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Rhode Island
Rhode Island Sen. Elaine Morgan responds to social media post backlash
Rhode Island State Sen. Elaine Morgan is facing criticism for a now-deleted Facebook post describing a security guard at the ECHO Village Pallet shelters in Providence.
The post sparked outrage, prompting several Rhode Islanders to reach out to NBC 10 with concerns. After multiple attempts to get answers, NBC10’s I-Team spoke with Morgan, who is refusing to apologize.
In the original post, Morgan described an ECHO Village security worker as “a big, roly-poly dark-skinned man with a lanyard around his neck.”
After public backlash, Morgan changed the wording multiple times, later referring to the worker as “a large dark-skinned man.” The post was eventually deleted.
Morgan attempted to visit the site unannounced and was told she could not enter. She later claimed she was unaware the site was not open to the public.
When asked if she regretted her comments, Morgan told NBC10:
“I’m not taking it back. I said it.”
She acknowledged her description may have been “insensitive” but denied accusations of racism.
“The issue is we’re spending a hundred thousand dollars plus on these sheds, and they want to make it about racism.”
ECHO Village is operated by the nonprofit House of Hope on state-owned land. Executive Director Laura Jaworski condemned Morgan’s remarks in a statement to NBC10.
“The state senator’s remarks are both uninformed and offensive. The language used to describe one of our staff members is unacceptable, and we will not tolerate the disparagement of our residents or our dedicated team,” wrote Jaworski.
Jaworski emphasized that security measures exist to protect vulnerable individuals living in the shelters. She invited Morgan to schedule a proper visit.
Morgan’s remarks have not sat well with many Rhode Islanders.
“Definitely not in good taste and definitely not something that should be coming from a senator,” said Jessica Zerambi of North Kingstown.
“I would just expect professionalism and respect from our state reps,” added Cedric Josey of East Greenwich.
Despite the backlash, Morgan defended herself in a follow-up Facebook post, insisting she is not racist.
“Calling me racist? Very interesting considering I have for over 10 years fostered children who were Hispanic, who were Black, and who were Latino.”
She also wrote that she is “not a person who sugarcoats things” and does not regret her wording.
When asked about Morgan’s post, Gov. Dan McKee said he had not seen it but supported the presence of security at ECHO Village.
“Of course, there’s security there, not anyone can just walk in unannounced. There’s security there for many reasons, and a good reason—to protect the people who actually live there.”
Morgan says she will continue speaking her mind.
“Political correctness is overrated.”
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.
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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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