Rob Smith
@robesmit.bsky.social
"You're miserable, edgy and tired. You're in the perfect mood for journalism." Reporting on the environment for ecoRI News.
"The fires, heat and extremes that have dominated the summer of 2026 are what scientists have long been warning about from the burning of coal, oil and gas." via @apnews.com
This summer isn't breaking heat records — yet. Wait until El Nino kicks in, scientists say
With parts of the globe aflame in wildfires, deadly heat waves parking over cities, record hot oceans and a strengthening super El Nino, it seems like we’re baking through the hottest year on record.
apnews.com
Cops have stopped enforcing road safety laws nationwide & no electeds are *acknowledging* it, never mind trying to solve it
Mass. Law Enforcement Data Show Dramatic Decline In Speeding Tickets - Streetsblog Massachusetts
Massachusetts police are writing significantly fewer speeding tickets compared to a decade ago, even as speeding has been cited as a contributing factor in an increasing number of lethal crashes over ...
mass.streetsblog.org
The War on Cars@thewaroncars.bsky.social · 5d ago"...across the more than 6,300 miles of roadway throughout New York City, the NYPD’s nearly 34,000 officers ticketed only 10 drivers for blocking bus lanes, 12 for parking in a bus stop and 10 for parking in a bike lane in the seven days covered by the NYPD’s latest data sheet, July 20 to 26."
I wrote about @ecorinews.bsky.social for the Phoenix in 2013, in their early days, when compost-collection was part of their revenue model. I'm so glad they're still around and kicking ass.
PSA: please be sure to follow and support @ecorinews.bsky.social, which covers the environment in our precious state with actual thought, care, rigor, and professionalism. 🌎 We're so lucky to have them.
Philip Eil@phileil.bsky.social · 2d agoFor my friends at @ecorinews.bsky.social, I wrote an op-ed about Newport Buzz's decision to publish climate propaganda from the Heartland Institute.
For my friends at @ecorinews.bsky.social, I wrote an op-ed about Newport Buzz's decision to publish climate propaganda from the Heartland Institute.
'A Textbook Example of How Not to Cover Climate Propaganda' - ecoRI News
The gist of the report was — surprise! — climate change is really no big deal. In fact, the report suggests, it might be a good thing.
ecori.org
Reporter’s query: I’m working on a story about the widely-followed, and yet anonymously-run, social media account “What’s Going On In Rhode Island.” Do you know anything about it, or who runs it? Let’s chat! philip [dot] edward [dot] eil [at] gmail [dot] com
NEW: One of RI's most prominent companies has been sold Taco Group, the Cranston-based HVAC firm owned by well-known businessman John Hazen White Jr., announced a $1.4 billion deal today to be acquired by Pentair of London/Minnesota www.wpri.com/business-new...
John Hazen White Jr.’s Taco sold to London firm in $1.4 billion deal
One of Rhode Island’s most prominent companies is pledging to keep a strong presence in Cranston under foreign ownership.
wpri.com
Superior Court judge rules that revolving door law does not apply to Supreme Court, clearing way for Shekarchi. Ethics Commission may appeal. "We will carefully review the Superior Court’s decision and then... make a decision as to next steps" www.providencejournal.com/story/news/p...
What comes next after judge clears Shekarchi's path to Supreme Court seat
At question was whether Shekarchi's bid violated the state's 'Revolving Door Law.'
providencejournal.com
In case you missed it: You can check if your city/town council and school committee provide access to their meetings online! People who work evenings, parents who can't find childcare, or elderly folks who can't drive at night all should be able to participate in their local government processes.
REPORT Remote Access to Public Meetings (2026 Update) - ACLU of Rhode Island
A review of Rhode Island City and Town Councils and School Committees virtual accessibility practices. Our government is more transparent and our democracy is stronger at every level when we ensure…
riaclu.org
The Republicans' agency said “both (solar farm and data center) proposals will use the exact same location, same acreage, and same perimeter,” and “both are proposals for industrial uses that will operationalize cutting-edge technologies that are predominantly electrical and solid state in nature.”
jae holzman@jael.bsky.social · 2w agoThe first data center approved on federal lands was greenlit through backroom talks, questionable legal arguments and uncertainty around who even engaged with the Trump administration in the first place. What’s happening in Nevada is a national story.
NEW: In a stunning admission, the Trump administration admitted in court documents that it canceled billions in energy grants to states "based solely" on politics -- and whether that state was represented by Democrats and backed Harris in 2024. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/24/b...
Trump Administration Admits Canceling Grants to States That Did Not Vote for Him
Federal officials said in court documents that they halted billions of dollars in funding for energy projects to states “based solely” on whether they backed President Trump in the 2024 election.
nytimes.com
would almost entirely eliminate any of the savings McKee was seeking earlier this year by slashing energy efficiency and other programs
Bernardo H. Motta@bhmotta.bsky.social · 2w agoCheck out this article from The Providence Journal: RI Energy proposing third highest electric rates ever this winter www.providencejournal.com/story/busine...
Last night at my "Understanding AI + Misinformation" talk, I told a brand-new anecdote, about how someone recently DM'ed me on IG thinking I was someone else, bc Google's AI-fueled search summary told them I worked on an article that I didn't. Here's the screenshot of the *incorrect* summary.
Just making sure that everyone knows about the portal to the underworld that opened up on Blackstone Boulevard yesterday.
Massive sinkhole opens up at Providence construction site
A massive sinkhole opened up at a construction site in Providence Tuesday evening, according to authorities.
wpri.com
Holy shit. An incredible result for activists, who have tirelessly protested Citizens Financial Group for funding Geo Group and CoreCivic.
Citizens to Exit Credit Facilities to Two Private-Prison Firms
Citizens Financial Group Inc. said it will exit its credit facilities to Geo Group Inc. and CoreCivic Inc., firms that help operate detention centers for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
bloomberg.com
Someone just sent me this photo from Chicago, unbelieveable
One thing RI can say they do better than MA? Shoreline access, most beaches in Massachusetts are private apparently:
As always: if there's any class of people who do not have due process rights, then *nobody* has due process rights, because the government can just claim someone is in that class and there's no process to establish otherwise.
Evan Bernick, a finite mode with a smol hooman and a lorg floof@evanbernick.bsky.social · 3w agoI need people to understand that this administration’s litigating position is (1) federal law currently mandates the detention, without bond, of every noncitizen who is allegedly unlawfully present and (2) constitutionally, they don’t get a day in court. they’re generally losing, but they’re trying.
![Ochoa Ochoa v. Noem: Due Process
Having concluded that Ochoa Ochoa's detention is discretionary and not
mandatory, the court turns to whether it violates due process. "Procedural due
process imposes constraints on governmental decisions which deprive individuals of liberty' or 'property' interests within the meaning of the Due Process Clause of the
Fifth or Fourteenth Amendment." Mathews v. Eldridge, 424 U.S. 319, 332 (1976).
"Freedom from imprisonment-from government custody, detention, or other forms
of physical restraint-lies at the heart of the very liberty that [the Due Process
Clause] protects." Zadvydas v. Davis, 533 U.S. 678, 690 (2001).
To support its argument that Ochoa Ochoa has limited due process rights in
the detention context, Respondents rely on Dep't of Homeland Sec. v. Thuraissigiam, where the Supreme Court held that a petitioner who was still "at the threshold of initial entry," though technically in the country, could still be treated as "an alien
seeking initial entry." 591 U.S. 103, 114 2020) holding that a noncitizen detained "within 25 yards of the border" is treated as if stopped at the border and had not acquired due process protections). Contrary to Respondents' position, Thuraissigiam held only that noncitizens detained close to the border "shortly after unlawful entry"
have not yet "effected an entry." Id. at 140; see also Shaughnessy v. United States, 345 U.S. 206, 212 (1953) (explaining that noncitizens "on the threshold of initial entry
stand[] on a different footing" than those who have "passed through our gates").](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:f4d76fjna5nxqsy2fu6cgmp3/bafkreieofbtos26t3epka4a7c2p3xw477nfbl2guurqcuoslw2h24qolye)
Oil companies are projected to see big profits in Q2 from higher oil prices linked to the Iran war... Now calls for a U.S. windfall oil tax are growing. This tax - @whitehouse.senate.gov tells @npr.org - wouldn't have the same issues the windfall oil tax in '80s had 🛢️👀 More ⬇️ only on @npr.org 🎧📻🛢️
Oil companies are making billions. In the U.S., calls to tax their windfall are growing
Higher oil prices since the Iran war began mean many oil companies have brought in excess profits. Some U.S. lawmakers want to tax those windfall profits and give the money to lower-income Americans.
npr.org
Zohran Mamdani’s latest World Cup watch party was with inmates on Rikers Island
Zohran Mamdani’s latest World Cup watch party was inside Rikers Island
The jail has been hosting these watch parties since the tournament kicked off last month
trib.al
A new proposed 400-unit housing development in Coventry, next to the Job Lot / Tractor Supply plaza, is causing waves on facebook, these are some of the comments I've seen posted:
Now that I've seen this headline and this author I am left to assume this is not a situation that is getting handled and under control any time soon lol
Walker Bragman@walkerbragman.bsky.social · 3w agoWe’re fucking doing this again?
"As discussed in this finding, in light of the District’s history of a similar, recent violation, there are sufficient grounds in the record to find the violations discussed herein to be “willful or knowing.”"
RI Governmentbot@rigovernmentbot.bsky.social · 3w agoRI AG OMA Decision: 26-25: Puchalski v. Charlestown Fire District - https://clerkshq.com/Content/RIAG-ri/decisions/2026/OM26_25.htm
Starting a zine with some friends! Send us your pitches!
Dennis Hogan@dennismhogan.bsky.social · 3w agoOfficial editorial communication: The New England Review of Boats, a handmade regional zine about the vessels and people who go down to the sea for adventure, work, or pleasure--seeks submissions for its inaugural issue.
In RI you’re never more than 15 miles away from a Real Housewife.
I learned a lot of things about myself while packing up my books, starting with I can stop trying to impress some imaginary book critic who might one day look at my shelves. lithub.com/how-and-why-...
How—and Why—to Cull Your Book Collection
“Books make me so mad.” That’s what my friend, who used to work part-time as a mover, told me when he learned that my husband and I found a new place to live and I had a lot of books that I needed …
lithub.com
