By Christopher Shea | Reporter
Hiya,
Drivers headed to or from Newport via the Pell Bridge Sunday morning should expect delays as runners and walkers take over the span for the annual Citizens Pell Bridge Run.
Traffic on the bridge will be reduced to a single alternating lane from 7 to 8:15 a.m., according to the Rhode Island Turnpike & Bridge Authority. Local road closures will begin as early as 6:30 a.m. in Jamestown and continue in Newport through 9 a.m.
***
High tide Saturday in Tiverton is at 9:08 a.m. and 9:25 p.m. Low tide is at 2:11 p.m. Sunrise is at 6:07 a.m. Sunset is at 7:25 p.m.
High tide Sunday in Newport is at 9:48 a.m. and 10:07 p.m. Low tide is at 3:06 a.m. and 3:33 p.m. Sunrise is at 6:09 a.m. Sunset is at 7:22 p.m.
***
Here’s your look at the week that was:
A sign points the way for early voters outside Providence City Hall on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)
By Nancy Lavin
More than three times as many Rhode Island voters cast ballots at in-person polling places in the first eight days of early voting, compared to the same time frame in the 2024 primary. Observers say the surge in early voting could signal higher turnout in the election overall, or might just be a change in how and when ballots are cast.
Crime scene tape surrounds an entry to the Barus & Holley engineering building at Brown University on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)
By Christopher Shea
An independent review praised the city of Providence’s response to the 2025 Brown University shooting, but identified communication and coordination gaps to address before another large-scale emergency.
Scott Conley, 53, a McKee supporter and regional vice president for the National Education Association of Rhode Island, has been a special education teacher at Davies Career and Technical High School in Lincoln for 21 years. (Photo by Laura Paton/Rhode Island Current)
By Nancy Lavin
On the first day of early voting in the September primary, Gov. Dan McKee pledged to include the "Rule of 90" in next year's budget. The long sought after union proposal would ease the 2011 pension reforms for state workers and teachers, letting them retire with full benefits five years earlier.
Connor Burbridge, a Democrat running for the U.S. Senate seat held by Jack Reed, approaches a house in Providence’s Smith Hill neighborhood on May 2, 2026. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)
By Christopher Shea
Connor Burbridge, a 31-year-old elder care worker running against Rhode Island’s five-term U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, is low on name recognition, endorsements and campaign cash but has high hopes as the Sept. 9 Democratic primary approaches. Even when voters who answer their doors when he comes knocking tell him: “I love Jack Reed.”
A smartphone shows Instagram's settings page. The photo-sharing platform's owner Meta agreed to pay nearly $18 billion to an array of U.S. states over claims its platforms intentionally addicted teens. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)
By Alexander Castro
A yearslong court battle against Meta will see Rhode Island receive a payout of at least $49.4 million as part of the windfall won by a multistate effort alleging the social media behemoth knowingly designed Instagram to addict young users while misleading the public about the risks involved.
By Rhode Island Current staff
Wednesday, Sept. 9, is the day when Rhode Island voters will decide who should win the competitive Democratic primaries for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general and the Republican races for governor and the 2nd Congressional District. Here’s our guide to find out where the candidates stand on the issues and what you need to know to cast your ballot.
ICYMI
Thanks for reading Swell. Did you know our daily morning 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.