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?

(WJAR) — Rhode Island and Massachusetts governors said residents’ EBT cards will remain active amid new directive on SNAP benefits.

The Trump administration’s new guidance follows a Supreme Court stay.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said pending any new direction from the Food and Nutrition Service, states should not issue full November benefits and should only load the partial 35% of the money.

This comes after states such as Rhode Island and Massachusetts filled SNAP recipients’ EBT cards with the entire months’ worth of SNAP benefits on Saturday, following a previous court order and USDA’s issuance.

USDA now said states that have sent full SNAP payments need to “immediately undo any steps.”

“To the extent States sent full SNAP payment files for November 2025, this was unauthorized,” the new USDA directive said. “Failure to comply with this memorandum may result in USDA taking various actions, including cancellation of the Federal share of State administrative costs and holding States liable for any overissuances that result from the noncompliance.”

On Sunday, Gov. Dan McKee said Rhode Island recipients’ EBT cards will remain active, and that his team has reached out to the Food and Nutrition Service related to the latest update.

“I am disgusted by the chaos and hardship that President Trump and his Administration continue to create across the country. While states have been forced to navigate a series of conflicting and erratic directives around SNAP benefits, Rhode Islanders, and all Americans, have been anxious, confused—and hungry,” McKee said in a statement.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said residents should continue to spend funds on their EBT cards.

“If President Trump wants to penalize states for preventing Americans from going hungry, we will see him in court,” she said. “These funds were processed in accordance with guidance we received from the Trump Administration and a lower court order, and they were processed before the Supreme Court order on Friday night. We will continue to work with Attorney General Campbell to make sure everyone gets the full benefits they are owed.”

McKee said on Saturday that so far, 79,000 in-state recipients have received their benefits and contingency plans are in place if future funds aren’t released.

Meanwhile, 100% of Massachusetts beneficiaries have received their November allotment.