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Grief grips RI as Spencer Lane, mother Christine Conrad Lane are killed in plane crash

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Grief grips RI as Spencer Lane, mother Christine Conrad Lane are killed in plane crash


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  • 16-year-old figure skater Spencer Lane and his mother, Christine Conrad Spencer, were killed in a midair collision at Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C.
  • Christine will be remembered for her creativity, passion for helping animals, and her deep connection to friends and family.
  • The Rhode Island skating community, including close friends, is devastated by the tragic loss, with many sharing heartfelt tributes.

BARRINGTON − Devastation spread across the Rhode Island figure-skating community Thursday with word that 16-year-old skater Spencer Lane and his mom, Christine Conrad Lane, 49, were among those who died in Wednesday night’s midair collision at Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C.

“We’re all just gutted and heartbroken,” Lisa Duffy, a friend and co-worker of Christine Lane at Residential Properties Ltd., told The Providence Journal Thursday afternoon.

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“Our skaters are our family and we all feel this terrible loss deeply,” Warwick Figure Skaters, a skating club there, said in a post Thursday on its Facebook page. Spencer “was always a bright light at our rink. He was kind and a friend to so many of his fellow skaters. He was a fiercely determined and fearless skater, always challenging himself. He was in love with the sport from the beginning and it showed.”

Family statement: “You simply could not stop him if he decided he wanted to do something.”

The family was traveling to Washington Thursday afternoon and issued a statement through a friend.

“Spencer can only be described as a force of nature. You simply could not stop him if he decided he wanted to do something. There is no better example of this than his remarkable skating journey, which we are heartbroken to see end too soon,” the statement said. “We are so grateful that his last week was filled with joy and surrounded by his beloved Skating Club of Boston and the U.S. Figure Skating family.”

The statement also said, “Christine exuded creativity throughout her life, using her formal graphic design training as a jumping-off point for seemingly endless creative pursuits across areas such as photography, quilting, knitting, and more. She brought even greater passion to her role as a mother to Spencer and his brother Milo. She was also a lover of animals, and we lost track of how many dogs she helped place in loving adoptive homes.”

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“She had a contagious laugh. She was a bright, bright light,” Christine Lane’s friend Duffy remembered her. “Everybody was happy to be in her company.”

And Lane’s son was special. Anyone who was around him felt they were “in the company of a future Olympian,” said Duffy, who added that many were tracking where future Olympics would be held so they could get a jump on buying tickets.

Final words between friends

Lane found friends in all corners of her life, whether it was fostering dogs; knitting and sewing circles; or the skating community. “There’s nobody who ever met her who didn’t like her,” Duffy said. “No matter what it was, she found a way to connect with you.”

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Duffy said that she and Lane communicated frequently while the Lanes were in Wichita. “I was watching the nationals on TV and texting her, and saying I was looking for her and her son.”

Just before mother and son began their journey back toward Rhode Island, Duffy texted and asked whether they were still in Kansas or in the air on the way home.

“Wichita, baby!” was the response.

“I blew her a bunch of kisses,” said Duffy.

Later, Duffy sent Lane a TikTok that at least half-joked that today’s fractured world would be better off if people just did more crafts, like knitting and quilting.

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She sent that at 8:04 p.m., and expected a funny reply from Lane after her friend landed.

Flight 5342 crashed around 9 p.m.

“Beyond heartbroken”

“I am just beyond heartbroken for her husband and younger son,” said Duffy. “We’re going to rally and help her husband and other son because that’s what she would do for everybody. She just had tons of light and love to share with everybody.”



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Rhode Island

Rhode Island basketball routed at Saint Louis. Here’s what happened

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Rhode Island basketball routed at Saint Louis. Here’s what happened


Saint Louis led wire-to-wire in Saturday’s Atlantic 10 matchup with visiting Rhode Island, topping the Rams, 81-66 — a contest in which URI was outrebounded on the offensive glass 11-0.

Rhode Island’s Jamarques Lawrence scored a team-best 19 points, including going 5-for-6 from 3-point range, David Green had 16 points and Sebastian Thomas added 8 points and nine assists in the loss. For the host Billikens, Robbie Avila led all scorers with 22 points and Gibson Jimerson had his first career double-double (21 points, 11 rebounds). Saint Louis connected on a season-high 15 3-pointers.

URI would get as close one point (43-42) with 17:03 to play, but Saint Louis extended its lead thanks to a 7-0 run, outscoring the Rams 38-24 the rest of the way.

On the boards, the Billikens outrebounded Rhode Island 42-29, and the lack of the Rams’ offensive rebounds led to a 12-0 Saint Louis advantage in second-chance points. The Billikens’ bench also outscored Rhode Island’s, 21-10.

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The Billikens (15-12, 8-6 A-10) are now in a three-way tie (with Dayton and Saint Joseph’s) for fourth place in the A-10 with four games remaining. The top four teams in the final standings receive a double bye in the A-10 Championship. Rhode Island slips to 17-9 overall and 6-8 in Atlantic 10 play, good for a three-way tie for ninth place in the conference.

URI will host Dayton (18-9, 8-6) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.



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Is Now the Right Time to Buy or Sell in Rhode Island's Real Estate Market? – Newport Buzz

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Is Now the Right Time to Buy or Sell in Rhode Island's Real Estate Market? – Newport Buzz


by Connor Dowd

As of February 2025, Rhode Island’s real estate market is experiencing notable activity, prompting both buyers and sellers to evaluate their positions. Recent data indicates a dynamic environment with rising home prices and increased sales activity.

Current Market Trends

  • Home Prices: The median home price in Rhode Island reached $470,000 in December 2024, marking a 10.1% increase from December 2023. This upward trajectory continued into January 2025, with home prices up 9.8% year-over-year.
  • Sales Activity: December 2024 saw a 30.3% rise in year-over-year home sales, the largest annual gain since January 1999. This momentum carried into January 2025, with the number of homes sold increasing by 6.6% compared to the previous year.
  • Inventory Levels: The number of homes for sale rose by 1.7% in January 2025, indicating a slight easing of the previously tight inventory. Experts anticipate that inventory will continue to increase, potentially reaching about 1,500 units on the market.

Market Forecast

Providence, Rhode Island’s capital, is projected to be the third hottest major housing market in the U.S. for 2025, according to a recent analysis by Zillow. This forecast suggests sustained demand and competitive conditions in the region.

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Considerations for Buyers

For prospective buyers, the current market presents both opportunities and challenges. While increasing inventory may offer more options, rising home prices and potential competition, especially in sought-after areas like Providence, necessitate prompt and informed decision-making. Additionally, interest rates remain a crucial factor to consider, as they directly impact mortgage affordability.

Considerations for Sellers

Sellers are in a favorable position due to the appreciating home values and robust sales activity. The heightened demand, particularly in markets like Providence, coupled with still-limited inventory, provides an advantageous environment for achieving strong sale prices.

Why Working with a Realtor is Essential

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Navigating today’s real estate market—whether buying or selling—requires expert guidance, market knowledge, and strong negotiation skills. That’s where The Dowd Team at Keller Williams Realty comes in.

Our team understands the nuances of Rhode Island’s fast-paced market and provides clients with the insights they need to make confident decisions. With a deep understanding of pricing trends, local neighborhoods, and negotiation strategies, we ensure that buyers secure the best possible deals and sellers maximize their returns.

From first-time homebuyers to seasoned investors, we offer a seamless experience, handling everything from property searches and marketing to closing negotiations and paperwork. In a competitive market like Rhode Island’s, working with an experienced Realtor can make all the difference in achieving your real estate goals.

Conclusion

377 Rumstick Road

The Rhode Island real estate market in early 2025 is characterized by rising home prices, increased sales, and gradually improving inventory levels. Buyers should be prepared for a competitive landscape and act swiftly when opportunities arise, while sellers can capitalize on the current demand and favorable pricing trends. As always, individual circumstances and financial considerations should guide decisions, and consulting with a trusted real estate professional—like The Dowd Team—ensures you have the right strategy in place.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling in Rhode Island, reach out to The Dowd Team at Keller Williams Realty today. Let’s navigate the market together and achieve your real estate goals!

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DOJ and states were back in RI court over federal funding freeze. When is a ruling expected?

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DOJ and states were back in RI court over federal funding freeze. When is a ruling expected?


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  • A federal judge heard arguments Friday in Providence on whether to extend an order blocking the federal government from freezing funds allocated to states.
  • Democrat-led states argued that the freeze on “categorical” funding is unlawful and has caused chaos and uncertainty for important programs.
  • A Justice Department lawyer argued that the states’ complaint is overly broad and that the president has the authority to pause spending.
  • The judge said he hopes to issue a ruling in the coming week and has left in place an order to keep federal money flowing to states.

PROVIDENCE – A federal judge heard arguments Friday in the high-stakes battle about whether to extend an order blocking the federal government from freezing money states rely on for services ranging from child care to disaster relief to Medicaid payments.

U.S. District Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr. weighed a request by close to two dozen Democratic states to block the federal government from withholding billions in aid until agencies ensure that all spending aligns with President Donald Trump’s priorities on “woke” gender ideology, climate goals and foreign aid.

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States operate on “carefully orchestrated” payment systems that depend on promised and appropriated federal aid for their budgeting, Rhode Island Assistant Attorney General Sarah Rice told the court Friday.

The “categorical” federal funding freeze enacted shortly after Trump took office, creating chaos and throwing child care services and Head Start programs into disarray and uncertainty, is contrary to the law, Rice said.

“We don’t know how long these pauses might have gone on” without court intervention, Rice said.

Despite McConnell’s previous court orders halting any freeze, “an outage has continued to this day,” she said. The harm, she said, is irreparable, impacting crucial services, programs and payrolls.

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“The people who provide the care need to be paid,” Rice said.

Federal response: States’ complaint is ‘abstract’

A U.S. Department of Justice lawyer urged the court to reject the states’ request, faulting it as overly broad, “abstract” and “across-the-board.” If the court grants an injunction, federal agencies will be hamstrung from making spending choices based on their own discretion, he said.

“The president is allowed to tell an agency if you have the discretion to pause if you should pause,” Department of Justice Special Counsel Daniel Schwei said.

Schwei drew parallels between Trump’s funding directive and former President Joe Biden’s decision to halt money for a border wall.  Executives have regularly exercised their power to halt spending based on their priorities, he said.

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The pause, he said, at most impacted the timing of payments and had been withdrawn within days, a step the government has argued makes the case moot.

‘A political term of art’

McConnell questioned how the government’s order to ensure it aligned with Trump’s priorities shouldn’t be viewed as arbitrary in itself. The judge noted that it referred to a Green New Deal – which in reality doesn’t exist. 

“It’s a political term of art,” McConnell said.

Schwei said the order was only directing agencies to use their own discretion to save money.

He hit back, too, against McConnell’s reference to a Trump press secretary’s comments implying that the federal government wasn’t complying with the court’s previous court orders. 

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McConnell granted the states a temporary restraining order in late January and later a second “emergency” order directing the federal government to comply or face possible contempt.

Schwei said the breadth of those orders make it difficult for the government to comply.

Neronha: ‘He could have gone to Congress’

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha, whose office is leading the states’ lawsuit, said after the proceedings that he thinks the injunction will be granted because the states have a good case.

“Trump’s executive orders and the subsequent memos sent to federal agencies have ‘sidelined’ Congress, and to an extent the courts, and if Trump wanted to reallocate the funds, he could have gone to Congress, which his party controls, to move the funds through the recision process,” Neronha said.

The injunction is necessary because the federal government can’t be trusted to keep its word and to prevent the Trump administration from issuing a similar memo later, he said.

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McConnell said he hopes to issue a ruling in the coming week on the state’s bid for an injunction and left in place an order to keep federal money flowing. 

Travel of the case

The states’ challenge to Trump’s freeze on spending landed in federal court in Rhode Island last month after authorities directed agencies to ensure spending complied with the administration’s priorities. 

McConnell agreed to indefinitely block the freeze on federal spending, calling the president’s claims of executive authority “constitutionally flawed.” Days later, the court directed the federal government to comply with with the order after states complained that money continued to be withheld. McConnell warned that the government could be found in criminal contempt. 

The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down the government’s bid for a stay of McConnell’s orders, finding that the judge had left room for officials to seek relief, if necessary. 

With reports from Wheeler Cowperthwaite

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