It is what it is – Commentary March 18, 2026 with Jen Brien

Jen Brien

by Jennifer Brien, contributing writer, commentary WE ALL NEED A BREAK I don’t know about you, gang, but I’d rather laugh this week then gripe about everything and anything because there’s no shortage of things to bark about, that’s for sure. Last week SHARON OSBORNE suggested the Hollywood elite shut up with the politics at…

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Ask Chef Walter: Saint Joseph’s Day Zeppole – Walter Potenza

by Chef Walter Potenza, contributing writer SAINT JOSEPH’S ZEPPOLE The Feast of St. Joseph began in Sicily when the island was hit by drought and famine in the Middle Ages. Friends: Two days after we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, Italians and Italian Americans celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph on March 19. San Giuseppe becomes…

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Rhode Island’s Underground Railroad: A Crucial, Covert Network Aiding Thousands of Enslaved People

Stages of Freedom has released the first comprehensive study of the Underground Railroad in Rhode Island. Researched by Brown University graduate, Owen Hwang last summer, and edited by Stages of Freedom co-founder, Robb Dimmick, the project produced an extensive bibliography of books and articles about the Underground Railroad. Also generated were lists of important station…

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Why Some Walked Away From Health Insurance — And May Not Be Coming Back

Rhode Island’s shrinking marketplace may reflect a deeper shift in how people access care. Rhode Island policymakers are facing a familiar question after federal pandemic-era health insurance subsidies expired: should the state step in and replace them? Roughly 13,000 fewer people enrolled in HealthSource RI this year after those federal subsidies ended. Now two approaches…

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Rhode Island Weather for March 17, 2026

Morning: Conditions start cool and cloudy – and windy – with temperatures in the upper 30s to around 40°F shortly after sunrise. There may be some patchy lingering showers or drizzle early on, though the heaviest precipitation from overnight should taper off; winds remain breezy from the west or northwest, making it feel colder, around…

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Rhode Island Weather for March 16, 2026

Morning: Conditions start cloudy and damp, with temperatures in the upper 30s to low 40s°F early on, rising gradually. Light to moderate rain is likely developing or already ongoing in spots, accompanied by patchy fog and southeast to south winds around 10-15 mph. It feels chilly and raw despite the above-freezing readings. Afternoon: The day…

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Senior Agenda Coalition of RI Unveils 2026 Legislative Agenda at Annual Briefing – Herb Weiss

By Herb Weiss, contributing writer on aging issues At its 10th annual Legislative Leader’s Forum, the Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island (SACRI) unveiled its 2026 legislative agenda. More than 160 participants, including older adults, advocates, and state and federal officials, gathered at Gaige Hall at Rhode Island College for the event. The event, “Voices of Advocacy…

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ART! Women in Textiles in the Blackstone Valley – Pawtucket City Hall

Join the Pawtucket Commission on Arts & Culture for a City Gallery Reception The Pawtucket Commission on Arts & Culture is inviting the public to a special Gallery Reception, in commemoration of Women’s History Month, entitled Women in Textiles in the Blackstone Valley. The event will take place on Thursday, March 19th, from 5:00 pm…

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Offline Marketing: 3 Better Ways – Bob Salvas

By Bob Salvas, contributing writer In today’s world of online clutter, many businesses are turning to offline marketing to both stand out as well as to complement their existing online activities.  The question is where should they spend those offline marketing dollars? Here are 3 ways that might get your business some results- I call…

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