By Nancy Lavin | Senior reporter
It’s Friday.
Shoutout to the pre-K student at Children’s Friend in Providence who hugged every single candidate and staffer (and me) during a tour before the gubernatorial forum Thursday morning. Seems like a lot of political acrimony could be eased a bit with a toothy toddler’s embrace.
***
High tide in Wickford is at 3:50 p.m. Low tide is at 8:30 a.m. and 9:40 p.m.. Sunset is at 7:56 p.m.
***
Gov. Dan McKee will deliver remarks at the Rhode Island State Police Training Academy commencement ceremony. The graduation for a dozen state trooper recruits in the 2026 class takes place at 11 a.m. at Rhode Island College.
***
Charlestown’s 41st annual Seafood Festival begins at noon at Ninigret Park. The “gastronomic extravaganza” continues through Sunday night.
The Wakefield Village Association will host a RiverFire event from 5 to 9 p.m. at Saugatucket Park. Lightings begin at 6:30 p.m.
From left to right: Democrats Jim Sheehan, Matthew McCoy and Thomas Menec all want to improve the transparency and communication required by the Quonset Development Corporation if elected to the Warwick House District 31 seat. (Courtesy photos)
By Nancy Lavin
Frustrations with a sewage processing plant proposed for Quonset Business Park spurred three different Democrats to run for the open seat representing House District 31, spanning parts of North Kingstown and Exeter. They are former Sen. Jim Sheehan, Town Councilor Matthew McCoy, and Thomas Menec.
Rep. Jason Knight, a Barrington Democrat running for Attorney General of Rhode Island (right), speaks during a candidates forum hosted by the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island on Aug. 5, 2026. From left: Democrat Kim Ahern, Republican Alan Gordon, and Democrat Keith Hoffmann. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)
By Christopher Shea
Four candidates campaigning for Rhode Island attorney general outline plans to combat hate crimes and set guardrails for use of Flock surveillance cameras at forum hosted by the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.
By Nancy Lavin
An hourlong gubernatorial forum focused on childcare issues was heavy on promises but scant on details as participants Helena Buonanno Foulkes, a Democrat; Aaron Guckian, a Republican; and independents Ken Block and Jay Gotra answered the same four questions from moderator Ian Donnis, a political reporter for Ocean State Media.
Four Rhode Island cities — Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls and Woonsocket — are legally required to run bilingual elections under the Voting Rights Act. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)
COMMENTARY
By Awilda Reinoso Lopez
Despite rapid growth of Rhode Island’s Latino population, the group is underrepresented in elections due to language barriers and cultural habits that depress turnout. Registering to vote before the Aug. 10 deadline can change that, the senior policy and research manger for the Latino Policy Institute writes.
Construction workers and officials gather near a crane being used to construct a new westbound Washington Bridge on June 10, 2026. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)
By Jacob Fischler, D.C. Bureau
The stopgap spending bill supported by an overwhelming majority of U.S. senators does not address tens of billions in expiring transportation funding, leaving states facing a massive effective budget cut starting Oct. 1. Rhode Island could lose $68.8 million.
ICYMI
Judge orders release of Providence man ICE seeks to deport to Cambodia | Christopher Shea
Thanks for reading Swell. Did you know our weekend digest is also free? Sign up here. And if you enjoyed today’s edition, please forward to a friend. Increasing our readership helps us cover more news.