Ocean State Media

Plows, salt and overtime: Snow removal budgets strained across Southern New England Providence, Warwick and New Bedford report rising costs with weeks of winter still ahead

Statewide, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation has spent approximately $9.1 million on 117,000 tons of salt.

Learn more: www.oceanstatemedia.org/economy/plow...

‘The need far outpaces the resources’: confronting domestic violence in Rhode Island Sojourner House CEO Vanessa Volz on housing, funding, and the limits of current responses

Decades after courts/cops woke up to the domestic violence epidemic, responding agencies still struggle for funds. Radio excerpt of my convo with Vanessa Volz of Sojourner House. Watch full interview tom'w on YouTube or 7:30 pm on @oceanstatemedia.bsky.social www.oceanstatemedia.org/one-on-one-w...

Peter Alviti, who led RIDOT during Washington Bridge closure, to retire this month Alviti’s decision to retire now, after weathering more than two years of intense scrutiny and criticism, surprised many

Peter Alviti, who led the Rhode Island Department of Transportation through the closure of the westbound Washington Bridge and its immediate aftermath, will retire later this month.

www.oceanstatemedia.org/transportati...

Rhode Islanders remain pessimistic about their financial position, survey shows The 2025 RI Life Index suggests many are worried about the cost of living and housing affordability

The lowest score in the tally was for cost of living, at 21, unchanged from last year’s survey. Housing affordability received a score of 30, which was also unchanged from last year but down 14 percentage points since 2020.

www.oceanstatemedia.org/economy/rhod...

YouTube video by Ocean State Media Can Providence Stop Federal ICE on City Property? Mayor Smiley Answers | Lively

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley has a message of his own for ICE: don't try to trespass on city property. But will a new executive order have any teeth in the face of federal authorities?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Vnq...

Rhode Island is losing caregivers fast. Can community models fill the gap? As Rhode Island struggles to retain CNAs and home health aides, an educator at Salve Regina University is calling on local communities and higher education institutions to become more involved in the ...

Like many states, Rhode Island is facing an acute shortage of professional caregivers. The dearth of nurses, CNAs, and home health aides has left many health care advocates wondering what can be done to combat the problem.

www.oceanstatemedia.org/news-culture...

Fewer students, higher costs: Why school regionalization is back on the table in Rhode Island State Rep. Megan Cotter has introduced legislation to incentivize school districts to build regional partnerships

As student enrollment in Rhode Island’s public schools continues to decline, schools across the state are facing the prospect of closure in the coming years. #education #rhodeisland

www.oceanstatemedia.org/education/fe...

A long game for health care: Rhode Island targets 2029 for a URI medical school A Senate study commission backs a new public medical school as part of a long-term plan to expand primary care

A Senate study commission backs a new public medical school as part of a long-term plan to expand primary care.

www.oceanstatemedia.org/news-culture...

YouTube video by Ocean State Media Sneak Peek Inside the Secret Mall Apartment | Rhode Island PBS Weekly

While we all wait for the anticipated Secret Mall Apartment documentary to drop on @netflix.com, check out our sneak peek inside the mall with the #rhodeisland rogue himself, Michael Townsend: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ME3E...

‘Cigarette Surfboard’ screening at URI and other events | Your Weekend 401 guide to Rhode Island Making surfboards as an environmental statement, a Laotian family’s journey documented in Woonsocket, and a mid-winter party at the Jamestown Art Center. Here’s what’s happening in Rhode Island this c...

Making surfboards as an environmental statement, a Laotian family’s journey documented in Woonsocket, and a mid-winter party at the Jamestown Art Center. Here’s what’s happening in Rhode Island this coming week.

www.oceanstatemedia.org/the-weekend-...

‘I just love driving.’ Coventry trucker celebrates 25 years of accident-free driving Brian Evers, a trucker for freight company XPO, has driven enough miles to circle the earth 80 times without an accident

www.oceanstatemedia.org/news-and-cul...

Suicide prevention in jail shows promising results, Brown University study finds Researchers tested therapy and follow-up support for people behind bars in Rhode Island and Michigan — and saw suicide attempts drop 55% after release

Researchers tested therapy and follow-up support for people behind bars in Rhode Island and Michigan — and saw suicide attempts drop 55% after release.

www.oceanstatemedia.org/suicide-prev...

Providence bishop leads ‘Rosary of Migration’ prayer outside Wyatt Detention Facility Bishop Bruce Lewandowski led prayers outside the facility that houses some ICE detainees in part to protest the recent killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis

www.oceanstatemedia.org/immigration/...

Is Rhode Island’s school funding system due for a major overhaul? An expert commission recommends that the state take on hundreds of millions of dollars in costs currently borne by local school districts

The commission suggests the state commit to a more than $500 million increase in spending on education.: www.oceanstatemedia.org/education/is...

YouTube video by Ocean State Media Can Rhode Island Afford 2026? | One on One with Ian Donnis

Can RI weather federal cuts to healthcare? And why run for the General Assembly? That and much more in this episode of One on One, with Rep Marie Hopkins (R-Warwick)+ Sen Victoria Gu (D-Westerly). Watch here or at 7:30 tonight on @oceanstatemedia.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=wScL...

A last meal at Loui’s, the diner where Providence came together Loui’s Family Restaurant, an eccentric greasy spoon in the shadow of Brown University, was a melting pot of Ivy League students, artists, cops, truck drivers and anyone else who might be hungry for a ...

www.oceanstatemedia.org/food-drink/a...

Rhode Island launches first-ever statewide turkey census Researchers at URI and the state Department of Environmental Management to spend five years on a comprehensive study of Rhode Island’s wild turkey population

Researchers at @universityofri.bsky.social and the state Department of Environmental Management to spend five years on a comprehensive study of Rhode Island’s wild turkey population: www.oceanstatemedia.org/news-and-cul...

YouTube video by Ocean State Media Washington Bridge Closed 2 Years: How Local Businesses Are Surviving the Crisis | Lively

Nearly two years after the Washington Bridge closure, how's business nearby?

Watch the full story now: youtu.be/A-BtmLcdllU

Rhode Island’s $14 billion budget: Five things to know With state spending up sharply since the pandemic and a major deficit on the horizon, new figures reveal the biggest drivers of Rhode Island’s budget and the revenue sources keeping it afloat

Rhode Island’s state government now spends more than $14 billion a year. And recent estimates suggest the state is facing a big budget crunch for the fiscal year that starts on July 1.

Learn more: www.oceanstatemedia.org/economy/rhod...

YouTube video by Ocean State Media Filmmaker Ken Burns on the legacy of the American Revolution and Rhode Island’s role in it

With Ken Burns' new documentary series on the American Revolution set to launch locally Monday on @oceanstatemedia.bsky.social, my weekly interview will feature a repeat of my recent interview with Ken. Watch here or at 7:30 pm tonight or 10:30 am Sunday www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAEu...

Former employee indicted in scheme to smuggle synthetic marijuana into Bristol County jail A former librarian at the Dartmouth House of Correction and four other co-conspirators were indicted for allegedly sneaking in synthetic marijuana

Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux announced on Monday what he called the largest employee drug bust in the history of Bristol County jail.

Learn more: www.oceanstatemedia.org/politics/for...

YouTube video by Ocean State Media Rescued Pit Bull Finds a New Life as the West Warwick Police Department Mascot | Animal Talk

In honor of National Pit Bull Awareness Month, meet Mouse — the rescued pit bull who found a new purpose with the Warwick Police Department. Watch her story here: youtu.be/Fx8jECm18Js

50 years ago, October 22, 1975: The greatest game ever at Fenway Park. I was there The young sports editor for the Woonsocket Call witnessed Carlton Fisk’s epic 12th-inning home run that ended 4 hours and 1 minute of Game 6 World Series drama

"Five decades after the greatest drama ever staged at Fenway Park — Game 6 of the 1975 World Series — I still shake my head, smile, and then laugh in disbelief at what I witnessed from my auxiliary press box seat overlooking the third base line."

www.oceanstatemedia.org/news-culture...

Is Rhode Island in a recession? URI economics professor says yes University of Rhode Island economics professor Len Lardaro says the state is finally feeling the effects of negative economic trends that have been in motion for over a year

@universityofri.bsky.social economics professor Len Lardaro says the state is finally feeling the effects of negative economic trends that have been in motion for over a year.

Learn more: www.oceanstatemedia.org/economy/is-r...

What a wonderful event last night from @oceanstatemedia.bsky.social @kenlburns.bsky.social #SaraBotstein and Brown University history professor #KarinWulf discussed Mr Burns latest documentary, #TheAmericanRevolution @rhodeislandcollege.bsky.social hosted &
@pamjohnston.bsky.social moderated.

YouTube video by Ocean State Media Should URI Open a Medical School? | Lively Panel Weighs In on Rhode Island’s Doctor Shortage

A new study finds @universityofri.bsky.social
is well-positioned to help solve Rhode Island’s growing shortage of primary care physicians — and could help keep top local students and talent in-state.

Watch the full interview here: youtu.be/df58caiYnio

Kids in Rhode Island may not be getting as much sleep as their parents think Less than a fifth of children got the recommended amount of sleep in a new Brown University study

Listen now!🎧 Professor Professor Diana Grigsby joined @oceanstatemedia.bsky.social to discuss her new findings on kids and sleep. How much sleep do kids need? And how much do they actually get?

Watch at 7:30 pm Friday or 10:30 am Sunday on @oceanstatemedia.bsky.social (formerly Rhode Island PBS)

YouTube video by Ocean State Media Is Joe Shekarchi Running for Rhode Island Governor? He Explains Why He Might

Speaker @joeshekarchi.bsky.social was the first guest on @oceanstatemedia.bsky.social's One on One With @iandonnis.bsky.social. They talked about the Washington Bridge, state budget, keeping businesses in RI & more.

Watch Friday at 7:30pm on RI PBS or online: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hwbr...

YouTube video by Ocean State Media Should You Still Get the COVID Vaccine? Rhode Island Department of Health Director Says Yes

Should you still get the COVID vaccine? Rhode Island Department of Health Director says yes.

Watch the full interview here: youtu.be/oysj_dpzaW4