
By Christopher Shea| Reporter
Hiya and happy Thursday,
If it feels like there's a candidate forum every day, you're not imagining it. Four gubernatorial candidates are scheduled to discuss early learning at an 8:30 a.m. forum hosted by Children's Friend in Providence.
Look for Senior Reporter Nancy Lavin's coverage later today.
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High tide in Jamestown is at 2:40 p.m. Low tide is at 7:15 a.m. and 8:22 p.m. Sunset is at 7:57 p.m.

The League of RI Businesses used multiple, related PACs to donate $5,000 to Democratic Senate District 19 candidate James Metivier. Checks from each PAC are displayed during a March 30 fundraiser for Metivier at Phantom Farms Brewing in Cumberland. (Courtesy of The League of RI Businesses)
By Nancy Lavin
The League of RI Businesses has begun to execute on a plan to sidestep state limits on campaign donations, using 40 linked political action committees to funnel $50,000 to five Democratic state legislative candidates while encouraging donors to keep their contributions low enough to remain anonymous.

By Christopher Shea
A Rhode Island federal judge on Tuesday ordered U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to release Chansareth Hong, a Cambodian refugee whose detention during a routine immigration check-in prompted protests and appeals from elected officials.

More Rhode Island high schoolers are taking AP exams. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)
By Alexander Castro
Rhode Island high school students are taking more Advanced Placement (AP) exams and earning more college-credit-qualifying scores, preliminary new data shows.

Sen. Ryan Pearson, left, has represented Senate District 19 in Cumberland and Lincoln since 2012. He is facing a Democratic primary challenge from Cumberland Town Councilor James Metivier (right). (Courtesy photos)
By Nancy Lavin
Cumberland Town Councilor James Metivier is challenging Sen. Ryan Pearson for the Senate District 19 seat representing parts of Cumberland and Lincoln. Metivier criticized Pearson's poor attendance record during the 2026 legislative session, while Pearson denounced Metivier's ties to the conservative-leaning League of RI Businesses.

Pedestrians walk through the Little Haiti neighborhood of Miami on June 6, 2025. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
By Ariana Figueroa | D.C. Bureau
A federal judge lifted a stay Wednesday on the termination of temporary protections for hundreds of thousands of Haitians in order to comply with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that cleared the way for the Trump administration to remove their legal status and open them up for deportations.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley, left, state Rep. David Morales, center, and Republican mayoral candidate Dave Talan participate in a forum at South Providence Library on Aug. 4, 2026. The event was organized by the League of Women Voters of Rhode Island and Community Libraries of Providence. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)
By Alexander Castro
Providence mayoral candidates Brett Smiley, and David Morales had a doubleheader debate day Tuesday, tackling everything from rent stabilization to the future of the city’s elephants.
ICYMI
Trump urges US Senate to pass bill making daylight saving time permanent| Shauneen Miranda, D.C. Bureau
US Senate confirms Trump’s pick for CDC director | Shauneen Miranda, D.C. Bureau
Federal judge schedules contempt hearing in Johnston eminent domain dispute | Christopher Shea
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