Uprise RI
@upriseri.com
RI's advocate, covering local issues, consumer advocacy, and government. Now with more local coverage than any other Rhode Island news outlet.
✨ Use BillBuddy to check out the latest bills at the State House as they are released - upriseri.com/newbills
✨ Use BillBuddy to check out the latest bills at the State House as they are released - upriseri.com/newbills
East Greenwich councilors learned Monday that the State Police had switched off three Flock license-plate cameras on I-95 and Route 4.
https://upriseri.com/article/state-police-turn-off-three-flock-license-plate-cameras-in-east-greenwich-after-town-objects/
https://upriseri.com/article/state-police-turn-off-three-flock-license-plate-cameras-in-east-greenwich-after-town-objects/
State Police Turn Off Three Flock License-Plate Cameras in East Greenwich After Town Objects
East Greenwich council learned State Police deactivated three Flock license-plate cameras and took no action, keeping a legal option ready.
upriseri.com
September 29, 2026 at 2:00 PM
East Greenwich councilors learned Monday that the State Police had switched off three Flock license-plate cameras on I-95 and Route 4.
https://upriseri.com/article/state-police-turn-off-three-flock-license-plate-cameras-in-east-greenwich-after-town-objects/
https://upriseri.com/article/state-police-turn-off-three-flock-license-plate-cameras-in-east-greenwich-after-town-objects/
Question 5 asks RI voters to authorize up to $55M in borrowing for resilience, open space, farmland, parks and brownfields. $25M goes to local flood and coastal work. Most recipients get picked after the vote.
https://upriseri.com/article/question-5-what-the-dollar55m-green-bond-would-buy/
https://upriseri.com/article/question-5-what-the-dollar55m-green-bond-would-buy/
Question 5: What the $55M Green Bond Would Buy
Rhode Island's Question 5 would borrow up to $55 million for resilience, open space, farmland and parks. Here's the breakdown and the debt cost.
upriseri.com
September 29, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Question 5 asks RI voters to authorize up to $55M in borrowing for resilience, open space, farmland, parks and brownfields. $25M goes to local flood and coastal work. Most recipients get picked after the vote.
https://upriseri.com/article/question-5-what-the-dollar55m-green-bond-would-buy/
https://upriseri.com/article/question-5-what-the-dollar55m-green-bond-would-buy/
Veolia's full outdoor-water ban in parts of South Kingstown and Narragansett shifts to odd/even watering Tuesday.
https://upriseri.com/article/veolia-swaps-full-water-ban-for-oddeven-days-tuesday/
https://upriseri.com/article/veolia-swaps-full-water-ban-for-oddeven-days-tuesday/
Veolia Swaps Full Water Ban for Odd/even Days Tuesday
Veolia customers in South Kingstown and Narragansett can water on odd/even days starting Tuesday, but the aquifer hasn't fully recovered.
upriseri.com
September 29, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Veolia's full outdoor-water ban in parts of South Kingstown and Narragansett shifts to odd/even watering Tuesday.
https://upriseri.com/article/veolia-swaps-full-water-ban-for-oddeven-days-tuesday/
https://upriseri.com/article/veolia-swaps-full-water-ban-for-oddeven-days-tuesday/
State environmental regulators cited Electrolizing Inc. in Providence after finding over 10,000 gallons of chromium-laced waste in containment pits, some dating to 2020.
https://upriseri.com/article/state-cites-providence-plater-over-waste-pits/
https://upriseri.com/article/state-cites-providence-plater-over-waste-pits/
State Cites Providence Plater Over Waste Pits
RIDEM cited Electrolizing over toxic pits at its Providence plant, while workers await federal inspection results on hazardous chemical exposure.
upriseri.com
September 28, 2026 at 8:30 PM
State environmental regulators cited Electrolizing Inc. in Providence after finding over 10,000 gallons of chromium-laced waste in containment pits, some dating to 2020.
https://upriseri.com/article/state-cites-providence-plater-over-waste-pits/
https://upriseri.com/article/state-cites-providence-plater-over-waste-pits/
Netanyahu spoke at the U.N. General Assembly Thursday with an ICC arrest warrant hanging over him. No one arrested him. Here's why the Rome Statute didn't bind Washington, and where Geneva law and immunity come in.
https://upriseri.com/article/netanyahu-the-icc-warrant-and-the-limits-of-us-law/
https://upriseri.com/article/netanyahu-the-icc-warrant-and-the-limits-of-us-law/
Netanyahu, the ICC Warrant and the Limits of U.S. Law
Netanyahu spoke at the U.N. in New York despite an ICC arrest warrant. Here is what U.S. law, treaties and immunity rules say about arresting him.
upriseri.com
September 27, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Netanyahu spoke at the U.N. General Assembly Thursday with an ICC arrest warrant hanging over him. No one arrested him. Here's why the Rome Statute didn't bind Washington, and where Geneva law and immunity come in.
https://upriseri.com/article/netanyahu-the-icc-warrant-and-the-limits-of-us-law/
https://upriseri.com/article/netanyahu-the-icc-warrant-and-the-limits-of-us-law/
A new Groundwork report warns AI data centers can shift grid costs onto households. Rhode Island Energy's proposed winter rate of 17.029 cents/kWh cites gas prices and grid costs instead, and a bill to protect…
https://upriseri.com/article/ais-power-bill-warning-meets-rhode-islands-record/
https://upriseri.com/article/ais-power-bill-warning-meets-rhode-islands-record/
AI's Power Bill Warning Meets Rhode Island's Record
A new Groundwork report warns AI data centers can raise household power costs. Rhode Island's rate filings cite other causes for a proposed winter hike.
upriseri.com
September 26, 2026 at 10:00 AM
A new Groundwork report warns AI data centers can shift grid costs onto households. Rhode Island Energy's proposed winter rate of 17.029 cents/kWh cites gas prices and grid costs instead, and a bill to protect…
https://upriseri.com/article/ais-power-bill-warning-meets-rhode-islands-record/
https://upriseri.com/article/ais-power-bill-warning-meets-rhode-islands-record/
ITEP pegs the Iran war's hit from higher fuel and energy prices at $750 per U.S. household. That leaves out the war's direct federal costs and the interest on borrowed money, which taxpayers cover too.
https://upriseri.com/article/the-wars-dollar750-energy-toll-is-only-part-of-the-bill/
https://upriseri.com/article/the-wars-dollar750-energy-toll-is-only-part-of-the-bill/
The War's $750 Energy Toll Is Only Part of the Bill
ITEP says Iran war fuel and energy prices cost U.S. households $750 each. Here is what that means for Rhode Island gas, heating and electric bills.
upriseri.com
September 25, 2026 at 5:30 PM
ITEP pegs the Iran war's hit from higher fuel and energy prices at $750 per U.S. household. That leaves out the war's direct federal costs and the interest on borrowed money, which taxpayers cover too.
https://upriseri.com/article/the-wars-dollar750-energy-toll-is-only-part-of-the-bill/
https://upriseri.com/article/the-wars-dollar750-energy-toll-is-only-part-of-the-bill/
Regulators approved a $28 million winter electric credit, per Gov. McKee's office: $20.45 per eligible Rhode Island Energy account in each of the January, February and March 2027 billing periods.
https://upriseri.com/article/winter-electric-credit-to-be-dollar6135-per-eligible-account/
https://upriseri.com/article/winter-electric-credit-to-be-dollar6135-per-eligible-account/
Winter Electric Credit to be $61.35 Per Eligible Account
Rhode Island Energy customers in A-16 and A-60 rate classes get $20.45 credits on January through March 2027 bills, paid from $28 million in RGGI funds.
upriseri.com
September 25, 2026 at 1:47 PM
Regulators approved a $28 million winter electric credit, per Gov. McKee's office: $20.45 per eligible Rhode Island Energy account in each of the January, February and March 2027 billing periods.
https://upriseri.com/article/winter-electric-credit-to-be-dollar6135-per-eligible-account/
https://upriseri.com/article/winter-electric-credit-to-be-dollar6135-per-eligible-account/
A national report says state wage enforcement is blowing past the feds, boosted by New York's DoorDash deal. But in Rhode Island, records show a gap between the $1M in back wages DLT assessed in 2025 and what working families…
https://upriseri.com/article/who-collects-when-employers-steal-wages/
https://upriseri.com/article/who-collects-when-employers-steal-wages/
Who Collects When Employers Steal Wages?
Rhode Island data reveals a sharp gap between assessed unpaid wages and what workers actually collect, even as national reports tout state crackdowns.
upriseri.com
September 24, 2026 at 2:31 PM
A national report says state wage enforcement is blowing past the feds, boosted by New York's DoorDash deal. But in Rhode Island, records show a gap between the $1M in back wages DLT assessed in 2025 and what working families…
https://upriseri.com/article/who-collects-when-employers-steal-wages/
https://upriseri.com/article/who-collects-when-employers-steal-wages/
The UFL is coming to Pawtucket. A new spring football team will play at Centreville Bank Stadium starting in 2027, with a home opener April 2.
https://upriseri.com/article/ufl-brings-spring-football-to-pawtucket-in-2027/
https://upriseri.com/article/ufl-brings-spring-football-to-pawtucket-in-2027/
UFL Brings Spring Football to Pawtucket in 2027
The UFL will play in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, in 2027, with an April 2 home opener and a team name reveal set for October 18 at Centreville Bank Stadium.
upriseri.com
September 24, 2026 at 1:21 PM
The UFL is coming to Pawtucket. A new spring football team will play at Centreville Bank Stadium starting in 2027, with a home opener April 2.
https://upriseri.com/article/ufl-brings-spring-football-to-pawtucket-in-2027/
https://upriseri.com/article/ufl-brings-spring-football-to-pawtucket-in-2027/
Twelve states settled their fight over the Paramount–Warner Bros. merger, and Rhode Island wasn't one of them. The proposed deal's cable rules exclude streaming.
https://upriseri.com/article/what-rhode-islands-ag-can-do-about-a-mega-merger/
https://upriseri.com/article/what-rhode-islands-ag-can-do-about-a-mega-merger/
What Rhode Island's AG Can Do About a Mega-Merger
California's Paramount-Warner settlement awaits a judge. Rhode Island's AG can sue over mergers, but its preapproval power is built for hospital deals.
upriseri.com
September 23, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Twelve states settled their fight over the Paramount–Warner Bros. merger, and Rhode Island wasn't one of them. The proposed deal's cable rules exclude streaming.
https://upriseri.com/article/what-rhode-islands-ag-can-do-about-a-mega-merger/
https://upriseri.com/article/what-rhode-islands-ag-can-do-about-a-mega-merger/
Reed voted yes. Whitehouse voted no. Both times. The Senate has advanced the Protect College Sports Act in two procedural votes, moving toward a statutory antitrust shield for the NCAA, conferences and schools –…
https://upriseri.com/article/reed-whitehouse-split-as-senate-advances-ncaa-shield/
https://upriseri.com/article/reed-whitehouse-split-as-senate-advances-ncaa-shield/
Reed, Whitehouse Split as Senate Advances NCAA Shield
RI Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse split as the Senate advanced the Protect College Sports Act toward a conditional NCAA antitrust shield.
upriseri.com
September 23, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Reed voted yes. Whitehouse voted no. Both times. The Senate has advanced the Protect College Sports Act in two procedural votes, moving toward a statutory antitrust shield for the NCAA, conferences and schools –…
https://upriseri.com/article/reed-whitehouse-split-as-senate-advances-ncaa-shield/
https://upriseri.com/article/reed-whitehouse-split-as-senate-advances-ncaa-shield/
California and 11 other states would drop their effort to block Paramount Skydance’s $110 billion Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition.
https://upriseri.com/article/states-trade-paramountwb-merger-fight-for-five-year-pact/
https://upriseri.com/article/states-trade-paramountwb-merger-fight-for-five-year-pact/
States Trade Paramount/WB Merger Fight for Five-Year Pact
Rhode Island viewers could feel the effects of a $110 billion media deal governed by five years of cable, film and news restrictions.
upriseri.com
September 23, 2026 at 3:08 PM
California and 11 other states would drop their effort to block Paramount Skydance’s $110 billion Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition.
https://upriseri.com/article/states-trade-paramountwb-merger-fight-for-five-year-pact/
https://upriseri.com/article/states-trade-paramountwb-merger-fight-for-five-year-pact/
The House passed the Ratepayer Protection Act 417-3. A day later one senator blocked it. Read the text and the key word is "consider": states only have to weigh making 100 MW data centers pay for grid upgrades.
https://upriseri.com/article/data-center-bill-tells-states-to-consider-who-pays/
https://upriseri.com/article/data-center-bill-tells-states-to-consider-who-pays/
Data Center Bill Tells States to 'Consider' Who Pays
The House passed the Ratepayer Protection Act 417-3, but it only asks states to consider making data centers pay. Rhode Island bills go further.
upriseri.com
September 23, 2026 at 11:00 AM
The House passed the Ratepayer Protection Act 417-3. A day later one senator blocked it. Read the text and the key word is "consider": states only have to weigh making 100 MW data centers pay for grid upgrades.
https://upriseri.com/article/data-center-bill-tells-states-to-consider-who-pays/
https://upriseri.com/article/data-center-bill-tells-states-to-consider-who-pays/
A free two-day dental clinic runs Sept. 26-27 at 335R Prairie Ave. in Providence. No appointments, no ID required, first come first served until roughly 600 slots fill.
https://upriseri.com/article/free-two-day-dental-clinic-in-providence-what-to-know/
https://upriseri.com/article/free-two-day-dental-clinic-in-providence-what-to-know/
Free Two-Day Dental Clinic in Providence: What to Know
Rhode Island Mission of Mercy offers free dental care Sept. 26-27 at 335R Prairie Ave. in Providence. No appointments; first come, first served until full.
upriseri.com
September 23, 2026 at 10:00 AM
A free two-day dental clinic runs Sept. 26-27 at 335R Prairie Ave. in Providence. No appointments, no ID required, first come first served until roughly 600 slots fill.
https://upriseri.com/article/free-two-day-dental-clinic-in-providence-what-to-know/
https://upriseri.com/article/free-two-day-dental-clinic-in-providence-what-to-know/
New England's grid just logged its 500th duck curve day: midday demand lower than overnight, thanks to rooftop solar. The ISO's quietest hour now lands during lunch half the year. Rhode Island bills?
https://upriseri.com/article/solar-has-flipped-the-grids-clock/
https://upriseri.com/article/solar-has-flipped-the-grids-clock/
Solar Has Flipped the Grid's Clock.
ISO New England logged its 500th duck curve day as solar cuts midday demand. What it means for Rhode Island Energy bills and solar credits.
upriseri.com
September 22, 2026 at 10:20 PM
New England's grid just logged its 500th duck curve day: midday demand lower than overnight, thanks to rooftop solar. The ISO's quietest hour now lands during lunch half the year. Rhode Island bills?
https://upriseri.com/article/solar-has-flipped-the-grids-clock/
https://upriseri.com/article/solar-has-flipped-the-grids-clock/
Elon Musk's America PAC is telling voters in five states that Democratic Senate candidates voted for "taxpayer-funded sex changes on kids." The votes it cites were against restrictions.
https://upriseri.com/article/musk-pacs-sex-change-ads-twist-the-record/
https://upriseri.com/article/musk-pacs-sex-change-ads-twist-the-record/
Musk PAC's 'Sex Change' Ads Twist the Record
Musk's America PAC says Senate Democrats backed taxpayer-funded surgeries for kids. Legislative records don't support it; Rhode Island votes November 3.
upriseri.com
September 22, 2026 at 9:31 PM
Elon Musk's America PAC is telling voters in five states that Democratic Senate candidates voted for "taxpayer-funded sex changes on kids." The votes it cites were against restrictions.
https://upriseri.com/article/musk-pacs-sex-change-ads-twist-the-record/
https://upriseri.com/article/musk-pacs-sex-change-ads-twist-the-record/
A Boston Globe piece on David Morales's Providence primary win framed pro-Palestinian politics as a danger to Jewish residents, then described the genocide in Gaza as a disputed term.
https://upriseri.com/article/boston-globe-refuses-to-call-palestinian-massacre-a-genocide/
https://upriseri.com/article/boston-globe-refuses-to-call-palestinian-massacre-a-genocide/
Boston Globe Refuses to Call Palestinian Massacre a Genocide
A Boston Globe piece on David Morales's Providence primary win cast pro-Palestinian politics as a threat and treated genocide in Gaza as a disputed term.
upriseri.com
September 22, 2026 at 3:01 PM
A Boston Globe piece on David Morales's Providence primary win framed pro-Palestinian politics as a danger to Jewish residents, then described the genocide in Gaza as a disputed term.
https://upriseri.com/article/boston-globe-refuses-to-call-palestinian-massacre-a-genocide/
https://upriseri.com/article/boston-globe-refuses-to-call-palestinian-massacre-a-genocide/
Gov. Dan McKee is nearing a federal deadline to choose 25 of Rhode Island’s 55 eligible tracts for new Opportunity Zones.
https://upriseri.com/article/mckees-opportunity-zone-picks-near-deadline/
https://upriseri.com/article/mckees-opportunity-zone-picks-near-deadline/
McKee’s Opportunity Zone Picks Near Deadline
Rhode Island must nominate 25 new Opportunity Zones as Treasury data show the first round’s investment was concentrated in real estate.
upriseri.com
September 22, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Gov. Dan McKee is nearing a federal deadline to choose 25 of Rhode Island’s 55 eligible tracts for new Opportunity Zones.
https://upriseri.com/article/mckees-opportunity-zone-picks-near-deadline/
https://upriseri.com/article/mckees-opportunity-zone-picks-near-deadline/
A proposed 208-megawatt, six-hour battery storage facility at Quonset has moved into state advisory review. The PUC must weigh whether it's needed and whether it can deliver power at the lowest reasonable cost to consumers.
https://upriseri.com/article/quonset-battery-plan-enters-ratepayer-review/
https://upriseri.com/article/quonset-battery-plan-enters-ratepayer-review/
Quonset Battery Plan Enters Ratepayer Review
A proposed 208-MW battery storage facility at Quonset in North Kingstown is under PUC advisory review, with agency opinions due February 19, 2027.
upriseri.com
September 21, 2026 at 4:30 PM
A proposed 208-megawatt, six-hour battery storage facility at Quonset has moved into state advisory review. The PUC must weigh whether it's needed and whether it can deliver power at the lowest reasonable cost to consumers.
https://upriseri.com/article/quonset-battery-plan-enters-ratepayer-review/
https://upriseri.com/article/quonset-battery-plan-enters-ratepayer-review/
Rhode Island's offshore wind project just finished installing all 65 turbines off Point Judith. That's a real construction milestone, but the project is still being commissioned, and state forecasts show any…
https://upriseri.com/article/final-turbine-up-at-revolution-wind-bill-savings-later/
https://upriseri.com/article/final-turbine-up-at-revolution-wind-bill-savings-later/
Final Turbine Up at Revolution Wind. Bill Savings? Later.
All 65 Revolution Wind turbines are installed, but Rhode Island bill savings remain a projection until commissioning finishes.
upriseri.com
September 21, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Rhode Island's offshore wind project just finished installing all 65 turbines off Point Judith. That's a real construction milestone, but the project is still being commissioned, and state forecasts show any…
https://upriseri.com/article/final-turbine-up-at-revolution-wind-bill-savings-later/
https://upriseri.com/article/final-turbine-up-at-revolution-wind-bill-savings-later/
A Providence resident’s federal case tied to a 2025 protest outside an Illinois ICE facility was dismissed with prejudice.
https://upriseri.com/article/providence-mans-ice-protest-case-collapsed/
https://upriseri.com/article/providence-mans-ice-protest-case-collapsed/
Providence Man’s ICE-Protest Case Collapsed
A Providence resident’s Chicago ICE-protest case ended in dismissal as federal prosecutors faced setbacks in several districts.
upriseri.com
September 21, 2026 at 11:30 AM
A Providence resident’s federal case tied to a 2025 protest outside an Illinois ICE facility was dismissed with prejudice.
https://upriseri.com/article/providence-mans-ice-protest-case-collapsed/
https://upriseri.com/article/providence-mans-ice-protest-case-collapsed/
Renewing an EV in Rhode Island now costs $400 more over two years. Plug-in hybrids, $200. Regular hybrids, even mild ones, $100. The state's own budget benchmark for an average driver's gas tax was $150 a year.
https://upriseri.com/article/why-your-ev-or-hybrid-renewal-costs-hundreds-more/
https://upriseri.com/article/why-your-ev-or-hybrid-renewal-costs-hundreds-more/
Why Your EV or Hybrid Renewal Costs Hundreds More
Rhode Island adds $200 a year for EVs, $100 for plug-in hybrids and $50 for hybrids at the DMV. Here's what the fee funds and how it compares to gas tax.
upriseri.com
September 20, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Renewing an EV in Rhode Island now costs $400 more over two years. Plug-in hybrids, $200. Regular hybrids, even mild ones, $100. The state's own budget benchmark for an average driver's gas tax was $150 a year.
https://upriseri.com/article/why-your-ev-or-hybrid-renewal-costs-hundreds-more/
https://upriseri.com/article/why-your-ev-or-hybrid-renewal-costs-hundreds-more/
A May Bureau of Prisons policy says the attorney general may, in certain circumstances, designate or redesignate where federal prisoners serve their sentences.
https://upriseri.com/article/new-bop-rule-gives-ag-a-role-in-prison-placement/
https://upriseri.com/article/new-bop-rule-gives-ag-a-role-in-prison-placement/
New BOP Rule Gives AG a Role in Prison Placement
A new BOP policy gives the attorney general a role in prison placement decisions affecting Rhode Islanders sentenced in federal court.
upriseri.com
September 20, 2026 at 11:30 AM
A May Bureau of Prisons policy says the attorney general may, in certain circumstances, designate or redesignate where federal prisoners serve their sentences.
https://upriseri.com/article/new-bop-rule-gives-ag-a-role-in-prison-placement/
https://upriseri.com/article/new-bop-rule-gives-ag-a-role-in-prison-placement/
ISO New England finalized cost allocation for a $2.2B transmission project in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. All six states pay by peak demand share.
https://upriseri.com/article/ri-ratepayers-will-share-a-dollar22b-grid-buildout-tab/
https://upriseri.com/article/ri-ratepayers-will-share-a-dollar22b-grid-buildout-tab/
RI Ratepayers Will Share a $2.2B Grid Buildout Tab
ISO New England finalized cost allocation for a $2.2 billion Maine-New Hampshire transmission project. Rhode Island Energy customers will pay a share.
upriseri.com
September 19, 2026 at 5:00 PM
ISO New England finalized cost allocation for a $2.2B transmission project in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. All six states pay by peak demand share.
https://upriseri.com/article/ri-ratepayers-will-share-a-dollar22b-grid-buildout-tab/
https://upriseri.com/article/ri-ratepayers-will-share-a-dollar22b-grid-buildout-tab/