State News
Sunday, May 3, 2026 · Barrington
Drug Overdose Deaths Reached Record High in 2014, CDC Report Shows
Nearly half a million Americans died from drug overdoses between 2000 and 2014, according to a CDC report. Opioid-related deaths saw a sharp increase in 2014, rising 14 percent from the previous year.
Providence Iway Tower Project Seeks $15M State Subsidies After Scaleback
A long-stalled mixed-use development on Providence's Iway waterfront, once envisioned as three towering residential buildings, has been reduced to one amid viability concerns. The developer is now requesting $15 million in Rhode Island taxpayer subsidies plus 20-year city tax abatements for the $220 million project. Critics question if public funds can revive this ambitious but troubled plan.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
CVS Health Cuts 770 RI Jobs in Cost-Saving Restructuring
CVS Health is slashing nearly 770 positions at its Rhode Island headquarters as part of a broader corporate overhaul aimed at $700-800 million in savings. The layoffs, hitting the Pawtucket area hard, began this week and will continue through December. While retail jobs remain plentiful locally, the cuts signal challenges for white-collar workers in the Ocean State.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Rhode Island Tourism Revenue Surges 12% in Q1 2026 Amid Newport Boom
Rhode Island's tourism sector roared back in the first quarter of 2026, posting a 12% year-over-year revenue jump fueled by packed Newport mansions and surging Block Island ferries. Buoyed by record 2024 highs, the industry signals a robust summer ahead for the Ocean State's economy. Local leaders hail strategic marketing as the key driver.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Bryant Bulldogs Clinch NEC Northeast Division Crown in Smithfield
The Bryant University baseball team secured the Northeast Conference Northeast Division title with a 5-2 win over Central Connecticut on Saturday. The Smithfield-based Bulldogs continue their storied dominance in Northeast college baseball. This victory positions them strongly for the NEC postseason.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Warwick Track Meet Shatters State Records as Rhode Island Athletes Peak
Elite sprinters and field competitors from across Rhode Island rewrote the state record books at the RIIL Spring Championships in Warwick, with three records falling in a single day of competition. The performances mark a breakthrough moment for the state's high school track and field program, signaling a new generation of athletes pushing past decades-old benchmarks.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Providence Friars Stun Villanova 78-72, Punch Big East Semifinal Ticket
In a thrilling upset, the Providence College men's basketball team toppled Villanova 78-72 to advance to the Big East tournament semifinals. The Friars' gritty victory in Providence ignited hopes for an NCAA tournament berth. Rhode Island hoops fans are buzzing as PC eyes a deep run.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
RI Teacher Shortage Persists Despite New Laws as Budget Stalls
Rhode Island classrooms brace for disruptions from a stubborn teacher shortage, even as new state laws allow retired educators to fill gaps. With 93 vacancies statewide and Providence reeling from past waves of resignations, stalled budget talks threaten further instability. Education leaders demand action before the school year begins.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
URI's Naloxone Push Aims to Slash Rhode Island Overdose Deaths
The University of Rhode Island's Community First Responder Program is distributing 50,000 naloxone kits yearly to combat Rhode Island's opioid crisis. With free training reaching thousands of police, teachers and residents, the initiative targets a 30% drop in fatal overdoses by 2030. As deaths climb since 2014, URI leads the state's charge from Kingston to Providence.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Providence Police Arrest Suspect in String of Robberies
Providence Police have arrested a man suspected of carrying out a series of attempted armed robberies across the city Thursday night. The suspect targeted multiple locations including gas stations and convenience stores in what authorities describe as a coordinated crime spree.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
RI House Boosts Clean Energy Tax Credits to Shield Coasts from Erosion
The Rhode Island House passed a bill expanding tax credits for renewable energy projects, targeting coastal erosion and rising sea levels that threaten communities like Narragansett and Westerly. Amid debates over energy costs, the measure builds on federal Inflation Reduction Act funds to incentivize solar, heat pumps and efficiency upgrades. Lawmakers say it's a vital step to protect the Ocean State's vulnerable shoreline while cutting bills for residents.
Sunday, May 3, 2026