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

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278 articles · page 21 of 24
CommerceGovernancePaywall

RI debates data center development, starting with Smithfield Hanton City proposal

Rhode Island finds itself in a political debate over data center development, with a team of local developers proposing a data center in Hanton City—a 17th-century ghost town site behind Fidelity Investments' Smithfield campus. The project is part of a new business park proposal. The story is paywalled and limited detail is available, but it signals emerging regulatory and land-use questions around data centers in Rhode Island.

providencejournal.comAPR 23, 2026
JudiciaryPaywall

Rhode Island Supreme Court considers emergency motion to suspend grandparents' visitation trial

The Rhode Island Supreme Court will hear arguments on widower Scott Naso's emergency motion to halt a Family Court trial over his in-laws' petition for visitation rights to his 4-year-old daughter. Naso argues that Rhode Island's grandparents-rights statute violates his parental rights as a fit parent, but Family Court Judge Felix Gill ruled the law is narrowly tailored and declined to dismiss or stay proceedings. The high court has not yet indicated whether it will review the statute's constitutionality.

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© 2026 RI Capitol · All rights reserved.Aggregated summaries linking out to original sources. XPoLL.
bostonglobe.comAPR 23, 2026
JudiciaryPaywall

Judge acquits Providence teacher Joseph Gannon on all sexual assault charges

Rhode Island Superior Court Judge Luis Matos found former Nathanael Greene Middle School teacher Joseph Gannon, 51, not guilty of four counts of first-degree sexual assault and related charges. The judge ruled the state failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Gannon coerced the victim into a sexual relationship. Gannon, who had been accused of repeatedly assaulting a former student beginning when she was 15, was released following the bench trial.

bostonglobe.comAPR 23, 2026
JudiciaryPrimary

Providence Man sentenced to 84 months for fentanyl trafficking conspiracy

U.S. District Judge Mary S. McElroy sentenced Willys Enrique Santana Ramirez, 48, of Providence, to seven years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl on behalf of a Mexican drug supplier. The investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration resulted in the seizure of over 8,900 fentanyl-laced counterfeit oxycodone pills and additional fentanyl powder. Santana Ramirez pleaded guilty in February 2025 and will serve four years of supervised release after imprisonment.

dea.govAPR 23, 2026
JudiciaryPaywall

Former bank employee reaches plea deal in federal fraud case involving dementia patient

Carlos Bras, a former Santander Bank relationship manager from East Providence, reached a federal plea agreement on charges of mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. Prosecutors allege Bras used employee privileges to scam a 78-year-old Massachusetts man with dementia out of more than $126,000. Under the agreement filed in U.S. District Court in Providence, Bras will forfeit $126,143 and plead guilty to two charges; a change-of-plea hearing is scheduled for May 4 before Judge Melissa R. DuBose.

bostonglobe.comAPR 23, 2026
JudiciaryPrimary

Cranston man pleads guilty in federal drug trafficking conspiracy

Lengsy Prum, 39, of Cranston, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Boston to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, MDMA, and ketamine. A DEA investigation found Prum personally delivered 3.2 kilograms of ketamine to undercover agents; a search of his Cranston residence yielded six kilograms of ketamine, 6.6 kilograms of cocaine, and 4.2 kilograms of MDMA. U.S. District Judge Julia E. Kobick scheduled sentencing for July 8, 2026.

dea.govAPR 23, 2026
JudiciaryFree press

Attorney General resolves investigation into antisemitic hazing at Smithfield High School

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha announced an agreement with Smithfield Public Schools following an investigation into alleged antisemitic hazing of a Jewish freshman by varsity football team members. The investigation found the district "struggled to investigate" the incident, lacked proper documentation, and failed to enact a safety plan for the victim's return. The resolution, approved by the school committee, requires preventative and corrective actions including improved incident investigation protocols.

turnto10.comAPR 23, 2026
JudiciaryFree press

Five arrested after prostitution and money laundering probe at Providence massage parlor

Rhode Island State Police arrested five individuals following a monthslong investigation into commercial sexual activity and money laundering at Smilers Day Spa on North Main Street in Providence. Police recovered four suspected human-trafficking victims and seized $81,500 in cash. Five defendants face felony charges including Larry Chow, Naja Ho, Monica Chow, Yong Kim, and Haiyue Cui. The spa had previously been raided and shut down for prostitution and suspected trafficking in 2019.

wpri.comAPR 23, 2026
GovernanceHousingFree press

Providence City Council Approves Rent Control, Faces Smiley Veto Threat

The Providence City Council gave final approval to a rent control ordinance, marking the first time in the city's history that legislation has been passed to limit rent increases. The ordinance now heads to Mayor Brett Smiley, who has pledged to veto it. This represents a significant policy debate over housing affordability in Rhode Island's capital.

golocalprov.comAPR 23, 2026
GovernanceTransportationFree press

General Assembly Passes Crook Point Bridge Authority Legislation

The Rhode Island House and Senate passed matching bills creating an independent corporate authority to acquire, develop, and maintain the Crook Point Bridge. The state-owned drawbridge has been stuck upright for 50 years and was slated for demolition by RIDOT. The legislation now heads to the governor for consideration.

pbn.comAPR 23, 2026
GovernanceHousingFree press

Providence City Council Passes Rent Control Ordinance; Mayor Plans Veto

The Providence City Council voted to pass a controversial rent stabilization ordinance capping annual rent increases at 4%, with exemptions for property owners to address certain costs. Mayor Brett Smiley has announced plans to veto the measure, setting up a potential override battle. The ordinance creates a five-member Residential Rent Regulation Board to oversee disputes and exemptions for capital improvements and tax increases.

digital-stage.wpri.comAPR 23, 2026
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