
By Christopher Shea | Reporter
Hiya,
Rhode Islanders so far haven’t come out in droves to vote early.
As of 4:30 p.m. Friday, the Rhode Island Secretary of State’s office reported that 5,074 ballots had been cast in person or by mail by the end of the second day of early voting, representing 0.6% of all registered voters.
Providence had the most early votes, with 855 ballots cast in this year’s primary. New Shoreham had the fewest, with nine.
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High tide Saturday in East Greenwich is at 4:37 p.m. Low tide is at 9:06 a.m. and 10:33 p.m. Sunrise is at 6:01 a.m. Sunset is at 7:35 p.m.
Hight tide Sunday in Jamestown is at 4:58 a.m. and 5:29 p.m. Low tide is at 10:29 a.m. Sunrise is at 6:02 a.m. Sunset is at 7:33 p.m.
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Here’s your look at the week that was:

Republicans Dr. Stephen Skoly, left, and Vic Mellor, right, face off in the Sept. 9 primary for Rhode Island’s 2nd Congressional District seat. The winner will face Democratic U.S. Sen. Seth Magaziner in the November general election. (Contributed photos)
By Alexander Castro
After uncertainty earlier this month, Republican primary candidates Vic Mellor and Dr. Stephen Skoly have agreed to a televised debate on NBC 10 WJAR ahead of the Sept. 9 election for Rhode Island’s 2nd Congressional District.

Joe Paglia, owner of Liberty Wine and Spirits in Peace Dale, disaffiliated from the Republican party so he can vote in Rhode Island’s Democratic primary on Sept. 9. (Photo by Laura Paton/Rhode Island Current)
By Nancy Lavin
The League of RI Businesses, a new political group, has encouraged Rhode Island Republican voters to disaffiliate in order to vote in the Democratic primaries. But data suggests few voters are acting on the campaign, in part because most are already registered as independents.

Kim Ahern, a Democratic candidate for Rhode Island attorney general, holds a plaque she received on her final day as a prosecutor in Peter Neronha’s office. Neronha has endorsed one of Ahern’s opponents. (Screenshot/Kim Ahern for Rhode Island)
By Christopher Shea
Democratic attorney general candidate Kim Ahern’s latest campaign ad prominently features a plaque given to her by her old term-limited boss Peter Neronha when she left the AG’s office. There’s just one problem: Neronha has endorsed her opponent, Keith Hoffmann.

The Tiverton Town Council voted last month to add more Flock automated license plate readers in town. But Gov. Dan McKee has called for a pause on new cameras for 60 days pending a statewide review. A Flock camera is shown on Main Road in Tiverton on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026. (Photo by Nolan Page/Rhode Island Current)
By Nolan Page
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee has paused new Flock camera installations as communities debate privacy, public safety and the growing statewide network of automated license plate readers.

'It's a good day,' Hopkinton Police Chief Mark J. Carrier told reporters Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, after the arraignment of a suspect in two sexual assault cases from 2005. At right is Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha. (Photo by Janine L. Weisman/Rhode Island Current)
By Janine L. Weisman
A discarded cigarette butt has led to the arrest of a 41-year-old Woonsocket man accused of raping two women in separate attacks in Hopkinton and North Stonington, Connecticut, 21 years ago. It’s the third case cleared by the Rhode Island Office of Attorney General’s Cold Case Unit formed three years ago. “It’s a good day,” Hopkinton Police Chief Mark J. Carrier told reporters at a press conference. “It’s a good day for Hopkinton. It’s a good day for our community. It’s a good day for the state and the attorney general’s office to make an arrest on this case.”

George Potsidis, owner of Estiatorio Filli on Wayland Square in Providence, is navigating an uncertain future for his restaurant after the Rhode Island Supreme Court struck down the special exemption granted by the General Assembly that cleared the way for him to obtain a liquor license. (Photo by Michael Salerno/Rhode Island Current)
By Alexander Castro
A Providence Greek bar and restaurant faces a dry September after the Rhode Island Supreme Court struck down a law that cleared the way for it to be granted a liquor license. The ruling raises questions about the validity of dozens of other special exemptions passed by the General Assembly.
ICYMI
RIPTA board votes to move ahead on new Providence bus hub | Christopher Shea
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