STORY OF THE WEEK
The out-of-town frame on the CD2 race is mainly about how a potential win by GOP candidate Allan Fung in a Democrat-leaning Rhode Island reflects a tough national outlook for President Biden’s party. Let’s unpack that a bit. The president’s party typically loses congressional seats during midterm elections. More to the point, persistently high inflation has put Democrats in a defensive posture, since voters often judge the ruling party on the economy, even if the pandemic and other factors contributed to the situation. That explains why the CD2 race has attracted coverage from such outlets as The New York Times (“Democrats, on defense in blue states, brace for a red wave in the House”) and First Lady Jill Biden visited Rhode Island this week in an attempt to boost enthusiasm among Democrats. Still, it’s worth remembering that Seth Magaziner predicted a close fight from the time when he got into the race in January. That was based on the more conservative lean of CD2 voters and Fung’s profile as a longtime former mayor with considerably deeper roots in the district. Magaziner’s campaign responded with a shotgun approach – TV commercials about abortion rights, the lean of DC Republicans, and the threat posed by election deniers to democracy. Now, with less than two weeks until the election ends on Nov. 8, Magaziner and other Democrats are refocusing on a populist economic message, as seen by a new campaign spot out last week. Faced with questions about strengthening a House GOP caucus in which Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and more than 130 members voted against certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election, Fung has consistently shifted his responses to inflation and the cost of living. The Republican has held a small lead in a series of polls, although the main takeaway could be that CD2 voters, like the nation as a whole, are closely divided between Democrats and Republicans. Spending in the race has topped an eye-popping $8 million.
One wild card is the independent campaign of Bill Gilbert, who although he has done virtually nothing to promote his run, could draw in the low-to-mid single digits based on his ballot identification as a “Moderate.” If that’s the case, Magaziner or Fung could win with roughly 47% of the vote.
THE SMITH HILL CONNECTION: An investigation by WPRI-TV’s Tim White, Eli Sherman and Ted Nesi reveals how a top State House aide, John Conti, who quickly resigned, was linked to an organized crime associate, and how they were clandestine business associates in an illegal marijuana business. The story underscores concern about insiders wiring the lucrative new industry of recreational marijuana in Rhode Island. As I reported earlier this year, despite a stated commitment to boosting people hurt by the war on drugs, questions remain about whether the reality will live up to rhetoric. Meanwhile, since Conti was senior deputy chief of staff for House Speaker Joe Shekarchi, Common Cause of Rhode Island is calling for Gov. Dan McKee to reject Shekarchi’s suggested nominees for the state’s yet-to-take-shape Cannabis Control Commission. “The revelations in the Channel 12 reporting about John Conti reveal why the legislature should not be involved in the day-to-day regulation of Rhode Island’s newly legalized recreational marijuana market,” Common Cause Executive Director John Marion said in a statement. (As TGIF reported on Oct. 7, McKee has yet to nominate members for the Cannabis Control Commission, although the deadline for doing so under the state’s legalization law was July 4.)
GOV RACE: Republican Ashley Kalus is hoping to leverage dissatisfaction with the status quo to score an upset win over Democratic Gov. Dan McKee. Kalus used an extended ad this week to tick off a list of grievances – cost of living, multi-million-dollar subsidies for the Superman Building and Pawtucket soccer stadium, and the ILO Group probe – while vowing to make Rhode Island a better place to live and work. McKee has pounded the carpetbagger charge against Kalus, who is facing more scrutiny about her record before moving to Rhode Island, while also emphasizing abortion rights. McKee, an early supporter of Joe Biden’s presidential campaign, also got cheers this week from Jill Biden.
TAXING MATTERS: There was a rising tide of debate in the General Assembly last year about the upper tax bracket change championed and signed into law by former GOP Gov. Don Carcieri. Supporters cite it as an incremental step to improve RI’s business climate, while opponents maintain upper-income Rhode Islanders should pay more in taxes as a matter of equity. Now comes word that Rhode Island has fallen back into the bottom 10 of states in a ranking by the Tax Foundation. Another aspect of this debate is playing out in Massachusetts, where voters will decide next month to approve or reject Question 1, which would hike taxes for people who earn more than $1 million a year. Many of the arguments are familiar to those who have followed the issue in Rhode Island. Some cursory TV viewing suggests opponents – using ads to play on doubts about the ability of politicians to responsibly use a windfall of tax dollars – may be making the loudest argument.
TAKE OF THE WEEK: The weekly view from a mix of Rhode Islanders.
CORTNEY NICOLATO: One of the most impactful parts of my job is having the opportunity to meet with corporate CEOs, nonprofit leaders, community advocates, and elected officials on the most important issues facing our state. When asked about their respective pain points, they all say the same thing: Housing. Our corporate CEOs cannot find housing for their workforce, which prohibits them from growing in Rhode Island. And our community leaders are trying to find a safe place for many to rest their head at night, to no avail. We must look at housing not as a specific issue for one group of Rhode Islanders, but for all of us. It affects our essential workforce, our children and aging adults, our neighbors …. and those we love. Housing is a crisis, an economic crisis, a healthcare crisis, and an education crisis. It is also a major opportunity. We are at a moment in time when we can make real, transformative change. And thanks to our elected officials, we have tools we never had before. But those tools need to be linked by collaboration and a willingness to think creatively. I am committed to this work, alongside many, many others.
STATE REP. DAVID MORALES: As there continues to be scrutiny around the delayed release of the annual RICAS score (which is justified), there has not been nearly enough discussion around the specific investments and policy reforms needed to help improve our public education system. Even without the release of this year’s RICAS scores, we’ve known for years that our students are struggling, especially within the urban core (Providence, Pawtucket, and Central Falls). However, just recently, as part of the RI Department of Education’s agency budget request to the Governor’s office, RIDE submitted a much-needed proposal to reform our state’s education funding formula. Instead of simply depending on “free and reduced lunch” data to measure poverty, RIDE would shift its measures of poverty to further focus on student homelessness, and additional funding would be directed to school districts with the greatest concentration of poverty. Although improving our education system will take a lot more than just allocating further funding, this is an important step. We should all applaud RIDE for submitting this request and hope that the Governor’s office adopts this reform in its January budget proposal. As for how these additional funds should be invested, that’s another discussion, though. I’d urge school districts to seriously invest in mental health services.
KEN BLOCK: A cheap method of polling (free, in fact) is looking at the actions and events that campaigns are doing at the tail end of the race to get some visibility as to how close the race might be. I see Jill Biden's appearance Wednesday on behalf of Gov. Dan McKee and other Democrats at the top of the ticket as telling. The races might be much closer than we know based on the fact that the First Lady is expending precious time and political capital in Little Rhody. Will the First Lady's appearance here move the needle in terms of Democratic turnout?
ROBERT A. WALSH JR: Isak Dinesen famously said, “The cure for anything is salt water — sweat, tears, or the sea,” and that is our touchstone for interpreting election night returns a week from Tuesday in the hotly contested Second Congressional District. Of course, when the polls close at 8 p.m., the election is over, but the order in which results are reported, absentee and early votes are tallied, etc. give us a few hours of drama and the feeling that the race is still being contested in real time. Campaign supporters will be sweating out the results as they are reported, but watching early numbers can help predict the outcome (with the reminder that absentee ballots will favor the Democrats). Interestingly, of the 21 cities and towns in CD2, 10 of these border on the ocean or the bay. Let’s set aside Cranston (although water’s edge Edgewood should be Seth Magaziner territory). If early results show Allan Fung winning any other community bordering salt water, he will have a good night. And if Magaziner prevails anywhere inland, Fung supporters may be in tears (come on, Johnston!) The fact that the next full moon will occur an hour before the polls open has nothing to do with my prior prediction that the momentum of the rising Democratic tide will carry Magaziner to victory.
MATT JERZYK: With the Russian invasion of Ukraine and a new Covid lockdown in China ratcheting up inflation (nationally and internationally) yet again, national Democrats are scrambling regarding a three-to-five -point national polling shift toward Republicans in key Senate and House races. Should they have taken a page from Rhode Island Democrats’ playbook and focused on housing and the economy? Take the 2022 legislative session as a prime example. Speaker Shekarchi, President Ruggerio, Gov, McKee and Lt. Gov. Matos championed a state budget that included an historic $250 million investment in housing, as well as a restructuring in state government to create a new secretary of Housing, Josh Saal, and infrastructure to align housing related staff and programs. Ten more bills made into law streamlined development to help municipalities meet affordable housing goals from the House Low-Moderate Income Housing Commission chaired by Rep. June Speakman. The result of this strong economic message? A super-majority of leadership-backed legislative candidates won their primary elections and look set to win re-election in the general election. Big challenges remain to translate these housing investments into actual change. HousingWorksRI’s brand new 2022 Housing Fact Book noted that, “[c]reating lasting and local solutions requires the partnership of municipalities and revised local land use regulations.” In other words, there may be new state leadership, state money and state willpower, but unless cities and towns support the construction of new housing, the state’s critical housing crisis will go unaddressed. Stay tuned, however, as another commission, chaired by long-time planner Thom Deller and focused on land use and zoning, may take aim in the 2023 legislative session at the persistent issue of local red tape.
BACKLASH: Via statement, state Rep-elect Enrique Sanchez said he believes his opposition to the Superman Building tax deal explains why the executive board of the RI AFL-CIO rescinded an endorsement for him: “I demonstrated opposition to this tax break for this private developer because I have a commitment and loyalty to my constituents and to the people of Providence. This TSA would cost the city $220 million over the long run and private developer High Rock would benefit from $26 million in tax breaks. Providence and all across the state, our communities are suffering from a housing crisis due to rising costs of living and lack of more low-income /affordable housing developments. Where are the tax breaks for working people across our city? Why are we handing out corporate welfare to wealthy private developers during economic instability? I believe I made the right choice and stood by my convictions and morals. This corporate handout would directly impact my community and worsen the homelessness crisis.” Patrick Crowley, secretary-treasurer of the RI AFL-CIO, declined a request for comment.
THE CONNECTION: Talk-radio host John DePetro helped make it possible for Dr. Michael Fine, a former state Health Department director, to offer his medical skills on the Ukraine border in the early phase of the war. As Fine wrote in an essay for The Public’s Radio, “Whenever anyone asked how I got to Ukraine, I told the whole story, naming names and giving thanks. I actually thought it was a good story in itself. One person usually thought of as conservative and a little provocative helps out another person who is usually thought of as progressive and a little provocative, in support of the Ukrainian people and democracy itself. Americans weren’t fighting with one another for once. We connected as people, and used our connection as people to do something, however small, for the greater good, exactly the story we want to tell about ourselves as Rhode Islanders, as Americans, and as one people.”
KICKER: With Classical alum Jeremy Peña, 25, leading Houston into the World Series, it’s hard not to root for the Astros in their clash with the Phillies. “Jeremy is exactly what you see,” Classical athletic director Bobby Palazzo told Mike Szostak of The Public’s Radio. “He’s a great young man. Well brought up.”
Wednesday, March 15
On April 10th last spring the water temperature at Narragansett Beach was only 45 degrees. Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle, Providence, said, “The water is too cold for tautog. …
Wednesday, March 15
STORY OF THE WEEK: With Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos having announced a run in CD1, the race to succeed U.S. Rep. David Cicilline is approaching a more active phase. All eyes are on House Speaker Joe …
Tuesday, March 7
STORY OF THE WEEK: Election denialism is no longer shocking or even surprising. Some contemporary conspiracy theories are so ludicrous that they induce laughter, even if the underlying facts involve …
Tuesday, March 7
At press time, the New England Saltwater Fishing Show being held this week from March 10-12 at the Rhode Island Convention Center is already a record breaker with booth sales revenue the highest it …
Tuesday, March 7
This Sunday will be one of the biggest sporting events of the season for Warwick, as the Warwick co-op boys hockey team will square off against defending champion Bishop Hendricken in the Division I …
Tuesday, February 28
What a basketball season for our teams at Beacon Communications. In the five years I have been here, this has been by far the most successful as three of our teams reached the division championships …
Tuesday, February 28
STORY OF THE WEEK: U.S. Rep. David Cicilline’s decision to step down to take the top job at the Rhode Island Foundation emerged as a surprise, although, with a bit of reflection, it also makes …
Tuesday, February 21
A few weeks back, the Portsmouth boys hockey team created some ruckus when a few of its players filmed themselves drinking alcohol in the locker room after a victory. I am not a Portsmouth reporter, …
Tuesday, February 21
Shellfish are good for the ecosystem in many ways. They serve to filter water, provide a great food source and provide other services that support the health and well-being of Rhode Island’s …
Tuesday, February 21
STORY OF THE WEEK Providence Mayor Brett Smiley has moved quickly in the early stage of his administration to fill two key public safety positions, appointing Oscar Perez as police chief and Derek …
Tuesday, February 14
The Super Bowl certainly lived up to the hype in my opinion. The two best teams, the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, played a great game and really proved to be worthy of reaching the big …
Wednesday, February 8
STORY OF THE WEEK: For most people, the opioid epidemic is probably out of sight, out of mind. But Rhode Island is still reaping the whirlwind from the epidemic, as those who struggle with addiction …
Tuesday, January 31
False albacore have grown in stature as a highly targeted recreational sport fish. These speedsters have thrilled shore and boat anglers, and have become a valuable addition to the recreational …
Tuesday, January 24
The New England Saltwater Fishing Show will be held March 10-12 at the Rhode Island Convention Center. The show is the largest saltwater fishing show of its type in the Northeast, …
Tuesday, January 10
STORY OF THE WEEK History does not repeat itself, but it rhymes, or so the saying goes. That spurred thoughts on two different events this week. In DC, U.S. House Republicans were unable to elect …
Tuesday, January 3
NOAA Fisheries has released there five year review of the endangered North Atlantic right whales at North Atlantic Right Whale 5-Year Review | NOAA Fisheries . The report finds the population is …
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
By CAPT. DAVE MONTI Narragansett Trout Unlimited and the RI Department of Environmental Management Fish & Wildlife Division are collaborating once again this year on their Trees for Trout …
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
It’s the final week of the year which means one thing … taking a look back. As you can see, this week we are revealing our end of the year awards to our local teams, players and …
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Here are some last minute suggestions on holiday gifts for anglers. From stocking stuffers to rods and reels bait & tackle shop owners have suggestions. Most local tackle shops are open right up …
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Last week I wrote about how winter sports are my favorite. I stand by that and believe that winter is the best sports season of the four. I love the fast paced-schedule down the stretch and the …
Tuesday, December 13, 2022
STORY OF THE WEEK The General Assembly’s steady march in a more progressive direction over recent election cycles brings to mind a metaphor – how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a …
Tuesday, December 13, 2022
To refresh our collective memories limiting the earth’s warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) has been the goal of climate advocates globally. The problem is we have already warmed by …
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
STORY OF THE WEEK From a marketing standpoint, the idea of enlisting a 96-year-old WWII vet to make the ceremonial first purchase of recreational cannabis at the Slater Compassion Center was …
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
When you see the Providence skyline, a few buildings stand clustered around Kennedy Plaza and one is none other than the Providence Biltmore, recognizable by the red neon lights blazing against the …
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
For those who collect early muskets and fowling pieces, they sometimes forget an important piece of the original kit, the ball or bullet mold. With military arms and issuing cartridges, the mold for …
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
There were no surprises on Thanksgiving with our football teams. Not to toot my own horn, but I was pretty close in my assessments. To start, Pilgrim got a win over Toll Gate to take a 3-2 …
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
The Narragansett Surfcasters will hold its 9th Annual Surf Day on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023 at the Narragansett Community Center, 53 Mumford Road, Narragansett, RI from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The …
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
MEGABUCKS The big surplus gives Gov. McKee a lot of latitude for his next budget release in January. Here are initial reactions, via statement, to the windfall. House Speaker Joe Shekarchi: …
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
It’s the Holidays. Time to be thankful for the fish, take stock and assess the fishing for the year as we look forward to 2023. First, I am thankful for the privilege to fish and take people …
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
W ell, it finally happened. For the first time, I covered a Bishop Hendricken football loss when the rival La Salle Rams ran away with a 38-29 victory at Cranston Stadium. It was the first …
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
If you’ve been following my articles over the last few months, you know I’ve been busy with the sizeable collection of the late Andy Yanchus, who was a Marvel colorist for almost two …
Wednesday, November 16, 2022
I woke up the next morning after seeing “Le Miserables” for the fifth time humming “In My Life.” I couldn’t get the haunting songs out of my head. Every member of the …
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
“Customers in Pawtuxet Cove, Cranston, have seen large bass under their boats that have pushed bait into the cove,” said Tom Giddings of the Tackle Box, Warwick. “At Rocky Point …
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
STORY OF THE WEEK Allan Fung was visibly deflated when he walked into Twin Oaks last week to hug supporters and concede defeat in a campaign that many people expected him to win. Two elements made …
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
I covered a pair of boys soccer games last week and each of them went to penalty kicks. It was a lot of fun and each game had me at the edge of my seat, there is nothing like a shootout in the …
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
I used to collect World War I Imperial German and U.S. arms and militaria. I’ve watched and read many books on the fighting that took place and studied the material culture. Over the past year …
Tuesday, November 8, 2022
At first, I questioned if I needed to write this article, some of you might be bored just by the title. However, you would be surprised how many people come to visit us at Bruneau & Co. …
Tuesday, November 8, 2022
Stock up on your fly fishing flies by joining the RI Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Division of Fish & Wildlife Aquatic Resource Education’s annual Fall Fly Tying …
Tuesday, November 8, 2022
We’re in the thick of the playoffs and a number of our teams are shining. Here is where we stand with our clubs as of Tuesday morning. This past weekend we got our first state championship …
Tuesday, November 1, 2022
Question No. 3 on the statewide Rhode Island ballot this year is what is commonly called a “Green Bond.” I assume it was originally named after bond issues that acquired funding for …
Tuesday, October 25, 2022
This past Sunday was one of those tough NFL Sundays in which a handful of big stars exited their games with different lower body injuries. Torn ACL’s in knees, busted ankles, toe issues. In …
Tuesday, October 25, 2022
We have new 2023 tautog regulations for Massachusetts now being proposed that spin-off what Rhode Island enacted in 2022. The big question is will Massachusetts enact new regulations to sustain and …
Tuesday, October 25, 2022
STORY OF THE WEEK What’s more surprising – that CD2 Democrat Jim Langevin said nice things about Republican Allan Fung when Langevin endorsed a fellow Dem during the primary, or that …
Wednesday, October 19, 2022
STORY OF THE WEEK It was easy to anticipate the dynamic heading into two gubernatorial debates last week: Gov. Dan McKee would try to use the typical incumbent tack of avoiding miscues; GOP …
Tuesday, October 18, 2022
The Bishop Hendricken and La Salle football teams added another fun game to their historic rivalry last Friday night, with the Hawks squeaking out the 10-9 decision. This game was the typical …
Tuesday, October 11, 2022
In Rhode Island, the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) stocked 24 waterways with rainbow and brook trout last week before the holiday. DEM is providing stocking updates via its website at …
Tuesday, October 11, 2022
We are officially in the second half of the high school football regular season, and it has been an interesting one, for sure. So far, my biggest takeaway has been that I have loved the results of …
Tuesday, October 11, 2022
STORY OF THE WEEK CD2 Republican Allan Fung is projecting a sunny disposition in ads and media appearances while making his case in Rhode Island’s Second Congressional District. This serves …
Tuesday, October 4, 2022
I had the pleasure of covering Cranston West football take on visiting East Providence last Friday night for the team’s homecoming celebration. It was a huge Division II matchup that …
Tuesday, October 4, 2022
Barry Fuller and Roger Tellier shared their shellfishing knowledge this week at a RI Saltwater Anglers Associaton seminar with over 100 interested fishermen in attendance. The two have been …
Tuesday, September 27, 2022
AnglerCatch, a fishing application for smartphones, will be teaming up with the Tog Classic tournament, sponsored by Crafty One Customs of Portsmouth, RI. Ralph Craft, owner of Crafty One Customs, …
Tuesday, September 27, 2022
The East Greenwich Art Club will meet at the East Greenwich United Methodist Church, 1558 South County Trail, East Greenwich, on Tuesday, October 4th, at 7:00 p.m.. Local, award winning artist and …
Tuesday, September 27, 2022
For my obituary, I want to be remembered for the small moments which have accumulated to form my life’s mosaic. Hubby and I married when we were young, and, characteristically, got …
Tuesday, September 27, 2022
"There she is, Miss America. There she is, your ideal; the dream of a million girls who are more than pretty can come true..." The theme song of the Miss America pageant has rung in the ears of …
Tuesday, September 27, 2022
She’s everywhere. The village stores. The Farmer’s Market. The Emerald Frog. The Pawtuxet General Popup. The Pawtuxet General Podcast. Jess Watts is a daughter of …
Tuesday, September 27, 2022
Since its beginnings back in 2006, 75orLess Records has become one of the most vital entities within Rhode Island’s music scene and beyond. Rising from a music review site under the same name, …
Tuesday, September 27, 2022
When most people think of the Golden Age (1938-1956) of comic books, they typically think of Superman, Batman, the Human Torch, and Captain America. While the Golden Age did give us the true …
Tuesday, September 27, 2022
STORY OF THE WEEK U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith shifted the focus from a cascade of campaign news last week when he dropped a big decision bringing a sudden halt to Rhode …
Tuesday, September 27, 2022
The recent scandal involving Florida’s inflammatory governor apparently sending a group of 50 Venezuelan asylum seekers to Martha’s Vineyard — allegedly under false pretenses, and …
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
Eric Duda of Tiverton, RI took Friday off to fish. “We fished most of the day and gave up on tautog fishing at 3 p.m. and headed back up the Sakonnet River. Duda said, “Didn’t see …
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
Last week, I swung by the Cranston East girls tennis match against West Warwick, played in West Warwick. One thing that stood out to me was the quality of the courts at the public courts in the town, …
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
STORY OF THE WEEK Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee revisited his top campaign theme as he celebrated his primary victory last week. “As we said, it’s not the cards you get dealt, …
Tuesday, September 13, 2022
We are through the first week of the fall sports season, and although that is not nearly enough time to truly gauge where our teams are at, it at least give us a brief glimpse and I am always excited …
Tuesday, September 13, 2022
“We were fishing southeast of Newport in sight of land and picking up some nice cod, fluke and sea bass in about ninety feet of water,” said Greg Vespe, executive director of the Rhode …
Tuesday, August 30, 2022
Another year, another realignment to examine in Rhode Island high school football. This year’s realignment, in my opinion, is an upgrade from the previous layout. This fall there will be a …
Tuesday, August 30, 2022
Rhode Island and Massachusetts have scheduled hearings to gather public input on Draft Addendum I to Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic menhaden (commonly called …
Tuesday, August 23, 2022
L ast week, I wrote about the upcoming football season as practices got underway. This week, the remaining sports will get back to work, so naturally, I figured I would set the table for other …
Tuesday, August 23, 2022
Climate change impacts, including warming water, have created bait and fish movement up and down the east coast. For the past few years bait profiles have been changing in our region. Atlantic …
Tuesday, August 16, 2022
“We’re making a second shuttle trip to pick up paddlers. We have about fifty participating, that’s a lot more than expected,” said Stephanie Covino, program manager for the …
Tuesday, August 9, 2022
To celebrate the Blackstone River and bring attention to clean water, access and conservation measures taken by the Blackstone Watershed Collaborative a series of events including a paddle from …
Tuesday, August 2, 2022
STORY OF THE WEEK The soccer stadium at Tidewater Landing is variously described as a game-changer that will spark an economic resurgence in Pawtucket or a boondoggle that will be a historic …
Tuesday, August 2, 2022
This past weekend the entire Bruneau team was out in full force at The Newport Show. In years past the show had been entirely dedicated to antiques, but this year I felt it brought a refreshing and …
Tuesday, August 2, 2022
Last week the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association seminar on striped bass featured “Old Salts and Young Guns” who spoke about the strategies and tactics they used to catch trophy …
Tuesday, July 26, 2022
The Block Island Inshore Fishing Tournament ended Sunday with a winning striped bass measuring 51 inches caught by team Frayed Not led by Capt. Richard Lipsitz of North Kingstown. Over 90 anglers …
Tuesday, July 26, 2022
As if one beautiful 18th century flintlock pistol isn’t enough, having a matched pair is even better! A few weeks ago, I ran into a friend who showed me a pair of mid-18th century French …
Wednesday, July 20, 2022
For those who read my column last week, I spoke about an incident that happened at a Connie Mack baseball game in which the game was called in the seventh inning after players engaged in trash talk, …
Tuesday, July 19, 2022
WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING * * * * (Adapted from Delia Owens’ powerful novel) Even if you see this powerful movie, you still need to read the book about a young girl who grows up in the …
Tuesday, July 19, 2022
There’s always a lot of fun to have during the summertime and this is especially true in Rhode Island. A drive to the beach is literally an hour drive at most from anywhere, the parks are …
Tuesday, July 19, 2022
ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 This week you may find yourself taking on a teaching or mentoring role, Aries. It is one way to volunteer in the community and pay it forward. TAURUS – Apr …
Tuesday, July 19, 2022
History was made two times in the Rhode Island Superior court during the Milk Bottle Murder trial of 1939. Elmer Lester Leduc was a 19-year-old boy who lived with his mother Vernal and his father …
Tuesday, July 19, 2022
Linda Burrows, 64, always liked biking. At first, her parents wouldn’t let her have a bike but, she finally got one by age 11. “It felt like I had a pair of wings,” said Linda. …
Tuesday, July 19, 2022
I have lived a wonderful, eventful life. The one that has not managed to make its way onto my busy calendar is an outdoor concert. About twenty years ago I did manage to attend one at …
Tuesday, July 5, 2022
By CAPT. DAVE MONTI “That’s a good fish!” “I got a black sea bass… I am so proud of myself.” “Fish on!” Those are some of the comments I …
Tuesday, July 5, 2022
Let me give you a hot take. Or should I say, a hot dog take. As much as I love the Nathan’s Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island, I am beginning to get a little fed up with …
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
By ROB DUGUAY For the past few years around the 4th of July, other than in 2020 because of Covid, Dusk on 301 Harris Avenue in Providence has been the prime spot for musical fireworks. From the …
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
Theatre Review by Don Fowler I first saw “Footloose” back in 1984 when it was a movie starring Kevin Bacon as Ren, the Chicago teenager who moves to a small town where dancing is …
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20Aries, you are on fire lately. There’s seemingly nothing you touch that won’t turn to gold afterward. This trend will continue, but try not to let it go to your …
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
On May 31, 2022, Cox launched Jewish Life TV (JLTV), the nation’s largest and most robust English language, Jewish-themed television network in several markets -- including New …
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
CRANSTON – During the late summer of 1895, police were searching for teenaged Mary Carr. She had been away from home for a month and her mother, Mary (Collins) Carr, had no idea where she was. …
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
The Jamestown HarpFest, set for July 21-24, features two concerts with internationally known harpists, and workshops on music therapy, harp-making, harp lessons and a talk on how music supports …
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
In my last blog I talked a bit about the Model 1941 Johnson rifle. While a very interesting historic arm produced in Rhode Island and highly collectable, it isn’t very well known. Over the …
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
I have come under some tough times lately and have wondered about the whole meaning of life issue. Discouraged, it was often hard to see good times. Small issues that would normally not …
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
By EMMA BARTLETT Garden City Center has a few tricks up its sleeves this summer to make visits to the outdoor shopping facility more than just a reason to stop and shop. As kids and parents played …
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
As you may have read last week, my wife and I welcomed our baby boy Wesley into the world so I was out of the loop. That said, I will now wrap up the spring season and give you my final …
Tuesday, June 21, 2022
New research finds climate change is having an impact on how large whale species, including the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale, use habitats in the warming Gulf of Maine, showing …
Tuesday, June 21, 2022
Rhode Island’s average gas price is down 6 cents from last week , averaging $4.95 per gallon. Tuesday’s price is 23 cents higher than a month ago, and $1.98 higher than June 21, 2021. …
Tuesday, June 14, 2022
STORY OF THE WEEK Failure is an orphan, and victory has many fathers, as the saying goes. That helps explain why Gov. Dan McKee gathered with House Speaker Joe Shekarchi and Senate President …
Wednesday, June 8, 2022
STORY OF THE WEEK: The Senate Judiciary Committee is the key battleground for contentious legislation in Rhode Island. So what happens when the majority of support on the committee for gun rights …
Tuesday, June 7, 2022
Climate impacts on fishing are a challenge. Habitat is degrading as sea levels rise and warm water species are moving up the coast. Anglers have adapted their fishing to what is in the water to …
Tuesday, June 7, 2022
H ere we are as we enter the back half of the spring playoffs. We have already seen some teams win championships, come up short, and some are still working their way through their respective …
Tuesday, May 31, 2022
We have an influx of Atlantic menhaden (pogies) in Narragansett and Mt. Hope Bays this week. With all this bait and the perfect water temperature (just over 60 degrees), now is the time to try to …
Tuesday, May 31, 2022
W e are officially in the thick of the spring playoffs this week and I am excited to enter the final push before the summer break. Let’s dive right into where we are and what’s to …
Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Striped bass are in big trouble. They are overfished, means that the number of spawning stripers in the population are below established goals. And, overfishing is occurring, which means that anglers …
Tuesday, May 24, 2022
This past week, it was announced that James Sweeney would be taking over as head coach of the Cranston West boys basketball program. Matt Fontaine coached the Falcons last year, but walked away in …
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
By CAPT. DAVE MONTI Ever wonder how many striped bass you caught last June, or when the summer flounder (fluke) bite kicked in for you the past few years. Or better still, what the weather, …
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
STORY OF THE WEEK As much as the news about what sounds like a pending reversal of Roe v Wade was seismic, it wasn’t surprising; this is the very outcome that women activists and their …
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
Last week on Twitter, I saw an interesting topic be discussed. Pilgrim football head coach Blake Simpson posted saying that he felt that the high school football state championships should no …
Tuesday, May 10, 2022
By CAPT. DAVE MONTI Recreational measures for cod and haddock will remain unchanged for the start of the 2022 fishing year. The New England Fishery Management Council has recommended changes to …
Tuesday, May 10, 2022
It’s hard to believe, but we are already halfway through the spring sports regular season. Now that we have an actual sample size to work with, let’s get some observations and takes to …
Tuesday, May 10, 2022
After a two year “hiatus”, the 13th Annual “Cause for Paws” Classic Car Show roars to life on Sunday, June 12, 2022 at 171 Service Place, located at 171 Service Avenue …
Wednesday, March 23, 2022
Send in your photos that depict positive or negative climate impacts on fish, habitat, or resource users and you will have a chance to win one of two $250 cash card prizes. Photos could include a …
Friday, December 17, 2021
By CAPT. DAVE MONTI I am a fisherman that believes offshore wind energy and fishing can coexist and flourish together. We badly need offshore wind, and other renewable energy sources, to help stem the tide on climate change and its negative impacts on
Thursday, August 19, 2021
When it comes to being a professional musician, versatility is key. You have to know how to play a ton of different songs while spanning numerous styles along with your own original material. …
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