Archive for February 2026
UPDATED: Another Tech Choice FAIL: Wrong Paychecks, Now Wrong Tax Docs for Rhode Island State Employees
Once again, Rhode Island’s rollout of a major state technology system has gone wrong, this time affecting payroll and tax documents for thousands of state employees — and raising renewed questions about oversight, testing, and accountability. For weeks, state workers have reported widespread paycheck inaccuracies, including incorrect pay amounts and delayed corrections. Now the problems…
Read MoreThe Campus Walkout That Transformed Brown University – Ray Rickman
by Ray Rickman, Stages of Freedom The 1960s were a busy decade. Civil rights. Vietnam War protests. Black activism on college campuses. Counterculture. The Great Society. Assassinations and more. The college campus protest story would be incomplete without the acknowledgment and acceptance of the significant life changing events for many people at Brown University from…
Read MoreHow to Slash Subscription Costs – Mary Hunt
by Mary Hunt, Everyday Cheapskate, contributing writer If your bank account seems to be on a diet and you can’t figure out why, check your subscriptions. Between streaming services, beauty boxes, and apps that promised to “change your life,” you might be leaking money like a slow-drip faucet. I’m not against subscriptions. I love a…
Read MoreRhode Island Weather for February 2, 2026
Morning: Mostly cloudy to partly cloudy, very cold with lows in the single digits to low teens. Wind chill could make it feel like 0°F or below with northwest winds. Low chance of any lingering flurries from prior activity, but mostly dry. Expect brisk conditions. Afternoon: Mostly sunny to partly cloudy, with highs reaching the…
Read MorePawtucket Appoints Randy A. Buck as Superintendent of Schools
Following a year of transitional leadership and demonstrated progress, the Pawtucket School Committee has unanimously voted to appoint Randy A. Buck as Superintendent of Schools. The vote is said to “reflect the district’s commitment to long-term stability and the All-In vision” of Superintendent Buck’s tenure as Interim Superintendent. Superintendent Buck has led the district since…
Read MoreGov. McKee’s Proposed FY 27 Rhode Island Budget: What’s in It for Seniors – Herb Weiss
By Herb Weiss, contributing writer on senior issues Gov. Dan McKee outlined key elements of his proposed $14.8 billion FY 2027 budget during his State of the State Address on Jan. 13, 2026. Two days later, his full budget, proposing a 3.6% increase over the previous fiscal year, was officially released via press release. The budget…
Read MoreRhode Island Weather for February 1, 2026
Morning: Cold and mostly cloudy to partly sunny. Temperatures starting in the low to mid-teens °F (around 10-16°F), with wind chill making it feel colder. Winds from the north/northwest at 10-20 mph or higher if storm influences kick in. Chance of light snow showers in some models (especially coastal areas), but low precipitation in others.…
Read MoreHeating and Cooling Tips to Help Lower Energy Usage
By: Rhode Island Energy With the extreme winter months here in Rhode Island, many homeowners are looking for a smarter way to stay comfortable while cutting back on energy usage and taking control of their utility bills. Rhode Island Energy can be a partner to help your home become more energy efficient by requesting a…
Read MoreAsk Chef Walter: Eating in Season in February – Upside Down Blood Orange Cake – Walter Potenza
by Chef Walter Potenza, contributing writer A comprehensive guide for this month’s rich bounty, and a wonderful recipe for an Upside Down Blood Orange Cake. Friends: As February arrives and winter continues across the United States, the cold weather is a good reason to enjoy the season’s fresh fruits and vegetables. Even in the middle…
Read MoreA 7- Point Affordability Agenda for Rhode Island’s Older Adults
by Carol Anne Costa and Maureen Maigret, for Senior Agenda Coalition of RI As Rhode Island’s older population faces rising costs in housing, healthcare, and daily living, the Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island (SACRI) is advancing a bold 2026 7- Point Affordability Agenda for Older Adults. This agenda focuses on practical, achievable policy changes…
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