Rhode Island

Boston Globe Rhode Island wins 43 R.I. Press Association editorial awards – The Boston Globe

Published

10 months ago

May 11, 2025

Boston Globe Rhode Island wins 43 R.I. Press Association editorial awards – The Boston Globe

PROVIDENCE — The Boston Globe Rhode Island team won 43 awards — including 18 first place finishes for Distinguished Journalist, News/Editorial Columnist, investigative reporting, spot news, community journalism, neighborhood coverage, government reporting, and in other categories — in the 2025 Rhode Island Press Association contest honoring work published in 2024.

Alexa Gagosz, Amanda Milkovits, Carlos Muñoz, Christopher Gavin, Dan McGowan, Ed Fitzpatrick, Omar Mohammed, and Steph Machado each received multiple honors at the awards ceremony, which was held at the Quonset “O” Club in North Kingstown, R.I., on May 9. Globe correspondents Alexa Coultoff, Bob Abelman, and Kevin McNamara also won awards for work published in Globe Rhode Island, as did Globe photographers Erin Clark, Lane Turner, and David L. Ryan.

Milkovits, who won first place for investigative reporting, was also honored for first place in general excellence as Distinguished Journalist.

“She has a gift for getting vulnerable people to open up to her and trust her with their stories, and she seeks justice for those unable to fight for themselves,” her entry read. “Her in-depth reporting, tireless questioning, and endless curiosity has had an undeniable impact in the Ocean State, leading to changes in procedures, accountability practices, and policies at the state and local levels.”

Gagosz garnered top honors for her coverage of housing and homelessness in Rhode Island, winning first place in the Single Topic Series category for the fourth year in a row. The Globe Rhode Island team took second place in this same category for their comprehensive coverage of the Washington Bridge closure.

Here are the stories and topics that were singled out for awards:

Distinguished Journalist

First place: Amanda Milkovits, The Boston Globe

News/Editorial Columnist

First Place: Dan McGowan, The Boston Globe

Best Digital Presentation

First place: “Millions of dollars, two investigations, and one lawsuit later: It’s been one year since the Washington Bridge shut down” by Alexa Gagosz and Steph Machado

Best website

Second place: Boston Globe Rhode Island

Feature Photo

Second place: “Their baby was born premature with complex medical needs. The hospital and his deaf parents adapted to help him survive.” by Erin Clark

DJ uses a walker to stroll down the halls of Franciscan Children’s hospital on his discharge day, as hospital staff and his parents, Eduardo Escudero and Lydia Hernandez, watch excitedly from the sidelines. DJ, who was born prematurely, has been a patient at Franciscan Children’s since August 2023. Erin Clark/Globe Staff

News Story (Short)

First Place: “The Fed just cut rates. Here is what it means for Rhode Island.” by Omar Mohammed

Third Place: “Karaoke singers belted out three songs at a Providence restaurant in May. Now, the eatery is facing a lawsuit.” by Christopher Gavin

Spot News Story

First Place: “A 10,000-year-old great white shark tooth just washed up on a R.I. beach — again” by Christopher Gavin

Second Place: “The girl wasn’t the intended target. But she became a shooting victim before her 8th birthday.” by Amanda Milkovits and Steph Machado

Investigative or Analytical News Story

First Place: “A man was charged with killing a girl decades after she went missing. The case fell apart, and the accusation cost him everything.” by Amanda Milkovits

Second Place: “Institutionalized in R.I.: A thousand nights stuck in a system that fails kids” by Steph Machado (this investigative report, a broadcast version of which appeared on an episode of WSBE-TV’s “Rhode Island PBS Weekly,” was also nominated for a regional Emmy award).

Community Journalism

First Place: “Brown University transfers 255 acres in Bristol, R.I., to the Pokanoket Indian tribe: ‘We are the original stewards’” by Edward Fitzpatrick

Neighborhood Coverage

First Place: Three stories about Woonsocket, R.I., by Alexa Coultoff. Stories highlighted for this award included:

Government Reporting

First Place: “R.I.’s housing department faces internal struggles, scrutiny over contracts, incomplete projects” by Alexa Gagosz

Third Place: “Cranston, R.I., mayor’s ties to solar developer’s lawyer spill over into election” by Amanda Milkovits

Education Story

Second Place: “‘I became Natalie again.’ At age 90, she’s getting her college degree.” by Dan McGowan

Third Place: “How Career and Tech Education is changing the school landscape in R.I.” by Steph Machado

Religion or Spirituality Story

Third Place: “Finding his faith community: Mayor of Providence Brett Smiley converts to Judaism” by Steph Machado

Reporting on the Environment

Second Place: “‘Ghost gear’ haunts R.I. waters, harming marine life and the environment” by Carlos R. Muñoz

Science or Health Care Story

First Place: “As the private-equity-firm owners look to sell, the future of two safety-net hospitals in R.I. is at stake” by Alexa Gagosz

Third place: “‘She would’ve been alive’: Opening of safe injection site in R.I. is personal for councilwoman who once opposed it” by Steph Machado

Business Story

First Place: “A wealthy developer in Providence has a one-of-a-kind tax deal meant for affordable housing” by Steph Machado

Third Place: “What happens to Rhode Island’s economy if Hasbro moves to Boston?” by Alexa Gagosz

Personality Photo or Portrait

Third place: “‘This could be any of us’: A former journalist ended up homeless. Then, his story inspired a Narragansett family to help.” by Lane Turner

URI graduate Patrick Fealey was living in his car with his dog, driving from place to place along the Rhode Island coast. Then a Narragansett family read about his plight, tracked him down, and helped him get back on his feet.Lane Turner/Globe Staff

Profile or Personality Story

Second place: “‘This could be any of us’: A former journalist ended up homeless. Then, his story inspired a Narragansett family to help.” by Edward Fitzpatrick

History Journalism

First Place: “What happened to Providence’s Snowtown?” by Carlos R. Muñoz

Third Place: “New mural in Providence honors lost Chinatown and historic drag queen” by Alexa Gagosz

News/Features Columnist

Third Place: Bob Abelman, Globe Rhode Island theater columnist

Feature Story (Short)

Second Place: “These are the unwritten rules of Rhode Island” by Dan McGowan

Incarcerated teens restore forgotten cemetery

WATCH: “No one should just be a number,” a boy told Rhode Island reporter Amanda Milkovits. She unpacks the mission that’s honoring the past with dignity.

Feature Story (In-Depth)

First Place: “Teens incarcerated in R.I. write obituaries for the forgotten: ‘No one should be just a number’” by Amanda Milkovits

Second Place: “‘The news says inflation is going down, but nobody sees it’: Long lines for food reveal a desperate need in R.I.” by Edward Fitzpatrick

Arts or Entertainment Story

Third Place: “10 of the year’s most memorable moments in R.I. theater” by Bob Abelman

Best Email Newsletter

Third Place: “The Rhode Island Food Club” by Alexa Gagosz

Food and Dining story

Third Place: “A centuries-old method for tastier fish is catching on in Providence” by Alexa Gagosz

Photo Series or Picture Story

First place: “For teens living with chronic illness, a prom night to remember” by Erin Clark

Prom attendees enter through the red curtain and are given leis as they arrive for the prom hosted by Hasbro Children’s Hospital, an annual event for dozens of teens living with chronic medical conditions.Erin Clark/Globe Staff

Sports Story

First Place: “‘A point of pride’: Rhode Island FC barrels its way to the USL title game” by Omar Mohammed

Third Place: “Providence College faces URI on Saturday. It’s more than just a basketball game.” by Kevin McNamara

Sports Feature Story

First Place: “He’s served 14 years in America’s most thankless job: Little League baseball president” by Dan McGowan

Tourism Story

First Place: “A trip to Newport, R.I., inspired by HBO’s ‘The Gilded Age’” by Christopher Gavin

Third Place: “Restaurant Guide: Where to eat in the Federal Hill neighborhood of Providence, R.I.” by the Boston Globe Rhode Island staff

Weather or Climate Photo:

Second Place: “R.I. town offering buyouts to homeowners in some flood-prone neigborhoods” by David L. Ryan

A Johnston Fire Department humvee on Belfield Drive inJohnston, R.I., drove over the flooded street to check on the neighborhood residents. David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

Single-Topic Series

First Place: Housing and Homelessness in Rhode Island, by Alexa Gagosz.

For the second time in as many years, Gagosz’s dedication to holding government officials accountable led to the resignation of the state’s Housing Secretary, and once again she dug in her heels to cover every aspect of the aftermath, from the dysfunction within the state’s housing department to the resignation of the housing secretary’s deputy to the appointment of yet another new Housing Secretary. Stories highlighted in this award included:

Second Place: Coverage of the Washington Bridge, by the Globe Rhode Island staff.

The Washington Bridge plays a critical role in Rhode Island, carrying Interstate 195 into the area and connecting the cities of Providence and East Providence. Approximately 96,000 cars cross it each day. When it abruptly closed after a “catastrophic failure” in late December 2023, the entire Globe Rhode Island team sprang into action. In 2024, we kept our spotlight focused on the closure of the bridge and the aftermath, covering every angle, from money spent to lawsuits filed to people and businesses directly affected. Stories highlighted in this award included:

Rhode Island

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

Published

4 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

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

CRANSTON, R.I. (WJAR) — 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)

“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.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION (1)

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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Rhode Island

Man allegedly kills man in R.I. before causing car crash that killed 2 in Mass.

Published

16 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Man allegedly kills man in R.I. before causing car crash that killed 2 in Mass.

Local News

“On behalf of the Cranston Police Department, I want to extend my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Javon Lawson and the two individuals who were killed in the crash in Swansea,” Col. Michael J. Winquist said.

A Seekonk man is accused of murder after he allegedly shot and killed a man in Rhode Island before causing a car crash in Swansea that killed two people last week, police said.

Demitri Sousa, 28, is charged with murder, using a firearm while committing a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license, the Cranston Police Department said.

The shooting occurred Thursday night in Cranston, police said in a press release.

That night, Sousa allegedly arrived at the Cranston home of Javon Lawson, 35. Sousa began banging on the side door of the home, police said.

When Lawson approached the door, he was hit by gunfire from outside, police said.

First responders transported Lawson to the Rhode Island Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Cranston police said.

“Based on the preliminary investigation, the motive is believed to be a dispute between the suspect and the victim over a mutual female acquaintance. Detectives are continuing this investigation to gain more insight, as well as to collect and analyze evidence,” Colonel Michael Winquist, Chief of Cranston police, said in an emailed statement to Boston.com.

Neighbors gave police video footage that “showed a male subject wearing dark clothing and a mask walking toward the residence moments before the shooting and fleeing immediately afterward,” Winquist said.

The suspect was also seen running to a white Infiniti sedan which then drove off, the Cranston police chief said.

Shortly after the shooting, a license plate reader captured the vehicle driving southbound on Route 10, and then later in Fall River and Westport, Massachusetts. The sedan’s license plate was registered in Sousa’s name, Winquist said.

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

Just moments later, Sousa allegedly “crashed into the side of another vehicle, a blue 2022 Subaru Ascent that had been traveling southbound on Route 136,” Swansea Police Chief Mark Foley and Fire Chief Eric Hajder said in a joint press release.

Both vehicles had “catastrophic damage,” and the struck car was engulfed in flames, the Swansea officials said.

The driver and passenger of the hit car — a man and a woman — were declared dead at the scene, they said.

“Swansea Police had been alerted to be on the lookout for the suspect vehicle. However, Swansea Police were not involved in the pursuit and were not pursuing the vehicle at the time of the crash,” the Swansea chiefs wrote. Swansea official have not announced charges related to the fatal crash.

Sousa had been driving the Infiniti and appeared to be suffering from serious injuries, Winquist said. Inside the car, police found a pistol and “additional .22 caliber ammunition was recovered” from Sousa at Rhode Island Hospital, Winquist said.

Police arrested Sousa and transported him to Rhode Island Hospital. Sousa is expected to survive, Winquist said. Sousa will be held in Cranston police custody until he is conscious and medically cleared, Winquist said.

“On behalf of the Cranston Police Department, I want to extend my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Javon Lawson and the two individuals who were killed in the crash in Swansea,” Winquist said.

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Rhode Island

Rhode Island men’s basketball extends slide with loss to St. Joseph’s

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Rhode Island men’s basketball extends slide with loss to St. Joseph’s

SOUTH KINGSTOWN – Whatever hopes the University of Rhode Island harbored for a men’s basketball Senior Day upset of Saint Joseph’s disappeared on a rare made 3-pointer.

Jaiden Glover-Toscano connected on just one of his eight attempts from deep, and it turned out to be a backbreaker. The Hawks mustered just enough offense to hold off the Rams at the Ryan Center in an Atlantic 10 rock fight that went to the visitors.

Glover-Toscano hit from the left wing with 3:37 left, restoring a two-possession lead. Saint Joseph’s did just enough from there to finish a 61-55 victory on Feb. 28 and extend URI’s late-season slide.

“We needed to get that stop,” URI coach Archie Miller said. “It was in the balance. Those last three minutes, whoever was going to make the play or get the stop was going to win.

“They made a big shot right there.”

The Rams cut a 13-point deficit all the way to 56-55 when Tyler Cochran knocked down both ends of a 1-and-1 at the line with 3:54 left. The Hawks overloaded the right side on the ensuing possession, and Derek Simpson got a step on his man toward the paint. He fired a crosscourt pass to Glover-Toscano that caught URI’s defense rotating, and the air came out of the announced 6,391 fans in the building when the net rippled in front of the visiting bench.

“We weren’t able to convert,” Miller said. “That’s kind of the name of the game. You’ve got to have some plays go your way.”

Myles Corey missed a 3-pointer at the other end, and Simpson played facilitator again to give Saint Joseph’s more of a cushion. He found Justice Ajogbor rolling to the rim for a slam with 2:36 left and it was a six-point game. Neither team scored again on an afternoon where they both shot under 40% from the field and went a combined 10-for-61 from deep.

“The bottom line for our team today – and let’s just keep it simple – is we didn’t make a shot,” Miller said. “We really struggled to shoot the ball.”

The Hawks built their largest lead with 13:53 to play, thanks to what was a major sore spot on the afternoon for the Rams. URI couldn’t inbound the ball after an Ajogbor free throw, and Jonah Hinton was called for an offensive foul. Simpson drove for a two-hand slam on the ensuing possession, part of a 13-0 shutout for the visitors on points off turnovers.

“We have no room for error,” Miller said. “That plays a big role.”

The Rams (15-14, 6-10 Atlantic 10) enjoyed their best stretch of the day after falling into that 44-31 hole. Alex Crawford offered some life with a couple of 3-pointers, and Jahmere Tripp buried another from the left corner to make it a 54-51 game with 5:10 left. Crawford’s hard drive down the right kept it a three-point game, and Cochran’s successful trip to the line put URI in position to steal it late.

“I feel like we had open shots,” Crawford said. “We had a lot of good looks – shots we usually make.”

Saint Joseph’s (19-10, 11-5) won its fourth straight and continued an impressive rally from an 0-2 start in league play. The Hawks are on course for a double bye in the upcoming conference tournament, while the Rams look increasingly likely to play on the opening day in Pittsburgh. A home date with Duquesne and a road trip to Fordham wrap the regular season this week, and URI hopes guard RJ Johnson (concussion protocol) will be able to return at some point.

“It did hurt a little bit,” Crawford said. “You face adversity, you’ve got to find a way to make up for missed players.”

SAINT JOSEPH’S (61): Dasear Haskins 5-11 4-5 14, Justice Ajogbor 4-5 1-3 9, Derek Simpson 4-10 4-4 13, Jaiden Glover-Toscano 3-14 0-1 7, Austin Williford 2-9 0-0 5, Khaafiq Myers 4-7 0-0 9, Jaden Smith 1-2 1-3 3, Anthony Finkley 0-2 1-2 1. Totals 23-60 11-18 61.

RHODE ISLAND (55): Tyler Cochran 2-13 8-8 13, Keeyan Itejere 4-5 2-2 10, Jahmere Tripp 4-12 2-3 11, Jonah Hinton 2-11 0-0 5, Myles Corey 1-8 1-4 4, Alex Crawford 4-6 2-4 12, Jalen Harper 0-6 0-0 0, Drissa Traore 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 17-62 15-21 55.

Halftime – SJ, 30-27. 3-point FG – SJ 4-28 (Haskins 0-3, Simpson 1-5, Glover-Toscano 1-8, Williford 1-8, Myers 1-2, Finkley 0-2), RI 6-33 (Cochran 1-9, Tripp 1-4, Hinton 1-7, Corey 1-4, Crawford 2-3, Harper 0-5, Traore 0-1). Rebounds – SJ 45 (Myers 8), RI 46 (Cochran 15). Assists – SJ 14 (Simpson 5), RI 12 (Corey 4). Turnovers – SJ 13 (Simpson 3, Myers 3), RI 13 (Corey 5). Blocked shots – SJ 7 (Ajogbor 3), RI 4 (Itejere 2, Tripp 2). Steals – SJ 8 (Simpson 3), RI 4 (Tripp 2). Attendance – 6,391.

bkoch@providencejournal.com

On X: @BillKoch25

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