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Live Coverage: It’s election day. Here’s what to know.

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Live Coverage: It’s election day. Here’s what to know.


Today’s voting is the capstone to an election cycle kicked off by David Cicilline’s decision to relinquish his seat in the House of Representatives back in February. A crowded Democratic primary eliminated several candidates. Rhode Islanders will now decide who will join Seth Magaziner as a Rhode Island House Rep. – Gabe Amo, the Democratic nominee, or Gerry Leonard Jr., the Republican nominee.

In addition to the Congressional race, several local communities are voting on important bond issues. Most of those towns are proposing to build new state-of-the-art schools or overhaul existing educational facilities, and hoping to seize the fleeting opportunity to get a large chunk of their costs reimbursed by the Rhode Island Department of Education.

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Where do the candidates stand on all major issues?

The Providence Journal surveyed candidates in Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District about their views on aid to Israel, the death penalty, protecting Social Security, and more.

We got responses from Gabe Amo, the Democratic nominee, and Gerry Leonard Jr., the Republican nominee.

Both candidates were given a written questionnaire. Responses were capped at 100 words and have been edited only to conform with Associated Press style.

Here’s a guide: Where the CD1 special election candidates stand on current issues?

Freshman Congressman Seth Magaziner has been the lone voice for Rhode Island in the U.S. House of Representatives since David Cicilline quit in June for a job at a non-profit.

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Asked on Monday about the importance of filling the open 1st Congressional District seat that Cicilline vacated mid-term, Democrat Magaziner pivoted to the reasons he thinks it is important that Democrat Gabe Amo win the seat in Tuesday’s off-year election:

“Given the pressing issues facing our state and country, it is crucial that Gabe Amo be elected to Congress so he can join the rest of our state’s delegation as we focus on lowering costs, protecting Social Security and Medicare, and defending abortion rights.

“In the coming weeks,” Magaziner added, the House will be voting on crucial measures to keep the government open, support our allies in Israel and Ukraine and provide humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza. Every vote will count.” 

Whoever wins Tuesday/s special election – Amo or Republican Gerry Leonard – is expected to be sworn in sometime during the week of Nov. 13.

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As for Cicilline, now the president and CEO of the non-profit Rhode Island Foundation, he is headlining a fundraiser this Friday at Bally’s Twin River Casino in Lincoln to raise money for the R.I. Democratic Party.

As of 10 a.m. on election day, 30,819 votes had been cast, representing 7.6% of the potential vote in the 1st Congressional District.

That included: 15,904 early in-person votes, 5,996 of the 7,728 mail ballots provided in advance to voters who requested them, and 8,919 election-day voters at the polls.

With reports by Kathy Gregg, Journal Staff

At Providence’s Martin Luther King School on Camp Street, voting was slow. With more than a dozen voting stations set up, most sat empty as a trickle of citizens turned up to cast their ballot in the race between Gabe Amo and Gerry Leonard Jr.

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During the primary in September, a variety of supporters for numerous candidates stood outside the polling place encouraging voters and rooting for their candidate. This time, the sidewalks were empty, with only a few signs to tell those out on the dreary Tuesday that today is election day.

As one voter walked out of the gymnasium she exclaimed, “Easy. Fast.”

Shortly after 10:00 a.m. 159 ballots had been cast a the East Side location.

‘It’s been great’: Busy day at the Middletown voting booth.

A steady stream of voters cast ballots at Gaudet Middle School in Middletown Tuesday morning, where a $190 million bond question would be determined, along with CD1 race. As of 9:20 a.m. 184 ballots had been cast at the joint polling location.

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“It’s been great,” Town Clerk Wendy Marshall said. “It’s been very busy here and at the other polling location. It’s great to see people get out and vote.”

Will I need an ID to vote in Rhode Island?

Yes. Voters need to present an ID, which can be a driver’s license, passport, Rhode Island Voter ID Card or another form of identification listed here: vote.sos.ri.gov/Content/Pdfs/voter_id_information.pdf

When are polls open on Election Day? 

Polls are open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in every city and town except New Shoreham, where poll hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. 



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Rhode Island

RI State Police investigating inmate death at ACI

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RI State Police investigating inmate death at ACI


CRANSTON, R.I. (WPRI) — An inmate death at the Adult Correctional Institution’s Intake Service Center on Friday is being investigated by Rhode Island State Police.

J.R. Ventura, a spokesperson for the Rhode Island Department of Corrections (RIDOC), said the inmate’s roommate notified staff shortly after 4 p.m. that he required medical attention.

According to Ventura, life-saving steps were initiated after the arrived staff saw the inmate wasn’t responding.

Cranston Fire Department was called and brought the inmate to Kent County Hospital, who was later pronounced dead.

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RIDOC’s Investigative Unit is also investigating the death alongside State Police.



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Tornado, 75 Mph Winds, Ping Pong Ball-Sized Hail Possible Sunday In RI

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Tornado, 75 Mph Winds, Ping Pong Ball-Sized Hail Possible Sunday In RI


RHODE ISLAND — Rhode Island is forecast to be battered by storms Sunday, which are expected to bring heavy winds, and possibly hail and a tornado.

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch around 11 a.m. through 7 p.m. for the state, warning of frequent lightning, likely wind gusts up to 75 mph and isolated hail as large as ping pong balls.

“Areal coverage of storms will increase this afternoon with damaging wind the primary threat, but large hail and an isolated tornado is also possible,” the service said in a social media post.

The storms are expected to hit between 2-10 p.m., according to the service. The watch also affects Connecticut, and parts of Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvannia, New Jersey and Delaware. Isolated flash flooding was projected to possibly occur more broadly between New England and the Southeast.

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Heading to the beach in RI? Here’s how to check parking availability online

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Heading to the beach in RI? Here’s how to check parking availability online



It’s not fun to arrive at your favorite beach only to find it packed. Thankfully, state and some local beaches post updates online on parking availability

PROVIDENCE – On June 19, the federal holiday Juneteenth, many Rhode Islanders had a rude awakening when they arrived at their favorite beach to find it packed. Traffic was backed up, and many parking lots were full before noon, according to news reports.

There’s only so much you can do when thousands decide to go to the beach on the same day, but one thing you can usually account for is whether parking is available. Many beaches – both state and town-managed – post updates on parking status, letting visitors know if there is space in their lots.

Here’s a handy guide for checking if parking lots at your favorite beaches are full:

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How to check parking at state beaches

The State Parks division at Rhode Island’s Department of Environmental Management keeps a near real-time status of parking lots at the following state beaches:

  • East Matunuck State Beach
  • Misquamicut State Beach
  • Roger Wheeler State Beach
  • Scarborough North State Beach (including overflow lot)
  • Scarborough South State Beach

Parking passes are required at state beaches during operational hours from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Purchasing a pass in advance helps reduce traffic, as well as waiting time at the ticket booth, and gives you access to express lanes available at most state beaches, as passes now use vehicles’ license plates, making it easier and quicker to scan.

More: The votes are in, and this South County spot is selected as RI’s best beach. Find out where

Some beaches, such as East Beach and Charlestown Breachway in Charlestown, have limited parking, and checking availability in advance may not be possible.

How to check parking at Middletown beaches

Middletown posts updates on its Facebook and Instagram accounts when parking lots at its beaches fill up. The town also has a live camera of the parking lot at Sachuest Beach – known locally as Second Beach – where you can check in real time if space is available.

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Seasonal beach passes may be required to park at Middletown’s beaches. They are available in person at the gazebo at the intersection of Hanging Rock Road and Sachuest Point Road as well as online. But beware: Online passes will not be available for pickup at the gazebo until 48 hours after purchase.

Parking at other popular beaches

Other popular beaches, such as Narragansett Town Beach, may not post updates online about parking availability. According to Narragansett’s Parks and Recreation Department, during busier days the West Lot – which is open to non-residents – fills up around 11 to 11:30 a.m. Only residents can park in the North and South Lots – except on weekdays after 1 p.m., when the South Lot is open to non-residents. These lots usually have spaces available unless it is a very busy holiday.

Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Seasonal parking passes are $50 per sticker, and a photo ID, vehicle registration and proof of residence or taxpayer status is required. West Lot parking rates are $15 on weekends and holidays and $10 on weekdays.

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This story will be updated with more information about parking availability.





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