By Janine L. Weisman | Editor-in-Chief
Good Friday morning!
With Independence Day falling on Saturday, today is the federal holiday. But Rhode Island treats the state holiday as Monday, July 6.
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High tide in Bristol is at 11:01 a.m. and 11:12 p.m. Low tide is at 4:11 p.m. Sunset is at 8:23 p.m.
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The city of Pawtucket hosts a doubleheader FIFA World Cup watch party at its 1500 Roosevelt Avenue municipal lot, starting at 6 p.m. with Argentina vs. Cabo Verde. The Cabo Verdean flag will be raised before kickoff during the national anthem in recognition of the country’s 51st anniversary of independence. At 9:30 p.m. is Colombia vs. Ghana. Festivities begin at 4 p.m. with live entertainment, vendors and a beer garden. Free admission.
U.S. Sen. Jack Reed throws out the first pitch when the Newport Gulls summer collegiate baseball team take on the Ocean State Waves at Cardines Field, 20 America’s Cup Ave., Newport. Game time is 6:30 p.m.
See fireworks tonight in Narragansett and Bristol.
Cristina Marino, 19, is this year’s Miss Fourth of July for the Bristol parade. (Photo by Nolan Page/Rhode Island Current)
By Nolan Page
While prepping for Bristol’s big parade day on Saturday, Cristina Marino talks tradition, the answer she thought she flubbed during the Miss Fourth of July Pageant in May (but didn’t) and the question she abhors in this Q&A.
More than 30 lawsuits were filed against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence and churches across Rhode Island on the first day a new law reopened expired childhood sexual abuse claims. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)
By Christopher Shea
A new state law reopening expired clergy sex abuse claims triggered 34 lawsuits against the Diocese of Providence Wednesday on the first day a two-year revival window opened. Complaints reviewed by Rhode Island Current contain abuse allegations dating back to 1958, all claiming the diocese knew or should have known about the sexual crimes its officials and staff committed.
The state of Rhode Island’s copies of the Declaration of Independence will continue touring the state for limited viewing in July. Left: a copy of the first Newport printing of the Declaration of Independence by Solomon Southwick, facsimile, 1776. Right: a copy by Mary Katherine Goddard printing, 1777. (Rhode Island State Archives)
By Nolan Page
Rhode Island’s three copies of the Declaration of Independence are typically only available for viewing by appointment at the State Archives in Providence. But they are touring the Ocean State this summer as part of the state’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. All three copies will be on view at the Rhode Island State House on Saturday, July 4, from 1 to 3 p.m. Then you can see them later this month on display in Newport and Woonsocket.
Democrats across the country have recently demanded more autonomy for governors and state lawmakers in hopes of lowering the national political temperature. (Illustration by Alex Cochran for Stateline)
By Kevin Hardy and Jonathan Shorman | Stateline and D.C. Bureau
As President Trump reshapes federal power, Democrats and Republicans are finding common ground on states' rights, reviving a national debate over federalism, state sovereignty and the balance of power in America.
Merchandise tied to America’s 250th birthday is sold in a stall at Freedom 250’s Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., on June 30, 2026. (Photo by Sam Gauntt/States Newsroom)
By Ashley Murray | D.C. Bureau
America250, a commission created by Congress a decade ago, and Freedom 250, President Donald Trump’s entity formed last year, are both selling branded merchandise and drawing scrutiny over funding, transparency, and overlapping roles in the nation’s semiquincentennial celebration. Individuals, businesses and nonprofits are getting a slice of revenue, some bigger than others. But there is no clear accounting of which entities are getting the bigger shares
ICYMI
More states try to give patients relief from medical debt | Nada Hassanein
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