DOGE broke something at the VA. Massachusetts veterans are paying the price. - The Boston Globe Many veterans say an exodus of medical staff has resulted in longer waits for treatment and has forced them to go outside the VA for care.

Last year, the Veterans Health Administration shed 48,000 staff, the largest one-year decline in staffing in the agency’s history. In Massachusetts alone, 855 workers left the VA in 2025, according to a Globe analysis of federal data.

Add Hasbro to the growing list of defendants facing a class-action lawsuit over a data breach • Rhode Island Current A former Hasbro employee has filed a class-action lawsuit against Hasbro over a March 28 data breach that she claims may have compromised the personal information of potentially thousands of employees...

Hasbro first reported “unauthorized access” to its network in a four-paragraph April 1 SEC filing, saying the company “activated its security incident protocols,” and launched an investigation. By @nancyklavin.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/04/20/a...

Why Rhode Island can‘t afford to lose the race to reduce its SNAP error rate • Rhode Island Current Looming federal mandates requiring states to improve accuracy in distributing food assistance benefits has forced Rhode Island officials to work fast to improve the problematic Supplemental Nutrition…

If accuracy problems with Rhode Island’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program persist, the state could have to pay up to $100 million a year for its food benefits program. By @nancyklavin.bsky.social

Cannabis Control Commission feels the frustration from retail applicants • Rhode Island Current Rhode Island’s Cannabis Control Commission on Friday offered its first public update since a court ruling paused retail licensing, while still withholding its legal strategy as it appeals in an effort...

"Cultivators and prospective applicants are being harmed every day that this continues," one applicant stuck in limbo says. By @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/04/17/c...

Rhode Island bet big on truck tolls. The payoff still hasn’t come Officials project $38 million a year once tolling resumes, but spending obligations have outpaced revenue by millions

Public records requests shows RIDOT spox repeatedly communicated with Gov’s comms team on dodging my interview requests for Rocchio www.oceanstatemedia.org/economy/rhod...

Lawmakers set study panel in motion after North Kingstown sludge processing plant causes a stir • Rhode Island Current The Rhode Island House of Representatives unanimously approved a resolution Thursday setting up a 20-member panel to study sewage treatment in Rhode Island. The measure comes as Woonsocket looks to cl...

The first topic of study authorized by the Rhode Island General Assembly this year: sludge. By @nancyklavin.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/04/17/l...

Smiley unveils proposed FY2027 Providence budget with lowest spending growth in at least five years • Rhode Island Current Providence Mayor Brett Smiley’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget would grow 1.75%, keep property tax rates flat, and add funding for schools, housing and city services.

In his 3,549-word speech, Smiley named President Donald Trump four times and hammered blame on the feds for actions which he said have worsened food insecurity, education, immigration and climate programs. By @ohnocastro.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/04/15/s...

Amid surge in immigration arrests, RI federal judge OKs out-of-state lawyers to represent detainees • Rhode Island Current Rhode Island’s federal court will allow out-of-state attorneys to represent immigration detainees pro bono without joining its bar following a request by legal groups amid a surge in habeas corpus pet...

Rhode Island’s federal court will allow out-of-state attorneys to represent immigration detainees pro bono without joining its bar following a request by legal groups amid a surge in habeas corpus petitions. By @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/04/15/a...

Ethics panel clears Life Science Hub board member for paid adviser gig under ‘hardship’ exception • Rhode Island Current The Rhode Island Ethics Commission unanimously approved a staff recommendation Tuesday allowing Patrice Milos to serve as a paid advisor to the Life Science Hub, despite Milos' recent role on the 15-p...

Rhode Island Ethics Commission clears Life Science Hub board member Patrice Milos for a paid adviser gig under ‘hardship’ exception. By @nancyklavin.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/04/14/e...

Retail cannabis applicants vent after ruling stalls an already ‘slow as molasses’ license rollout • Rhode Island Current Frustrated retail cannabis license applicants called on the Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission to respond quickly to a federal order temporarily halting the lottery process to award 20 licenses ...

Retail cannabis applicants voice frustration after ruling stalls RI licensing rollout. By @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/04/13/r...

State lawmakers are weighing competing data center bills just as Smithfield town officials consider a local ban to head off a potential data center tied to a business park developers want to build. By @ohnocastro.bsky.social

rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/04/13/a...

Newport Hospital birthing center supporters swarm RI State House to demand policy protections. • Rhode Island Current Despite Brown University Health's announcement to keep Newport's birthing center open, advocates remain worried over the labor-and-delivery unit's long-term future. Dozens packed the Rhode Island State House Thursday for a rally and to testify in favor of three pieces of legislation meant to protect the birthing center and maternal health statewide.

At lengthy State House hearing, Newport Hospital birthing center campaign organizers still see long road ahead to preserve landmark labor and delivery unit’s future. By @nancyklavin.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com?p=29665

State lottery ticket sales nearly double to over $100B. By @stateline.org rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/04/09/r...

General Assembly takes one giant leap for home foot care patients in Rhode Island rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/04/09/g...

Jim Thorsen wins fight to clear his name of ethical misconduct charges on 2023 Philly trip • Rhode Island Current Embattled former administration director Jim Thorsen finally cleared his name of ethical misconduct charges, after the RI Ethics Commission voted to toss all three complaints against him Wednesday.…

The Rhode Island Ethics Commission found no evidence of "knowing, willful and deliberate" misconduct by Jim Thorsen, the state's former administration director, when he accepted a free lunch during a March 2023 business trip to Philadelphia with a subordinate. By @nancyklavin.bsky.social

Remembering Len Levin, a legendary editor whose career made an impact Len Levin, a legendary editor at The Providence Journal who was known for his impeccable standards, died at 95.

By @markpatinkin.bsky.social -- Remembering Len Levin, a legendary editor whose career made an impact
www.providencejournal.com/story/news/c...

Quonset sludge-processing plant deal broke no laws. Community trust is another matter. • Rhode Island Current A divisive project to open a sewage processing plant in the Quonset Business Park has prompted fresh scrutiny of the rules governing the 3,200-acre industrial park in North Kingstown.

Quonset sludge-processing plant deal broke no laws. Community trust is another matter. rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/04/08/q...

Clock starts to fill vacancy on RI Supreme Court. Will the House speaker apply? • Rhode Island Current The Judicial Nominating Commission has 90 days to select finalists to fill a vacancy on the Rhode Island Supreme Court bench and forward their names to Gov. Dan McKee after the governor sent the all-v...

The search is officially on for a new associate justice on the Rhode Island Supreme Court. By @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/04/06/c...

NEW: all eyes will now turn to @joeshekarchi.bsky.social to see if he will apply to become an RI Supreme Court justice

Newport Hospital birthing center will stay open. But it needs another $4.9M a year to survive. • Rhode Island Current Newport Hospital’s Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center will remain open, Brown University Health announced on Friday. But, it needs another $4.9 million in state and philanthropic support.

Update: Spokesperson says report by private management consultant affirming the viability of Newport Hospital birthing center won't be made public because of “proprietary benchmarking data.” By @nancyklavin.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/04/03/n...

Democratic states sue Trump over mail-in ballot order, joining rush to courts • Rhode Island Current President Donald Trump’s executive order restricting mail ballots faced a fresh challenge on Friday, as a coalition of Democratic states filed a lawsuit seeking to block an order that experts say is a...

Rhode Island among 23-state coalition challenging executive order in federal lawsuit filed in Boston. By @stateline.org rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/04/03/r...

Newport Hospital birthing center will stay open. But it needs another $4.9M a year to survive. • Rhode Island Current Newport Hospital’s Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center will remain open, Brown University Health announced on Friday. But, it needs another $4.9 million in state and philanthropic support.

Newport Hospital announced Friday that the Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center will remain open after completion of an independent assessment and review of its financial situation. By @nancyklavin.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/04/03/n...

The internet is putting kids at risk. These mom lawmakers want to force tech firms to make it safer. • Rhode Island Current Rhode Island lawmakers are pushing a six-bill package aimed at protecting children from digital harms tied to social media, school tech and AI chatbots.

Three House lawmakers (who are also moms) are pushing for a slate of platform-regulating bills to succeed this year.
rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/04/01/t...

RI primary election won’t be held on a Tuesday due to Labor Day City and town clerks made a major push for a different election date, citing overtime costs and logistical challenges.

NEW: You won't be voting on a Tuesday in September

RI lawmakers have agreed to bump the primary after clerks warned about a mess due to Labor Day

Come for the news - stay for trivia about when RI Dems and Republicans used to have different primary days!

After winter discounts, Rhode Island Energy customers will feel the heat of higher charges • Rhode Island Current Rhode Island Energy customers will see a far less substantial reduction on monthly energy bills starting April 1, compared with seasonal drops in years past. That's because temporary winter discounts ...

Summer electric bill savings will be less noticeable than years past for Rhode Island Energy customers because of fee hikes and the cutoff of temporary, cold-weather discounts. By @nancyklavin.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/04/01/a...

Stefan Pryor finally confirmed as Rhode Island Commerce secretary • Rhode Island Current The Rhode Island Senate confirmed Stefan Pryor as commerce secretary under a 28-7 vote Tuesday, cementing the appointment made by Gov. Dan McKee nearly eight months earlier. However, opponents still q...

Stefan Pryor finally confirmed as Rhode Island Commerce secretary but dissenters still unhappy with legal questions over interim appt rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/03/31/s...

Judge blocks Trump's executive order to end federal funding for PBS and NPR A federal judge agreed to permanently block the Trump administration from implementing a presidential directive to end federal funding for NPR and PBS.

www.pbs.org/newshour/nat...

We are participating in #401Gives, which starts at 6 a.m. and continues for the next 36 hours. Find our profile page here: www.401gives.org/organization...

401Gives: 36 hours to make a difference and help nonprofits stay the course • Rhode Island Current Online fundraising for 401Gives, Rhode Island’s day of giving, opens at 6 a.m. Tuesday and will remain open for 36 hours — about as long as the tumultuous period experienced by some participating nonp...

#401Gives begins at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, March 31, and ends at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1. rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/03/30/4...

TSA officers finally get paid amid ongoing Homeland Security shutdown • Rhode Island Current Most Transportation Security Administration officers received a paycheck Monday covering four weeks of back wages that were held up by the funding lapse at the Department of Homeland Security, a TSA s...

Most Transportation Security Administration officers received a paycheck Monday covering four weeks of back wages. By @fischler.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/03/30/r...