Hot Topic

PROVIDENCE officials have floated a plan to create a special fund to pay for the city's "decarbonization" goals, using the energy savings, rebates and other incentives to replenish the fund. / PBN FILE PHOTO/WILLIAM HAMILTON

Providence hoping revolving fund will pay for massive ‘decarbonization’ effort

Hot Topic 05/01/2026

Providence is working to figure out how to pay for its 2040 mandate to “decarbonize” about 130 municipal buildings through a series of retrofits,...

Does Bally’s really need financial help from R.I.?

Hot Topic 04/24/2026

Casino operator Bally’s Corp. is insisting that Rhode Island’s impending indoor smoking “ban” to start in 2027 will cut into future profits, and it...

RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE PRESIDENT Jack R. Warner is joining some state officials in pushing for the college's Hope Scholarship program to become permanent. / PBN FILE PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Is RIC’s tuition-free scholarship worth the price tag?

Hot Topic 04/17/2026

As lawmakers consider legislation that would make Rhode Island College’s Hope Scholarship permanent, state and college officials argue that the school’s rebounding enrollment and...

Pawtucket stadium still planning how to cash in on World Cup

Hot Topic 04/10/2026

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is just months away from bringing a weekslong flood of soccer fans and more than $1 billion in economic...

TWO CRUISE SHIPS docked in Newport during a previous summer season. City and tourism officials are concerned about a proposal to increase the fees that large ships are charged during visits to the City of the Sea. COURTESY DISCOVER NEWPORT

McKee’s cruise ship fee proposal creating a storm in Newport

Hot Topic 04/03/2026

A proposal by Gov. Daniel J. McKee to increase cruise ship passenger fees in Newport has ignited a firestorm among elected officials and business...

Where are bike lanes headed in Providence?

Hot Topic 03/27/2026

Providence is preparing to move forward this summer on a long-promised plan to relocate the controversial bike lanes on South Water Street, and urbanist...

THE ORGANIZERS of WaterFire Providence are hoping for big crowds for the July 4 lighting to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S., and so are downtown businesses. / COURTESY WATERFIRE PROVIDENCE

Beefed-up WaterFire looking for massive 250th anniversary turnout

Hot Topic 03/20/2026

After several years of scaled back programming, WaterFire Providence is looking to bounce back this year, and it's hoping to use the nation's 250th...

DraftKings, FanDuel decide to sit on the sidelines in R.I.

Hot Topic 03/13/2026

Some of the biggest names in online sports betting have said thanks but no thanks to Rhode Island. Last August, the R.I. Lottery received interest...

IVY PLACE, an affordable housing development on Ivy Street in East Providence, features "live-work" units that qualify for the city's new tax break intended to encourage the development of more affordable housing. COURTESY CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE

Housing advocates encouraged by E.P.’s new live-work tax break to spur...

Hot Topic 03/06/2026

As more communities develop mixed-use residential developments, housing advocates say that live-work tax breaks, such as a tax exemption recently implemented for owner-occupied business...