INBOX: Statements from Gov McKee and challenger Helena Foulkes on tonight's Target 12 report revealing the April 2024 forensic audit on the Washington Bridge McKee points to the bridge contractor lawsuit Foulkes wants oversight hearings and Alviti out www.wpri.com/target-12/fo...

The owners of Stewart House have been feeling the impacts of tariffs from the UK and EU, plus additional brokerage fees, for months. Another set of tariffs introduced on Thursday could have ripple effects for businesses big and small. MORE: www.wpri.com/business-new... @wpri12.bsky.social

NEW: A forensic audit the McKee administration has refused to release for more than a year shows state officials should have been aware of growing structural issues tied to the westbound Washington Bridge long before it abruptly closed in December 2023 www.wpri.com/target-12/fo...

NEW: Providence Place mall officials are looking for a new movie-theater operator after learning Showcase Cinemas will not renew its lease in January www.wpri.com/target-12/th...

Prov. Retirement Board denied granting a high-ranking police officer that has been out injured for 7 years a disability pension. For now, it means Lt. George Smith will return to IOD status. www.wpri.com/target-12/retirement-board-denies-disability-pension-for-high-ranking-providence-police-officer/

NEW: The former RISP sergeant who was forced off the job after being pulled over for suspicion of drunk driving has taken a plea deal, Target 12 has learned. www.wpri.com/target-12/ou... @wpri12.bsky.social

TARGET 12: For more than seven years, one Providence PD lieutenant has been collecting his annual salary of $111,279 tax-free -- making him by far the longest case among more than a dozen city officers currently drawing injured-on-duty benefits. www.wpri.com/target-12/hi... @wpri12.bsky.social

Reaction from Providence mayoral candidate @davidmoralespvd.bsky.social ⤵️

Mayor Brett Smiley signed an executive order that reaffirms Providence police officers are not immigration officers. The EO also urges *federal authorities* not to wear masks, to clearly ID themselves/their agency. Reporting w/@katewilkinson.bsky.social: www.wpri.com/news/local-n...

Aaron Thomas will be sentenced today in the naked fat test case. A jury cleared him of sex crimes earlier this year. He was convicted of misdemeanor battery. Prosecutors want the max of two years behind bars; Thomas wants no prison time. Details👇 www.wpri.com/news/local-n...

NOW: Providence Mayor Brett Smiley has signed “A Safe Providence for All” into law. The executive order is codifying existing policy around immigration enforcement in the city. @wpri12.bsky.social

NEWSMAKERS: State Rep. David Morales joins @timwhiteri.bsky.social + me to discuss his run for mayor, rents, police - and how he'd convince PVD retirees to accept pension cuts Plus: two RI Republican leaders on Kirk and their 2026 strategy Watch online now - tonight/Sunday on TV - or get the pod

PROVIDENCE: A new report in response the housing crisis states that without “bold action” in Providence, more residents will continue to be priced out. A city task force says the City Council should "explore" rent stabilization in Providence. www.wpri.com/target-12/ho... @wpri12.bsky.social

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Story: Congressman Auchincloss says he won't enter the 2026 Democratic primary against Senator Markey, ending months of speculation about his political plans www.wpri.com/news/local-n...

UPDATE: A judge ruled in favor of the city of Providence, which asked for Sgt. Joseph Hanley to be put back on unpaid leave until the court rules on an appeal. Hanley pleaded no contest to beating a man in handcuffs in 2020. Story w/ @timwhiteri.bsky.social: www.wpri.com/target-12/ju...

Two Providence bars are turning down the volume, thanks to special materials that cut down on externally emitted sound. @alexandraleslie.bsky.social reports: www.wpri.com/news/local-n...

VIDEO + STORY: Two Providence bars are guinea pigs in a pilot program that was implemented earlier this year. The program aims to help businesses quiet down without killing their vibe. www.wpri.com/news/local-n... @wpri12.bsky.social

It's official. Rep. David Morales announced he’s running for mayor of Providence, setting up a challenge against incumbent Brett Smiley. Here's what we know: www.wpri.com/news/electio... @wpri12.bsky.social

NEWSMAKERS: @helenabfoulkes.bsky.social joins @timwhiteri.bsky.social and me to discuss her newly launched Gov campaign, the economy, criticism over opioids, Charlie Kirk - and what she'd have done differently on the Washington Bridge Watch online now - tonight/Sunday on TV - or get the podcast

NEW: Nearly 20 state and local police cruisers were at RI Senate President Val Lawson's home today after a bomb threat sent by email - deemed a hoax by authorities Majority Leader Ciccone also confirms a threat sent to him (w @timwhiteri.bsky.social @elisherman.bsky.social)

UPDATE: A judge has ordered that Providence police Sgt. Joseph Hanley, who pleaded no contest to beating a man in handcuffs five years ago, can move from an unpaid suspension to paid leave. No ruling yet on if he can return to work fulltime. www.wpri.com/news/embattl... @wpri12.bsky.social

NEW: With just under two months to go before the primary is held in the special election to fill the Ward 2 seat on the Providence City Council, a fourth candidate has formally emerged in the campaign. Here's what we know about Jill Davidson: www.wpri.com/news/electio... @wpri12.bsky.social

NEW: A Providence man that was out on parole from a 2007 murder case is back behind bars after a narcotics investigation in Providence & Fall River. The RI AG's Office repeatedly asked the RI Parole Board to object granting David Mello parole. www.wpri.com/target-12/pr... @wpri12.bsky.social

NEW: Less than a day after key dates for Providence City Council’s special election in Ward 2 were announced, a third candidate has formally emerged in the campaign. Here's what we know about Matt McDermott: www.wpri.com/news/electio... @wpri12.bsky.social

PROVIDENCE: Attention, Ward 2 voters! The special election will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 2, with a primary scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 4. www.wpri.com/news/electio... @wpri12.bsky.social

FULL STORY: @helenabfoulkes.bsky.social kicks off campaign for Rhode Island governor: ◘Promises better leadership ◘Slams @govdanmckee.bsky.social, bridge fiasco ◘Downplays opioid criticism after McKee attack ad ◘CVS claps back at gov ◘Shekarchi + Kalus weigh in www.wpri.com/news/electio...

INBOX: CVS hits back at Gov McKee for the anti-Foulkes attack ad he launched today over CVS's handling of opioids, telling Gov it is "inappropriate to disparage and intentionally misrepresent" actions of employees at RI's biggest company www.wpri.com/news/electio...

BREAKING: It's official - Hasbro is moving its HQ out of Pawtucket and going to Boston www.wpri.com/business/has...

UPDATE: A Providence police sergeant who pleaded no contest to beating a man in handcuffs five years ago remains suspended without pay, despite a law enforcement panel ruling he could return to work this week. Here's the latest: www.wpri.com/news/sgt-han... @wpri12.bsky.social

NEW: Gov. Dan McKee said he will meet with state health officials to discuss access to vaccines on Friday. “The question right now, is the coverage," he said. www.wpri.com/health/mckee... @wpri12.bsky.social

NEW: Hasbro has gone radio silent on Rhode Island leaders in recent weeks, fueling speculation the toymaker is preparing to announce a decision on whether it will relocate its HQ www.wpri.com/business/has...

“She actually defines what it is to be resilient, what it is to be strong, to be caring, to be professional, and above all, to be there.” City councilors shared memories and sent well wishes to the now former Prov. Ward 2 councilor Helen Anthony. www.wpri.com/news/electio... @wpri12.bsky.social

WARD 2 RACE UPDATE: Just hours before the Providence City Council formally received Councilwoman Helen Anthony’s letter of resignation, a second candidate — Jeff Levy — emerged in the race to take control of the Ward 2 seat. www.wpri.com/news/electio... @wpri12.bsky.social

NEW: Gov. Maura Healey just announced a series of immediate measures to ensure that vaccines remain available and covered by Mass. insurers, regardless of guidance at the federal level. I'll bring you more info coming up at 4:30 on @wpri12.bsky.social. www.wpri.com/health/heale...

NEW: The lawsuit over who’s responsible for the failure of the Washington Bridge is raising questions about whether defense attorneys will have access to the emails and text messages of top state officials, including Gov. Dan McKee www.wpri.com/target-12/at...

Some local schools have already put cellphone bans in place ahead of a new state law. Tonight at 5, Target 12 Investigator Alexandra Leslie shows you the impact they're having.

BACK TO SCHOOL: By this time next year, a new state law will ban the use of personal electronic devices in RI public schools. I went to two school districts where phones are tucked away in unique ways to find out how it’s made an impact. www.wpri.com/back-to-scho... @wpri12.bsky.social

NEW: Stefan Pryor's first day as commerce secretary was Aug. 14 - even though the Senate hasn't voted to confirm him McKee's office says it's fine, but Senate says it's not allowed under state law And @commoncauseri.bsky.social argues gov's lawyers are "gaslighting"

#ICYMI: @alexandraleslie.bsky.social sat down with Providence Public Schools’ acting Superintendent Dr. Paula Dillon and Deputy Superintendent of Operations Zack Scott to find out what’s being done to address teacher vacancies and chronic absenteeism in the district this school year.

#VIDEO: Bishop Bruce Lewandowski of the Diocese of Providence met with @tednesi.bsky.social Wednesday afternoon to speak about how the diocese's parochial schools are handling the devastating news out of Minneapolis. More at 10 and 11 on 12 News.

Scoop - SUSAN MONAREZ, nation’s newly installed CDC director, is being ousted, people familiar tell @lenasun.bsky.social @laurenweberhp.bsky.social + me

Providence City Council's Ward 2 race is starting to open up. David Caldwell emerged as the first candidate to formally announce he's running for the soon-to-be vacant seat held by Helen Anthony, who is stepping down to focus on her health. www.wpri.com/news/electio... @wpri12.bsky.social

NEW: The state-run Providence Public School District still has 71 classrooms without a full-time teacher to start the 2025-2026 school year. District officials say it’s the lowest number of vacancies in years. www.wpri.com/back-to-scho... @wpri12.bsky.social

UPDATE: I'm told there are now 71 classroom vacancies in Providence Public Schools. @wpri12.bsky.social

NEW: The state-run Providence Public School District still has 77 classrooms without a full-time teacher to start the 2025-2026 school year. District officials say it’s the lowest number of vacancies in years. www.wpri.com/reviews/br/e... @wpri12.bsky.social

Federal $$ helped Prov. FD purchase 2 rescues with more modern safety features at some of the city's busiest rescue companies. It's part of a larger plan to upgrade the city's fire apparatus, but manufacturing delays are slowing down progress. www.wpri.com/news/local-n... @wpri12.bsky.social

NEW: R.I. Superior Court Judge Brian Stern has denied motions to dismiss the state’s lawsuit against contractors that worked on the failed westbound Washington Bridge, moving the case forward toward its trial date set for 2027 www.wpri.com/target-12/ju...

So far this year, 193 trucks have been stopped for inspection on the Washington Bridge, resulting in 49 confirmed overweight citations. But raw data from RIDOT suggests thousands more overweight trucks have crossed the bridge. www.wpri.com/traffic/i-19... @wpri12.bsky.social

The ACLU of Rhode Island is raising concerns about the new Real Time Crime Center in Providence, arguing it lacks meaningful privacy protections. https://www.wpri.com/news/local-news/providence/aclu-criticizes-providence-crime-center-over-lack-of-privacy-rules/