The drone restriction is centered around the soccer practice field adjacent to Beirne football stadium at Bryant University, and the Graduate by Hilton Providence hotel, which are being used by Team Ghana.

“The FAA exempts drone operations that directly support national defense, homeland security, law enforcement, firefighting or search-and-rescue missions,” Breitenfeldt said. “Commercial operators with a valid statement of work must submit requests at least 72 hours before operating within a restricted area to allow for coordination and approval.”

According to the notice, The Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, or the Department of Justice may seize, damage, or even destroy drones that they deep to be a credible safety or security threat.

Providence law enforcement is handling safety efforts on the ground.

“This is unlike any event Providence has hosted in terms of duration and international reach, but our police, fire, emergency management, and city teams have been preparing extensively,” said Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez in a press release.

The PVD FanZone at Station Park, between the Providence Place Mall and train station, will host fans from around the world. According to the press release, the city will have a layered security plan throughout the FanZone and surrounding downtown area and police presence throughout the district. A mobile command center will be located nearby where the public can seek help.

There will be four staffed entryways with security screening, and alcohol service will end 30 minutes prior to the FanZone’s closing each night.

Guests will not be allowed to bring coolers or outside food and drinks, drones, or weapons of any kind, according to the press release.

Carlos Muñoz can be reached at carlos.munoz@globe.com. Follow him @ReadCarlos and on Instagram @Carlosbrknews.

• Maria João “MJ” Albuquerque Martins and John Furtado will be the grand marshals for the 2026 RI Day of Portugal Parade.
• Both marshals are being recognized for their lifelong dedication to preserving Portuguese culture and serving their community.
• Martins is a longtime volunteer, photographer, and has held leadership roles in various Portuguese cultural organizations.
• Furtado, a second-generation Portuguese American, has volunteered for over 40 years at churches and cultural clubs.

Maria João “MJ” Albuquerque Martins and John Furtado will serve as the grand marshals of the 2026 RI Day of Portugal Parade.

Martins, a longtime RI Day of Portugal volunteer, will be recognized for “her lifelong dedication to preserving and uplifting Portuguese culture in Rhode Island,” according to RI Day of Portugal officials.

RI Day of Portugal: Festival’s full schedule, performers, parade route

Furtado will be recognized for his “lifelong dedication to volunteerism, cultural preservation, and service to the Portuguese‑American community.”

“This year we honor two of the most humble and hardworking individuals who have supported not only RI Day of Portugal, but many Portuguese organizations across Rhode Island,” said James Ferreira, president of the RI Day of Portugal Committee.

“These are the people who roll up their sleeves, the ones in the kitchen, cleaning up, setting up, and making things happen,” he added. “They represent the true spirit of service and community, and I’m deeply grateful for their dedication.”

BRISTOL, R.I. (WJAR) — A bill that puts restrictions on self-checkout lanes is headed to the Rhode Island House of Representatives.

The legislation would require grocery stores to have one staffed checkout lane for every three self-checkouts.

The bill was passed by the Rhode Island Senate on May 21.

Senate President Valarie Lawson said it is to help cashiers, as well as customers who may struggle with checking out their groceries, and Rep. Megan Cotter said the bill is about both cashier and customer protection.

However, Scott Bromberg, executive director of the Rhode Island Food Dealers Association, sees the bill in a different way.

Bromberg said he does not want limitations on self-checkout, and that consumers want the fast-shopping experience that self-checkout has to offer.

“The way modern consumers shop has changed, and they want a faster checkout,” he said.

However, Cotter claims that consumers want staffed registers.

Bristol resident Alan Gorbutt agrees and said he does not like self-checkout.

“I like the old-fashioned way. Just go to the regular checkout, seeing the regular lady with the happy smile. I get my groceries that way,” Gorbutt said.

Shopper Christine Auserwald said she will go between the two options but has a preference.

“I prefer manual checkout, but if the lines are too long, I do go to self-checkout,” Auserwald said.

Other customers said they only use self-checkout.

“More convenient, I’m mostly, in and out,” one shopper said.

Bromberg also voiced concern that the bill only limits grocery stores.

Customers using the self-checkout lanes. (WJAR)

“Right now, self-checkout is everywhere you can think of. It’s in hardware stores. It’s in pharmacies, dollars stores, craft stores, discount stores. And we just don’t understand why it only applies to grocery stores,” Bromberg said.

However, Cotter said the bill also includes retail stores Target and Walmart.

If passed, Rhode Island would be the first state in the country to have a statewide restriction on self-checkout.