Rhode Island
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.
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.
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Rhode Island
GoLocalProv | News | NEW: RI Woman Previously Arrested 100 Times Charged in Death of Pedestrian
Saturday, December 06, 2025
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.
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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.
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.
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
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
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.
– Godbout has received 40 traffic citations, with 7 of them issued by Hopkinton Police.
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Rhode Island
Live updates from Rhode Island vs. Providence men’s basketball
WATCH: URI and Brown coaches speak postgame on Dec. 2, 2025
The Rhode Island Rams beat the Brown Bears on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025.
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.
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.
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.
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