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public safety
Fall River police responded to Linden Street shortly after midnight on Feb. 8, 2026, for a report of a man with a gun in a parked SUV. During a pat frisk, 40-year-old Nigel Vaughn resisted and fired at officers, wounding two, and police returned fire, killing him. On Nov. 5, 2026, Fall River police released body camera footage and the findings of their investigations. The use of force was ruled justified by the Bristol County DA and State Police and by the department's internal review.
via fallriverreporter.com·23h agoDetails →
local government
Democrats won the Senate majority in the Nov. 3, 2026 midterm elections. Rhode Island's senators, Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, are positioned to chair major committees when the new Congress convenes in January 2027. Reed won reelection to a sixth term.
via wpri.com·23h agoDetails →
local government
Gov. Dan McKee nominated Superior Court Judge Luis Matos to the Rhode Island Supreme Court in August 2026, choosing him over former House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi. On Nov. 5, 2026, reports emerged of an Oct. 10 email from a Maryland woman to House and Senate judiciary leaders, alleging Matos expressed strongly anti-abortion views when they dated in 1994. Matos says he is pro-choice, and legislative leaders say hearings begin Nov. 17.
via wpri.com·23h agoDetails →
local government
Helena Foulkes won Rhode Island's gubernatorial election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, defeating independent Ken Block 58% to 28%. On Nov. 5 her team announced initial transition leadership staff and launched helenatransition.com to collect ideas and applications. A full transition committee is to be announced in the coming days. She is expected to take office in about two months.
via wpri.com·23h agoDetails →
local government
David Morales won the Providence mayoral election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and began organizing his transition for taking office in January. On November 4 he introduced eleven transition co-chairs, who will oversee policy committees and develop recommendations for the incoming administration. Transition executive director June Rose and operations director Jenn Steinfeld lead the staff side.
via pvdforall.com·23h agoDetails →
public safety
Providence Place, a downtown Providence, R.I. shopping mall, was bought in August 2026 for $133 million by a group including Pyramid Management Group, Paolino Properties and DW Partners. On Nov. 5, 2026 the new owners announced an enhanced security plan. It expands a youth guidance policy from last year that required teens to have an adult escort only after 5 p.m.
via wpri.com·1d agoDetails →
local government
Pawtucket leaders want Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks to apologize after he complained about the city's dining options.