Kate Wilkinson
@katewilkinson.bsky.social
Reporter at WPRI-12. Wheaton alum. NH expat. 🏳️🌈. She/her. Stories: https://www.wpri.com/author/kate-wilkinson/
Itri Ristorante and Campanella’s in Cranston are both closed as opposing lawsuits between their owner and his now ex-fiancée play out in Superior Court. Story by @katewilkinson.bsky.social: https://www.wpri.com/news/local-news/west-bay/popular-cranston-restaurants-closed-as-court-battle-plays-out/
NEW: Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins says he's going back to the drawing board after the City Council rejected his proposed budget last night. The mayor spoke with @katewilkinson.bsky.social from Texas where he's attending a conference www.wpri.com/news/cransto...
Cranston mayor vows new plan after council shoots down budget
Mayor Ken Hopkins said “everything is on the table’ after the council rejected his plan that included a 7.4% tax hike.
wpri.com
Update: Teamster tells @katewilkinson.bsky.social Cranston initially offered early retirement packages to eligible employees. Now, he said they're offering buyouts to all employees, setting a deadline to respond by week's end www.wpri.com/target-12/te...
‘Terrible budget season’: Cranston cutting jobs, offering buyouts
An undisclosed number of city workers have accepted buyout offers; schools are poised for layoffs.
wpri.com
While whiskey and beer may be the drinks of choice on St. Patrick’s Day, the Rhode Island Hospitality Association wants bars and restaurants to be able to serve another kind of beverage: drinks containing THC derived from hemp. @katewilkinson.bsky.social reports.
Should RI restaurants be allowed to serve THC beverages?
The RI Cannabis Control Commission is recommending against a further expansion of hemp regulations.
wpri.com
Sparks flew during a March 5 meeting of the Bristol Planning Board as dozens of people came out to oppose a proposed Comfort Inn and Suites. Story by @katewilkinson.bsky.social: ⤵️
Bristol residents push back against proposed hotel
The Comfort Inn and Suites would be built in the wetlands along Gooding Avenue.
wpri.com
22,000 people will receive corrected W-2s after the initial forms listed their employer as "State of Rhode Island Umbrella Company." But when these new forms will be distributed is still unclear, reports @katewilkinson.bsky.social: www.wpri.com/money/all-22...
“I have pride in this," an offshore rigger from Warwick told @katewilkinson.bsky.social on Tuesday. “I want to watch the fruits of my labor decrease the energy costs for my friends and my family.”
Warwick rigger feeling whiplash from second offshore wind pause
It was just before Christmas when offshore rigger Antonio Gianfrancesco of Warwick found out his job was put on pause.
wpri.com
Outside Barus and Holley, a memorial to the two Brown University students killed in the Dec. 13 shooting now features hundreds of flowers, teddy bears wearing Brown t-shirts, and countless messages to classmates gone too soon. Story by @KateWilkinson.bsky.social.
Memorial to Brown U. shooting victims grows on quiet campus
Outside Barus and Holley, a memorial to sophomore Ella Cook and freshman MukhammadAziz Umurzokov now features hundreds of flowers, teddy bears wearing Brown t-shirts, and countless messages to clas…
wpri.com
Nearly 200 nations gathered in Brazil to discuss the health of the planet at #COP30 — but the only federal representative from the United States present was Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. Story by @katewilkinson.bsky.social.
Sen. Whitehouse was the only US lawmaker to attend UN climate summit
President Donald Trump did not send any high-level US officials to the conference.
wpri.com
BREAKING: Smithfield's superintendent has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of a legal review into how an alleged hazing incident was handled. Details here: https://shorturl.at/0MInq
In a letter to Smithfield Public Schools, the Office of the Attorney General requests all documents, emails and logs related to an antisemitic hazing incident involving several football players. Story by @katewilkinson.bsky.social
RI attorney general launches civil investigation into Smithfield hazing incident
The letter said a parent made the complaint, alleging several students “assaulted and harassed” their child in the locker room before football practice on September 30.
wpri.com
Smooth sailing for passengers at TF Green right now despite national concerns about the government shutdown affecting air traffic control. I’ll have what we’re seeing across the country tonight at 4:30/5:30 @wpri12.bsky.social
Mayor Brett Smiley signed an executive order that reaffirms Providence police officers are not immigration officers. The EO also urges *federal authorities* not to wear masks, to clearly ID themselves/their agency. Reporting w/@katewilkinson.bsky.social: www.wpri.com/news/local-n...
wpri.com
It's been 24 years since the U.S. was the target of a coordinated terrorist attack that killed thousands. 12 News would like to remember the lives lost, including those from Southern New England. #NeverForget
Remembering the 9/11 victims from Southern New England
Thursday marks 24 years since the U.S. was the target of a coordinated terrorist attack that killed thousands.
wpri.com
BREAKING: It's official - Hasbro is moving its HQ out of Pawtucket and going to Boston www.wpri.com/business/has...
wpri.com
Love the answers in today's Rhode Map. A research vessel!?! www.bostonglobe.com/2025/09/03/m... @danmcgowan.bsky.social
What would Rhode Island school leaders do with $1.3b Powerball jackpot? - The Boston Globe
Rhode Map asked Rhode Island College President Jack Warner and five district superintendents what they would do with $1.3 billion.
bostonglobe.com
RI Governor Dan McKee wants Attorney General Pam Bondi to give a specific immigration policy the state needs to change, after DOJ sends letter threatening to take away federal funding www.wpri.com/news/politic... @wpri12.bsky.social
wpri.com
How did RI land on the Trump admin's new list of "sanctuary" states/cities? DOJ won't confirm if it's the policy Chafee adopted after 2014 Morales ruling Gov's office says it got no notice AG: "their words are of no moment to me" (via @katewilkinson.bsky.social)
DOJ won’t say what RI needs to change to get off ‘sanctuary jurisdiction’ list
The DOJ released a list Tuesday of 35 communities that it says have policies that prevent federal immigration officials from doing their jobs.
wpri.com
While Democrats are fighting proposed Medicaid cuts at the federal level, Rhode Islanders are facing their own cuts on the state level due to a change in the program’s income limit. @katewilkinson.bsky.social reports: ⤵️
700 Rhode Islanders to lose Medicaid coverage; state blames old mistake
A spokesperson for EOHHS says new income limits will take effect this month for new patients.
wpri.com
I got a work Tik Tok to talk about my more in-depth stories. Follow me if you want to see the stories I find interesting. This one required digging through some Rhode Island Revolutionary War History www.tiktok.com/t/ZTjQPLgLf/
It was really interesting to put together a story that combines history with a very political topic. Also the woman testifying is a RI Congressman’s mother-in-law @WPRI 12 & FOX Providence #greenscree...
TikTok video by Kate Wilkinson News
tiktok.com
“This is the most deliberately damaging bill to the economy and to our health care system that I’ve ever seen." RI Senator Jack Reed responds to Trump's "big beautiful bill" as it heads to the Senate www.wpri.com/news/politic...
‘Deliberately damaging’: Reed warns of difficult fight ahead against Trump bill
RI Senator Jack Reed said Trump bill could cut Medicaid for 40,000 Rhode Islanders.
wpri.com
With CRMC reform talks underway at the RI State House, homeowners are challenging regulators to keep their seawalls. Full story: www.wpri.com/news/local-n...
‘We lost 30 feet of property’ Homeowners challenge CRMC as bills propose reform
Anne-Marie Corbett is part of a class-action lawsuit against the CRMC, arguing she should be able to protect her property from erosion.
wpri.com
An East Prov. woman says she signed a five-year lease for her city-owned rental in 2022. The city says it was never valid. @katewilkinson.bsky.social reports: https://www.wpri.com/news/local-news/providence/i-dont-want-to-leave-east-providence-mayor-disabled-woman-in-dispute-over-city-owned-home/
An East Providence woman believes her lease for her city-owned rental was called into question because she had repeatedly criticized Mayor Bob DaSilva on social media. The Mayor says he wants to use the home for homeless veterans Full story: www.wpri.com/news/local-n... @wpri12.bsky.social
‘I don’t want to leave’: East Providence mayor, disabled woman in dispute over city-owned home
Julia Dempsey experienced a moment out of a reality TV show six years ago when she was handed the keys to a city-owned rental in East Providence.
wpri.com
A chain-link fence with a "no trespassing" sign has gone back up on George Waterman Road in Johnston after the property owners regained control of the lot, @katewilkinson.bsky.social reports.
Johnston affordable housing lot returned to owners after eminent domain attempt
Property owner Ralph Santoro said the property has been with his family for decades.
wpri.com
A new lawsuit accuses Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr., who has said he intends to seize a property slated to become affordable housing through eminent domain, of infringing on the owners' rights. @katewilkinson.bsky.social reports.
Johnston mayor to take property by eminent domain as owners file lawsuit
The property owners want to build 250 affordable apartments.
wpri.com
BREAKING: A RI federal judge agreed to continue blocking the Trump administration from freezing federal aid to states. "The executive has put itself above Congress," Judge John McConnell wrote. (w/ @elisherman.bsky.social) www.wpri.com/target-12/th...
‘The executive has put itself above Congress’: RI judge extends block of Trump funding freeze
Judge John McConnell issued his decision two weeks after hearings were held at federal court in Providence.
wpri.com
Bookshelf dilemma: Tracy Deonn just dropped her new book and I LOVE THIS SERIES. But that paperback needs to come out ASAP because I NEED my spines to match 🫢 Do I buy a whole set of hardcovers? Do I buy the kindle? Do I buy the audiobook? Do I wait for my library hold to come in? I’m in shambles
The Maddie Potts Foundation is working with the family of late Chariho soccer coach Michael "Scotty" McGuire to create a scholarship in his memory, “He was just such an empathetic soul,” Stephanie Potts recalled.
Maddie Potts Foundation creating scholarship for late Chariho coach
Michael “Scotty” McGuire coached Maddie Potts, who died in 2017.
wpri.com
