By Janine L. Weisman | Editor-in-Chief
Happy Saturday!
It’s true. People are getting sick of summer. Or at least my neighbors tell me they are getting sick of summer. The average temperature for Providence this month so far has been 77.3 degrees, about 3 degrees above normal for August, according to National Weather Service records.
Rejoice, because the stickiness and oppressive heat of last weekend will be a distant memory this weekend. The temperature will be in the 70s and low 80s, but the air will be crisp and the humidity will stay low.
“It’s going to feel like early fall,” said Andrew Loconto, a meteorologist with the weather service’s Norton, Massachusetts, office.
Enjoy the good hair weather while it lasts. Rain is in the forecast Sunday night into Monday.
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Saturday high tide in Newport is at 10:26 a.m. and 10:46 p.m. Low tide is at 4:05 p.m. Sunset is at 7:45 p.m.
Sunday high tide in Newport is at 11:15 a.m. and 11:33 p.m. Low tide is at 4:18 a.m. and 4:47 p.m. Sunrise is at 5:55 a.m. Sunset is at 7:43 p.m.
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The Washington County Fair in Richmond continues through Sunday. Saturday’s lawnmower races commence at 10 a.m. On Sunday, the arm wrestling contest begins at 2:30 p.m. Here is the schedule.
Rhode Island Superior Court Associate Justice Luis Matos takes a question from reporters alongside Gov. Dan McKee during a press conference announcing his nomination to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026. (Photo by Nancy Lavin/Rhode Island Current)
By Nancy Lavin
Former House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi dominated discussion of the open seat on the Rhode Island Supreme Court. But a different applicant made headline news Wednesday as Gov. Dan McKee announced Rhode Island Superior Court Associate Judge Luis Matos as his nominee for the state’s highest court. McKee acknowledged he did not personally speak with Shekarchi before the nomination was made public at a noon press conference.
Rep. Jason Knight, far left, answers a question during a debate for Democratic attorney general candidates at the Roger Williams University School of Law for a debate Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026. Left to right next to him are Joe Solomon Jr.; Keith Hoffmann and Kim Ahern. (Photo by Corey Welch/WPRI 12)
By Alexander Castro
The four Democratic candidates for Rhode Island Attorney General squared off in their first TV debate Tuesday night at Roger Williams University School of Law, scrutinizing each other's past actions and experience. WPRI 12 reporters Tim White and Ted Nesi had tough questions for each candidate based on their respective records.
Republican Vic Mellor is shown at a State House event in support of Second Amendment rights in May 2026. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)
By Alexander Castro
Republican Vic Mellor has declined to participate in a Rhode Island GOP-led debate against fellow 2nd Congressional District primary candidate Stephen Skoly, leaving voters with zero events where both candidates appear ahead of the Sept. 9 primary.
By Nancy Lavin
It didn’t take long for the first face-to-face of Rhode Island’s Republican gubernatorial candidates to turn combative. Elaine Pelino didn’t finish her first sentence of the Wednesday debate, hosted by NBC 10 and Coastal ABC, before turning to fellow GOP candidate Aaron Guckian to ask for an in-person apology. Her request was cut off by moderator Gene Valicenti, who redirected Pelino to his question about Gov. Dan McKee’s Supreme Court nominee.
Gov. Dan McKee, right, gestures while making a point in the first television debate with Democratic challenger Helena Buonanno Foulkes in the lobby of the Providence Performing Arts Center Wednesday night, Aug. 12, 2026. (Screenshot/WJAR)
By Nancy Lavin
Gov. Dan McKee and his challenger, Helena Buonanno Foulkes, still managed to infuse their usual talking points with fresh insults during their first TV debate organized by NBC10 and Coastal ABC and taped at the Providence Performing Arts Center on Wednesday night.“Uninformed and unapologetic,” was how McKee painted his opponent. Foulkes called McKee a “desperate man.”
Changes to voting and nominating rules can turn uncontested elections into contested ones — and restore candidate debates for voters. (Getty illustration by John Schreiner)
COMMENTARY
By Matt Ulricksen
This is the year of uncontested elections in Rhode Island. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Limited, cumulative and multi-member voting systems have worked elsewhere to restore competition. Is the General Assembly willing to amend state law?
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
Rhode Island joins nine other states to sue Trump admin to protect interest payments to homeowners | Mia Maldonado, Oregon Capital Chronicle
COMMENTARY: How volunteers and researchers at URI work together to better understand our environment | Jessica Minker
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