Rhode Island
Jaws Anniversary Coincides With Real-Life Shark Sighting In Rhode Island
Basking sharks, despite their size, pose no threat to humans. They have tiny teeth, no interest in … More
Just in time for the 50th anniversary of “Jaws,” a real-life shark sighting had New Englanders channeling their best “shahk in the pawnd” impressions this week. The moment unfolded at the end of last month near Block Island, Rhode Island; it was here, in the calm waters of the Great Salt Pond, that diners enjoying a seafood meal at Dead Eye Dick’s spotted something unusual slicing through the surface.
A pair of unmistakable dorsal fins.
Phones came out, videos were taken, and soon even the NGO Atlantic Shark Institute was sharing the footage of the sizable animal online. The organization, which monitors shark activity throughout the region, joked about the parallel to the infamous movie and invited the public to guess what kind of shark had found its way into the sheltered saltwater lagoon.
Speculation quickly flooded the comments. Guesses ranged from great whites to sand tigers to makos. But the truth was far less dramatic and dangerous. In the video, the silhouette looked imposing, and anyone unfamiliar with shark species could understandably assume it was something dangerous. The shark, as confirmed later by the institute’s executive director Jon Dodd, was a basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus). Enormous, yes, as they are the second largest fish in the ocean after the whale shark. But dangerous? Not quite. They’re filter-feeders, cruising through the ocean with mouths wide open to scoop up plankton, not people.
A 20-foot basking shark made an unexpected appearance in Rhode Island’s Great Salt Pond, stirring … More
The one in the Great Salt Pond was around 20 feet long (just over 6 meters), making it relatively modest for its species, which can grow over 40 feet (12 meters) in length. Still, seeing an animal that size in a place where people typically kayak, swim, and anchor boats is enough to give anyone pause. “The size of these sharks, the height of the dorsal fin, and how they move can be a real attention getter!” said Dodd to a local outlet. “They can look quite a bit like a great white shark at a glance, or from distance, and that can put people into a panic and justifiably so based on where you might be at the time (think in the water!)” Basking sharks, despite their size, pose no threat to humans. They have tiny teeth, no interest in large prey, and spend most of their time following plankton blooms. And yes, they can look eerily similar to great white sharks, especially if your only reference is the iconic 1975 Spielberg film. “The good news? They’ve never been implicated in any bite on a human being, as noted in the International Shark Attack File. They are endangered in some parts of the world and considered “vulnerable” here in the U.S.,” ASI explained.
While the scene may have triggered some instinctive unease, experts were quick to clarify there was no cause for concern. “Sharks are arriving in Rhode Island daily,” the Atlantic Shark Institute continued in a Facebook post, “as water temperatures continue to rise and more and more species of shark find them suitable to their liking.” This is part of a larger trend tied to climate change and warming ocean temperatures, which are shifting where marine animals spend their time during the summer months. It’s no surprise then that basking sharks, which are normally seen off the coast in deeper waters, are making occasional detours into shallower inlets like Great Salt Pond. Fortunately for any nervous swimmers, the shark didn’t linger. By the next day, it had likely found its way back out to open water, leaving only ripples (and viral footage) in its wake.
As we mark the anniversary of “Jaws,” it’s worth recognizing how far we have come as a society. Fifty years ago, a scene like this might have ended in alarm and calls for the removal of the individual (likely leading to a grim end for the shark in question). Today, it ends with a Facebook post, a science lesson, and a bit of local pride. After all, not every summer hotspot gets a visit from one of the ocean’s true giants.
Rhode Island
Steps from the Sand — A Classic Weekapaug Cottage Offered for $3,300,000 – Newport Buzz
43 Noyes Neck Road | Westerly, RI 4 Bedrooms, 3 Full Bathrooms, 1 Half Bathroom | 2,431 Sq. Ft. | 0.35 Acres | Walk to Beaches | Community Tennis & Pickleball | Offered by Robin Knisley of Mott & Chace Sotheby’s International Realty for $3,300,000.
Nestled in one of Rhode Island’s most cherished seaside enclaves, 43 Noyes Neck Road in Westerly offers the rare chance to call Weekapaug home — a place defined by sandy paths, ocean breezes, and a lifestyle centered around community and coastal serenity. This sun-filled cottage, set on a beautifully maintained 0.35-acre lot with exceptional privacy, blends classic charm with thoughtful updates, creating an inviting retreat just moments from the shoreline.
Spanning 2,431 square feet across three levels, the home features four bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths, along with a flexible bonus space ideal for a home office, gym, sunroom, or private guest quarters. The interior is bright and welcoming, with an easy flow designed for relaxed living. A freshly updated kitchen with new appliances adds modern convenience, while the back porch — overlooking a peaceful, expansive yard — offers the perfect setting for morning coffee, evening cocktails, or effortless summer entertaining.
Recent improvements, including a brand-new roof, new AC pump, and upgraded systems, enhance comfort throughout the seasons. Central air conditioning and electric heat provide ease for both summer enjoyment and off-season stays.
Living in Weekapaug is a lifestyle unto itself: walk to two beloved beaches, enjoy community tennis, pickleball, and croquet, and explore the opportunity to join the Weekapaug Yacht Club — a hub for sailing, boating, and seasonal events that define this storied coastal village.
With its blend of privacy, charm, and proximity to the water, 43 Noyes Neck Road is more than a home — it’s an invitation to experience Weekapaug at its most timeless.
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Rhode Island
URI’s use of artificial intelligence in research, teaching, and innovation on display at ‘Discovering AI @ URI Day’
KINGSTON, R.I. – Dec. 8, 2025 – Artificial intelligence (AI) is here to stay and students, faculty, and staff at the University of Rhode Island have been using the evolving technology for research, teaching, and innovation purposes.
The effective and creative ways AI has been applied across the University will be discussed and displayed at “Discovering AI @ URI Day,” on Dec. 10 from 4-7:30 p.m., in rooms 040 and 045 of URI’s Fascitelli Center for Advanced Engineering, 45 Upper College Road, on the Kingston Campus.
The free event will feature guest speakers, panel discussions, and poster presentations. Refreshments will be provided. The URI community is welcome to share their AI success stories. Those interested in attending the event are encouraged to RSVP.
“As Rhode Island’s flagship R1 research university, URI has the responsibility to lead in the development and thoughtful application of AI across higher education,” said URI Assistant Vice President for Research Computing Gaurav Khanna. “By leveraging advances in AI, URI will expand discovery, prepare students for an AI-shaped workforce, and drive innovations that benefit Rhode Island and beyond.”
Khanna is also the director of URI’s Institute for AI and Computational Research. The institute supports and promotes high-level interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary computational research, including AI-related research.
Guest speakers at Discovering AI @ URI Day will include:
- Victoria Gu, chair of the Rhode Island Senate Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology and representative of District 38 in the Rhode Island Senate
- URI Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Barbara Wolfe
- URI Chief Information Officer and Associate Vice President for Information Technology Gabriele Fariello
- Yan (Lindsay) Sun, certified AI strategist and co-director of URI’s Center for Cyber-Physical Intelligence and Security (CYPHER), which she founded
“Artificial intelligence touches nearly every aspect of higher education,” said Sun. “What makes the Discovering AI @ URI event special is that it reflects this full ecosystem. We’ll hear not only from faculty and students, who always showcase remarkable innovation, but also from staff whose work keeps the University running behind the scenes.”
A faculty panel discussion, moderated by Karen Lokey, associate director of URI’s ITS Innovation Services, will include:
- Travess Smalley, assistant professor in the Department of Art and Art History
- Ying Zhang, professor in the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology
- Megan Chiovaro, part-time teaching professor in the Department of Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering
- Peter Cornillon, emeritus professor in the Graduate School of Oceanography
- Abdeltawab Hendawi, associate professor in the Department of Computer Science and Statistics
Sun will moderate the staff panel discussion, which will feature:
- Ryan Gardiner, chief business officer for the College of Engineering
- Chelsie Sullivan, CYPHER Research Center coordinator
- Lisa Chen, teaching and learning support for Information Technology Services
- Brian Blanchette, director of Systems and Technology for the URI Foundation
Jim McGwin, adjunct professor in the College of Business, will facilitate a panel discussion of undergraduate and graduate students representing a diverse range of majors and interests.
There is plenty of support and technology available at URI for students to gain hands-on experience with AI. The Library Innovation Labs, led by Keith Ranaldi, director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, is considered a collaborative hub, connecting people ideas, and resources across disciplines. Ranaldi and his staff were largely responsible for coordinating the Discovering AI @ URI event.
“We helped coordinate efforts among departments and colleges, ensuring that the hard work being done in AI research and application was visible to the entire campus community,” said Ranaldi.
The application of AI by faculty, students, and staff at URI will be on full display at the Discovering AI @ URI event.
A cold front is bringing another arctic blast to start the workweek across Southern New England.
The cold frontal passage Sunday night will usher in much colder-than-average temperatures for Monday. Low temperatures on Monday morning will be in the low 20s, with afternoon highs in the upper 20s, but it will feel like the teens all day due to the wind chill on Monday.
The coldest weather arrives for Tuesday morning as lows drop near 10 degrees in many spots with the feels-like wind chill in the single digits.
It turns a little less cold on Tuesday afternoon with highs back above freezing in the mid-30s.
Wednesday will be the mildest day of the week with highs in the mid-to-upper 40s. As temperatures climb above freezing, we could see a few light rain showers Wednesday afternoon into Wednesday evening.
Colder temperatures return again on Thursday and Friday with highs back into the 30s.
We’ll be watching next weekend for the potential of a coastal storm trying to develop, but at this point it looks likely to stay offshore and bring minimal impacts to Southern New England. Check back for updates with Storm Team 10.
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