron Bloom • Rhode Island Current Sara Miron Bloom is now Acting U.S. Attorney for Rhode Island following the resignation of Zachary Cunha on Feb. 17, 2025. She was previously First Assistant U.S. Attorney, a position she held since J...

A quiet promotion to Rhode Island’s acting U.S. attorney for Sara Miron Bloom

rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/02/19/a...

Judge suspends license of state rep charged with drunk driving, allows work-related travel • Rhode Island Current A Rhode Island traffic court judge has suspended Rep. Enrique Sanchez’s license following his DUI arrest, but granted him limited driving privileges for work under a conditional hardship license.

R.I. traffic court judge suspends license of Providence Rep. Enrique Sanchez, who was charged earlier this month with drunk driving, but grants hardship license allowing work-related travel. By @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/02/19/j...

15,000 new homes in four years? R.I. housing officials set ambitious target. • Rhode Island Current The Rhode Island Department of Housing envisions 15,000 building permits issued for new homes within the next four years — assuming each of the state’s 39 municipalities are on board.

R.I. Department of Housing has an ambitious target of 15,000 new homes in four years. But there are roadblocks. By @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/02/13/1...

The pallet shelters within the 146 on-ramp in Providence are scheduled to open next week!

About that Washington Bridge demolition video … RIDOT says work is going according to plan • Rhode Island Current A viral video of Washington Bridge demolition work sparked online debate over the weekend, but the Rhode Island Department of Transportation says the collapse of a portion of the bridge went exactly a...

It’s unclear who shot a video of a construction crane knocking down a large portion of the westbound Washington Bridge last Friday, sending debris slamming down onto two barges.

After the video was widely shared on social media, more uncertainty followed.

rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/02/03/a...

RIDOT opens final bidding window to rebuild Washington Bridge • Rhode Island Current The Rhode Island Department of Transpiration on Friday posted its finalized request for proposals to replace the westbound Washington Bridge. The bid documents incorporated comments received from the ...

RIDOT opens final bidding window to rebuild Washington Bridge. By @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/01/24/r...

14 things to know about McKee’s proposed $14.2B FY 2026 budget • Rhode Island Current Gov. Dan McKee’s proposed $14.2 billion fiscal 2026 budget unveiled Thursday marks the largest state spending plan in history — $252.8 million more than the current year’s budget, even with cost-cutti...

14 things to know about McKee’s proposed $14.2B FY 2026 budget rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/01/16/1...

Blocked from State House Rotunda, ‘People’s State of the State’ moves one story down • Rhode Island Current Progressive protesters held a “People’s State of the State” rally inside the Rhode Island State House during Gov. Dan McKee’s "State of the State "speech Tuesday night to highlight growing economic di...

Blocked from State House Rotunda, ‘People’s State of the State’ moves one story down. By @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/01/14/b...

Lashing out at critics, McKee declares eastbound Washington Bridge safe during rebuild • Rhode Island Current Gov. Dan McKee on Monday released a November 2024 inspection report that found the highway on the eastbound side of the Washington Bridge is still safe after a year of carrying vehicles in both direct...

@govdanmckee.bsky.social sought to dispel what he called “irresponsible” claims made by out-of-state critics trying to portray the eastbound Washington Bridge, like the western side, at risk of collapse. By @krish-eh.bsky.social

rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/01/13/l...

Lawmakers call on McKee to declare homelessness a public emergency • Rhode Island Current Calls grow for Governor McKee to declare a homelessness state of emergency as state lawmakers push for action on shelter delays and winter relief efforts.

Nearly 50 state lawmakers called on Gov. Dan McKee to declare homelessness a public health emergency before the weekend began. Their ranks swelled Monday after Senate leadership signed on to the cause.

rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/01/13/l...

Finally meeting again, R.I. Cannabis Control Commission votes to hire $110K-a-year spokesperson • Rhode Island Current The Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission met Thursday afternoon for the first time since Oct. 15, 2024, spending most of its first meting of 2025 behind closed doors where the three-member panel d...

Finally meeting again, R.I. Cannabis Control Commission votes to hire $110K-a-year spokesperson. rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/01/02/f...

RIPTA extends pilot paratransit program • Rhode Island Current A pilot program giving curb to curb rides to eligible Rhode Islanders who cannot independently use public buses originally scheduled to end Dec. 31, will continue until further notice, the Rhode Islan...

RIPTA extends pilot paratransit program providing van or mini-bus transportation to come pick them up where they live. By @krish-eh.bsky.social

rhodeislandcurrent.com/briefs/ripta...

Meet the woman in charge of ramping up housing production in Rhode Island • Rhode Island Current Rhode Island’s newest housing secretary Deborah Goddard talks about her first week on the job, housing affordability, her thoughts on a public developer and the long wait for the Providence pallet she...

I recently sat down with Rhode Island’s newest housing secretary, Deborah Goddard.

She talked about her first week on the job, housing affordability, her thoughts on a public developer and the long wait for pallet shelters to open.

rhodeislandcurrent.com/2024/12/20/m...

Two contenders chosen to pursue Washington Bridge rebuild • Rhode Island Current Almost one year to the day traffic was permanently halted on the westbound Washington Bridge, Gov. Dan McKee and Rhode Island Department of Transportation officials announced they have narrowed down t...

Happy Bridgaversary to those who celebrate traffic news.

Here are the next steps for everyone’s favorite highway, along with some reflection from Gov. Dan McKee.

rhodeislandcurrent.com/2024/12/10/t...

FEC filings shed little light on out-of-state conservative groups that opposed Whitehouse • Rhode Island Current Post-election filings with the Federal Election Commission reveal two out-of-state groups with a history of backing conservative PACs and candidates contributed $190,000 to the super PAC that supporte...

Went down a campaign finance rabbit hole the other day.

rhodeislandcurrent.com/2024/12/10/f...

How T.F. Green compares with region’s airports for flight cancellations, delays • Rhode Island Current Less than 1% of scheduled departures from Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport between September 2023 and August 2024 were canceled, its lowest percentage in five years, according to federal ...

Airport data!

rhodeislandcurrent.com/2024/12/03/h...

I hope she was thankful for this truly fancy feast.