President of Roger Williams University Supports Cafeteria Workers during Blizzard - Essential cafeteria workers at RWU stayed at the president’s cottage during the recent snow storm
During this week’s blizzard, essential cafeteria workers were staying at the president’s cottage to provide food during the blizzard for students. Cafeteria workers stayed at the president’s cottage and were provided with transportation to the commons by public safety Monday and Tuesday to continue cooking for the students.
“One of the gentlemen picked up the girl that works at classics that always cooks your breakfasts and everything, and he got her here in the middle of the whiteout conditions. So she said it was scary, but she got here and she stayed ten hours, there were six of them that stayed ten hours. Some essential workers put in up to 40 hours over the two days of the storm.”
Researcher: Alexa Benson-Amarante
Writer: Alexa Benson-Amarante
Reporter: Alexa Benson-Amarante
Videographer: Brianna Frissora
Copy-Editor: Elizabeth Chant
East Bay Food Pantry Closed - Due to the recent snow storm, the food pantry cannot accept deliveries from the food bank
In the aftermath of the snowstorm, the East Bay food pantry is closed today and they’re still deciding if they can even open on Friday. They’re waiting to see about Friday. It is all going to depend on if the parking ban is lifted.
With massive amounts of snow, limited resources, and a town parking ban still in effect, food programs manager Jocelyn King says the pantry can’t accept deliveries from the food bank.
“The parking lot and the street and the entrance to the food bank is the town helping with getting rid of the snow for that?”
“They don’t do anything special for us. I mean they do the sidewalk, like the entire sidewalk on Wood street is but it’s a really narrow path. We actually right now, the sidewalks are not in a good enough condition for most of our carts, to be able to take our shopping carts outside and walk to somebody’s car with them, we can’t do that. The other kind of good thing in our favor is that this is the end of the month, next week starts the new month so even if they had already done one or two shops this month ,they’ll be able to start a new month fresh. So, they don’t have to wait. I mean we will be hoping to open Friday if the parking ban is lifted.]
Researcher: Brianna Frissora
Writer: Brianna Frissora
Reporter: Brianna Frissora
Videographer: Alexa Benson-Amarante
Copy-Editor: Elizabeth Chant
Pawtucket Riverfront Development Project Moves Forward - Additional funding will be given to a project developing new housing, retail space and public walkways.
A major riverfront redevelopment project in Pawtucket was taken to the next level with an announcement that is being made about the agreement of additional funding. The goal of the project is to develop new housing, retail space, and public walkways along the Seekonk river, and continue to build on the momentum created by the construction of the new tidewater landing soccer stadium project.
The city says that the development has potential to create jobs, and will provide increased food traffic through the downtown corridor. Community advocacy groups have been fighting to include affordable housing options in the development so that long-time residents can take advantage of the revitalization. Details regarding the timeline for the construction are expected to be released during the spring.
Researcher: Edith Hills
Writer: Edith Hills
Reporter: Elizabeth Chant
Copy-Editor: Elizabeth Chant
Rhode Island Lawmakers Advance Housing Production Bill - A law was proposed at the state house this week to speed the development of new housing throughout Rhode Island
The housing affordability issue has been on the agenda of the state house this week, with a proposed law to speed the development of new housing throughout Rhode Island. This proposal would help facilitate a quicker local approval process and also provide additional incentives to those municipalities which achieve their assigned affordable housing goals by the state. Proponents of the proposal believe that Rhode Island’s lack of adequate housing supply is directly impacting rents and home values across the entire state; most particularly in Providence, Warwick, and many areas of South County. Opponents of the proposed law have voiced concerns over weakening local zoning control and the potential for an increased burden on infrastructure should rapid growth occur. A number of public hearings were held in order to hear from various stakeholders; including housing advocates, developers, and concerned residents who fear changes to their neighborhoods. At this point, state legislators indicate that there will be continued negotiations with all parties involved as they attempt to find a compromise prior to the close of the current legislative session.
Researcher: Edith Hills
Writer: Edith Hills
Reporter: Elizabeth Chant
Copy-Editor: Elizabeth Chant
Women’s Lacrosse Team Faces Difficulties - At Roger Williams University, the snow and ice-covered turf field provides setbacks for women’s lacrosse
Here I am outside of Bayside turf where there is still snow covering the fields, and it has now turned into ice which is going to make it almost impossible for the girls to practice this week, which will just be another setback for the women’s lacrosse team.
“With your season just starting, how has the cold weather impacted the beginning of it and where are you guys going to go from here?”
“Honestly, we’ve had a lot of practices that had to get moved inside because of the weather being below the temperature we can be outside but honestly we just come together as a team and give it our all whether that’s inside or out.
“With the historic blizzard taking you guys out for the last couple days what do your next steps look like being a senior on the women’s lacrosse team?”
“Obviously having the last three days off is definitely not ideal but we just have to come back stronger and work just as hard the next few days leading up to out game at Sunday against Bowdoin so honestly we just have to recognize and adjust.”
Researcher: McKalah Gaine
Writer: McKalah Gaine
Reporter: McKalah Gaine
Copy-Editor: Elizabeth Chant
Salve Regina Student Dies from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning during Blizzard in Newport - Senior at Salve Regina appeared to be charging his phone in his vehicle when police found him unconscious with his exhaust pipe covered
Police in Newport reported a Salve Regina student died from carbon monoxide poisoning during the blizzard of 2026 on Monday.
Police responded to a parking lot at Young building on Bellevue Avenue around 7:20 p.m., to check on someone inside the vehicle.
21 year old Joseph Boutrso was found unconscious inside the vehicle.
He appeared to be charging his phone when police found him in his car with the exhaust pipe covered in snow.
He was then taken to the Newport hospital emergency room where he was unfortanetly pronounced dead due to carbon monoxide poisoning.
A Salve Regina spokesperson said in a statement that the university is not providing any further details at this time out of respect for the student and family.
Researcher: Sarah Price
Writer: Sarah Price
Reporter: Elizabeth Chant
Copy-Editor: Elizabeth Chant
University of Rhode Island expands Research Initiative on Offshore Wind - Rhode Island is moving as a top developer of renewable energy projects for its research on turbine technology
In a recent announcement, the University of Rhode Island is expanding its research collaborations focused on offshore wind, a move that positions Rhode Island as a top developer of renewable energy projects. The initiative is bringing together engineers, marine scientists, and policymakers for the purpose of researching turbine technology; the environmental impacts associated with turbines; and workforce development in support of Rhode Island’s growth in the offshore wind sector.
Rhode Island was the first U.S, state to operate an operational offshore wind project (Block Island Wind) and officials believe this significant investment in research further cements the state’s commitment to developing innovative clean energy solutions for the long-term.
Students participating in the research program will be provided hands-on experience by working directly with the state’s offshore wind industry partners.
Researcher: Edith Hills
Writer: Edith Hills
Reporter: Elizabeth Chant
Copy-Editor: Elizabeth Chant
New Garbage Cans for Providence Residents - Providence Mayor Brett Smiley is replacing trash cans in hope to enhance city services and help the environment
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley is rolling out new garbage carts for Providence residents.
“Transitioning to new carts will assist in reducing recycling contamination rates, streamline waste collection, and support our city’s long-term sustainability goals,” said the Providence Mayor.
The initiative to replace old trash cans with new ones is a hope to enhance city services and help the environment. The new trash and recycling carts will be introduced to the city between March and June of 2026.
Researcher: Sarah Price
Writer: Sarah Price
Reporter: Elizabeth Chant
Copy-Editor: Elizabeth Chant