One Meal at a Time - Good Neighbors Rhode Island is seeing a rise in people turning to them for help
In Riverside Rhode Island Good Neighbors is making a difference one meal at a time. With a small staff with more than 100 volunteers the organization prepares hot meals and groceries to local residents who need extra support. In 2024 Good Neighbors provided meals to thousands of individuals and families throughout the community
Executive Director Kate Mushipi says Good Neighbors Rhode Island is seeing a rise in the number of people turning to the organization for help. She says guests include seniors on fixed incomes, working families struggling with rising costs, caregivers, and individuals experiencing homelessness.
In the Community Kitchen, volunteers prepare and serve hot meals five days a week. Guests can sit down to eat together, take meals to go, or receive deliveries if they are homebound.
Mushipi says community involvement is essential to daily operations. She encourages residents to support the organization through donations, food drives, or volunteering, as demand for services continues to grow across the East Bay and surrounding communities.
For many recipients, these deliveries offer more than food. They bring comfort, connection and a reminder that they’re not alone.
Researcher: Alexa Benson-Amarante
Writer: Alexa Benson-Amarante
Reporter: Alexa Benson-Amarante
Copy-Editor: Elizabeth Chant
Seals are Steady - 590 seals were counted during the annual statewide seal count
Volunteers and scientists counted 590 seals in Rhode Island waters during Save The Bay’s annual statewide seal count. According to WPRI, the count happened on March 18th and lasted about two hours. This year, 43 scientists, naturalists, and volunteers helped monitor sites along the coast, Narragansett Bay, and Block Island. Save The Bay says the count gives a snapshot of how many seals are in local waters at one time . Officials say the number is a little lower than last year, but the mainland seal population looks fairly steady over time. They also say gray seals are becoming more common around Block Island. Experts are reminding people to keep their distance, since federal law bans harassing marine mammals. Visit WPRIs website for more on the story.
Researcher: Edith Hills
Writer: Edith Hills
Reporter: Edith Hills
Copy-Editor: Elizabeth Chant
W-2 Tax Forms Take Another Hit - Another W-2 mistake was found that affects Rhode Island college and university employees
About 3,200 Rhode Island college and university employees are getting corrected tax forms after the state found another W-2 mistake. Officials say the problem affects workers in a required retirement program, where some retirement contributions were listed the wrong way on the original forms. Those employees are now being sent corrected forms by mail, and the forms will also be available online. Officials say some workers who already filed their taxes may need to amend their returns, while those who have not filed yet can use the corrected form instead. This comes about a week after a separate tax form problem affected other state workers, where state officials apologized. Visit WPRIs website for more on the story.
Researcher: Edith Hills
Writer: Edith Hills
Reporter: Elizabeth Chant
Copy-Editor: Elizabeth Chant
Scary Gas Prices Ahead - The nation’s gas prices have been increasing at an alarming rate, leaving Rhode Island residents struggling to keep up
As gas prices across the nation are soaring, businesses and citizens are struggling to keep up.
“I think it’s ridiculous”
“I think they’ve been a little ridiculous, I have never seen them so high to be honest.”
Because of the military action in Iran, according to AAA the national average has gone up $1.02 in the past month.
“It makes it hard for people who have to commute to work or commute to school, but there’s really nothing you can do about it because you need to get places with your car, so you have to pay for gas.
“Im running out of money to spend on it so, going to have to stop driving.”
Some ways to cut down on your gas use that AAA recommends include driving 50 mph or lower, filling up your tank when temperature is coolest, preventing idling, and changing your filter regularly.
Researcher: Elizabeth Chant
Writer: Elizabeth Chant
Reporter: McKalah Gaine
Copy-Editor: Elizabeth Chant
Coastal Communities Risk Greater Flood Issues - State officials are taking a greater focus on coastal flood issues and climate resiliency based on recent data
State officials in Rhode Island are taking a greater focus on both coastal flood issues and climate resiliency as new data highlights an increased risk to coastal communities. The recent studies showed that there has been a greater increase in both sea level rise and the amount of times that storm surge will occur. Therefore, low lying areas are going to have increased pressure put upon the existing infrastructure. State and local leaders are now working together to expedite the development of plans designed to protect residents, businesses, and public assets from potential damage due to increased flooding.
Some of the proposed strategies for mitigating this issue include shore line protection and reinforcement; updating zoning regulations; and expanding emergency preparedness. Experts in environmental science caution that if these proactive steps are not taken, the number and intensity of floods may be significantly higher over the next few years. Rhode Island is taking the lead in adapting to climate changes in its region by finding a balance between environmental concerns and the economic and social needs of the state’s citizens.
Researcher: Edith Hills
Writer: Edith Hills
Reporter: Elizabeth Chant
Copy-Editor: Elizabeth Chant
Housing Pressure on the East Bay - Rising house costs in Bristol and nearby towns are pushing residents into housing instability
The housing affordability crisis has been rising steadily since the 80s, but this year, it’s reaching a breaking point.
“What we’re seeing in Bristol and Easy Bay is, unfortunately, a statewide phenomenon.
Brenda Clement is the director of Housing Works Rhode Island, where they analyze data and statistics by community and she says the numbers are troubling.
“Even if you’re earning over $100,000 a year, and you can’t afford to buy any of Rhode Island’s 39 cities and towns, even if you’re earning the median renter income of $48,000 you can’t afford to rent anywhere.”
Housing workers have been tracking what they call cost burden, which the federal government defines as someone who spends over ⅓ of their income on housing.
“1 out of 3 Rhode Islanders are cost burdened or spending more than they can really afford on their budget and what that means is for many of them they struggle.”
Clement says this has been a longtime trend especially for lower wage workers such as home health aides, delivery drivers and restaurant workers.
“78% of the fastest growing jobs in Rhode Island do not pay anywhere near the housing wage. You would have to be earning about $33 per hour.”
With Rhode Island being a tight knit community, those struggling are closer than others might think.
“Somebody within your network, somebody within your family, somebody who sits next to you at church if you are a faith based institution, who packed your groceries or delivered your packages from Amazon are people that struggle.”
Researcher: Brianna Frissora
Writer: Brianna Frissora
Reporter: Brianna Frissora
Copy-Editor: Elizabeth Chant