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Rhode Island
Rhode Island's Great Swamp Shooting Range Reopens for the Season – Newport Buzz
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has announced the reopening of the Great Swamp Shooting Range, inviting sportsmen and women to utilize the state’s only free, public outdoor shooting facility. Nestled within the Great Swamp Management Area, the range offers enthusiasts spaces dedicated to three distinct disciplines: archery, clay target shooting, and paper target shooting.
As of its reopening, the facility welcomes visitors for the season, remaining accessible until November 1st. Operating hours are from 8:30 AM to 6 PM, seven days a week, including holidays. While the range is free to use, visitors are required to obtain a range permit prior to usage. Detailed information regarding permit application can be found on the DEM website.
For inquiries and further information, individuals are encouraged to reach out to Branton.Elleman.CTR@dem.ri.gov.
Division of Fish and Wildlife Chief Phil Edwards emphasized the significance of the range in supporting the DEM Hunter Safety Education Program. Edwards noted, “Shooting accuracy and practice are critically important for ethical hunting and humane take of legally hunted game. Sighting in firearms, adjusting scopes, and simply practicing with targets are important and necessary steps to prepare for hunting.”
Since its establishment in 1976, the Great Swamp Shooting Range has undergone multiple renovations, including a comprehensive $2.1 million overhaul in 2018. These enhancements significantly improved both shooting opportunities and safety measures, aligning the facility with the latest industry standards. Noteworthy features include redesigned benches, baffles, and curtains between shooting stations, all aimed at ensuring a safe, comfortable, and environmentally friendly shooting experience. Moreover, the range office operates on solar energy, contributing to reduced energy consumption.
Beyond providing a venue for enthusiasts to hone their skills, the range serves as a platform for promoting responsible firearm and archery practices among both adults and youth. Trained range officers oversee activities, fostering a positive and structured environment for participants.
Shooting sports not only offer physical and mental benefits but also contribute to wildlife conservation efforts. Revenue generated from special taxes on firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment supports conservation programs and wildlife habitat projects nationwide. Notably, the Great Swamp Shooting Range operates without utilizing general fund taxpayer money, relying instead on funding sourced from the federal Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act.
Through the contributions of hunters and sports shooters, DEM has been able to protect wildlife habitats, conduct research, and provide educational opportunities for the public. Without their support, such conservation efforts would not be sustainable.
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CUMBERLAND, R.I. (WPRI) — Rhode Island State Police are investigating a crash that happened on I-295 North in Cumberland Tuesday night.
The crash happened in the right lane near Exit 22 just before 9 p.m.
It’s unclear exactly what caused the crash or if anyone was injured.
12 News has reached out to Rhode Island State Police for more information but has not heard back.
Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts.
Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the free WPRI 12+ TV app.
Scandals shake up Capitol Hill ahead of midterm elections
Congressional reporter Zachary Schermele dives into the latest scandals on Capitol Hill and how they’re shaking up politics ahead of midterms.
Rhode Island’s Democrat and Republican primary elections will officially be held on Wednesday, Sept. 9 this year, instead of the usual Tuesday election day.
Lawmakers passed the bill at the urging of state and local officials, who were concerned that an election day falling the day after Labor Day would not give them enough time to set up polls for the arrival of voters.
Gov. Dan McKee signed the bill on April 20, officially moving the primary day for 2026.
Which races will be on the ballot? The Republican and Democrat nominees for a swath of local offices – most notably governor but also lieutenant governor and attorney general.
Why was RI’s primary day moved?
At a hearing on the bill earlier this year, Randy Rossi, executive director of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns explained the “significant logistical and financial challenges” municipalities otherwise would have faced having an election the day after Labor Day.
“Beyond cost, municipalities face serious logistical challenges accessing and setting up more than 430 polling locations on a major federal holiday, a process that often requires many hours and access to facilities that are typically closed and unstaffed on Labor Day,” he said.
“Compounding these challenges, many municipalities conduct early voting in city or town halls that must also serve as primary day polling locations,” Rossi noted.
Without changes to current law, he said, “municipalities would be required to conduct early voting and primary day polling simultaneously, often in the same limited space and with the same poll workers, requiring additional staffing and facilities.”
By the time this legislative hearing took place in January, other states facing similar issues, including Massachusetts, had already adjusted their primary dates, “and Rhode Island itself has demonstrated that alternative scheduling can be successful, as occurred during the statewide Wednesday primary in 2018,” Rossi said.
EAST GREENWICH, R.I. (WPRI) — If you’re looking to satisfy you’re sweet tooth, look no further than Division Street.
Nothing Bundt Cakes opened its first Rhode Island bakery in East Greenwich earlier this month. The new bakery is situated within East Greenwich Square, which is also home to the Ocean State’s first Crumbl.
The bakery is known for its handcrafted specialty Bundt cakes, as well as smaller “Bundtlets,” and bite-sized “Bundtinis,” that come in a variety of flavors.
“There’s a strong sense of local pride, creativity, and community here that aligns perfectly with our values,” said Jake Williams, who owns the East Greenwich bakery. “We were drawn to the area’s vibrant small business culture and the opportunity to contribute something special.”
Nothing Bundt Cakes is also expected to open another bakery at Chapel View in Cranston later this year.
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Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the free WPRI 12+ TV app.
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