Brown University’s Security Review Enters Final Phase. How Will Campus Change?

by Eric Halvarson

Brown University students returned to a different campus in January. New emergency phones appeared in front of their dorms. Twice as many police officers were on patrol. Private security guards checked for school IDs as they entered the library. New cameras watched them travel to [...]

Will Barriers to Voting in Providence Affect This Year’s Turnout?

by Eric Halvarson

Over 50% of Providence voters showed up to polling places for the 2024 election, but half as many showed up for the last round of midterms in 2022. As voters register for this year’s midterms, voter turnout in Providence is shaped by factors like competitive [...]

As City Council Crafts Rent Stabilization, Mayor Smiley Proposes “Housing Stabilization”

by Eric Halvarson

A rent stabilization ordinance is moving through the City Council, and Mayor Brett Smiley is watching closely. Smiley has promised to veto the policy if it passes the Council, but City Hall hearings on the proposal are drawing hundreds of people to testify. “Residents waited [...]

Brown ACLU Raises Alarm Over Connecting Cameras to Providence Police Surveillance Hub

by Eric Halvarson

Despite operating over 1,200 cameras on Brown University’s campus, authorities struggled to find video footage of the gunman who attacked the school in December. The Barus & Holley building where the shooting occurred only operated two exterior cameras, and during a prolonged manhunt, authorities knocked [...]

¿Cuándo comienzan las elecciones en Providence? Fechas clave para 2026

by Eric Halvarson

Va a ser un gran año para las elecciones en Providence. No solo la carrera por la alcaldía acaparará los titulares, sino que todos los escaños del Concejo Municipal están en elección. A nivel estatal, los residentes de Providence elegirán a todos sus representantes y [...]

From Minnesota to Providence: How Activists and Leaders Are Responding to ICE Violence

by Eric Halvarson

After federal immigration agents shot and killed multiple protesters in Minneapolis, immigrant rights activists in Rhode Island are doubling down on efforts to defend their neighbors through protest and policy change. As state congressmembers propose changing state laws to hold Immigration and Customs Enforcement accountable, [...]

Business Groups Take Aim at Rent Control Ahead of City Council Proposal

by Eric Halvarson

City Council members are moving forward with a policy to slow down Providence’s soaring housing costs. Led by City Council President Rachel Miller, a new ordinance would limit annual rent increases at four percent. However, a new report commissioned by the Providence Foundation argues that [...]

Tallying Up Local Colleges and Universities’ Contributions to Providence

by Jonathan Howard, Bob McMahon

Providence is home to numerous colleges, universities, and hospitals that provide significant value to the city. However, unlike residents and businesses, these institutions pay no property taxes due to their nonprofit status. In lieu of these institutions not paying property tax, how is the value [...]

Providence mayor unveils New Year’s resolutions in legislative package

by Alexander Castro

Mayor Brett Smiley will be asking for an increase in the PILOT base rate and a new authority to take over the Crook Point Bridge Editor’s Note: The following article was originally published by Rhode Island Current on January 7, 2026. Reprinted with permission. Two days into [...]

Fuente que reveló detalles del tiroteo en la Universidad Brown es agradecida y permanece anónima

by Eric Halvarson

A pesar de acaparar titulares por destapar el caso del tirador de la Universidad Brown, el propio “John Doe” de Providence mantiene su historia fuera de las portadas. John Doe aparece y desaparece Usando la misma cuenta de Reddit que orientó a los investigadores hacia [...]