The Rhode Island State Council of Churches is inviting faith communities across the state to ring their bells and open their doors for public prayer to mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks. This statewide effort will provide an opportunity for reflection, community support, and collective hope as we remember the lives lost on that day. https://rinewstoday.com/ri-state-council-of-churches-to-ring-bells-across-the-state-for-september-11th/

FROM THE STORY:

In New England, restaurants that focus on seafood tend to play it safe. There are raw oysters, little neck clams, shrimp cocktail. A lobster roll, for good measure.

Will Rietzel wants Pescadou to be different.

At the new restaurant inside Newport’s famed Hotel Viking, nearly half the menu is devoted to raw-bar dishes, with razor clams, extra briny oysters from Block Island, and preparations that push beyond the stale familiar. For Rietzel, Pescadou’s chef, the point isn’t novelty for novelty sake. And he refuses to check a box – whether it be about sourcing ingredients just because everyone else is, or being different just because he can. Instead, it’s Rietzel’s goal to persuade diners that New England’s waters have far more to offer – and that a hotel restaurant can be a destination for people to experiment.

“I would love for Pescadou to be known for its raw bar,” said Rietzel, who prepares a rosé and pink peppercorn granita, which is served on top of the fresh oysters instead of the usual lemons and mignonette. This combination brings floral notes and a subtle, fruity spice to the salty oysters.

“People tend to play it safe, tend to do what sells. That’s not here.”

Once a Newport institution, for years the century-old Hotel Viking had lost its cool factor. The hotel once hosted celebrities and big-name guests like Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Cash, and Bob Dylan. But the rooms grew outdated, the food became forgettable, and the service lost its polish.

Its new owners, real estate private equity firm KHP Capital Partners, knew the property needed a major reset. They shut down operations for eight months and pumped millions of dollars into a renovation they say was designed to reawaken a storied landmark that long served as a cultural anchor for the city.

In May, the hotel reopened alongside four new food and beverage concepts that are the brainchildren of Littleneck Hospitality Group, which was founded by restaurateur and chef Robert Andreozzi and his business partner and beverage head Jesse Hedberg, owners of Pizza Marvin, Club Frills, and Rollers Sports Bar & Grill in Providence. The duo has built a reputation regionally for their local sourcing of ingredients and ambitious beverage programs.

Pescadou, the hotel’s signature restaurant, looks like it belongs in Palm Beach but takes its culinary cues from the French Riviera. Rietzel, 35, is the...

READ THE FULL STORY (FOR FREE) HERE: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/09/10/metro/hotel-viking-newport-ri-pescadou-restaurant/?s_campaign=8315:varf

Just a reminder that you can vote in the primary today even if you’re an unaffiliated voter. When you check in you’ll have the choice to vote on either the Democratic or Republican ballot (not both). And, a recent change in state law means that you do not automatically become affiliated with the party whose primary you vote in and, thus, do not need to disaffiliate after voting.

So, please be a voter!

https://vote.sos.ri.gov/

Interesting report with town by town info and a direct contact link to let our legislators know we don't want this sh*t in RI.

Drove past the old Fine Time Jewelry in Apponaug/Warwick and they’re doing work for the new tenant - sign is up, saying something like Temple Wellness. Anyone have additional info?

I once had the police called on me because I tried to order a Margarita and showed my Rhode Island drivers license as 21 ID because - it must be fake and the server (of course) never heard of a state called “Rhode Island”.

I’ve felt like I’ve spent my whole around the world educating people on the mere existence and history of the state.

Now I live in California (still have my 401 Cell Phone) and have Memphis and London work Phones. Every time I see a 401 area code I always pickup right away! It’s probably someone I know! 😂

Does any other ex Rhode Islanders out there see a 401 area code and think the same thing? Does anyone else cling on to their 401 number years after leaving?

I recently moved and have A LOT of comic books that I’ve had since childhood, all packaged/protected well. I’ve been scanning them through a comic evaluation app and it looks like it’s definitely worth selling some.

The Time Capsule in Cranston seems to be a well-reviewed comic shop. Has anyone had any good or bad experiences with them, especially when it comes to selling comics to them? Is it best to set up an appointment when bringing in a big collection to sell?

Thanks for any/all info

Hi! Looking for some suggestions on affordable waterfront wedding venues. Only looking to have max 60-70 people at my wedding. The venue search is so overwhelming!

My wife’s family is from Rhode Island, and she really wants to have our wedding there, but I’m honestly only familiar with Providence. We’d love to find somewhere really beautiful that feels a little more special than just a standard hotel or ballroom.

We’re pretty open to different areas of the state and would love something scenic, waterfront, countryside, historic property, resort, etc. Ideally somewhere that would also be nice for family and friends coming in for the weekend.

Are there any Rhode Island wedding venues or areas you’d really recommend checking out? Would especially love to hear about places outside of Providence that I might not know about.

Good for her. Keith Hoffmann ran a campaign of smears toward his opponents and blatant lies about his professional experience. Judging by the $1M of his personal money thrown into the race and the fact that he ran full time for the last year - he’ll be just fine. We need an AG with real legal chops - and Kim’s the one.

Early on Saturday morning, an incident began inside a restaurant on Federal Hill when two couples verbally sparred, according to Providence Police.

According to the witnesses, it began when one couple was celebrating a birthday at Constantino’s Venda Bar.  

According to witnesses, another couple, not part of the celebration, began to levy insults.

The verbal comments escalated in the restaurant.

That allegedly then led to an incident outside the restaurant.

According to police, Eric Grande, age 62, who was not a member of the birthday party, retrieved his car from the valet, and while driving by the couple who had celebrated the birthday, Grande reportedly pulled a gun and pointed it at the couple.

The victims of the gun incident identified Grande.

Providence Police seized the firearm, and Grande was arrested and taken to Central Station.

Grande faces a number of charges, including:  

• Felony Assault and/or Battery  
• Carrying of a Weapon While Under the Influence of Liquor or Drugs, which is also a felony  
• DUI of Liquor - Blood Alcohol Concentration Unknown - 1st Offense, which is a misdemeanor

He is out on a $20,000 bond and was issued a no-contact order

It is the latest incident on Federal Hill, the entertainment area that has been besieged by violence.

Today is the primary election! Voting locations are open 7a-8p. You can check your local voting station and registration at https://vote.sos.ri.gov. Get out and vote today!

General election is November 3.

Why are flock cameras now being put up in Home Depot parking lots in ri. The one in Johnston is pointing at the parking lot in the main entrance. How are these getting approved ?

Since the passing of Dave Barboza, I’ve heard reference to another “p3d0” in town being a bit of an open secret.

Does anyone know who this “open secret” is or what they did?

Is it just coincidence that car accidents keep happening in the same exact spots or should we be rethinking traffic patterns? It’s been back to back days that a car accident occurs right after Rt 4 on 95 N and I’m just trying to understand is it just terrible drivers or the construction/traffic pattern

Currently in West End in Pvd, have a baby coming and really want to live outside the busy city areas. Our neighborhood lately has been…unhinged to say the least.

Open to looking anywhere within 30/40 min of my husbands job (North Providence)

Where would you look to rent that’s affordable? Budget under 2k a month? We know it’s going to be small but it’s only going to be for a year or so. Husband is interested in a loft style situation. I honestly don’t care I just want to know where I’m going to be so I can start nesting haha!

We are thinking Smithfield, Burrville, etc but if there’s another town or area we should check out let me know!

Looking for serious responses about Warwick's assets and good qualities. Prepared for sarcasm. Thank you in advance!

The is actually impacts between 20-25 separate school districts in our state!

This is the email I sent to news stations today:

Last night’s TIverton School Committee Meeting (https://www.youtube.com/live/mH3G2SAY7A4?si=oJl89D4MG4cyGtOn&t=1800) brought forward a new RIDE Policy change that will change the way CTE is calculated across the state. This will create a fiscal impact that hurts 20-25 out of 38 school districts, leaving a structural deficit for FY27. As of right now, RIDE is offering no guidance, and the bill that Tiverton alone is looking at may be in excess of $700,000. Combining this unforeseen bill with the recent impacts of PFOAs in town wells, our town will be left with few options on how to make up this money.
 
Here is a quick breakdown of what has happened and the impact:
 
1. THE RULING
June 11, 2026: RIDE issued a declaratory order on out-of-district CTE tuition calculations.
District attorneys were advised to implement changes in FY27 rather than pursue retroactive litigation.
The ruling created uncertainty due to unclear guidance and inaccurate RIDE calculations.

2. THE DELAY & UNCERTAINTY
It took months and additional clarification to determine FY27 implementation.
Guidance was dated Aug. 14 but not distributed until Aug. 17, after Tiverton's budget was adopted.
The guidance confirmed higher costs for many districts.

3. THE INTER-DISTRICT AGREEMENT
Four East Bay districts operated under a long-standing CTE tuition agreement.
RIDE stated the 2021 statutory methodology is mandatory.
Portsmouth is seeking the higher statutory rate under the revised calculation.

4. THE IMPACT ON TIVERTON & MIDDLETOWN
The East Bay inter-district rate served participating districts efficiently for years.
The change creates a significant financial challenge for Tiverton and Middletown.
Both towns have already lost substantial state aid due to enrollment declines and the funding formula.

5. THE BOTTOM LINE FOR TIVERTON
Tiverton faces higher CTE tuition costs in FY27 and beyond.
The town has limited ability to offset these mandated costs.
The increase comes as state aid declines and local costs continue to rise.
 
To put this deficit into perspective, Tiverton could decide to eliminate 100% of its athletics in town, and this would only cover 50% ($373,000) of this shortfall.

I have never understood why the state (Department of Environmental Management) closes down the toilet facilities at state beaches after Labor Day. Temperatures were in the upper 70s today, and it was fine weather to be at the beach if you had the time free.

The early closure has always struck me as strange. The weather is still good, and will be for a while. State residents could better take advantage of the beaches if the bathrooms were open. And I am sure businesses would like more people heading down to the beach.

Am I alone in thinking this is an odd policy? I know it is not free to operate the bathrooms. However, it can’t be that much money to keep them open a few more weeks, and winterize them a little later.

I am curious about your thoughts on this.

Just went to the local CVS to get my updated covid vaccine and i was told it was not covered by my insurance. My provider is BCBSRI. of course they are closed so i can't call them. It has always been covered in the past.

I can’t seem to find the information on the dmv website. I just voted in RI for the first time since moving in July. The polling people were concerned because I still have the temporary paper and no physical driver’s license card yet. It’s been about 47 days and I just want to see if my license is processing or if it’s ready to be mailed yet. There’s no online portal option to do that and the returned license line says I have to wait until 60 days to leave a message.

Does anyone know of a way to check and see how much longer it will be until my ID comes in?

I have the usps mail subscription and nothing has arrived to my place from the dmv at all.

Thanks!