The state representative discusses his qualifications, affordability, public safety and his vision for Providence

Federal Hill’s iconic arch is about to get a makeover.

Work is set to begin on a $420,000 restoration of the arch over Atwells Avenue in Providence. 

I just received a mailing from a local candidate with the wrong day of the week on it.

This year, primaries fall on Wednesday. See the official Secretary of State website for the relevant dates.

Who has trivia tonight in the city? I don't have Instagram so I can't scour local business socials.

I've done the Point Tavern and I'm all set with that one

Skip the paywall: https://archive.is/2026.08.19-132531/https://www.providencejournal.com/story/entertainment/dining/2026/08/19/specialty-coffee-costs-rise-at-ri-coffee-shops-as-budgets-tighten/91058137007/

What happened between 12 and 4 pm in Providence, specifically Westminster area to the convention center? I went out for my break at 11:30, totally normal day. Left the office at 4, spotted lantern flies suddenly EVERYWHERE. Dead, alive, jumping, flying, on every single surface I walked by. I’m about to start walking to the office with my bug zapper in hand. How did it change so fast??

Looking for recommendations for a fancy, dressy restaurant in Rhode Island with low/dim lighting, a nice upscale atmosphere, and really good food. Somewhere I can wear a nice dress and feel dressed up.

Any cuisine is fine! What are your favorite spots that fit this vibe?

Senator Jack Reed says that he “opposed Trump’s reckless Iran war from the start,” and wants to hold “President Trump accountable.” These are laudable aims—but they are only partial truths.

In fact, Trump could never have waged his illegal and ill-conceived war on Iran without the money Senator Reed personally delivered. Take the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which sets forth policies and authorizes appropriations for the Department of Defense. Senator Reed wrote significant portions of the bill, which authorized the Trump administration to spend a record-breaking $901 billion on the United States military.

Senator Reed subsequently voted that bill into law, joining about half of the Democratic senators, but not progressive stalwarts like Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Chris Murphy, who had the courage and foresight to condemn the grotesque level of spending. Senator Ron Wyden said at the time, ‘I cannot support a bill that increases military spending by tens of billions of dollars and fails to include guardrails against Donald Trump and Hegseth’s authoritarian abuses.’ Worse yet, the 2026 NDAA gave Trump $8 billion more than his administration even requested.

If not for the 2026 NDAA, Trump could never have taken the United States into another unconstitutional forever war that has taken the lives of 18 American soldiers and injured hundreds more, cost roughly $40 billion in direct military spending, and cost consumers more than $75 billion in artificially inflated prices.

Rather than learn from the 2026 NDAA catastrophe, Senator Reed has doubled down on his relationship with the military-industrial complex. Reed again played a central role in drafting the 2027 NDAA, a bill which would give Trump roughly $1.15 trillion (that’s trillion with a “T”). The bill, which represents an annual spending increase of over $200 billion, would more than cover the entire cost of the illegal war with Iran. Think about the message that sends to the rogue Trump administration: wage a disastrous war and emerge with an even larger military slush fund.

What is more, the bill would further entangle our military with Israel’s, committing to bilateral “research and development, co-production of weapons, joint ventures, licensing agreements and an unprecedented integration of the US and Israeli weapons industries.” With cratering public support for weapons transfers to Israel, the NDAA seeks to smuggle the weapons to avoid public scrutiny quietly.

Senator Reed voted favorably on this bill out of committee and is likely to support it on the full Senate floor. In the senator’s own words, this bill “strengthens national defense and enhances oversight and accountability.” Senator Reed’s promise to hold Trump accountable, then, is only true if one sees a blank check and integration of our military with Israel’s as accountability.

Most Rhode Islanders do not.

Most Rhode Islanders want to reinvest our bloated military spending into things that matter to our state, like our crumbling infrastructure and primary healthcare crises. They are tired of the forever wars and want a senator who will instead spend that money fighting for Rhode Island values via programs like universal healthcare, an equal education amendment, and a Green New Deal.

I’m a local historian working on a book, and I’ve hit a bit of a roadblock.

Theres a bunch of really great data in these annual reports, but I’ve only been able to locate the 1929, 1930 and 1934 annual reports.

I’ve asked the state archives, RIHS, the library, the local university, and the archives for the city, and no one has any of the other years.

If anyone happens to have a copy of any of the 1920s or the 1930s annual reports, or a lead on one please let me know.

I moved to RI from the Rocky Mountains. I really miss the solitude and QUIET of hiking in the mountains. RI is so densely populated that I find it hard to find that feeling anywhere. Any ideas where to go in the state (or MA)? Would love to feel like I’m away from society.

So far the closest I’ve found is way back in Lincoln woods but that’s hit or miss

Anybody have any thoughts, opinions, or experiences about Providence public middle schools for a trans 6th grader? Do any of the schools have an LGBTQ+ community or culture?

They are currently enrolled in the same K-8 where they have been since before transitioning, but we are exploring the idea of a transfer to allow them to have a fresh start in their new identity.

Had a shitty few weeks and need to get out of my area for a bit.

Guy in his 30s, have never really wandered Providence. Was going to come down for the weekend. Is it worth it? Anything specifically fun to do (food, bars, games) or events?

Usually into the outdoors, live music, and nerdy stuff.

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The Providence Eye and Community Libraries of Providence have been co-hosting forums for each of the competitive City Council races.

Here's a list of the recorded forums so far and an article summarizing key takeaways from each. Forums are listed in the order that they occurred.

Note: This post will be updated with additional publications and recordings as they are made available.

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FAQs

Who will be on my ballot? 

> Search your address in our Voter Guide

Which ward do I live in?

> Explore the Who's My Councilor map

Am I registered and where do I vote?

> RI Voter Information Center

"Who are all of these people?"

> Read candidate questionnaire responses here

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Ward 3 - Jason Kashdan, Steven London, Yulyana Torres

Recording + Article

Ward 10 - Aubrey Planitz

Recording + Article

Ward 5 - Timothy Donahue, Jackie Goldman, Christopher Woodley

Recording + Article

Ward 12 - Althea Graves, Robert Ricci

Recording + Article

Ward 1 - John Goncalves, Miguel Martínez Youngs

Recording + Article

Ward 4 - Joseph Casoli, Justin Roias

Recording

Ward 11 - Ron Crosson, Brian Guzman, Dwayne Keys

Recording

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UPCOMING

All events start at 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, August 19 – Ward 13 Candidate Forum

Federal Hill House

Monday, August 24 – Ward 6 Candidate Forum

Mount Pleasant Community Library

Tuesday, August 25 – Ward 7 Candidate Forum

Silver Lake Community Center

Monday, August 31 – Ward 9 Candidate Forum

Knight Memorial Community Library

Just a heads up to any movie lovers out there looking for Dune 3 70mm IMAX tickets for opening week they just got listed on the IMAX website for presale. May the odds be ever in your favor!