By Nancy Lavin | Senior reporter

It’s Friday.

A National Weather Service-issued high wind warning is already in effect, and the brunt of the coastal storm will rain down on Rhode Island beginning later this morning through late Sunday.

“It kind of really doesn’t let up,” said Candice Hrencecin, a meteorologist with National Weather Service’s Boston/Norton office.

Damaging winds and heavy rainfall could lead to power outages and downed trees, and will make travel more difficult. The low-pressure system is atypically early in the season, though a late September Nor’easter is “not unheard of,” Hrencecin said.

Time to clear the grocery store supplies of bread and milk? It’s not quite that extreme, Hrencecin advised.

I’ve always thought buying milk before potential power outages didn’t make much sense anyway. I’ll stick with coffee and wine.

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High tide in Wickford is at 7:35 a.m. and 7:54 p.m. Low tide is at 1:10 p.m. Sunrise is at 6:36 a.m. Sunset is at 6:38 p.m.

***

Gov. Dan McKee, Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency Director Marc Pappas and other state officials will hold a 9:30 a.m. press conference to discuss preparations for the weekend storm.

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If you’re not already oversaturated with Rhode Island election recaps, catch host Jim Hummel, political adviser and education policy guru Robert Walsh Jr. and yours truly on Ocean State Media’s “Lively,” airing at 8 p.m. tonight and again Sunday at noon, as well as online.

David Harper, the U.S. Capitol Police inspector general and one of three candidates recommended to Gov. Dan McKee to become Rhode Island’s first inspector general, interviews before the Inspector General Independent Advisory Commission on Sept. 24, 2026. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)

By Christopher Shea

The director of investigations for the Palm Beach County, Florida’s inspector general’s office, the top watchdog for the U.S. Capitol Police and his investigations chief made Gov. Dan McKee’s list of potential nominees to become Rhode Island’s first inspector general.

Seasonal electric price increases for Rhode Island Energy customers take effect Oct. 1. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)

By Nancy Lavin

The Oct. 1 start date for higher electricity pricing for Rhode Island Energy customers coincides with the beginning of a separate set of company-issued refunds. The average residential customer will see their monthly bill rise $16.42 under pricing hikes and credits approved by the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission.

The watchtower of CoreCivic’s former Prairie Correctional Facility, in Appleton, Minn., which will now be used as an ICE detention center, on Aug. 20, 2026. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)

By Ariana Figueroa, D.C. Bureau

Government investigators Thursday released a report requested by Congressional Democrats, including Sen. Jack Reed, that found the Department of Homeland Security wasted more than $20 million in federal funding in its rapid expansion of immigration detention.

Buds of marijuana on display inside Mother Earth Wellness in Pawtucket, one of eight retailers licensed to sell recreational cannabis. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)

By Amanda Watford, Stateline

A ballot measure in Massachusetts would repeal much of the state’s law allowing licensed recreational marijuana sales while continuing to allow adults to possess up to 1 ounce. The question headed to voters would create civil, rather than criminal penalties, for possession of more than 1 ounce but no more than 2 ounces.

ICYMI

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