Colleen Cronin

Looking for something cool to do next week? Sign up FOR FREE for @ecorinews.bsky.social Compost Convo @ Innovate Newport 11/6! www.eventbrite.com/e/compost-co...

Looking for RIPTA riders impacted by the service cuts implemented last month. I'm hoping to work on a series of stories about the cuts for @ecorinews.bsky.social. You can DM me and or email (colleen@ecori.org)

Interdisciplinary Collaboration Needed to Address Effects of Climate Change on Food, Public Health - ecoRI News URI's Metcalf Institute talk brings together scientists and journalists.

ICYMI: Metcalf Institute hosted Equity on the Table: A Conversation about Public Health, Food Access, and Climate Change last Thursday. @colleen-cronin.bsky.social covered the panel for @ecorinews.bsky.social - read the article online!

ecori.org/interdiscipl...

Leave It to Beaver: Animals' Presence Prompts Exeter Homeowner to Start Non-Lethal Management Company - ecoRI News Molly Hastings had just bought a new home in Exeter, R.I., when she noticed the water line of the pond on the property creeping up.

Leave It to Beaver: Animals’ Presence Prompts Exeter Homeowner to Start Non-Lethal Management Company
ecori.org/leave-it-to-... @ecorinews.bsky.social

RIPTA Bus Service Cuts Could Disproportionately Affect Affordable Housing Residents - ecoRI News Affordable housing is often located near public transit stops.

"Clement said the larger issue caused by transit cuts is how it could affect residents’ need for cars and thus the need to include more parking in development."

ESSENTIAL read on housing & transportation from @colleen-cronin.bsky.social of @ecorinews.bsky.social:

ecori.org/ripta-bus-se...

Assoc Prof Tyler Kartzinel co-authored a new study revealing that the iconic diamondback terrapin, a keystone predator in salt marshes, faces heightened risks due to decreased genetic diversity.

Learn more from @colleen-cronin.bsky.social in @ecorinews.bsky.social: ecori.org/brown-study-...

RIPTA Bus Service Cuts Could Disproportionately Affect Affordable Housing Residents - ecoRI News Affordable housing is often located near public transit stops.

The state gave ~$30M to several affordable housing projects earlier this yr — all are sited on lines that are impact by @ripta.com service cuts.

I took a look at how bus cuts could impact the state's housing goals @ecorinews.bsky.social
ecori.org/ripta-bus-se...

Second Fatality in Three Years Highlights Dangers of Crossing at Providence's Union Avenue Intersection - ecoRI News A school bus driver hit Lucas García in the crosswalk earlier this month.

For the second time in three years, a family had to reconcile the death of a loved one at the same busy intersection on Union Avenue. And both families are asking: Why did it have to happen twice?
ecori.org/second-fatal... @ecorinews.bsky.social

I just finished up my tenure as an @reportforamerica.bsky.social corps member at the end of May, and it was an incredible three years. If you're interested in applying for the next cohort, feel free to reach out/sign up for one of these info sessions!
www.reportforamerica.org/reporters/

Blithewold’s Big Bamboo Birds Meant to Send Message of Conservation - ecoRI News The art's creators are "very concerned about the state of birds in our world today."

Looking for something fun to do outside this fall.... Take a look at Blithewold's bamboo birds! @ecorinews.bsky.social
ecori.org/blithewolds-...

Street View, Coming to a River Near You - ecoRI News Such maps will help all those who care about and advocate for rivers and waterways have the data they need to actually plan ways to improve them.

Street View, Coming to a River Near You
ecori.org/street-view-... @ecorinews.bsky.social

RIPTA Board Approves Purchase of 25 Accessible Vans for Paratransit Service - ecoRI News Unlike the past couple of meetings, few members of the public attended the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority’s most recent board meeting.

ICYMI: Here's a rundown of what happened at the latest @ripta.com board meeting: ecori.org/ripta-board-... @ecorinews.bsky.social

Lax Enforcement, Lack of Awareness Result in Poor Recycling Ticket Returns in Providence - ecoRI News Recycling tickets come with a $50 fine, plus fees for paying online and additional fees for late payments.

I crunched the numbers, and only about half of the recycling tickets issued in PVD over the last few years are actually paid. Read more about why/how that happens: ecori.org/lax-enforcem... @ecorinews.bsky.social

As They Become More Common, Heat Waves Will Also Be More Destructive - ecoRI News Rhode Island hasn’t always needed to be ready for the consequences of extreme heat, but that time is coming to end as climate change ramps up.

The #ClimateMatters spotlight continues with reporting on warming trends from @colleen-cronin.bsky.social, a Metcalf alum writing for @ecorinews.bsky.social! Read about temp rise in RI: As They Become More Common, Heat Waves Will Also Be More Destructive @climatecentral.org
ecori.org/as-they-beco...

A Tale of 'Shared Magma' Bridging Rhode Island and Sweden - ecoRI News The Swedish and Rhode Island rocks were formed billions of years ago and have almost identical geochemical compositions.

Had a lot of fun learning about Cumberlandite (the official rock of RI) and its sister rock in Sweden for this @ecorinews.bsky.social story! ecori.org/a-tale-of-sh...

State Planning Council Approves New Transportation Improvement Plan Draft, with Bulk of Funding Going to RIDOT - ecoRI News Rhode Island has a new road map for its transportation priorities after the State Planning Council approved the State Transportation Improvement Program 2026-2035.

Two-thirds of the spending included in the new STIP is allotted for roads and bridges. @ecorinews.bsky.social
ecori.org/state-planni...

RIPTA's Service Cuts 'Affect People that Don't Have Options' - ecoRI News RIPTA is planning to reduce service on 46 different lines.

Despite some temporary funding funneling to @ripta.com, the agency is still implementing major cuts that will start at the end of the month.

Read about how it will affect the folks that work and shop at this Narragansett plaza @ecorinews.bsky.social

ecori.org/riptas-servi...

Teen Transit Advocate Has Done His Homework - ecoRI News Cedric Ye has become a fixture of the Rhode Island transit advocacy scene. He talked to ecoRI News reporter and Blab Lab host Colleen Cronin about the problems and opportunities […]

Latest Blab Lab episode is out. @pvdstreets.bsky.social advocate 17yr old Cedric Ye chats with me about RIPTA, trains, and homework!
ecori.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?... @ecorinews.bsky.social

ICYMI: Starting working on those high-knee exercises, RI-ers, you're going to have to start stomping if these numbers keep going up!
ecori.org/have-you-see... @ecorinews.bsky.social

Are Rhode Island River Herring’s Problems Really Out at Sea? - ecoRI News A foundational species, river herring sit at the bottom of the aquatic food chain, helping to feed larger animals.

While RI has spent decades and millions of $$$ erecting fish ladders, removing dams, and cleaning up its rivers to shore up dwindling river herring populations, they face major challenges out at sea.
ecori.org/are-rhode-is... @ecorinews.bsky.social

We made a searchable table so that you can see how your route is impacted under the new plan, compared to to the prior proposal:

McKee to Redirect $3M in Federal Funds to RIPTA; Seeks Fare Increase, Administrative Cuts - ecoRI News The additional funding still leaves RIPTA with a $7 million deficit in the coming fiscal year.

McKee to Redirect $3M in Federal Funds to RIPTA; Seeks Fare Increase, Administrative Cuts
ecori.org/mckee-to-red... @ecorinews.bsky.social

While RIPTA Held Service Cut Hearings, McKee’s Office Scheduled Bus Hub Discussions with Paolino - ecoRI News RIPTA held public hearings last year and hired a firm to find a location for a new bus hub, though a final decision has not been made. The agency was urged to pause the plans to deal with RIPTA's budg...

SCOOP: After several failed attempts at scheduling a meeting, Paolino referred to RIPTA as a “joke,” and said he would not attend future meetings on the hub, according to an Aug. 5 email obtained through a public records request and reviewed by @ecorinews.bsky.social.
ecori.org/while-ripta-...

To all the bug squashers out there: I want to know where you've seen spotted lantern flies in Rhode Island. DM or email me (colleen@ecori.org)

16th Zero-Trash Birthday Bash Have a blast without the trash — while raising funds for ecoRI News' environmental reporting and watchdog journalism.

Just a few days left to take advantage of early-bird pricing and save $15 on tickets to our 16th Zero-Trash Birthday Bash. 🎂🗑️♻️ Celebrate 16 years of good, clean environmental reporting. www.eventbrite.com/e/1441262798...

RIPTA Service Cuts Would Have Profound Effect on this Washington County Resident - ecoRI News Samantha Maar, who doesn’t own a car, will likely defer graduate school if the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority moves forward with planned cuts to its service.

If @ripta.com cuts move forward, this rider will likely need to withdraw from grad school...

Read her story @ecorinews.bsky.social ecori.org/ripta-servic...

IBES Professors Stephen Porder and Meredith Hastings spoke to @colleen-cronin.bsky.social @ecorinews.bsky.social about heatwaves, their effect on human and environmental health, and ways to minimize their harm.

“We know what’s coming,” Porder said. “There’s no excuse for not preparing for it.”

Want to know what this thing is??? Sorry you gotta to read the story to find out... @ecorinews.bsky.social
ecori.org/device-allow...

As They Become More Common, Heat Waves Will Also Be More Destructive - ecoRI News Rhode Island hasn’t always needed to be ready for the consequences of extreme heat, but that time is coming to end as climate change ramps up.

Slugging around Providence today in the heat? Check out our story about heat waves, why they are happening and how we could prevent their worst impacts in the future: ecori.org/as-they-beco... @ecorinews.bsky.social

$6.8 million spent so far to keep tow trucks on Washington Bridge around the clock RIDOT acknowledges the agency never updated its $2 million budget for towing, but says it has found the money from savings elsewhere.

TARGET 12: RIDOT budgeted $2 million to keep tow trucks on the Washington Bridge 24/7

The actual cost? $6.8 million so far - and rising fast

Here's a closer look at why the budget was so far off and how much more taxpayers are set to spend in the future