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Rhode Island
Highlights from the Rhode Island General Assembly: Week in Review (Mar 3–Mar 7) – Newport Buzz
Several notable pieces of legislation advanced in the Rhode Island General Assembly this week, addressing a variety of issues from public health to environmental protection.
Emergency Housing Legislation Passes House
The House of Representatives approved a bill (2025-H 5100A) introduced by Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi to allow cities and towns to implement temporary emergency housing units, known as SAVE units, for people experiencing homelessness during extreme weather or disasters. The bill is now moving to the Senate.
PFAS Ban in Firefighter Gear
A bill prohibiting the manufacture, sale, or distribution of firefighter protective gear containing PFAS chemicals was approved by the House. Sponsored by Rep. June Speakman, the legislation aims for implementation by January 2027 and now heads to the Senate.
AEDs on Golf Courses
The House passed the David Casey Act (2025-H 5083A), introduced by Rep. Deborah Fellela, which would require automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) on all public and private golf courses. The measure moves next to the Senate.
Clean Nuclear Power for Public Utilities
Legislation introduced by Sen. David Tikoian and Rep. Joseph Solomon would allow public utilities to purchase clean nuclear power from out-of-state facilities. The bill aims to support renewable energy goals while maintaining competitive energy pricing.
Grief Acknowledgement in Pet Injury Cases
A new bill (2025-H 5926) introduced by Reps. Thomas Noret and Jon Brien would allow individuals to seek damages for the intentional or negligent death or injury of a pet, recognizing the emotional loss in such cases.
Healthy School Meals for All
Rep. Justine Caldwell and Sen. Lammis Vargas introduced a bill ensuring all public-school students have access to free breakfast and lunch, regardless of income, promoting both nutrition and learning readiness.
Prescription and Medicaid Cost Reduction
Sen. Linda Ujifusa and Rep. Jennifer Stewart filed bills to curb the practices of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) that contribute to rising prescription costs by eliminating “spread pricing.”
Reducing Gun Access for Hate Crime Perpetrators
Rep. Jennifer Boylan and Sen. Mark McKenney introduced legislation to prohibit individuals convicted of hate crimes from purchasing or possessing firearms, aiming to reduce gun violence.
AI Liability Standards Introduced
A bill introduced by Sen. Victoria Gu and Rep. Lauren Carson seeks to establish liability standards for damages caused by artificial intelligence, ensuring legal recourse for victims.
Addressing Mental Health in Schools
Legislation co-sponsored by Sen. Melissa Murray and Rep. Jenni Furtado aims to provide additional funding for mental and behavioral health support in schools to address the growing mental health crisis among students.
Rally to Protect Freedom to Read
A rally was held at the State House in support of a bill (2025-H 5726, 2025-S 0238) that would protect libraries and their patrons from political or doctrinal book bans. Advocates, including the Rhode Island Library Association, attended the event alongside lawmakers.
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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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