Nancy Lavin
@nancyklavin.bsky.social
Rhode Island born and bred, but convinced I don't have the accent (don't tell me otherwise). Covering state politics, environment and business for Rhode Island Current.
The Ocean State’s version of a blue wave: 10 Republicans left in the legislature rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/11/04/t...
The Ocean State’s version of a blue wave: 10 Republicans left in the legislature • Rhode Island Current
Republicans retained just 10 seats in the 113-person Rhode Island General Assembly after four incumbents were ousted in the Nov. 3 general election, along with one independent incumbent. The shift lef...
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Democrat Helena Buonanno Foulkes drew more than 57% of the vote, defeating independent Ken Block by 30 points in the RI Governor's race, according to preliminary unofficial results as of 8:30 p.m. GOP nominee Aaron Guckian came in third with 14%. rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/11/03/f...
Foulkes defeats Block and Guckian to win governor’s race • Rhode Island Current
Democrat Helena Buonanno Foulkes will be Rhode Island's next governor after defeating independent Ken Block and Republican Aaron Guckian in the Nov. 3 general election.
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Ahern received 66% of the vote to Gordon’s 34%, according to unofficial results. By @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/11/03/k...
Kim Ahern elected Rhode Island’s first Democratic female Attorney General • Rhode Island Current
Democrat Kim Ahern easily defeated Republican Alan Gordon in Tuesday's general election to become Rhode Island's next attorney general, succeeding term-limited incumbent Peter Neronha.
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Sorry state history center and economic development bonds... Rhode Island voters say yes to 3 and no to 2 bond questions, approve $450 million in borrowing. By @ohnocastro.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/11/03/r...
Rhode Island voters reject two bond questions, approve $450 million in borrowing • Rhode Island Current
Rhode Islanders approved all five bond measures on Tuesday's ballot, authorizing $600 million for higher education, housing, economic development, and environmental projects.
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No drama, lots of voters as Election Day kicks off in Rhode Island, with @ohnocastro.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/11/03/n...
No drama, lots of voters as Election Day kicks off in Rhode Island • Rhode Island Current
A brisk start to Election Day in Rhode Island puts the state on track to exceed total turnout in the 2022 midterms, and potentially 2018, too, according to Miguel Nunez, executive director for the sta...
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A record-setting number of Rhode Island voters cast ballots in-person during the 20-day early voting period that ended at 4 p.m. Monday By @nancyklavin.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/11/02/o...
On Election Day eve, RI surpasses 17% voter turnout, with record early voting numbers • Rhode Island Current
More than 17% of Rhode Island voters cast ballots ahead of Election Day, with a record 111,901 people using designated early, in-person polling sites during the 20-day early voting window that ended M...
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Democrats look poised to sweep Rhode Island elections on Tuesday, including gubernatorial candidate Helena Buonanno Foulkes and Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos, in the first election snapshot in three weeks. By @nancyklavin.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/11/02/p...
Pre-Election Day poll predicts Democratic sweep in Rhode Island • Rhode Island Current
In the first election poll in three weeks, Democratic candidates Helena Buonanno Foulkes and Sabina Matos have pulled ahead of their competitors in the races for governor and lieutenant governor, resp...
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R.I. sues former Alex and Ani CEO for $1.6M in back taxes and penalties. The state has filed filed complaints in Rhode Island courts against 64 people on its tax delinquents list, including Feroce, even as it prepares to launch a tax amnesty period in December. www.bostonglobe.com/2026/11/02/m...
R.I. sues former Alex and Ani CEO Giovanni Feroce for $1.6 million in back taxes and penalties - The Boston Globe
The state has filed filed complaints in Rhode Island courts against 64 people on its tax delinquents list, including Feroce, even as it prepares to launch a tax amnesty period in December.
bostonglobe.com
Excellent reporting -->>> "Inside Rhode Island’s overdose prevention center: Is it saving lives?" www.oceanstatemedia.org/health/2026-...
Inside Rhode Island’s overdose prevention center: Is it saving lives?
Nearly two years after opening, the controversial Providence facility has recorded more than 12,000 visits and 200 overdose interventions, according to its operators. But questions remain about its lo...
oceanstatemedia.org
Commentary by Eddie Doherty -- I’ve fished around wind turbines. The fishing was good. www.bostonglobe.com/2026/10/29/m...
Wind turbines aren’t hurting my fishing. They’re helping it. - The Boston Globe
Scientists are still studying whether the turbines are creating more fish, or concentrating fish that were already there. Either way, it makes these areas great for fishing, writes local fisherman.
bostonglobe.com
How to convince more Rhode Islanders to sign up for @healthsourceri.bsky.social ? Make it cheaper. rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/11/02/h...
How to convince more Rhode Islanders to get health insurance? Make it cheaper. • Rhode Island Current
One year after premiums skyrocketed for HealthSource RI participants, costs are coming back down to Earth with discounts available for 30,000 who sign up or reenroll during the 2027 open enrollment pe...
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Providence Public Schools Superintendent Javier Montañez announced his departure on Friday, just shy of the four-month anniversary of the district regaining local control of its schools. By @ohnocastro.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/10/30/a...
After five years, Providence Superintendent Montañez to leave post • Rhode Island Current
Providence Public Schools Superintendent Javier Montañez is stepping down after five years, just months after the district regained local control.
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Attention Rhode Island voters: Brush up on the candidates, the bond issues and how to cast your ballot in Tuesday's general election. rhodeislandcurrent.com/voter-guides...
Voter Guide: 2026 General Nov. 3 • Rhode Island
From Rhode Island Current | Stories that matter now
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Running for governor is expensive, but the 2026 election cycle saw the lowest amount spent on the race in nearly two decades (2014 was wallet-busting). www.wpri.com/news/electio...
RI governor’s race spending lowest in years, at nearly $10 million
Candidates for governor have spent about $9.9 million so far this cycle, the least amount in nearly two decades.
wpri.com
As @peterneronha.bsky.social prepares to head for the exit, he leaves behind a pair of proposals to reform healthcare in Rhode Island. By @ohnocastro.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/10/29/o...
On his way out of office, AG Neronha proposes agency overhaul and public option insurance • Rhode Island Current
Before leaving office, AG Peter Neronha is pushing for significant healthcare changes in Rhode Island, proposing a state-run public insurance option and an overhaul of the Executive Office of Health a...
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Updated: 5 days out from the general election, 2 complaints by @kenblockri.bsky.social alleging RI Dems exceeded in-kind contribution cap in mailers and digital comms for @helenabfoulkes.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/10/29/i...
It looks like a duck and quacks like a duck. But is it subject to campaign spending limits? • Rhode Island Current
Independent gubernatorial candidate Ken Block is crying foul over a six-figure spend on attack mailers that support his deep-pocketed Democratic rival, Helena Buonanno Foulkes, while depicting Block a...
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RI independent gubernatorial candidate Ken Block says $228K was illegally spent supporting Democrat Helena Buonanno Foulkes. Her campaign says he’s ‘whining.’ By @nancyklavin.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/10/29/i...
It looks like a duck and quacks like a duck. But is it subject to campaign spending limits? • Rhode Island Current
Independent gubernatorial candidate Ken Block is crying foul over a six-figure spend on attack mailers that support his deep-pocketed Democratic rival, Helena Buonanno Foulkes, while depicting Block a...
rhodeislandcurrent.com
GOP gubernatorial candidate has less than $3,000 cash on hand — a tiny fraction of what Democratic nominee and frontrunner Helena Buonanno Foulkes has available. By @nancyklavin.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/10/28/c...
Campaign finance reports detail Guckian’s cash flow woes; ad war between Block and Foulkes escalates • Rhode Island Current
Nearly one month after Republican Aaron Guckian boarded a private plane to Florida in search of donors for his dwindling campaign account, he still hasn’t submitted the requisite paperwork showing his...
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Gov. McKee's chief of staff and deputy chief of staff "knew or should have known that they should not retaliate against Mr. Sanchez for exercising his constitutional right,” U.S. District Court Chief Judge John McConnell Jr. wrote. @nancyklavin.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/10/28/p...
Providence City Councilor Miguel Sanchez wins free speech lawsuit against McKee staffers • Rhode Island Current
Fresh off a Democratic primary victory and poised to become the next president of the Providence City Council, Miguel Sanchez has prevailed in a federal free speech lawsuit against Gov. Dan McKee’s ad...
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Déjà vu all over again in House District 39 as Democratic incumbent @cotterforri.bsky.social faces MAGA Republican Jasmin Roy rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/10/28/d...
Déjà vu all over again in House District 39 as Democratic incumbent faces MAGA Republican • Rhode Island Current
Democratic Rep. Megan Cotter faces Republican challenger Jasmin Roy in the race for District 39, spanning Richmond, Exeter and a piece of Hopkinton. Roy espouses conservative views on parental rights ...
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A Democrat and two independents are challenging RI's Sen. Thomas Paolino for the District 17 seat, making it the only legislative race with four candidates on the Nov. 3 ballot rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/10/27/s...
So many RI General Assembly seats are unopposed. But this Senate race is unusually crowded. • Rhode Island Current
Three challengers are vying to unseat Republican Sen. Thomas Paolino, making the Senate District 17 race the most crowded of any legislative competition on the Nov. 3 ballot. The race also includes De...
rhodeislandcurrent.com
Work begins next year on two solar carports, battery storage and electric vehicle charging station projects for Capitol Hill campus parking lots across from the State House in Providence. By @nancyklavin.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/10/26/9...
$9M renewable electricity project coming to Smith Hill next year • Rhode Island Current
A $9.3 million project to add solar carports, a battery storage system and an electric vehicle charging station on the state's Smith Hill campus has received a $4.5 million federal earmark with the pr...
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The Rhode Island Division of Sheriffs spent less on a recruitment advertising campaign to address staffing shortages than the Rhode Island State Police did and ended up with more applicants. By @krish-eh.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/10/26/r...
Recruitment efforts bring mixed results for state law enforcement agencies • Rhode Island Current
The Rhode Island Division of Sheriffs spent less on recruitment advertising but drew more applicants than State Police, whose 2027 training academy received its fewest applications in years.
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The ties the bind, the feuds that separate in Cranston’s House District 15 rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/10/26/t...
The ties the bind, the feuds that separate in Cranston’s House District 15 • Rhode Island Current
Rep. Chris Paplauskas, a first-term Republican, faces Democrat Colleen Crudele and independent Allan Fung in the race for Cranston's House District 15. The race features a web of family ties and longs...
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Warwick leads in early voting turnout; Providence leads in mail ballots. By @nancyklavin.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/10/21/e...
Eight days in, 30,000 Rhode Island voters cast ballots early • Rhode Island Current
More than 30,000 voters cast ballots at early, in-person polling places in the first eight days of early voting, according to the state's online tracker. That's 40% less than the same time frame in 20...
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Three RI gubernatorial candidates spar over tax returns, transparency and polls in their final debate before the Nov. 3 general election, moderated by @wpri12.bsky.social's @timwhiteri.bsky.social & @tednesi.bsky.social. By @nancyklavin.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/10/21/n...
New controversies bring fresh disagreements to final RI gubernatorial debate • Rhode Island Current
The Washington Bridge got only a fleeting mention during Rhode Island’s final gubernatorial debate Tuesday night at Rhode Island College, eclipsed by fresh controversies over CVS, tax returns and publ...
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This R.I. bishop oversaw dozens of priests accused of sexual abuse. Now, he's accused of raping an altar boy. www.bostonglobe.com/2026/10/21/m...
This R.I. bishop oversaw dozens of priests accused of sexual abuse. Now he faces accusations of his own. - The Boston Globe
For 25 years, Bishop Louis E. Gelineau oversaw a system where priests accused of abuse were moved from parish to parish and to treatment centers and back, keeping those incidents quiet.
bostonglobe.com
Past support for humanities bonds has been mixed. Will the state’s usually generous voters support Question 4 this year? By @ohnocastro.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/10/20/r...
Rhode Island voters love history and bond issues. But not always at the same time. • Rhode Island Current
Rhode Island voters will decide on Question 4, a $50 million bond for a new State History Center and preservation. Past cultural bonds have struggled.
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"I think my whole life I have dealt with complicated men, and I’ve had to be unflappable.” @helenabfoulkes.bsky.social on her professional resume, including the primary win against Gov. Dan McKee rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/10/20/h...
Helena Buonanno Foulkes has always been unflappable. Is she now unbeatable? • Rhode Island Current
After losing in 2022 to Gov. Dan McKee, Helena Buonanno Foulkes began a comeback campaign focused on community relationships, including in Central Falls. Having defeated McKee in the 2026 Democratic g...
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With only modest name recognition and even less campaign cash, independent gubernatorial candidate Ken Block looks to polling as proof he can beat Democratic rival Helena Buonanno Foulkes. By @nancyklavin.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/10/19/n...
No-nonsense Ken Block ran for governor twice and lost. Will his third time charm RI voters? • Rhode Island Current
Ken Block, an independent candidate for Rhode Island governor, hopes his focus on pragmatism over partisanship will win over voters. Recent polls suggest Block has gained momentum though he still trai...
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