St Patrick’s Day Celebrations - Rhode Island residents celebrated St Patrick's Day at a local Irish pub in Bristol
Thank you so much. It is Tuesday March 17th which is St Patrick’s Day. I’m here outside Aidan’s Pub in Bristol and a bunch of Bristol, Warren, and Portsmouth residents are here to watch Patty Purchel play his Irish music. I’m here pretty early in the day so there’s no line yet, but they expect to fill the place from top to bottom, and that it did.
St Patrick’s Day celebrations at Aidan’s Irish Pub in Bristol brought large crowds, live music, and a lot of noise to the surrounding area. As people packed into the pub to celebrate, the sound of music and conversation could be heard from outside, raising concerns from some residents about noise levels during the busy holiday. While at the pub, I interviewed the singer Patty Purcel, a performer who described his experience as a lot of fun.
“Im Patty the musician. I played here yesterday, St Patrick’s Day, it was too much fun. The place is a mob, people wall to wall singing along, clapping along, great time all together. Had a little bit too much to drink but you know it happens.”
Researcher: McKalah Gaine
Writer: McKalah Gaine
Reporter: McKalah Gaine
Copy-Editor: Elizabeth Chant
Dodging Potholes in Rhode Island - Rhode Island has been ranked having the worst road conditions in the nation for over a decade
My name is Elizabeth and I’m here on the streets of downtown Bristol asking the residents of Rhode Island what they think about these poor road conditions.
Rhode Island has been ranked having the worst conditions in the nation for at least a decade.
“They’re pretty bad. A lot of pot holes.”
“They suck.”
“I say it matches all of our attitudes that live here”
Findings from the federal government’s bureau of transportation revealed that 48 percent of the state’s roads and 19 percent of bridges are currently placed in poor conditions.
“Theyre terrible. All they do is have potholes everywhere. They fix them and they break them. That’s what they do. It’s Rhode Island, welcome.”
“They’re kind of horrible. I live in Massachusetts, New Bedford, like 30 minutes away, and this blizzard came through, completely tore apart the roads. Roads everywhere are destroyed.”
Driving on poor quality roads costs the average Rhode Island motorist $823 per year on lost time and repairs.
“Have you ever had any issues with your car over it?
…
Really?
Oh yea
How?
Blown tires, axles
Multiple?
Multiple.”
“We have a lot of dive bars around here, people that need money. So these conditions when you drive makes you want to drink when you get up for work. And where do you go? Places like here where people need your money.”
This is all despite the state having a $1 billion dollar transportation budget.
“It is horrible. I don’t understand how we have such a high budget and they don’t ever fix them, or they’ll fix them but two years later, I mean they never care. I mean my tires have literally gone bold three different times because of these potholes. I am being so serious, it is horrible.”
Researcher: Elizabeth Chant
Writer: Elizabeth Chant
Reporter: Elizabeth Chant
Copy-Editor: Elizabeth Chant
Youth Dental Care Funds - Non profits are getting increased funds for youth dental care
Four non-profits will get about 8 million dollars in grants to provide dental care to underserved children in Providence. The money comes from the 2025 illegal dumping settlement with Barletta Healey Division Incorporated, who dumped over 4500 tons of contaminated fill during the construction of the route 610 interchange. Only 41 percent of children and teenagers saw the dentist in 2023 according to the Rhode Island Department of Health. This funding will close the gap in children’s access to care.
Researcher: Brianna Frissora
Writer: Brianna Frissora
Reporter: Edith Hills
Copy-Editor: Elizabeth Chant
Antisemitic Graffiti Found - Three Rhode Island schools found anti-semitic graffiti on their walls
After three East Greenwich schools are found with anti-semitic graffiti, local authorities and school administrators are investigating. Superintendent Dr. Thomas Kenworthy said in a letter to families that the graffiti was discovered at Hanaford Elementary school, Cole Middle School and East Greenwich High School. Kenworthy says the schools condemn these acts of hate and schools must be a safe space for everyone. Even though the graffiti was removed, East Greenwich High School principal Patricia Page says this does not erase the impact of such actions. Page is also implementing lessons called “no place for hate” to address the impact of hateful language and actions.
Researcher: Brianna Frissora
Writer: Brianna Frissora
Reporter: Edith Hills
Copy-Editor: Elizabeth Chant
City Spending after Snowfall - Providence has spent over 7 million from blizzards
After this past month’s record-breaking blizzard, Providence spent triple the amount budgeted for clearing the streets. The city paid 3 million and has spent close to 7 million on snow response throughout the winter. Providence had to contract 17 private vendors to get snow removal vehicles including front loaders because the city’s smaller plow trucks couldn’t handle the 37 inches of snow. The use of sand and salt for the storms added up to over 100,000 dollars. Rhode Island’s federal delegation asked President Trump to allow the state to use some of the 9 billion in Fema’s disaster relief fund, but that doesn’t happen overnight. Mayor Smiley says they are investing in snow removal improvements for the future.
Researcher: Brianna Frissora
Writer: Brianna Frissora
Reporter: Brianna Frissora
Copy-Editor: Elizabeth Chant