Vol. CXXXII · No. CCLXXVIIIMONDAY, MAY 25, 2026Ocean State Edition

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278 articles · page 18 of 24
JudiciaryPaywall

Family Court dismisses grandparents' visitation petition after 18-day trial

Judge Felix Gill dismissed a petition by retired physicians seeking court-ordered visits with their 4-year-old granddaughter over her father's objections. The 18-day trial hinged on a secret recording in which Scott Naso explained his reasons for denying access. Gill ruled grandparents failed to prove Naso's decision was unreasonable under RI's grandparents visitation law, though he believed visits would benefit the child.

bostonglobe.comAPR 29, 2026
JudiciaryFree press

Man charged with transporting 4 pounds of methamphetamine on Amtrak train to Providence

Keith Hunter was arrested at Providence's Amtrak station after federal agents found approximately 4 pounds of methamphetamine and cocaine in two bags. A DEA investigation, triggered by a confidential source, identified Hunter as a New York-based supplier using a suspicious travel itinerary. He faces federal charges of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.

turnto10.com
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APR 29, 2026
JudiciaryFree press

Providence man sentenced to 7 years for fentanyl trafficking conspiracy

Willys Enrique Santana Ramirez, 48, of Providence, was sentenced to seven years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute 40+ grams of fentanyl. He and his brother-in-law distributed fentanyl powder and pills designed to mimic prescription oxycodone; Ramirez arranged delivery of approximately 900 pills for $45,000. His co-conspirator received five years in a separate 2024 sentencing.

patch.comAPR 28, 2026
JudiciaryFree press

Johnston man sentenced to 6.5 years in cocaine and fentanyl conspiracy

Nelson Reyes Luciano, 41, of Johnston, received a 6.5-year federal sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine. The scheme involved shipping 10 parcels from California to a Providence residence between 2022 and arrest. A search warrant execution recovered cocaine, fentanyl, scales, baggies, presses, and respirators for drug packaging.

patch.comAPR 28, 2026
CommercePaywall

Kent Hospital plans 90,000-sq-ft facility to expand clinical capacity amid demand

Kent Hospital (Care New England) is renovating its Warwick campus with a new 90,000-square-foot ambulatory services building, cardiac cath lab expansion, and renovated emergency department. The multi-phase project responds to rising patient volumes. Construction underway; no financial details or completion date disclosed.

providencejournal.comAPR 28, 2026
CommercePaywall

URI board chair, spouse gift $2.1 million for new Cook-Cohen scholarship program

University of Rhode Island board chair Margo Cook and spouse Renee Cohen donated $2.1 million to establish the Cook-Cohen Scholars Program, an endowed scholarship offering full four-year awards to top students nationally and globally. Part of URI's broader fundraising momentum.

pbn.comAPR 28, 2026
CommercePaywall

Ocean State Climate Alliance launches to link climate policy with economic growth

The new Ocean State Climate Alliance, a Rhode Island 501(c)(4) nonprofit, officially launched April 13 to organize business, labor, and civic leaders around climate legislation. Goals include lowering energy costs, streamlining permitting, and meeting Act on Climate obligations. The group will engage in legislative advocacy.

pbn.comAPR 28, 2026
GovernancePaywall

Providence Mayor Smiley unveils $636M budget without tax increases

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley proposed a $635.7 million budget for fiscal year 2027, representing a 4.2% increase but promising no new property tax or fee hikes. The budget dedicates 96.6% to fixed costs including salaries, benefits, and a settlement-mandated school appropriation increase. Smiley's plan includes new housing stability funding to address the city's affordability crisis, with $7 million added for salary increases and nearly $2 million cut from utility costs through efficiency measures.

providencejournal.comAPR 28, 2026
JudiciaryFree press

Judge DuBose blocks Trump DOJ restrictions on domestic violence grants

U.S. District Judge Melissa R. DuBose issued a preliminary injunction Friday blocking the Department of Justice from enforcing immigration-related restrictions on grants for domestic violence and sexual assault services. The order, sought by 25 state domestic violence coalitions including the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, prevents DOJ from barring organizations from serving noncitizens or those unable to immediately prove citizenship. The injunction continues litigation that challenges DOJ funding conditions imposed in January under the Trump administration's policies on DEI and 'gender ideology.'

yahoo.comAPR 27, 2026
CommerceOther

Charcuterie Artisans opens Innovation Center in Mapleville, expands US footprint

Charcuterie Artisans, parent company of Creminelli, Daniele, Del Duca, and La Quercia, opened an Innovation Center at its 561,444-square-foot Mapleville campus. The facility will serve as a collaborative hub for product development and strategic partnerships with national and regional food retailers. The company is now the largest charcuterie manufacturer in the U.S. following its recent acquisition of La Quercia.

rcnamericactri.blogspot.comAPR 27, 2026
CommercePaywall

RI gas prices drop 4 cents to $3.94 per gallon as oil markets stabilize

Rhode Island's average price for regular unleaded gasoline fell 4 cents to $3.94 per gallon this week, 10 cents below the national average but $1 higher than a year ago. The decline reflects easing oil and gas markets as volatility subsides, according to AAA Northeast.

pbn.comAPR 27, 2026
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