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Rhode Island
Rhode Island to join federal program for cybersecurity in K-12 schools | ABC6
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Rhode Island became the first state in the country to partner with the U.S. Federal Government to protect all K-12 public schools by the end of this school year.
Officials hosted a cybersecurity education summit, introducing a free, effective cybersecurity tool to better safeguard school data and systems.
The new tool is called Protective Domain Name Service, or PDNS.
It’s a cybersecurity solution designed to prevent ransomware and other cyberattacks by blocking connections to malicious websites.
This program is funded by the federal government and offered nationwide at no cost to schools and libraries.
On Monday, Rhode Island signed on to implement PDNS, bringing an additional layer of security to approximately 136,000 students statewide.
White House National Cyber Director Harry Coker Jr. joined local officials to announce that every K-12 public school in the state would be protected by this service by the end of the school year.
“It’s designed to limit access to malicious cyber networks and links, and that’s why it’s so important for all of our schools and libraries to implement PDNS to malicious cyber networks and links, and that’s why it’s so important for all of our schools and libraries to implement PDNS,” he said.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, school districts experience an average of five cyber incidents every week.
Just last September, the PPSD school district reported a data breach that compromised student vaccination records, driver’s license numbers, and other sensitive information.
The district also identified files exposing students’ special education status and documents.
The incident highlighted the urgency of enhancing cybersecurity measures.
RIDE Commissioner of Elementary Schools and Secondary Education Angélica Infante-Green spoke about the importance of prevention moving forward:
“What happened in the past is behind us. We’re focused on the future. This new layer of protection will ensure that not just a few districts, but our entire state is better prepared to handle these threats,” she said.
Federal agencies are also providing Rhode Island with other resources and insights to protect students, teachers and families from future cyber attacks, including the availability of regional cybersecurity advisors.
This new partnership is in efforts to create a safer digital future for students, teachers, and staff across all schools in Rhode Island.
CUMBERLAND, R.I. (WPRI) — Rhode Island State Police are investigating a crash that happened on I-295 North in Cumberland Tuesday night.
The crash happened in the right lane near Exit 22 just before 9 p.m.
It’s unclear exactly what caused the crash or if anyone was injured.
12 News has reached out to Rhode Island State Police for more information but has not heard back.
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Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the free WPRI 12+ TV app.
Scandals shake up Capitol Hill ahead of midterm elections
Congressional reporter Zachary Schermele dives into the latest scandals on Capitol Hill and how they’re shaking up politics ahead of midterms.
Rhode Island’s Democrat and Republican primary elections will officially be held on Wednesday, Sept. 9 this year, instead of the usual Tuesday election day.
Lawmakers passed the bill at the urging of state and local officials, who were concerned that an election day falling the day after Labor Day would not give them enough time to set up polls for the arrival of voters.
Gov. Dan McKee signed the bill on April 20, officially moving the primary day for 2026.
Which races will be on the ballot? The Republican and Democrat nominees for a swath of local offices – most notably governor but also lieutenant governor and attorney general.
Why was RI’s primary day moved?
At a hearing on the bill earlier this year, Randy Rossi, executive director of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns explained the “significant logistical and financial challenges” municipalities otherwise would have faced having an election the day after Labor Day.
“Beyond cost, municipalities face serious logistical challenges accessing and setting up more than 430 polling locations on a major federal holiday, a process that often requires many hours and access to facilities that are typically closed and unstaffed on Labor Day,” he said.
“Compounding these challenges, many municipalities conduct early voting in city or town halls that must also serve as primary day polling locations,” Rossi noted.
Without changes to current law, he said, “municipalities would be required to conduct early voting and primary day polling simultaneously, often in the same limited space and with the same poll workers, requiring additional staffing and facilities.”
By the time this legislative hearing took place in January, other states facing similar issues, including Massachusetts, had already adjusted their primary dates, “and Rhode Island itself has demonstrated that alternative scheduling can be successful, as occurred during the statewide Wednesday primary in 2018,” Rossi said.
EAST GREENWICH, R.I. (WPRI) — If you’re looking to satisfy you’re sweet tooth, look no further than Division Street.
Nothing Bundt Cakes opened its first Rhode Island bakery in East Greenwich earlier this month. The new bakery is situated within East Greenwich Square, which is also home to the Ocean State’s first Crumbl.
The bakery is known for its handcrafted specialty Bundt cakes, as well as smaller “Bundtlets,” and bite-sized “Bundtinis,” that come in a variety of flavors.
“There’s a strong sense of local pride, creativity, and community here that aligns perfectly with our values,” said Jake Williams, who owns the East Greenwich bakery. “We were drawn to the area’s vibrant small business culture and the opportunity to contribute something special.”
Nothing Bundt Cakes is also expected to open another bakery at Chapel View in Cranston later this year.
Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts.
Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the free WPRI 12+ TV app.
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