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A crossroads at the Cumberland-Woonsocket line in Senate District 20

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A crossroads at the Cumberland-Woonsocket line in Senate District 20


A box of Portuguese pastries is seen outside the Senate chamber on the last night of the legislative session on June 13, 2024. (Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)

Democratic Sen. Roger Picard opted not to run for election after 16 years in the Rhode Island Senate, and a combined 30 years on Smith Hill. Now, three Democrats are vying for the open seat in Senate District 20, which straddles Cumberland and Woonsocket, in Tuesday’s primary.

Rhode Island Current reached out to all three candidates with a questionnaire.

Candidate Marian Juskuv declined to provide answers.

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Key Events

2 days ago

Woonsocket City Councilor Brian Thompson eyes seat in Rhode Island Senate

2 days ago

Denis Collins thinks R.I. should look to Mass. on bolstering state pension fund

2 days ago

Woonsocket City Councilor Brian Thompson eyes seat in Rhode Island Senate

By: Nancy Lavin – Friday September 6, 2024 5:18 pm

Name: Brian Thompson

Party: Democrat

Race: Senate District 20

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Age: 43

Job: General foreman

Years lived in Rhode Island: 22

Residence: Woonsocket

Political bio: Woonsocket City Council since 2022

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What are your top three legislative priorities if elected?

Working to address the education funding formula to make it more equitable. Making our state more affordable for working families. Addressing environmental issues related to climate change that are harming our communities.

Should Rhode Island have an assault weapons ban? Why, or why not?

As a father of six children, there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about their safety — especially from the scourge of gun violence. It has become too normal to see news about school shootings in our country and it needs to end. Honestly, I used to think that banning certain guns wouldn’t make an impact on the shootings, but it is very clear to me that when you have too many assault weapons on the market, they can easily fall into the wrong hands. We need to make sure that we are in line with our neighbors in Massachusetts and Connecticut. It would be terrible if something bad happens in our neighboring states that can be tracked back to Rhode Island.

Should the state offer more to state pensioners beyond the COLA restoration approved in the FY25 budget? If so, what would you propose?

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Yes. This year saw the first meaningful changes to the pension system in decades, and I supported that very much. We need to work to restore COLAs for those who didn’t get the new COLA and expedite the timeline for the pension fund to be funded adequately. The bottom line is people will continue to not choose jobs that rely on the pension system if they can’t plan for retirement — and it will be all of us who suffer for it.

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Last updated: 6:20 pm

2 days ago

Denis Collins thinks R.I. should look to Mass. on bolstering state pension fund

By: Nancy Lavin 5:18 pm

Name: Denis Collins

Party: Democrat

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Race: Senate District 20

Age: 46 

Job: U.S. history teacher at Taunton High School

Years lived in Rhode Island: 16

Residence: Cumberland

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Political bio: Cumberland School Committee since 2019

What are your top 3 legislative priorities if elected?

Full funding for public education and child care (including making state universities more affordable), tackling the mental health crisis in the state (which is also rooted in crime and addiction), and passing the assault weapons ban.

Should Rhode Island have an assault weapons ban? Why, or why not?

I do support an assault weapons ban, and I believe I am the only candidate in the Senate District 20 race who does. I agree that mental health is the underlying cause of these mass shootings, but it is also the underlying cause of the opioid epidemic. You do not see any organizations arguing that the solution to the opioid crisis is to put more opiates on the street. High-capacity assault weapons are the weapons of choice in mass shootings. We have a moral obligation as elected officials to protect society, and an assault weapons ban is a step forward in keeping innocent people and school children safe. Thoughts and prayers after the fact have done nothing to stymie the plague of gun violence. 

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Should the state offer more to state pensioners beyond the COLA restoration approved in the FY25 budget? If so, what would you propose?

It is terrible that pensioners did not get what they were promised. They did their part, and the politicians let them down. I am currently relying on my own pension when I retire one day, so this issue is personal for me as a teacher. We need to do right by those we made promises to. We fund what we value, but, at the same time, I cannot give a definitive answer on HOW it will be funded without sitting down with all stakeholders and financial personnel. One thing I think the state should consider is what we have done in Massachusetts, which is allow a pathway for those nearing retirement to pay extra into the pension system in their next three years, with the promise that they can retire early. This would provide necessary budget relief for local municipalities by replacing top-step employees with people early in their career.

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Last updated: 6:20 pm



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RI school superintendent resigns amid antisemitic hazing investigation

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RI school superintendent resigns amid antisemitic hazing investigation


A Rhode Island school superintendent has resigned amid an investigation into alleged antisemitic hazing in the district, NBC affiliate WJAR-TV reports.

Smithfield Superintendent Dr. Dawn Bartz announced her resignation in a letter addressed to the school community. Bartz has been on leave since November after a report of hazing at Smithfield High School.

The Jewish Alliance of Rhode Island said five high school football players locked a freshman student in a bathroom, sprayed Lysol at the student and yelled antisemitic slurs.

In her resignation letter, Bartz focused on her successes surrounding academic outcomes, special education and STEM opportunities and other positives for the district, and thanked the community.

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“As Smithfield moves forward, I am confident the district will continue to build on this progress
and momentum. I wish all our students, staff, and families continued success in the years ahead,” she wrote.

The letter did not specify a reason for the resignation.

WJAR-TV first reported on the situation on October, when the Bartz released a statement on its investigation.

“The investigation confirmed inappropriate conduct among a small number of students,” Superintendent Dawn Bartz said in a provided statement. “Disciplinary action has been taken in accordance with district policy, and several student-athletes will not participate for the remainder of the season.”

The statement went on to say that there would be mandated training and education in response. However, the involved players were back at practice, which didn’t sit well with the victim’s family. His parents said his son walked into practice and found himself face-to-face with his alleged assailants.

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Five football players were initially removed from the team for the remainder of the season but were later reinstated. When asked about the reversal in October, Bartz issued a one-sentence statement saying, “The disciplinary process has concluded and we will not be discussing details involving students.”

Smithfield Town Council President John Tassoni said the situation has deeply divided the community.

“It’s a long time coming,” Tassoni said of Bartz’s resignation. “A lot of people are angry about what happened. A lot of people don’t know the truth of what happened, nor do I.”

An investigation is underway by the school committee’s attorney and a report is expected to be delivered to the school committee sometime next year, Tassoni added. However, some people have concerns about transparency and have floated the possibility of hiring an independent investigator.

The Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island said they want the focus to be on student safety.

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“While we can’t speculate on the specific reasons behind the superintendent’s decision to resign, we remain focused on what matters most: that Smithfield schools become a place where Jewish students and all students feel safe, valued, and protected from bias and harassment,” President and CEO Adam Greenman wrote in an email.



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Prosecutors in Rhode Island drop charge against former Bay View athletic director

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Prosecutors in Rhode Island drop charge against former Bay View athletic director


Prosecutors in Rhode Island dropped a fugitive from justice charge against a former Catholic school athletic director.

John Sung was arrested in East Providence last month. He was wanted in Florida for a non-violent felony.

After his arrest, he was fired from his position at St. Mary Academy Bay View in Riverside.

Broward County court records show Sung was taken into custody last week. He posted bond.

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The top returning girls wrestlers? Here are 10 to watch this season

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The top returning girls wrestlers? Here are 10 to watch this season


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Girls wrestling took off last winter in its second year of state championships.

Exactly 50 participants, across a dozen weight classes, competed in the March extravaganza at the Providence Career and Technical Academy. Each weight class was contested, unlike the first year of the tournaments, and new title winners were crowned.

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Pilgrim’s Allison Patten was named Most Outstanding Wrestler for her win at 107. The Patriots’ star also finished runner-up at the New England Championships and is among this year’s returnees. But who else should we be keeping an eye on this winter?

Here are 10 standouts who we think might shine this year.

Enjoy! 

Athletes listed in alphabetical order.

Yasmin Bido, Hope

Senior

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Bido snagged her first individual crown with a 16-0 decision at 152 pounds. The Blue Wave grappler also finished runner-up at 165 in Year 1 of the tournament.

Irie Byers, North Kingstown

Sophomore

Byers stormed onto the scene with a title in her first year on the mat. She captured the 120-pound championship with an 11-1 win in the finals. The Skipper returnee is one of a few wrestlers who could repeat.

Jolene Cole, Scituate

Sophomore

Cole helped Scituate to the team title in the first year that the award was handed out. Scituate is a bit of a girls wrestling factory, and Cole added to that lineage with her pin at 114 pounds.

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Alei Fautua, North Providence

Sophomore

Fautua breezed to the title at 235 pounds with a pin in just 25 seconds. She led the Cougars to a runner-up finish as a team as Scituate edged the Cougars by just seven points. Fautua then finished fourth at the New England championships.

Kamie Hawkins, Exeter-West Greenwich

Junior

This year is all about redemption for Hawkins. She was one of the first state champions and came back last year looking to defend her 120-pound title. It wasn’t meant to be, but make no mistake, Hawkins is one of the state’s best.

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Abigail Otte, Exeter-West Greenwich

Junior

Otte was a repeat champion at 138 pounds as she seized the title with a pin in 24 seconds. It’s likely a safe bet that Otte might capture her third crown in three years.

Allison Patten, Pilgrim

Junior

A repeat season isn’t out of the question for Patten. She won the 107 pound title with a pin in 49 seconds. What’s next for the junior? End the season with a New England title, too.

Chloe Ross, Scituate

Sophomore

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It was quite the debut for Ross. The state crown was a breeze as the freshman won via pin in 1:16. But then came the New England tournament where the Spartan star snagged second place. Might there be a different ending to her season this year?

Meili Shao, La Salle

Senior

Shao was one of the first wrestling champions when she captured the 132 title two seasons ago. A repeat crown wasn’t in the cards as she finished runner-up in the class. But the Ram has returned and could be out to avenge last year’s finish.

Emily Youboty, Hope

Senior

The Blue Wave wrestler is the returning 100-pound winner after she captured the crown with a 19-3 technical fall victory in last season’s title meet.



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