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“The U.S. Conference of Mayors is pulling its 2027 annual meeting out of Providence, costing the city a four-day event that was expected to draw hundreds of people and generate about $2 million in economic activity for the city next June.”

“U.S. Conference of Mayors CEO Tom Cochran said the decision to relocate the meeting was prompted by the outcome of the recent Providence mayoral primary, in which Democratic challenger David Morales defeated incumbent Brett Smiley.”

“A favorable diesel price lock that helped the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) narrow last year’s budget gap ended three months ago. But the financial woes facing the statewide bus agency from skyrocketing fuel prices is just beginning with the cost of diesel now over two and a half times what was budgeted for this year.”

“For RIPTA, Flaherty said the higher fuel prices leave the agency with a few options for making up the difference.
“One is to cut service, one is to raise fares, one is to get more of a subsidy from the state,” he said.”

“A few months ago, Uprise RI articles began to appear with bylines resembling real people who have specific beats and colorful biographies, but are actually AI avatars. For example, the AI persona Rocco Caravaggio covers civil rights and law enforcement and “has read every police misconduct settlement in Rhode Island since 1991.” AI reporter Ryan MacMahonaghan writes about national politics and government, having “never once flown to Washington to cover Washington” because he’s “already there and already here at the same time.”

“Pat's Italian is definitely opening on Federal Hill, having just signed a lease to move into space previously occupied by Blackstone's on the Hill. Daughter Rachel Stevens will run the restaurant and lounge.”

Blackstone on the Hill opened in September 2025. Barely made it a year.

“In that time, the city issued certificates of occupancy for 988 new residential units, up from 519 in the previous year.

About 40% of the 988 units were earmarked as affordable, the city said, meaning tenants pay a percentage of their income instead of the market rent.”

PROVIDENCE – Nearly a dozen Federal Hill establishments are facing state scrutiny over allegations they are illegally offering hookah, raising questions about enforcement of Rhode Island’s indoor smoking ban.

On Thursday, State Sen. Samuel W. Bell, a Providence Democrat, filed formal complaints with the R.I. Department of Health alleging 11 establishments around Atwells Avenue are violating the state law that prohibits smoking in indoor public places.

The establishments named in the complaints include Bae Lounge, Afrique d’Lounge, Crown Providence, INSA Lounge, Mambo Sushi, Opa, Ours, Pure, Terra Luna, Terra Negra and Twelve 21.
Bell also forwarded the complaints to the Division of Taxation, requesting audits in case any of the establishments attempt to claim an exemption as a “smoking bar.”

Under state law, smoking bars must derive the majority of their revenue from tobacco products, while other services must be only incidental.
“I believe claiming the smoking bar exemption would be absurd,” Bell said in a statement. “Alcohol and food sales are very clearly the primary focus of all of these establishments.”

Rick Simone, president of the Federal Hill Commerce Association, said the issue reflects broader questions around the state’s licensing process rather than a matter of city enforcement.
“Licensing is a very convoluted process,” Simone said, adding that he has been involved in discussions with Bell about the issue. Simone said the matter is ultimately a state-level issue.
Simone said the complaints could affect a significant share of Federal Hill’s dining and nightlife community, which includes dozens of businesses along Atwells Avenue.

For Bell, the complaints are aimed at enforcing a public health law that prohibits indoor smoking in bars and restaurants.
“The ban on indoor smoking in public places is a very important public health law,” Bell said. “Tobacco smoke puts you at risk of serious health problems like cancer and emphysema, and the damaging effects of second-hand smoke have been robustly documented.”
Bell also said enforcement is important to maintaining Federal Hill’s reputation as one of Rhode Island’s most prominent restaurant and entertainment districts.
“The historic Atwells Avenue business district on Federal Hill is one of our state’s most iconic destinations,” Bell said. “Enforcing our laws is critical to ensuring its success for years to come.”

In a meeting on June 25, the city gave these places until June 30 to complete their liquor license renewal process or forced to close. This was the culmination of six months of warnings and license hearings to get them to comply. Presumably if they finish the application process (like pay their back taxes and renewal fees) they’ll be allowed to reopen.

“Photos of the float posted on social media showed what appeared to be a representation of Smiley hanging in front of a bloody steamroller, while the back of the float featured what looked to be a rainbow-colored guillotine. The float had a logo for the Providence Worker’s Defense.”

“This 3,740± SF retail condo offers a turn-key restaurant and pizzeria opportunity in downtown Providence's Financial District. The space includes all furniture, fixtures, and equipment with a 150 seating capacity. Located directly across from the Federal Center Building with high vehicular and walking traffic counts and quick access to I-95 and RT-6.”

“With the first week of 2026 FIFA World Cup play almost in the history books, local hospitality officials and business owners say the projected windfall of visitor spending started out more middling than booming.

For months, expectations have been that more than 400,000 visitors will travel through the Providence metro area during the tournament and as many as 1 million visitors would descend on the region over the 39 days.

Kristen Adamo, CEO and president of the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, said the organization won’t have official hotel data until mid-July but they have asked Providence hotels to self-report.

Adamo said a majority of hotels have seen between 80-90% occupancy, a rate that is higher than normal “but not exorbitant.”

Jennifer Curtin, the general manager of The Beatrice Hotel, said the boutique hotel hasn’t seen the kind of business rush that was first projected. She believes it may have to do with the U.S. travel restrictions, which has resulted in most of their guests coming from local rather than international regions and therefore booking shorter stays.

“We just haven’t seen an incredible amount of [World Cup-related] business,” she said.

While acknowledging initial projections may have been overhyped, Curtin doesn’t fault state and local officials for their optimism.

“You always have to plan for the extreme,” she said.

Rollers Sports Bar & Grill opens on June 12 in the former Durk's Bar-B-Q space in Providence.

The new venue aims to blend sports, music, and fine dining to attract a diverse crowd.

It is the latest project from the Littleneck Hospitality Group, known for Pizza Marvin and Club Frills.

“In their first head-to-head debate, incumbent Mayor Brett Smiley and his challenger, state Representative David Morales, sparred on rent control, snow removal, immigration enforcement and their records, as both men seek the Democratic nomination in a race that has divided the progressive and moderate wings of the party.

In the debate at the Globe’s Providence podcast studio moderated by this reporter, Smiley, 47, said the city has become safer and better-run during his first term, and sought to distinguish himself from Morales, 27, a state representative whom Smiley said has not done enough for Providence on Smith Hill.”

I owe $6000 on a credit at 29.99% APR, and $3000 on another at 19.49%. I just got my tax return for about $3000. Does it make more sense to completely pay off the lower APR, or apply it to the larger balance with the higher APR? Thanks!

“The Warren Avenue restaurant was known for its bibimbap and bulgogi dishes, as well as its cold noodles, dumplings, kimchi and Korean-style chicken wings.”

“The legislation would mandate that establishments with liquor licenses provide removable drink covers to customers upon request. It does not require all drinks to come with lids, nor does it require establishments to have lids that fit all of its drinkware.”

“The proposal also allows establishments to charge customers for the drink covers, so long as it’s reasonable”