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A Housing Policy Divided: How One Neighborhood Election is Already Reflecting PVD’s Rent Stabilization Debate
The rent stabilization ordinance proposed by City Council in January 2026 has become a core issue in Providence’s upcoming mayoral election, highlighting disagreements among the Democratic party on how to address housing affordability through policy. Incumbent Mayor Brett Smiley vetoed the ordinance after it passed [...]
15
May
May
New Cannabis Stores Put on Pause As Retail Royalty Make Millions
Cannabis in Rhode Island is a $167 million dollar industry, but only a handful are seeing the rewards. Existing RI retailers sold almost $40 million dollars worth of products since the State closed applications for additional retail licenses in December. However, that process was suddenly [...]
13
May
May
Recycling the Recycling Bins: Providence Replaces All Trash Bins to Clean Up Waste Program
Providence recycles 2.6% of the city’s waste—the lowest rate of all municipalities in Rhode Island. Truck drivers use cameras to inspect trucks and hoppers to see if a recycling load is contaminated with non-recyclables, and to avoid additional fees, bring their trucks holding plenty of [...]
08
May
May
Amid Energy Crisis, Smiley Budget Cuts City Spending on Utilities. How? Municipal Decarbonization.
Officials project that Providence’s municipal utility costs will fall by nearly $2 million dollars this year while, at the same time, cutting emissions. At a time when the Trump administration is fighting against renewables and energy prices are rising for consumers, how is the city [...]
06
May
May
Newest ProvPort Tenant L3Harris to Process UnderSea Communications Cables, Local Residents Protest Business Ties to Defense Economy
Providence’s newest portside tenant is L3Harris, one of the largest defense contractors in the world. The company plans to build a 50,000 square foot warehouse in ProvPort worth $6 million to load and offload subsea telecommunications cable. The news comes as ProvPort looks to complete [...]
01
May
May
Rent Stabilization, Blizzard Cleanup and a City “at War”: Highlights from First PVD Mayoral Candidate Forum
Just days after City Council and Mayor Brett Smiley traded votes and vetoes on rent stabilization, candidates took the stage at Brown University for the first mayoral candidate forum of this year’s race. On Wednesday April 22, student organization Brown Votes hosted four candidates headlined [...]
24
Apr
Apr
Providence’s Largest Primary Care Provider Searches for New Leadership. What’s Next for Patients?
Providence’s largest primary care provider is seeking new leadership. Providence Community Health Centers (PCHC) President and CEO Merrill Thomas is retiring at the end of 2026 after leading the organization for the past 25 years. According to a job listing posted on March 31, PCHC [...]
22
Apr
Apr
PVD World Music Opens for Eighth Season, Despite Federal Policy on Arts Funding and Immigration
Beginning this year, the Trump Administration fully or partially suspended issuing visas to 40 countries and territories, with 26 of them located in Africa. At the same time, Trump’s federal government is slashing federal arts programs or redirecting funding towards a conservative agenda. One of [...]
17
Apr
Apr
“A Homecoming”: Elmwood Community Center to Reopen After Seven Years With New Computer Lab, Learning Center
An “anchor” of Ward 9 is opening up to community use for the first time since 2019. On Friday, the Elmwood Community Center unveiled new renovations including a computer lab and upgrades to the building’s basic mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. The center is already [...]
15
Apr
Apr
Divestment and Democracy: Activists Attempt to Use Providence Ballot Initiative to Fight Against Genocide
“Today’s the day!” On March 27, staff at the Providence City Clerk office greeted about 15 activists delivering signatures of 1,200 Providence residents. The signatures represent the first step in a ballot initiative to ask voters a question in the upcoming November election: Will the [...]
10
Apr
Apr
