Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.

Providence police unveil new 'Real-Time Crime Center' tool for addressing crime
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Providence is now home to the Ocean State’s newest tool in tackling crime, while keeping the public well-informed. Over the weekend, Mayor Brett Smiley and Police Chief Oscar Perez announced the launch of the “Real-Time...

‘Political pawns’: Delaware, New Jersey sue Trump administration over conditioning crime victims funding on immigration cooperation
What are journalists missing from the state of Delaware? What would you most like WHYY News to cover? Let us know. Delaware and New Jersey are joining 18 other states and the District of Columbia in suing President Donald Trump’s administration...

Jules Witcover, political columnist who relished the horse race, dies at 98
Mr. Witcover went to the nation’s capital in 1954 for the Newhouse publishing chain, which owned the Star-Ledger. Rising to become its indefatigable chief political writer, he witnessed some of the defining moments of the era. He covered the 1960...

URI political science professor explores growth of digital repression around the globe
KINGSTON, R.I. – Aug. 18, 2025 – One of Skip Mark’s “favorite” examples among the growing list of policies on the use of technology that could be used to suppress people’s rights is robot dogs. In November 2022, the Board of Supervisors in San...
Trump targets Democratic-run cities. Some mayors say they're ready for a legal fight. By sending in the military, some noted, President Trump was probably escalating crime, contributing to distrust in the government and creating unsafe situations. Read…
As sand-colored Humvees rolled down Washington DC streets against the wishes of local leaders, mayors around the country planned for what they would do if the Trump administration comes for them next. Donald Trump’s disdain for Democratic-run...

How patients can protect themselves in the wake of recent medical data breaches in Rhode Island
Last month, Wood River Health announced a data breach that affects nearly 55,000 patients in Rhode Island and Connecticut. It was the latest in a string of instances that have seen hundreds of thousands of Rhode Islanders’ personal health data...

Rhode Island Governor says DOJ’s Aug. 19 Sanctuary‑Status Deadline ‘Does Not Merit a Response’
Rhode Island, along with 12 other states, 4 counties and 18 cities/towns will have until August 19th to respond to the US Attorney General’s letter demanding they abolish their “Sanctuary” policies. In New England, only Rhode Island, Connecticut...

Where is marijuana legal?
Some states have legalized medicinal and decriminalized marijuana. DISA provides a list of these states, as well as more details and information regarding the legalization of marijuana from state to state. Minnesota: Fully legal North Dakota:...

Today's Headlines: Gov. Little orders 3% spending cut; Providence to close some Northeast WA clinics
Providence to close some northeast WA clinics, citing growing deficit Providence Health officials say program closures in northeast Washington are only part of their strategy for getting back to profitability. The company recently said it would...

Providence police to launch a real-time crime center
(WJAR) — The Providence Police Department is launching a real-time crime center. Similar systems are already used in other major cities across the country. As part of the new system, the department is asking people to register their home and...

VA Providence celebrates completion of phase 2 of new...
PROVIDENCE – The VA Providence Healthcare System hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug. 13 to celebrate the completion of phase two of its new mental health building. The $15 million, 14,000-square-foot expansion is meant to expand and improve...

Why not Rhode Island? Ocean State businesses look to reel in visitors for 2026 World Cup
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — With 2026 World Cup games, now less than 10 months from being hosted, just up the road in Foxboro, time is ticking, for local businesses and tourism to ready themselves for the influx of soccer fans. Businesses across...

90 years later, Social Security still delivers for Rhode Islanders Catherine Taylor
Social Security celebrated its 90th anniversary, and a new AARP survey highlights its continued importance to Americans. An overwhelming majority of Americans across party lines view Social Security as vital, with many believing it's even more...

States battle Trump over $1b in victim aid tied to immigration
PROVIDENCE — Millions of crime victims could lose access to shelter, funeral assistance, and counseling under a new Trump administration directive that ties federal victim aid to immigration enforcement. On Monday, Rhode Island Attorney General...

Why the Connecticut Sun should relocate to Providence John Goncalves
Providence is a growing city with a thriving arts, culinary, and education scene, making it an ideal location for the Connecticut Sun to relocate. Unlike Boston, which has a saturated sports market, Providence offers less competition and a...

Quonset is New State-of-the-Art Headquarters for the Rhode Island Air National Guard
Federal, state, local, and military officials joined the Rhode Island Air National Guard today to celebrate the grand opening of the new 143rd Airlift Wing headquarters at Quonset Air National Guard Base. The modern 43,000-square-foot facility...

Rhode Island is still without a permanent US Attorney
It has been six months since President Trump named Sara Miron Bloom as Rhode Island’s acting US Attorney, but state leaders appear to be in the dark about when the administration will get around to announcing a permanent appointee. Jim Martin, a...

Massachusetts State Police spent $217,000 on luxury hotel stays, international flights, and more
Mass State Police shelled out more than $200,000 on stays at 4- and 5-star hotels from Aruba to Florida, along with international flights and other expenses during the last fiscal year. The Herald is sifting through state agencies’ taxpayer-funded...

TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Aug. 15, 2025
Limit access to part of Wickenden Street for a movie shoot, sure, but obstruct my peregrinations to Pizza Marvin at your peril. Welcome back to my Friday column. You can follow me through the week on Bluesky, threads and X. Here we go. *** Want to...

Platkin Leads Multi-State Lawsuit Against Trump Administration’s Imposition of Illegal Conditions on Victims of Crime Act Grants
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin today announced he and California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, and Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha are...