State Rep Megan Cotter discusses the personal impact of the federal government shutdown on Rhode Island families, including her own household where her husband works for the federal government. She calls for state-level action to support furloughed workers and criticizes both parties for prioritizing politics over people. Source: steveahlquist.substack.com
Providence City Council Ward 2 special election heats up with five candidates competing as early voting is underway. Democrat Jill Davidson secured a key endorsement from former Ward 2 Councilmember Helen Anthony. A public candidate forum is scheduled for Oct 28 at Temple Beth-El, with the Democratic primary on Nov 4 and general election on Dec 2. Source: steveahlquist.substack.com
While a federal court has temporarily blocked government shutdown layoffs, education policy experts warn that key U.S. Department of Education programs remain at risk, potentially affecting funding and support for schools nationwide including Rhode Island.
A new report from Brown University's Annenberg Institute for School Reform recommends significant changes to professional development and teacher learning programs to improve educational outcomes across Rhode Island's school systems.
Rhode Island state officials and Providence Public School District leaders celebrated the groundbreaking of a major remodeling project at Mount Pleasant High School, marking a significant investment in modernizing educational facilities for Providence students.
A Newport resident and Narragansett High School educator has been named Rhode Island's 2026 Teacher of the Year, recognizing outstanding dedication, innovation, and impact in the classroom serving Ocean State students.
The principal of St. Peter School has been placed on administrative leave following the resignation of multiple teachers, raising questions about school leadership and working conditions at the Rhode Island Catholic school.
The Class Disrupted podcast returns with a new season exploring critical questions about artificial intelligence in education, examining how AI tools are transforming teaching, learning, and student outcomes in schools including those in Rhode Island.
The ACLU of Rhode Island sent a letter to Brown University President Christina Paxson urging her to "forcefully and publicly reject" a new Trump administration "compact" sent to nine universities that would impose conditions to receive federal funding. The compact would restrict university employees from speaking out on political issues, limit foreign student enrollment, and require the university to deny the existence of transgender students while claiming to promote a "marketplace of ideas" that prohibits anything that would "belittle" conservative ideas. ACLU Executive Director Steven Brown argues Brown's previous capitulation has emboldened the administration to demand more, warning that universities' response may determine higher education autonomy for decades. Source: steveahlquist.substack.com
Rhode Island College (RIC) will waive its $50 application fee on October 15, 2025, for the fourth annual Apply to RIC for Free Day. The waiver applies to all Rhode Island residents applying to undergraduate, graduate, or Bachelor of Professional Studies programs, including transfer students. Applicants should use code APPLYFREE25 when submitting applications except graduate students who do not need a code. RIC President Jack Warner notes the school welcomed 2,000+ new students this fall, the largest incoming class in 15 years. The college recommends beginning applications in advance and saving progress before submitting on October 15. Source: rhodeislandcurrent.com
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