“Independent Media is Absolutely Critical”: Amy Goodman and Award-Winning Documentary “Steal This Story, Please!” Coming to Providence

by Eric Halvarson

On June 26 and 27, The Avon Cinema will be screening the new documentary “Steal This Story, Please!” about journalist Amy Goodman and her career covering movements around the world amid the consolidation of corporate media and increasing attacks on the freedom of the press.   [...]

Providence Completes New Greenway on Kinsley. What’s the Next Major Transit Project?

by Eric Halvarson

The Woonasquatucket River Greenway has been in the works for more than 30 years. It’s a project that bridges the decline of Olneyville’s past manufacturing industry with the current influx of artist spaces and nonprofits to Central Providence warehouses. In the 90s, Jane Sherman, founder [...]

Providence and the Underground Railroad: New Bibliography Documents Anti-Slavery Activity in RI

by Eric Halvarson

Beginning in the late 1600s, enslaved people lived in Rhode Island and their enslavers profited from their stolen labor, as well as the wider economy of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. However, according to research compiled by the nonprofit group Stages of Freedom, Rhode Island may [...]

Side Quests: “Veer” by Cole Swensen

by Diane Josefowicz

Summer is often full of journeys as lovely weather and longer days conspire to stir dreams of road tripping. Allowances are made for traffic, and everyone prays that the weather holds. Then the plan goes sideways, and with the disappointment comes a bitter lesson about [...]

Real Housewives of Rhode Island and the Reality of “Doubled-Up Homelessness” in Providence

by Eric Halvarson

Dr. Molly Richard is an academic usually focused on studying homelessness, and she had never watched the Real Housewives franchise. But as an assistant professor at the University of Rhode Island, she tuned in when the reality TV show came to the Ocean State. “This [...]

Teen Poets Recognized by Award Named for Providence Public Educator Maureen Kenner

by The Providence Eye

The winning poems for the 2026 Maureen Kenner Memorial Prize have been announced, with Lina Durfee’s poem “Altitude Sickness” receiving the first place honor.  The contest, held by poet Tina Cane and the Rhode Island Center for the Book, is a competition for students across [...]

Providence Can’t Afford to Lose Housing Stock. Here’s the Plan to Keep Aging Units Up to Code.

by Eric Halvarson

Build, build, build—that’s been a common refrain around the rising cost of housing in Rhode Island. While policymakers and constituents have major disagreements around regulating the price of housing, leaders at the State House and Providence City Hall are passing policies designed to increase construction. [...]

“Next to Normal”: A Rock Musical about Mental Illness that Delivers Humor and Honesty with Astonishing Force

by Judith Clinton

Trinity Repertory Company concludes its season with the Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning rock musical “Next to Normal,” featuring a book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt. Directed by former Associate Artistic Director Amanda Dehnert, “Next to Normal” is a deeply human [...]

Brown University’s Pandemic Center Weighs in on Ebola, Contagious Diseases Ahead of World Cup

by Eric Halvarson

At the Brown University Pandemic Center, doctors are following the current Ebola outbreak in central Africa with expertise as well as empathy.  “Initial case counts were incredibly high… with case counts at declaration larger than most outbreaks when they end,” said Dr. Craig Spencer, an [...]

Cannabis Corner? Nine Cooperatives Apply to Open Dispensaries on One Stretch of North Main Street

by Eric Halvarson

Dr. Andre Dev started the Community Cannabis Network of Rhode Island to help ensure cannabis co-ops succeeded as enduring, locally owned businesses. So, when the pool of potential cannabis retailer applications for RI started rolling in at the end of 2025, he expected a handful [...]