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When is Walz coming to R.I.? Event planners still ironing that out

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When is Walz coming to R.I.? Event planners still ironing that out


Construction lifts, staging and storage are shown on the grounds at the entrance to Belcourt Castle at 657 Bellevue Ave., Newport on the afternoon of Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. (Janine L. Weisman/Rhode Island Current)

Democratic party fundraisers appear to be still looking for a venue to host Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate in the coming weeks, and it’s unclear just how long the guest of honor could stay at such an event.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is invited to attend a fundraiser that organizers hope will raise $500,000, said Rhode Island Democratic National Committeeman Joe Paolino Jr.

Paolino, who is among those working to put the event together, on Friday reiterated the state party’s message that no details have been finalized.

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“That’s all I can tell you. I’d hate to speculate since I don’t have all the facts,” Paolino said in an interview. “We want to do something, and if they tell us the date, we’ll be there for them.”

WPRI first reported that an invitation it had obtained suggested Walz would attend an event on Friday, Aug. 16, in Newport. 

House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi told the Boston Globe Wednesday that the “plan is to host something in Newport next Friday at Belcourt (Castle).” But the grounds of the mansion on Bellevue Avenue in Newport owned by Carolyn Rafaelian is being used as a construction staging area for an event across the street at the Miramar estate through Aug. 18, said the house manager David Bettencourt.

Bettencourt deferred to Rafaelian for comment, but she did not immediately respond to a message.

“That was one of many options,” House spokesperson Larry Berman said Friday of Belcourt Castle. Berman could not immediately answer how many venues were being considered.

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City of Newport spokesperson Tom Shevlin told Rhode Island Current he was not aware of any assigned police details for a major fundraising event over the next week. Rhode Island Democratic Party Chairwomen Liz Beretta-Perik did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Whenever and wherever the state’s high-profile Democratic donors meet, Paolino said any money raised will go toward the Harris-Walz campaign efforts in battleground states such as Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.

“We need them there in order to win this election,” he said. 

A spokesperson for the Harris-Walz campaign did not return a request for comment. Since Walz’s selection as Harris’ running mate Tuesday, Democrats have raised over $78 million in donations through their ActBlue platform, according to a third-party tracker.

This is a developing story.

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St. Patrick’s Day 2026: Your Guide To Fun In Rhode Island

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St. Patrick’s Day 2026: Your Guide To Fun In Rhode Island


Rhode Islanders who plan to join in the global celebration of Irish culture can choose from big and small events, including a parade in Providence.

The March 17 holiday falls on a Tuesday this year, and many big events will be held the weekend of March 14-15. Originally a modest, religious feast day honoring the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day today is a vibrant, boisterous holiday observed by millions of people regardless of their heritage.

The Providence parade is March 21.

We’ve rounded up 10 more events to help you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. But first, are you planning an event this spring? Feature it, so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!

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Here’s your guide to St. Patrick’s Day fun in Rhode Island:





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Married couple from R.I. identified as victims in fatal Swansea crash

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Married couple from R.I. identified as victims in fatal Swansea crash


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The two victims were identified as a husband and wife from Rhode Island, local officials said.

A Rhode Island husband and wife in their 50s were identified as the two people killed in a Swansea car crash Friday night.

Carlolyn Carcasi, 54, and James Carcasi, 53, of Bristol, Rhode Island, were killed in the Feb. 27 crash, the office of Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn said in a press release Monday.

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The crash occurred at the intersection of Route 136 and Route 6 in Swansea, Quinn’s office said.

Police in Cranston, Rhode Island identified the driver who allegedly hit the couple as Demitri Sousa, 28. Sousa allegedly shot and killed a man in Rhode Island nearly four hours before the crash, Cranston police said.

At around 12:18 a.m. Friday, Swansea police spotted Sousa’s Infiniti barreling down Route 6, Swansea officials said previously.

The couple was driving southbound on Route 136 when the Sousa crashed into the side of a Subaru Ascent. Both cars had “catastrophic damage,” and the Subaru was engulfed in flames, Swansea fire and police officials said. 

Both occupants of the Subaru were declared dead at the scene, Swansea officials said.

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Sousa was transported to a local hospital, where he is being treated for serious injuries. He is expected to live and will be held in Cranston police custody until he is medically cleared, police said Sunday.

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Women’s Fund of Rhode Island, leaders celebrate Women’s History Month with panel event

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Women’s Fund of Rhode Island, leaders celebrate Women’s History Month with panel event


Women’s Fund of Rhode Island and U.S. Sen. Jack Reed celebrated Women’s History Month in Cranston with a panel discussion on Monday.

The event was held at the Cranston Public Library at 9 a.m.

Reed and other leaders of WFRI hosted a panel discussion with women leaders in environmental and agricultural advocacy, education, community resilience, housing, finance, workforce development, and more, officials said.

Women’s Fund of Rhode Island and U.S. Sen. Jack Reed celebrated Women’s History Month in Cranston with a panel discussion on Monday. (WJAR)

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“Women have played a critical role in this process, most often without any recognition,” Reed said. “Today’s panel brings together an extraordinary group of women who are addressing the challenged of sustainability from various angles and I want to thank you all for your great efforts.”

The panelists highlighted their experiences, shared insights and tips on lifting up women’s voices, provided strategies for sparking change and more.

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According to officials, some of the panelists included Executive Director of the Rhode Island Food Policy Council Nessa Richman, Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives at Rhode Island College Kim Bright, Newport Housing Authority Executive Director Rhonda Mitchell and more.

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