NEW: Mobster Ralph DeLeo strikes plea deal with prosecutors in murder plot case. The octogenarian former crime boss was sentenced to two years in prison. w/ @elisherman.bsky.social www.wpri.com/target-12/mo...

BREAKING: Bob Craven is ending his campaign for AG after just four days. His decision comes hours before Target 12 was set to air new details about his past legal troubles. w/ @tednesi.bsky.social www.wpri.com/news/craven-...

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...

We're in the courtroom now. We are expecting a former NKHS student athletes to give a victim impact statement. Thomas himself will be given the opportunity to address the court.

NEW: RI Federal judge finds Trump administration policy denying arts grant money to applications that promote "gender ideology" is unconstitutional. The ruling found the policy was viewpoint discrimination. www.wpri.com/target-12/ri...

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

NEW: Nephew of Providence police chief loses appeal in major fentanyl case. Josh Perez was sentenced to 22 years. 1st Circuit quickly rejected claims the punishment was unreasonable. w/ @elisherman.bsky.social www.wpri.com/target-12/pr...

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

UPDATE: The RI State Police confirm a third politician was targeted in the bomb threat. The agency declined to identify the person. That was also deemed to be a hoax.

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)

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...

NEW: Police details for the Washington Bridge crisis have topped $5 million. With a new bridge slated for 2028, there are calls to reexamine staffing. www.wpri.com/target-12/co...

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.

Beloved Judge Frank Caprio has died at 88, his family confirms. More on his legacy coming up at 4: https://www.wpri.com/news/local-news/providence/judge-frank-caprio-known-for-caught-in-providence-dies-at-88/ 

NEW: An early shakeup in the McKee 2026 campaign Rob Silverstein, hired with fanfare from NY in early June to serve as Gov's campaign manager, has left after they "mutually agreed to part ways" No word yet on a replacement, with Foulkes in the wings

NEW: RI's 2026 campaign is starting to heat up Keith Hoffmann, a 38-year-old Dem who recently stepped down as AG Neronha's chief of policy, filed this AM to run for AG himself Neronha is term-limited and the Dem primary field could be crowded

Update: McKee released a statement saying, "This generic, non-specific form letter lacks any meaningful detail and does not merit a response."

NEW: US AG Pam Bondi sent a threatening letter to Gov. Dan McKee, warning of legal action and possible federal funding cuts over immigration policies. Bondi gave McKee until Aug. 19 to reply. RI AG Peter Neronha was cc'd, calls it "tactic of a bully" www.wpri.com/target-12/th...

WATCH: Inside the extraordinary crime that shook the underworld forever, the 50th anniversary of the Bonded Vault heist. The case became the longest and most expensive trial in RI history. The fate of the lead gunman, remains clouded in mystery. www.wpri.com/target-12/in...

BREAKING: A Utah jury just finished deliberating, and after more than eight hours, came to a verdict that Nicholas Alahverdian is GUILTY of rape. www.wpri.com/target-12/ri... @wpri12.bsky.social

A rape trial for a RI fugitive, who authorities allege faked his own death to avoid criminal prosecution, began in a Salt Lake City courtroom. The victim faced Nicholas Alahverdian, who went by Nicholas Rossi, for the first time in 17 years. www.wpri.com/target-12/i-... @wpri12.bsky.social

TARGET 12: RIDOT budgeted $2 million to keep tow trucks on the Washington Bridge 24/7 The actual cost? $6.8 million so far - and rising fast Here's a closer look at why the budget was so far off and how much more taxpayers are set to spend in the future

NEW: The lawyers running the Providence Place mall have hired a real-estate broker with the goal of putting the massive downtown shopping complex up for sale next month, Target 12 has learned www.wpri.com/target-12/pr...

NEW: Convicted former Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia one step closer to freedom. Correia was moved from a federal prison in Kentucky to the residential reentry program, which traditionally means a halfway house. www.wpri.com/target-12/ex...

NEW: The Connecticut Sun may be Boston-bound, but Providence is still in play to get a piece of the action www.wpri.com/target-12/wn...

NEW: A No. Kingstown officer was struck by a car during an undercover sting operation in a sex exploitation case. Police say Alec Perry of Pawtucket sped from the scene when investigators attempted to arrest him. NK Officer is in stable condition. www.wpri.com/news/no-king...

NEW: “There were six credible death threats against my life." U.S. District Chief Judge John McConnell details threats and harassment as he presided over lawsuit against the Trump administration. www.wpri.com/target-12/it...

“This is not a routine or simple matter, and should not have been treated as such.”  Rhode Island AG criticizes state police for not looping him in on controversial DUI stop of off-duty trooper. Case is now under review. w/ @timwhiteri.bsky.social www.wpri.com/target-12/ag...

Records show sergeant told trooper "get in your [expletive] cruiser and follow me home, I'm going to drive in a straight line." Agency official said the incident "did not meet the expectations of the Rhode Island State Police."

NEW: An off-duty RI State Police sergeant, suspected of driving drunk, drove away from troopers after a traffic stop March 23 without being arrested. He's since been charged with two misdemeanors, and forced out. w/ @elisherman.bsky.social www.wpri.com/target-12/fo...

NEW: Retired federal Judge Nancy Gertner of U.S. District Court in Boston, weighs in on the state of the judiciary, higher education battles with the Trump administration, criminal sentencings, and more on Newsmakers. www.wpri.com/news/newsmak...

Tonight at 5 on @wpri12.bsky.social, Providence Police Col. Oscar Perez sits down with me to talk about violent crime, and what he thinks is behind a steady decline for the first six months of this year.

NEW: Convicted of kidnapping and killing a young woman he lured into his car outside a Boston nightclub, a Providence man loses an appeal for a new trial. www.wpri.com/target-12/pr...

VIDEO: Tree crashed on moving car in Bristol. Driver and passenger had to remain in the vehicle because of live wires. Driver tells me they were on the way to carnival in town. They're OK. Power in the area is out.

NEWSMAKERS: United Way of RI CEO @cortneynicolato.bsky.social joins @timwhiteri.bsky.social + me to discuss federal fundings cuts, RI's new nonprofit exec pay law - and how a clay mine in Georgia helps fund her organization Watch online now - Friday/Sunday on 12+ and TV - or get the podcast

NEW: Former reputed Mafia street boss Ralph DeLeo to remain behind bars after FBI agents alleged he was plotting to kill federal officials. The judge called the allegations "particularly concerning." w/ @Eli_Sherman www.wpri.com/target-12/mo...

UPDATE: Hanley's attorney Michael Colucci says his client intends to return to the PPD force when the 45-day suspension is done (today was day one). Hanley is seeking backpay. They city said on Friday they don't think he is eligible.

BREAKING: After five years, two criminal trials, and a lengthy police administrative hearing, embattled Providence police Sgt. Joseph Hanley can return to the job. He was accused in a use-of-force case captured on video. www.wpri.com/target-12/pa...

NEWSMAKERS: @rihouseofreps.bsky.social Speaker Joe Shekarchi joins @timwhiteri.bsky.social and me to discuss the governor's criticism of his budget bill and what had gone on behind the scenes - plus 2026, guns, fall session and more. Watch online now - tonight/Sunday on 12+ and TV - or get the pod!

NEW: The R.I. Public Transit Authority board is slated to meet Thursday to start figuring out how to close an $18 million budget shortfall, after lawmakers only provided enough funding to address some of the agency’s sizable financial gap. w/ @tednesi.bsky.social www.wpri.com/news/politic...

NEW: State officials said the Providence School Board has “significant work” to do before the R.I. Department of Education can greenlight an accelerated return of Providence Public Schools, which have been under state control since 2019. www.wpri.com/news/local-n... @wpri12.bsky.social

NEW: Kenneth Day, one of the five men who took part in the execution-style killing of two people at a Johnston golf course 25 years ago, has lost his bid for a new trial. www.wpri.com/target-12/ma...

NEW: Governor McKee will NOT sign the $14.3 billion budget bill put together by state lawmakers, he just told reporters - but no veto so it will still become law

NEW: RITBA says a recent inspection of the Mt. Hope Bridge found the nearly century-old span to be in “fair” condition, but they’re refusing to release the full report despite serious concerns over corroded cables. www.wpri.com/news/ritba-w...

NEW: A state Senate candidate is calling on the North Providence Town Council to probe allegations that Mayor Charles Lombardi spent taxpayer dollars on his personal properties. Council president tells me he's "currently consulting with legal counsel" www.wpri.com/target-12/se...

NEWSMAKERS: @waveelection.bsky.social & @nancyklavin.bsky.social join @timwhiteri.bsky.social & me to go in-depth on the General Assembly session's final days, including state budget surprises and how leadership is thinking Watch online now - tonight/Sunday on TV and the 12+ app - or get the pod

Behind the Story: Warwick Beacon editor John Howell joins @kimkalunian.bsky.social and me to discuss the Butler Hospital strike + his career in news. Kim and I also discussed some of the stories we admired this week: h/t Sofia Barr, Jim Hummel, Dan Medeiros www.wpri.com/behindthesto...

You're not going crazy, car headlights are brighter (and bluer). But there is no legal limit on how bright they can be in RI, and tickets on aftermarket headlights are rare. www.wpri.com/target-12/ye...

NEW: Town invoices obtained by Target 12 line up with allegations that a top North Providence official routinely used a municipal credit card to buy supplies for work on Mayor Charles Lombardi’s personal properties. w/ @timwhiteri.bsky.social www.wpri.com/target-12/wh...

NEW: Providence PD are investigating after a man was reported to have been chasing a group of people down Orms Street with a machete, then damaged a police cruiser on Sunday. www.wpri.com/news/local-n... @wpri12.bsky.social