Brown University Shootings Expose Providence’s Emergency Communications System Shortcomings

by Eric Halvarson, Research by Kendra Eastep

On Saturday afternoon, minutes after a masked gunman entered a classroom and sprayed gunfire on students studying for an economics exam, Brown students, faculty, and staff were notified of an active shooter on campus. However, nearby neighbors without connections to the school did not receive [...]

Building ADUs in Providence: The What, the How, and the Why Not?

by J. Hogue

Providence has one of the lowest construction rates in the country in a state that had average low vacancy rates in 2023 of 3.7% for apartments and 0.3% for houses. In short, there are not enough homes and we are not building new ones fast [...]

Smiley Draws Criticism from Democratic Rival After Speaking at New Orleans Antisemitism Conference

by Alexander Castro

International, national and local politics collide in Providence mayoral race with over nine months to go before primary Editor’s Note: The following article was originally published by Rhode Island Current on December 9, 2025. Reprinted with permission. On a national stage last week, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley [...]

New Providence Police Surveillance Software Has Civil Liberties Groups Asking “Who’s Watching?”

by Eric Halvarson

Inside Providence’s new Real Time Crime Center, blue lights illuminate a dark room filled with desks holding computer monitors and a wall covered in screens. The screens reveal a map of the city covered in green dots. Each dot represents a police officer body camera [...]

City Council Ordinance to Ban Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers Goes to Final Vote

by Andrea Gutierrez

A long goodbye is underway in Providence for gas-powered leaf blowers. The controversial lawn equipment is considered an environmental risk because of the noise pollution and the toxic emissions created by the combustion engines, according to the proposed ordinance by the Special Committee for Environment [...]

Newest Sustainability Commission Member Gives Back to City That Helped Her During COVID

by Eric Halvarson

Last Monday, Providence’s Sustainability Commission welcomed its newest member: Dawn Sumner. A lifelong city resident, Sumner never considered the role community played in her life. But after receiving help during the COVID pandemic, she is ready to give back and leave a positive impact on [...]

David Morales: State Rep, Wrestling Villain, Spider-Man… Mayor of Providence?

by Andrea Gutierrez, Eric Halvarson

David Morales had all of the things you might expect at a Tuesday night birthday party: pizza, wings, pretzels and friends. Except after singing “Happy Birthday,” the crowd gathered to watch Morales, a Democrat Rhode Island state representative, give a campaign speech at Narragansett Brewery.  [...]

The candidates, so far, in the Providence City Council Ward 2 special election

by Steve Ahlquist

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on Steve Ahlquist’s Substack. Reprinted with permission. The Providence Board of Canvassers and Registration has issued a warrant to hold a Special Election to fill the vacancy for the Providence City Council in Ward 2. The Special Election [...]

Juan Pichardo- Ward 9 Councilperson

by Michelle Alas Molina

6 out of 15 City Councilors in Providence are Latino, and The Providence Eye is interviewing them to get to know each one better, as well as better understanding their views on the intersection between identity and governance.  Previous interviews can be found at these [...]

Seven Things to Know About the Proposed Providence City Budget and Tax Changes

by Bob McMahon

As the early summer days slip from June into July, there is some certainty in Providence life.  The weather forecast will start using the phrase “heat wave,” frozen lemonade will be sold by the cup, and the first quarter City of Providence tax bills will [...]