Vol. CXXXII · No. CDLXXXIXSUNDAY, JULY 12, 2026Ocean State Edition

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489 articles · page 35 of 41
GovernancePaywall

Rhode Island House considers charter school moratorium amid lobbying battle

Rhode Island House and Senate are considering union-backed bills to impose a three-year moratorium on new charter schools and lower the statewide cap from 35 to 25 charters. Rhode Island currently has 24 charters. A new poll commissioned by the Rhode Island League of Charter Schools found 60% of voters view charter schools favorably and 58% would oppose a moratorium, but teachers unions have fought against charter expansion, citing funding drains from public school districts.

bostonglobe.comAPR 30, 2026
JudiciaryPaywall

Federal judge blocks DOJ immigration conditions on grants for domestic violence survivors

US District Judge Melissa DuBose issued a preliminary injunction preventing the DOJ from enforcing new funding restrictions that would bar organizations serving domestic violence survivors from helping noncitizens. The ruling in favor of 25 domestic violence coalitions from 21 states allows continued challenge to Trump administration efforts to withhold Violence Against Women Act grants. The case argues restrictions violate federal Administrative Procedure Act.

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© 2026 RI Capitol · All rights reserved.Aggregated summaries linking out to original sources. XPoLL.
bostonglobe.comAPR 29, 2026
JudiciaryGovernancePaywall

House Speaker Shekarchi has until May 7 to apply for RI Supreme Court vacancy

House Speaker Joe Shekarchi faces a May 7 deadline to apply for the vacant RI Supreme Court seat. Legal observers expect Shekarchi would step down as speaker if he applies, likely elevating Chris Blazejewski. The opening looms over General Assembly budget and legislative negotiations. Article notes 'the other question is what the Senate will get for agreeing to make Shekarchi a judge.'

bostonglobe.comAPR 29, 2026
JudiciaryGovernancePaywall

RI interim US Attorney's 120-day term ends Tuesday; Trump could replace court's choice

Charles 'Chas' Calenda's interim US Attorney term expires April 29. US District Court for Rhode Island received six applications for the position and could appoint a new interim prosecutor. Legal observers note the Trump administration has promptly fired replacements for loyalists in New York, New Jersey, and Virginia, suggesting Calenda could be reinstalled as first assistant if the court names a non-loyalist.

bostonglobe.comAPR 29, 2026
JudiciaryPaywall

NJ man sues RI State Police and Coventry over 25-day wrongful detention in 2023

Freddie J. Spann filed a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging he was unlawfully arrested and held in Florida correctional facilities for over 25 days on RI warrants stemming from mistaken identity. Spann, a rental-car company owner, was detained after one of his vehicles was sought by police. The suit in US District Court seeks over $1 million for false arrest and malicious prosecution.

bostonglobe.comAPR 29, 2026
JudiciaryCommerceFree press

Federal judge temporarily halts RI cannabis retail license lottery over residency rules

US District Judge Melissa DuBose issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission from processing applications or holding a May lottery for up to 24 new dispensary licenses. Three out-of-state retailers challenged the 2022 Cannabis Act's residency requirement, arguing it violates the dormant commerce clause and equal protection clause. CCC filed an appeal last week.

browndailyherald.comAPR 29, 2026
JudiciaryPaywall

Parents sue Warwick over daughter's 2023 drowning at Conimicut Point Beach

Nicolette Biber's parents filed wrongful-death lawsuits in US District Court and Kent County Superior Court alleging the city knew of dangerous currents after prior drownings but failed to ensure visitor safety. Biber, 28, drowned in July 2023 near a sandbar where a 10-year-old and rescuer drowned in 2021. Suits allege negligence and seek unspecified damages; city declined comment.

bostonglobe.comAPR 29, 2026
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.comAPR 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
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