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Rhode Island Receives Over $11 Million to Fight Opioid Crisis – Newport Buzz

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Rhode Island Receives Over  Million to Fight Opioid Crisis – Newport Buzz


In a bold move to tackle the opioid crisis head-on, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, along with Representatives Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo, announced a significant boost for Rhode Island—$11,363,011 through the federal State Opioid Response (SOR) grant, managed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

This hefty federal cash infusion aims to supercharge prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction programs statewide. Specifically, it will allow Rhode Island to ramp up access to life-saving naloxone—commonly known as Narcan—while also expanding recovery support for those grappling with addiction.

Over the next three years, the grant is designed to connect more residents to essential services, slashing the rate of prescription drug and opioid overdoses. Additionally, it will enhance data collection efforts, creating a public dashboard at PreventOverdoseRI.org (PORI) to track the effectiveness of these initiatives. And there’s good news: recent data indicates that accidental overdose deaths in the Ocean State are on the decline, dropping from 436 in 2022 to just 164 thus far in 2024.

“Too many families have lost loved ones to overdoses, and opioid addiction has shattered countless lives,” stated Senator Reed, a key player on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor-Health and Human Services. “This funding will fortify our coordinated response to addiction, reduce overdose rates, and make recovery accessible for more Rhode Islanders.”

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Echoing Reed’s sentiment, Senator Whitehouse, the architect of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, added, “The opioid crisis has taken a heartbreaking toll on families from all walks of life in every corner of our state. This federal funding will ensure that treatment, prevention, and recovery services reach those in need.”

Representatives Magaziner and Amo also expressed their support, with Magaziner stating, “This funding will save lives by expanding access to services for people in recovery and overdose prevention medication like naloxone.” Amo chimed in, “Today, I’m proud to stand with my delegation colleagues as we announce more than $11 million in federal funding to expand prevention, treatment, and recovery programs in our state.”

The opioid epidemic has been exacerbated by fentanyl—a potent synthetic opioid responsible for a staggering number of overdose deaths. In Rhode Island, a shocking 85 percent of overdoses last year involved some form of opioid, with 78 percent specifically linked to fentanyl.

But there’s a silver lining: Rhode Island has seen a 7.3 percent drop in accidental overdose deaths, marking the first decline in four years. This decrease is notably above the national average, where overdose fatalities fell by just 3 percent in 2023.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) commended Rhode Island’s efforts in streamlining naloxone distribution, noting that a new online ordering system has improved the accessibility of this critical overdose reversal drug.

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Since 2018, Rhode Island has secured over $63.2 million in SOR funding, all aimed at combating the opioid crisis. As the state gears up for the next phase of this battle, the message is clear: help is on the way for those in need, and Rhode Island is determined to turn the tide against opioid addiction.

 

 

 


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Flags are at half-staff in Rhode Island today. Here’s why

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Flags are at half-staff in Rhode Island today. Here’s why


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On Friday, May 15, flags will be flown at half-staff across the United States to commemorate Peace Officers Memorial Day.

Recognized each year since 1962 as part of May’s National Police Week, the national observance pays tribute to United States law enforcement officials who gave their lives in the line of duty, whether at the local, state or federal level.

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“United in gratitude, we recommit ourselves to supporting those who keep the peace in our neighborhoods, and we offer our heartfelt appreciation for the service they render to community and country,” reads a proclamation from President Trump. “Their steady presence brings calm to our streets, their dedication preserves the order that allows our Nation to flourish, and their unwavering vigilance is the reason families across America can rest under the promise of a safer tomorrow.”

In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, the flag of the United States at all public buildings and grounds across the country and its territories – including in Rhode Island – will fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday, May 15.

Why are flags flown at half-staff?

According to the official website of the U.S. General Services Administration, flags typically fly at half-staff when the country or specific state is in mourning. Observances include national tragedies, days of remembrance and deaths of government or military personnel.

The president, the state governor or the mayor of Washington, D.C., can order flags to fly at half-staff.

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Half-staff vs. half-mast

While half-staff refers to lowered flags on land, half-mast refers to those at sea. Both refer to a flag being flown beneath the top of its staff as a sign of respect.



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Star-studded cast of ‘My Boyfriend is a Demon,’ filming in RI, released

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Star-studded cast of ‘My Boyfriend is a Demon,’ filming in RI, released


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  • A new horror movie titled “My Boyfriend is a Demon” is currently filming in Rhode Island.
  • The film follows a lonely girl whose fake Instagram boyfriend materializes in real life.
  • The cast includes children of famous actors, such as Mattias Ferrell and Coco Arquette.
  • Veteran actors David Arquette and Rosanna Arquette are also part of the ensemble cast.

Verdi Productions’ secret horror movie, “My Boyfriend is a Demon,” now filming in Rhode Island, is no longer a secret as Chad A. Verdi, the East Greenwich production company’s president, has announced the cast and given an outline of the movie’s plot.

The ensemble cast comprises veteran actors and rising young talents. The story follows Mary, a lonely, small-town girl who creates a fake Instagram account that pretends to be boyfriend, a guy too perfect to be real. Mary puts so much effort into making him “real” that he shows up at her door one day.

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The cast includes:

  • Mattias Ferrell, son of comic actor Will Ferrell and known for “A Very Jonas Christmas Movie” and “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.”
  • Coco Arquette, daughter of Courteney Cox and David Arquette and known for “Cougar Town.”
  • David Arquette, known for his work in the “Scream” film franchise.
  • Rosanna Arquette, David’s sister and Coco’s aunt, known for “The Moment.”
  • Bailey Sloan, known for “Ragamuffin.”
  • Jack Champion, known for “Avatar.”
  • Ever Anderson, known for “Peter Pan & Wendy.”
  • Vinnie Hacker, known for “Euphoria.”
  • Josephine Reitman, known for “Juno.”
  • Savannah Lee Smith, kown for “Tunsel Town.”
  • Lisa Yamada, known for “Elle.”
  • Ty Law, known for “Friday Night Lights.”

“My Boyfriend is a Demon” is written and directed by first-time director mishka.

“My Boyfriend is a Demon” is filming in Providence

The movie began filming in Rhode Island in April and has rented Providence’s Cranston Street Armory for the month of May to use as a studio.

The producing team for Verdi Productions includes Chad A. Verdi, Chad Verdi Jr., Paul Luba, Michelle Verdi and Sera Verdi. Executive producers include Ketchup Entertainment and Kinolime.



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Weather Now: Showers, T’storm Today

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Weather Now:  Showers, T’storm Today


Good morning! Happy Thursday! Today will be pretty unsettled with the chance for showers and t’storms. Friday will still be damp with showers and drizzle, but the weekend still looks amazing!

The one good thing with the rain, for allergy sufferers at least, the pollen levels will be lower. In fact, both today and tomorrow, the tree pollen counts will be low locally. Do expect a spike in the pollen count for Saturday and Sunday with the dry weather.

INTERACTIVE RADAR: Live Pinpoint Weather 12 Radar »

“https://www.wpri.com/weather-now/weather-now-for-thu-5-14-26/” FLIGHT TRACKER

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“https://www.wpri.com/weather-now/weather-now-for-thu-5-14-26/” POWER OUTAGES

TODAY

Hour-by-hour forecast for today…

Hour by Hour // A close look at the upcoming conditions »

We’ll have some showers around during the morning commute today, but the greatest chance for showers and t’storms will be after 9AM and before 5PM.

Showers and thunderstorms could slow travel around mid-day. Rain could fall heavily at times.

A line of showers and t’storms will be sweeping across the area through the afternoon as a slow-moving weather systems moves through the region.

Highs today will be in the upper 50s to lower 60s with southeast to east winds of 5-15mph.

“https://www.wpri.com/weather-now/weather-now-for-thu-5-14-26/” BEACH AND BOATING FORECASTS

TONIGHT

Showers are still possible this evening; although they won’t be as numerous.

TOMORROW

That low center will be nearby Friday morning, and we’ll be stuck with a damp, cool windflow. Expect drizzle and showers in the morning and possibly some lingering showers in the afternoon.

Highs Friday will only be in the 50s. The average high this time of year is in the upper 60s.

LOOKING AHEAD

Then…there’s the weekend. Saturday looks amazing with lots of sunshine and dry weather. It’ll be warmer, too, with highs in the 70s.

-Meteorologist T.J. Del Santo

T.J. Del Santo (tdelsanto@wpri.com) is the weekday morning and noon meteorologist for 12 News. Connect with him on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram and Threads and BlueSky.

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