Connect with us

Rhode Island

Highlights from the Rhode Island General Assembly: Week in Review (Jan 20 – Jan 24) – Newport Buzz

Published

on

Highlights from the Rhode Island General Assembly: Week in Review (Jan 20 – Jan 24) – Newport Buzz


The Rhode Island General Assembly tackled pressing issues this week, ranging from homelessness and health care to civil rights and insurance fairness. Here’s a roundup of the major developments:

Emergency Shelter Zoning Bill

House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick) introduced a bill (2025-H 5100) to ease zoning restrictions for temporary emergency housing. The legislation aims to help cities and towns provide shelter for those experiencing homelessness during severe weather or disasters.

Pathways for Foreign-Trained Doctors

Rep. Joseph J. Solomon Jr. (D-Dist. 22, Warwick) proposed legislation (2025-H 5108) to allow foreign-trained doctors to work in rural and underserved communities. The bill would create licensure pathways and mentorship alternatives to traditional residency requirements.

Auto Insurance Premium Equity

Rep. Arthur J. Corvese (D-Dist. 55, North Providence) introduced legislation (2025-H 5104) to prohibit auto insurers from using ZIP codes to set rates. The bill aims to prevent discriminatory pricing practices that disproportionately affect low-income drivers.

Advertisement

Reducing Health Care Authorization Hurdles

Rep. Brandon Potter (D-Dist. 16, Cranston) and Sen. Linda L. Ujifusa (D-Dist. 11, Portsmouth, Bristol) introduced a bipartisan effort (2025-H 5120, 2025-S 0053) to streamline health care. The bill would eliminate prior authorization requirements for treatments ordered by primary care providers, improving access and reducing administrative burdens.

Life Science Hub Leadership

The Senate unanimously confirmed Mark Turco as the first CEO of Rhode Island’s Life Science Hub. Turco, a 25-year veteran of the industry, will lead efforts to position Rhode Island as a leader in life sciences.

Senate Committees Address Homelessness

Two Senate committees convened to review the Department of Housing’s response to homelessness and received an update on the Echo Village shelter project.

Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

The Martin Luther King Jr. State Holiday Commission celebrated the civil rights icon with speeches, music, and awards. Rep. Nathan W. Biah (D-Dist. 3, Providence), the commission chair, served as the event’s emcee.

Condemnation of Trump’s Executive Order

Reps. Karen Alzate (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket, Central Falls) and Grace Diaz (D-Dist. 11, Providence) criticized President Donald Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship. Both legislators pledged support for Attorney General Peter F. Neronha’s lawsuit against the order.

Advertisement

 

RI State House

 

 


Like Newport Buzz? We depend on the generosity of readers like you who support us, to help with our mission to keep you informed and entertained with local, independent news and content. We truly appreciate your trust and support!

 




Source link

Advertisement

Rhode Island

Pinnick's 5 TD passes help UC Davis beat Rhode Island 47-20 in FCS playoffs

Published

on

Pinnick's 5 TD passes help UC Davis beat Rhode Island 47-20 in FCS playoffs


DAVIS, Calif. (AP) Caden Pinnick threw two of his five touchdown passes to Zach Jones, Jordan Fisher had 140 yards rushing, which included a 50-yard touchdown run, and UC Davis beat Rhode Island 47-20 on Saturday night in the second round of the FCS playoffs.



Source link

Continue Reading

Rhode Island

GoLocalProv | News | NEW: RI Woman Previously Arrested 100 Times Charged in Death of Pedestrian

Published

on

GoLocalProv | News | NEW: RI Woman Previously Arrested 100 Times Charged in Death of Pedestrian


Saturday, December 06, 2025

 

View Larger +

Advertisement

PHOTOS: Hopkinton Police

Hopkinton Police announced on Saturday that it responded to a one-car motor vehicle accident in the area of 42 Spring Street (Route 138), Hope Valley. When Officers arrived on the scene, they discovered that a pedestrian walking his dogs had been struck by the vehicle.

 

The woman charged in the incident had previously been arrested 100 times.

Advertisement

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE — SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

 

Police said in a statement, “At this time, it is believed that the motor vehicle, driven by 41-year-old Shannon N. Godbout of 332 Canonchet Road, Apt. 203 was traveling eastbound on Spring Street when she left her lane and struck several objects, including two telephone poles and a pedestrian walking his dogs on the shoulder of the eastbound Lane.

 

The pedestrian victim has been identified as 70-year-old Roderick Macleod, who resided at 12B Pleasant Street, Richmond, Rhode Island. Macleod was transported to Rhode Island Hospital by Hope Valley Ambulance.

Advertisement

 

Macleod died from his injuries.

 

“At the scene of the accident, Officers discovered that Shannon N. Godbout was in possession of numerous illegal narcotics and packaging materials commonly associated with drug distribution. She was placed under arrest at the scene and subsequently transported to Westerly Hospital for medical evaluations by Ashaway Ambulance.

This accident is currently under investigation with assistance from the Rhode Island State Police Accident Reconstruction Team,” said the Police.

Advertisement

 

Shannon N. Godbout is facing preliminary charges for the following criminal offenses:

– Driving to endanger, resulting in death

– Possession of narcotics, Schedule I/II with intent to distribute, 3rd plus offense

 

Advertisement

Shannon N. Godbout will be scheduled to appear before a Justice of the Peace and presented to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office as a criminal violator for past charges for which she is currently on suspended sentences/probation.

 

The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be brought against Godbout as further evidence is gathered.

 

100 Arrests

Advertisement

Hopkinton Police cite:

 

– Godbout’s criminal history includes over 100 arrests, with 8 of them from the Hopkinton Police Department.

 

– 82 court warrants have been issued for Godbout previously.

Advertisement

 

– Godbout has received 40 traffic citations, with 7 of them issued by Hopkinton Police.

 

  • New York Man Arrested With Nearly 50 Pounds of Marijuana on Rt 95 in Hopkinton
  • RI DEM Announces Protection of 30 Acres of Forestland in Hopkinton
  • Hopkinton Welcome Center on I-95 Cancelled
  • #13 Hopkinton: RI’s Best Communities 2013
  • Nature Conservancy Adds to Protected Land in Hopkinton
  • Hopkinton #6: RI’s Best Communities 2012
  • RI DEM to Protect 58 Acres of Hopkinton Forestland for Recreational Use
  • Nancy A. (Arruda) Heinold, of Hopkinton, Passes at 85
  • Thomas Lee Andrews, of Hopkinton, Dies at 56
  • John E Ruggieri of Hopkinton Dies at 84
  • Donald P. Allaire, of Hopkinton, Dies at 77
  • Navy Veteran, James B. Case, of Hopkinton, Passes at 86
  • Daniel & Theresa Pelletier, of Hopkinton, Die Together in House Fire
  • William L. Stamp, Jr., of Hopkinton Dies at 68

 

Enjoy this post? Share it with others.

Advertisement





Source link

Continue Reading

Rhode Island

Live updates from Rhode Island vs. Providence men’s basketball

Published

on

Live updates from Rhode Island vs. Providence men’s basketball


play

PROVIDENCE — Rivalry week in Rhode Island continues.

It’s the best week of the year as the state’s college basketball teams play each other and no matchup is bigger than Rhode Island vs. Providence. The Providence Journal’s Jacob Rousseau and Bill Koch are downtown today to cover the day.

Advertisement

Tip is set for noon at the Amica Mutual Pavilion.

It’s the 135th matchup between the in-state rivals with Providence leading the all-time series, 77-57. Rhode Island won last year’s game, 69-63, in Kingston. Rhode Island hasn’t won in Providence since Dec. 7, 2002, when it captured a 73-71 victory.

Follow along for live updates from the game!

Live updates from Rhode Island vs. Providence men’s basketball

11 a.m. — Both teams have taken the courts for warm ups now. Students have started to trickle into their sections in the AMP’s endzones. We’re just over an hour before tip in this rivalry matchup.

Advertisement

10:36 a.m. — Providence’s Duncan Powell is on the court warming up with a mask. The forward hasn’t played since Nov. 14 with a facial injury. Kim English said, after the Friars’ win vs. FDU, that Powell could be available today.

9:45 a.m. — We’re here bright and early at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Broadcast crew from TNT — operating as TruTV this afternoon — getting settled.

Officials for this matchup are Lamar Simpson, Greg Evans and Tim Clougherty. Simpson and Clougherty were on the whistle Friday night at Pizzitola Center, a 75-56 win for Brown over Bryant. Evans has been off since Wednesday night, a Sacred Heart road win at Mount St. Mary’s.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending