Some hospitals in Rhode Island say they’re seeing slow but steady increases in COVID-19 patients as the state braces for a possible fall surge.But a few things make the autumn different from this past spring, according to doctors and nurses treating people with the disease.First is the scope: The numbers are undeniably headed in the wrong direction right now, but as of mid-October, they have not reached the same levels as the first peak.Also, because of ..read more

The Rhode Island Department of Health on Monday, in its first data update since Friday, reported seven coronavirus-related deaths and 656 additional cases.Of the 656 additional cases, 582 were positive tests from Friday, Saturday or Sunday; 74 were added to previous days’ totals.That brings the total toll in the state to 1,159 deaths and 28,347 known cases.There were 128 patients with COVID-19 in Rhode Island hospitals on Saturday, the most recent date ..read more

PROVIDENCE — One moped rider was seriously injured Sunday as packs of 50 or so ATVs, motocross bikes and other such vehicles roared through various parts of the city Sunday in a coordinated display of defiance.The injured operator, 24, was in serious but stable condition at Rhode Island Hospital after he hit a curb at Elmwood Avenue and Bissell Street and lost control of the moped at about 6 p.m., Deputy Police Chief Thomas A. Verdi said.Both the office of ..read more

Tourism officials say recovery is years away, and damage may be permanent ..read more

The Rhode Island Department of Health on Friday reported three coronavirus-related deaths and 253 additional cases of COVID-19.The 253 additional cases include 198 positive tests from Thursday and 55 that were added to previous days’ totals. The state now reports that there were 279 positive tests on Wednesday, the most in a single day since May 9.That brings the total toll in the state to 1,152 deaths and 27,691 known cases.There were 137 patients with ..read more

R.I. reports 8 coronavirus deaths, 204 additional cases ..read more

The Rhode Island Department of Health on Tuesday reported nine coronavirus-related deaths and 666 additional cases of COVID-19 over the last four days.Of the 666 additional cases, 554 were positive tests from Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, and 112 were added to previous days’ totals.That brings the total toll in the state to 1,139 deaths and 26,960 known cases.There were 126 patients with coronavirus in Rhode Island hospitals on Sunday, the most ..read more

PROVIDENCE — It may come as a surprise to the casual political observer that U.S. Sen. Jack Reed is up for reelection this year.The Democratic senior senator for Rhode Island is facing a challenge from political newcomer Allen Waters, a Republican native of Providence who moved back to Rhode Island late last year.It’s been a quiet race, partly because of the coronavirus pandemic but also because of a gap in competitiveness.Waters faces an uphill ..read more

Opponents say the word "plantation" had no association with slavery when Roger Williams settled Providence in 1636, and a ballot question to strike it from the state’s name failed in 2010, but advocates say voters may feel different this time amid a national reckoning over issues of racial injustice ..read more

PROVIDENCE - The deadline is Tuesday for requesting a mail ballot to vote in the November 3 election for president - and myriad Rhode Island candidates for Congress, the legislature and a host of local offices.The caveat: Mail ballot applications must actually be received by election officials by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13, not just postmarked by that time and date, according to a reminder from Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea."Monday is a holiday," Gorbea said, "so ..read more