Shekarchi for governor?; Taylor Swift house; Giovanni’s back on air: Top stories this week

Here are some of The Providence Journal’s most-read stories for the week of Jan. 12,supported by your subscriptions.

Here are the week’s top reads on providencejournal.com:

A funny thing happened on the way to the 2026 rematch between Gov. Dan McKee and Helena Foulkes:

House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi entered the chat.

Shekarchi, tacit head of the state Democratic Party and keeper of the largest campaign war chest in Rhode Island, is not publicly saying he wants to be governor. He’s also not saying that he doesn’t want to be governor.

And so when lawmakers and lobbyists returned to the State House last week for the start of this year’s General Assembly session, the most whispered-about political variable on their minds − besides Senate President Dominick Ruggerio‘s health − is whether Shekarchi might turn the 2026 field on its head.

Read this edition of Political Scene to see how the Shekarchi X factor is affecting the gubernatorial calculations.

Political Scene: How Shekarchi’s shadow looms large in the 2026 RI governor’s race

Taylor Swift’s house in Rhode Island is being renovated. See what she’s having done.

Taylor Swift is expanding her famous waterfront home in Westerly’s Watch Hill neighborhood, town records show.

According to a building permit issued by the town of Westerly last month, contractors are building an addition to Swift’s home that will include a new bedroom and bathrooms. An existing kitchen will also undergo renovations.

Recently, some eagle-eyed fans have spotted the beginning stages of construction on the property, including a crane and wood framing off the side of the house.

The home, which Swift has owned since 2013, is the subject of her 2020 song “The Last Great American Dynasty” and has been the site of many star-studded Fourth of July parties over the years.

Celebrities: Taylor Swift’s house in Rhode Island is being renovated. See what she’s having done.

Nicholas Schorsch has made a $100 million investment in restaurants in Newport. In less than a year, he’s contracted to buy or purchased the iconic Flo’s Clam Shack, the popular Brick Alley Pub and Red Parrot, the waterfront restaurant The Reef, Broadway’s Caleb & Broad and the historic Vanderbilt hotel.

The volume of purchases by his Heritage Hospitality Group has made some people uncomfortable and questioning the businessman’s motives. The local owners who’ve sold their restaurants say many people ask them why they sold to him.

With Schorsch and his hospitality group committed to adding still more restaurants, it seems fair to ask – Why is he buying so many restaurants?

How does Schorsch react to this skepticism about his intentions? And what do people who’ve done business with him say about the experience? Journal food editor Gail Ciampa has the story.

Dining: Nick Schorsch keeps expanding restaurant portfolio. Behind the scenes of Audrain’s growth.

Another iconic Thayer Street store is moving on.

The Berk family, which has run Berk’s shoes for 50 years, decided it’s time. One of Rhode Island’s renowned commercial strips has lost another mainstay.

Nevertheless, Journal columnist Mark Patinkin is pleased to report that Thayer is still going strong, with a shift toward food more so than retail outlets. Join him on a nostalgic stroll back to some of the places he loved best that are no longer with us, from IHOP to the Army/Navy Surplus.

Mark Patinkin: There’s lots to miss on an ever-changing Thayer Street, but it’s still hopping

PROVIDENCE – Longtime Rhode Island radio host Giovanni has returned to the airwaves less than a year after he signed off following a 50-year career with WPRO.

Giovanni started Monday and is hosting weekdays from 3 to 7 p.m. at B101 (WWBB-FM).

“Giovanni is a Rhode Island legend,” Adam Rivers, program director for B101, said when announcing Giovanni’s addition to the iHeart Media station. “To have him back on the airwaves entertaining commuters during their ride home across Southern New England is nothing short of tremendous. We’re thrilled to have him on the B101 team.”

Media: Back ‘On Air’: Longtime radio host Giovanni heads to RI’s B101. Here’s when to listen.

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