Chris Shea

As state waits for federal approval of Washington Bridge permits, RIDOT interim director takes over • Rhode Island Current In his first briefing as Rhode Island’s interim transportation chief, Robert Rocchio said Tuesday that the start of physical work on the westbound Washington Bridge depends on pending U.S. Coast Guard...

As state waits for federal approval of Washington Bridge permits, RIDOT interim director takes over. By @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/03/03/a...

Travel ban lifted at noon; thousands still without power as blizzard cleanup continues • Rhode Island Current Rhode Island lifted its travel ban at noon Tuesday as blizzard cleanup continued. Thousands remain without power while crews clear roads and restore service.

Travel ban lifted at noon; thousands still without power as blizzard cleanup continues. By @krish-eh.bsky.social & @ohnocastro.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/02/24/t...

RI Coalition to End Homelessness hires new executive director • Rhode Island Current After months without a permanent leader, the Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness has hired Colby O’Brien as its new executive director to restore the organization's voice and expand its role in...

New RI Coalition to End Homelessness Executive Director Colby O’Brien aims to rebuild the organization after a period of leadership turnover, reduced visibility and mission scope. By @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/02/18/r...

Pawtucket police chief asks for respect for family after tragedy at ice rink • Rhode Island Current With a large contingent of state and local elected officials standing by, Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves Tuesday released the names of the mother and son killed in the shooting at an ice rink i...

Pawtucket police chief offers update on hockey rink shooting; governor announces online mental health hub with resources for domestic violence and suicide prevention. By @ohnocastro.bsky.social and @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/02/17/p...

With bettors backing Patriots, Super Bowl defeat may pay out big for little Rhode Island • Rhode Island Current The New England Patriots’ Super Bowl loss to the Seattle Seahawks could translate into a financial win for Rhode Island, as most in-state bettors backed New England, according to state lottery data.

How a Super Bowl loss for the New England Patriots is a win for the state of Rhode Island. By @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/briefs/with-...

Hegseth touts speed and innovation in tour of Quonset Point facilities • Rhode Island Current On his first official visit to Rhode Island, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Monday toured Quonset Point as part of his "Arsenal of Freedom” campaign to accelerate military production.

Protestors gather in subfreezing temperatures to ‘unwelcome’ U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to Quonset Point. His Electric Boat and Seabees Museum visit were closed to press but his 8 minute speech at Anduril was open. By @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/02/09/h...

Go Pats.

Former Senate majority leader confirmed as District Court judge • Rhode Island Current The Rhode Island Senate voted 27–8 Thursday to confirm former Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey as a District Court judge, approving Gov. McKee’s full slate of judicial nominees.

Michael McCaffrey, former RI Senate majority leader, confirmed as District Court judge in 27-8 Senate vote
By @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/02/05/f...

State Crime Lab Commission approves plan to bring firearms toolmark testing largely in-house • Rhode Island Current The Rhode Island State Crime Laboratory Commission on Thursday approved an action plan to restore in-house firearms testing on cartridges or shells as the lab it oversees continues to rebuild after di...

R.I. State Crime Lab clears path to bring back firearms toolmark testing largely in-house. By @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/02/05/s...

Alviti out by the end of the month at Department of Transportation • Rhode Island Current Gov. Dan McKee announced Wednesday morning that he accepted the resignation of Rhode Island Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti Jr., effective at the close of business Friday, Feb. 27. ...

To quote one Redditor who learned about today's news: "I’ll miss his funny haircut."

rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/02/04/a...

RI organizations to take part in national shutdown calling on official to abolish ICE • Rhode Island Current Progressive and immigrant rights organizations and student groups from across Rhode Island plan to participate in a nationwide general strike Friday opposing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement o...

Rep. David Morales, a Providence Democrat running for mayor, said he requested that the State House facilities team clear some of the remaining snow ahead of Friday's anti-ICE national shutdown protest and march. By @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/briefs/ri-or...

Plant City to close Providence location. New debate opens in governor’s race. • Rhode Island Current A Providence vegan food hall is the latest battleground in Rhode Island’s 2026 gubernatorial primary after its owner announced the reason for its impending closure: the ongoing closure of the westboun...

Gov. Dan McKee’s comments on pending closure of Providence Plant City location prompts his chief rival to suggest he is tone deaf on matters impacting small businesses. By @krish-eh.bsky.social
rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/26/p...

Legislative leaders call for collaboration and inclusion as 2026 session begins • Rhode Island Current While uncertainty over federal funding for Rhode Island looms, the first day of the 2026 legislative session saw leaders of both chambers recognize the need to heal after the mass shooting at Brown Un...

Budget uncertainty, fate of hospitals and healing after Brown tragedy will test General Assembly over the next six months. We bring you coverage from the first day of the 2026 legislative session. By @nancyklavin.bsky.social & @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/06/l...

More Rhode Islanders with disabilities now eligible for federally tax-deferred savings accounts • Rhode Island Current Rhode Island Treasurer James Diossa hopes to reach 1,000 ABLE accounts in 2026 as eligibility expands to residents with disabilities that began before age 46.

ABLE accounts used to be for people who had a qualifying medical condition that began before their 26th birthday. As of 2026, those up to age 46 can open these savings accounts without jeopardizing their federal benefits. By @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/briefs/more-...

Two Brown University students who lost their lives in campus shooting identified • Rhode Island Current The two Brown University students killed in Saturday’s mass shooting on campus have been identified as the vice president of the College Republicans from Alabama and an aspiring neurosurgeon originall...

Ella Cook, 19, of Alabama was described by her local church as a “bright light.” Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, 18, who graduated from high school in Virginia, is recalled by his family as “incredibly kind, funny, and smart.” By @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/15/t...

Police withhold details on Brown mass shooting suspect; investigators search Coventry hotel • Rhode Island Current Providence police and federal agents searched a Coventry hotel Sunday as investigators build a case in the Brown University mass shooting that killed two and injured nine.

Police withhold details on Brown mass shooting suspect; investigators search Coventry hotel rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/14/p...

Two years later, life goes on for Rhode Islanders as they wait for Washington Bridge rebuild • Rhode Island Current In East Providence, frustration has given way to resignation two years into the ongoing the shutdown of the westbound Washington Bridge — even as state officials boast an "on time" and "on budget" rec...

Two years later, life goes on for Rhode Islanders as they wait for Washington Bridge rebuild via @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/11/t...

State steps in to coordinate R.I.’s 2026 homeless census For the first time, state housing officials will take an active role in gathering data for the annual census of Rhode Island’s unhoused population likely in late January.The Executive Office of…

For the first time, state housing officials will take an active role in gathering data for the annual census of Rhode Island’s unhoused population likely in late January.

via @rhodeislandcurrent.com

Thanks for the kind words, Lauren! Your piece also excels at showcasing the impacts business’s will soon face

Alviti in the hot seat for the third time, stands by use of third party inspectors • Rhode Island Current Under questioning from the state’s most recent top federal prosecutor, Rhode Island Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti Jr. defended the hiring of third party inspectors Thursday at a f...

“Where does the buck stop?” Rep. Jennifer Boylan, a Barrington Democrat, asked during Thursday's five-hour oversight hearing on the Washington Bridge. “It can’t always stop with consultants.” By @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com?p=26308

Hillary Clinton opens up about the past, present and future in Brown lecture • Rhode Island Current Hillary Clinton reflected on her career — and her 2016 loss — during a talk at Brown University Thursday evening, where she discussed global instability, Putin, and the challenges facing U.S. democrac...

"If we don’t know what our policies are, literally from week to week, that gives a lot of room for maneuver by people who don’t wish us well," Hillary Clinton says during Brown University visit. By @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/10/30/h...

New R.I. cannabis retail licenses could be ready by May 2026. Not soon enough for some applicants. • Rhode Island Current Rhode Island’s Cannabis Control Commission on Monday set a May 2026 target to start awarding the state's 24 available retail licenses , approving a timeline that gives applicants up to 60 days to secu...

R.I. cannabis retail applicants who’ve already navigated local approvals object to 60-day window state regulators tacked on to new timeline approved Monday to grant licenses. By @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com?p=25644

Longtime T.F. Green decor soon to be unmoored • Rhode Island Current Renovations at Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport will require the removal of an abstract public sculpture and two boats on display, only one of them seaworthy. The people who made them ar...

From myself and @ohnocastro.bsky.social:

Renovations at T.F. Green will require the removal of an abstract public sculpture and two boats on display, only one of them seaworthy. The people who made them are at different stages of acceptance.

rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/09/29/l...

There needs to be a federal investigation into why this promo isn’t happening in Rhode Island.

RIPTA board tables sweeping cuts after receiving last minute letter from McKee • Rhode Island Current Just minutes after receiving a letter from Gov. Dan McKee, the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority Board of Directors voted Thursday morning to table a proposal that would have slashed or reduced se...

Walked a mile in @krish-eh.bsky.social's shoes today and covered the big RIPTA vote
rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/08/07/r...

Behind the ad blitz to get R.I. lawmakers to reject bills protecting patient access to discount meds • Rhode Island Current Community Action for Responsible Hospitals spent over $400,000 on ads in the final weeks of the 2025 Rhode Island legislative session in an unsuccessful attempt to persuade state lawmakers to reject l...

Did you notice these ads meant to sway lawmakers against passing the new 340B protections?

Well I did some digging on the group behind them.

Read here:

rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/07/14/b...

Compromises on assault weapons, casino smoking and CRMC reform mark end of 2025 session • Rhode Island Current Rhode Island lawmakers wrapped up the 2025 session with compromises on a ban on assault-style weapons and casino smoking, and reforming the state's coastal regulatory council. But payday lending refor...

R.I. lawmakers keep their cool as compromises on assault weapons, casino smoking and CRMC reform mark end of 2025 session. By @nancyklavin.bsky.social @krish-eh.bsky.social & @ohnocastro.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/06/20/c...

Big Lemon controls all on the Senate floor.

Washington Bridge rebuild to cost up to $427M. Expect to drive on it by late 2028. • Rhode Island Current A new westbound Washington Bridge is expected to be rebuilt by November 2028 and will cost the state upward of $427 million, Gov. Dan McKee announced Friday. The new bridge will be built by Walsh Cons...

Looks like Rhode Island casinos could all go nonsmoking before the new westbound Washington Bridge is completed. @krish-eh.bsky.social covered today's big contract reveal at the State House. rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/06/06/w...

Dept. of Homeland Security puts R.I. on notice as a ‘sanctuary jurisdiction.’ It’s unclear why. • Rhode Island Current The Trump administration put Rhode Island and the cities of Providence and Central Falls on a list of 500 so-called “sanctuary jurisdictions” released Thursday night, meaning they face the possibility...

The Department of Homeland security states that R.I. made the list because of a “Court Order Requiring State Sanctuary Requirements.” I reached for specific details and received a statement reiterating the designation factors on the department’s website.

rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/05/30/d...