Archive for December 2025
2025: A Year on the “Age Beat” in Rhode Island – Herb Weiss
By Herb Weiss, contributing writer, issues on aging Throughout 2025, this “Age Beat†columnist published a weekly commentary covering an extensive list of aging, healthcare, and medical issues. During this year, this columnist followed Congressional debates inside the Beltway involving Medicare, Medicaid, reauthorization of the Older Americans Act, and Social Security, reporting on how these…
Read More12 Ways to Simplify Your Life – Mary Hunt
by Mary Hunt, contributing writer Would you be willing to accept a reduction in pay if you could work fewer hours to spend more time with your family? It is a lovely thought, but how realistic is it? Working less usually means earning less — hardly an option for most people. But that doesn’t mean…
Read MoreRhode Island Weather for December 29, 2025 – a “C” Day
(updated) Morning Rain / drizzle around with temps rising through the 40s. Damp roads and low clouds at times. Afternoon Periods of rain continue and it turns breezy. Temperatures peak near 50–51°F. Evening Rain tapers to showers at times, still mostly cloudy early — then temperatures drop fast overnight with a low near 23°F, so…
Read MorePutting Humanity Back Into HR – Mary T. O’Sullivan
by Mary T. O’Sullivan, contributing writer Never forget the human in human resources: “The best leaders balance a passion for the business with a compassion for people.” – Jack Welch A woman suddenly can’t log into her company computer. She notices someone else is also logged in under her name. She reports this to her HR person who…
Read MoreRhode Island Weather for December 28, 2025 – a “C-” Day
Clouds will dominate the day across Rhode Island with bitter cold temperatures in place. Afternoon highs will struggle to reach the mid-20s, with brisk winds at times making it feel colder. Any leftover moisture from earlier snow may refreeze, especially on untreated roads and sidewalks. By evening, skies remain mostly cloudy with temperatures dropping quickly…
Read MoreCOVID Alert: Infections Rising in RI, Along with Flu. Politics have changed. Science has not. – Nick Landekic
“Many people will get “surprise†SARS-CoV-2 infections over the next 4 weeks.†by Nick Landekic, contributing writer Flu infections have been increasing rapidly due to the more transmissible and virulent H3N2 subclade K viral mutation and are Very High in Rhode Island. Now, COVID infections are now also rising fast, and are predicted to peak…
Read MoreAsk Chef Walter: Expected Food Trends for 2026 – Walter Potenza
by Walter Potenza, contributing writer Friends: In 2026, food is set to become a narrative of wellness, nostalgia, and creativity. As health, sustainability, and personal happiness take center stage, this year’s food trends blend new ideas with comfort, transforming everyday meals into thoughtful experiences. These changes are more than just culinary evolution; they offer businesses…
Read MoreGimme’ Shelter: Meet Stuffing, our favorite sidekick – Cheryl Tudio, RI SPCA
Hi there! I’m Cheryl, a volunteer at the RISPCA in Warwick – dog walker, treat dispenser, and part-time hype woman for our adoptable pups. Meet Stuffing! (yes, like the food – and yes, he’s just as comforting). Stuffing is the final boss of Velcro dogs. His hobbies include: Climbing directly into your arms Becoming one…
Read MoreSomehow – A short story by Michael Fine
By Michael Fine, contributing writer © Michael Fine 2021 This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. . A woman developed…
Read MoreRhode Island Weather for December 27, 2025 – a “B-” Day
Saturday — Snow & Cold Morning & Afternoon: Snow likely mainly in the morning, lingering into late morning/early afternoon with a 40–50% chance of snow showers High: around 29–30°F – Snow accumulation: light snow likely, less than 1/2″ through midday with most snow before 11 am. Wind: light north winds around 5–8 mph. Afternoon: Becoming…
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