PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Thursday will mark the third oversight hearing since the westbound Washington Bridge closure, but this time, former U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha will lead the probe.

John Marion, with Common Cause Rhode Island, called the move unusual.

“It’s unusual because they’re bringing in outside help and because of who they’re bringing in,” Marion said in an interview with Target 12 on Tuesday. “They’re bringing in the most former U.S. attorney, somebody who’s very well-versed in complex litigation.”

The lawsuit against 13 companies the state blames for the bridge’s failure has become a source of frustration for lawmakers and the public, with RIDOT limiting how much they can answer while the suit is ongoing.

“We had those two prior hearings, but we felt as though we were handcuffed at the time,” Sen. Mark McKenney told Target 12 on Wednesday. “We were advised by the governor’s office and by the attorney general’s office that we shouldn’t delve into any questions that might in any way impact the potential lawsuit the state is bringing.”

R.I. Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti is the only witness, and unlike previous committee hearings, he will be required to testify under oath.

In a live interview on 12 News at 4 on Wednesday, R.I. Attorney General Peter Neronha said Gov. Dan McKee sent him a letter “not long ago” asking if a member of his team would sit with Alviti on Thursday. He said he agreed to it.

“The instructions to our attorney are to let Director Alviti answer the questions. In other words, there’s not going to be a lot of interference by our lawyer with the process,” Neronha said. “We want Director Alviti to answer the questions. We’re not going to get in the way of those questions, and hopefully, Rhode Islanders will get answers.”

McKenney, who chairs the Senate Committee on Rules, Government Ethics and Oversight, and Rep. Patricia Serpa, who chairs the House Oversight Committee, said they believe Cunha, who will ask the bulk of the questions on Thursday, will be able to get answers from Alviti.

“So, let’s see where the facts take us when he responds,” Serpa told Target 12 on Wednesday.

“We’re also keeping in mind that this isn’t necessarily as much about blame and pointing fingers as it is about making sure that we get the facts, we understand them, and we know for the next time what we need to do,” McKenney added. “This is about restoring trust in state government and restoring trust in bridges.”

Serpa said since the bridge’s closure, public trust in the state’s bridges has worsened.

“There are a considerable number of us who don’t like bridges under the best of circumstances, and we’re leery about taking bridges,” Serpa said. “There’s a lot of trust that needs to be restored. So, we hope to do that before this is over.”

For example, McKenney said he hopes to learn if proper maintenance was performed, if inspections done on the bridge were thorough and overseen, and if RIDOT was looking in the right places during those inspections.

“This is a very unique and complex bridge, and there’s a significant question about whether or not our state agency fully recognized the importance of looking in certain places, with respect to this bridge,” McKenney said. “That’s a little scary.”

Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz told Target 12 that she’s still anticipating some pushback because of the ongoing litigation.

“But the thing is, if the state’s at fault, we should be honest about it,” de La Cruz said. “It doesn’t matter if you live in East Providence or in Woonsocket. This bridge closure affects the entire state.”

Lawmakers asked for the latest hearing after Target 12 obtained a copy of the long-awaited forensic audit of the Washington Bridge in September, which showed that state officials should have been aware of structural problems with the bridge long before it was closed down in December 2023.

“The timeline is a big question,” de la Cruz added.

Some lawmakers said they have their doubts about whether the hearing will garner any new information.

“I’ll be honest, I don’t expect to learn anything new,” House Minority Whip, Rep. David Place, told Target 12 on Wednesday. “Everything that is out there is in the public record, and I think if there was a potential learn something new, the attorney general would not be giving the go-ahead to potentially swear the director in and testify under oath.”

Place said he believes the hearing will largely serve as an opportunity to appease the public and politicians seeking office next year.

“We’re in essence in an election cycle now and politicians are lining up to run for offices, and they leverage what they have now to benefit themselves later on,” Place said. “I don’t expect that to change one bit tomorrow.”

New this time, though, Place said about a dozen questions from the public may be submitted in Thursday’s hearing. He declined to provide Target 12 with the questions prior to Thursday.

“We want [Alviti] to, if we ask a question for the public, to get a raw answer from the director,” Place said.

Thursday’s hearing is slated to get underway at 2 p.m.

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BRISTOL, R.I. (WLNE) — Veterans, their families, and state and local leaders celebrated Veterans Day across the state of Rhode Island on Tuesday.

In Bristol, the Rhode Island Veterans Home held the State of Rhode Island Official Veterans Day Celebration.

Governor Dan McKee spoke at the ceremony Tuesday afternoon, thanking the 60,000 Rhode Island veterans who bravely fought for our country.

He also remembered his father, who was a World War II veteran.

“Today is a moment to pause and think of the veterans in our lives, and those who are no longer with us,” McKee said. “As I look in front of me, look at these men and women who have given so much to our country in so many ways, I think of my dad, and I think we all have someone in our family that we think of today.”

The governor also announced his administration will make sure there will be more beds available at the veterans home, saying it’ll be a priority in his next budget.

East Providence held its Annual Veterans Day Ceremony Tuesday morning at the Garden of Flags Memorial at Veterans Memorial Park .

Mayor DaSilva, Governor McKee, and other local officials honored local veterans, specifically Corporal Avelino “Chappy” Rose, who died in September at the age of 101.

“His life reminds us that the spirit of sacrifice and patriotism extends far beyond the battlefield. It lives on in those who continue to serve their nation by building stronger, more vibrant communities right here at home,” Chappy’s daughter, Lisa Rose Gordon said. “We honor Chappy’s memory and the legacy of all those who have fallen by striving to live with the same courage, humility, and love for our country and our neighbors.”

Parades were also held in North Kingstown and South Kingstown.

Have you ever started to cook an elaborate dinner only to realize you forgot to purchase an important ingredient from the grocery store? It happens to the best of us.

If you need to make a last-minute cranberry sauce run on Thanksgiving, you might find it difficult to locate an open store.

In accordance with state law, Rhode Island grocery stores cannot legally open on Thanksgiving Day, which falls on Thursday, Nov. 27, this year.

And, while smaller convenience stores are technically allowed to open, some might still opt to close in observance of the holiday. You should check a shop’s hours or call ahead before heading over.

Here’s what to know about Rhode Island grocery stores on Thanksgiving.

Are grocery stores open on Thanksgiving in RI?

In Rhode Island, grocery stores are not allowed to open on Thanksgiving, as it is a restricted holiday under state law.

That means that stores like Aldi, Stop & Shop, Market Basket, Trader Joe’s, Price Rite, Dave’s Fresh Marketplace, and Whole Foods will all be closed on Nov. 27 this year.

Liquor stores will also be closed on Thanksgiving.

Why aren’t Rhode Island grocery stores open on Thanksgiving?

Grocery stores in Rhode Island are not allowed to open on Thanksgiving Day in accordance with state law.

Food stores that employ more than six workers per shift at any location must close on both Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, per the RI Department of Labor and Training Workforce Regulation and Safety Division.

Which businesses are allowed to open on Thanksgiving? Convenience stores?