Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s - December 5, 2025
Analysis
Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s - December 5, 2025
We have expanded the list, and we are going to a GoLocal team approach while encouraging readers to suggest nominees for who is "HOT" and who is "NOT."
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Over the past 14-plus years, more than 7,400 have been tagged as HOT or NOT.
Email GoLocal by midday on Thursday about anyone you think should be tapped as "HOT" or "NOT." Email us HERE
Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s - December 5, 2025
HOT
PC - URI Rivalry
Saturday's game is a big one for both the University of Rhode Island and Providence College men's basketball programs.
It may be much bigger for Kim English. The Friars are just 5-4, they are home, and they are the overwhelming favorite.
The game is 12 noon on Saturday in Providence.
HOT
New England Patriots
Wow.
Few saw this coming.
Many NFL prognosticators had thought the Patriots would finish the season 7-10, a major improvement over 4-13 in 2024.
Right now on the year, the Patriots are 11-2.
Wow.
HOT
Christmas in Newport
There may be no place prettier than Newport during the holidays.
The mansions, Bowen's Wharf, and so much more.
And if you like gingerbread...check this out.
HOT
Kevin Stacom
GoLocal's Sports Analyst and former Friar great Kevin Stacom has a smart piece this week on the future of the status of the Friars:
Sometimes in the world of sports, you need to draw back and calmly assess where you are in order to successfully gather yourself for your next challenge. Obviously, the Providence College men’s basketball team is at such a point in a relatively early part of their 2025-2026 season after eight games, standing with a 4 4 win and loss record.
After the first four games in a previous article, I remarked that, of course, we all would have felt better if Stefan Vaaks' last shot in regulation vs Virginia Tech had stayed in for a dramatic W, and the tough road loss against Colorado notwithstanding, a 3 and 1 record would have felt a lot better than 2 and 2 at that point.
Well, since that time, beginning with the return home game at the AMP vs New Hampshire (November 18th), the next four games, bringing us to the present time, began on a very positive note, especially as compared to the same time last year, in a few key areas.
HOT
World Cup Anticipation
On Friday, the World Cup draws will be made.
Seven of the games will be played at Gillette Stadium and will be a windfall for the Rhode Island economy in 2026.
Just how much? See predictions here.
NOT
In Just a Week — 2 RI Restaurants and a Top Caterer Announce They Are Closing
Whether it is inflation, tariffs, lifecycles, or a souring economy — three different small food businesses have announced their closure in the past week.
Hometown Poké and Bubble Tea announced on Sunday on social media that it has closed its East Greenwich location.
“Hey there poke people, you may have heard that we solemnly closed our East Greenwich location this past week. Two years in that beautiful space flew by in a flash. Unfortunately, our sales couldn’t cover the operating costs so we made the difficult decision to close this chapter in our story and move on,” said the company.
“We are proud of the work we put into the East Greenwich location and the friends we made along the way. We became a general contractor and took an empty office and transformed it into a lovely little poke & bubble tea shop. It was an amazing experience to share our food with the South County community. Thank you to the businesses and customers who have reached out with the kindest words.”
The company’s Providence location remains open.
More Closings
Hometown Poké’s announcement comes after Narragansett burger joint Crazy Burger Cafe & Juice Bar announced on Friday that it had closed.
It won awards and was featured on the Food Network show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Earlier this fall, it announced it was for sale.
Fire Works Catering owner Mark Garofalo announced on Saturday - that they were closing after 22 years.
The business is a full-service, off-site caterer and describes itself as “committed to providing you with unsurpassed food, value, professionalism, and reliability.”
“After more than 22 years, Steph and I have decided to close the doors to Fire Works Catering at the end of this year,” said Garofalo.
NOT
Jobs Market
Business Insider writes:
In July 2024, Magdalena Robinson was laid off from her job as a vice president of talent acquisition at a media agency. The news came as a shock — by all accounts she was doing well — but she saw a silver lining: Maybe it was finally time for a career break. She took the rest of the year off, soaking in the extra time with her husband and teenage daughter. Then she started applying for jobs in January.
Eleven months and 300 applications later, she still doesn't have a single offer.
NOT
Big Talk, Big Nothing Burger
In announcing his run for governor, GOP candidate Aaron Guckian claimed in a press statement:
"Guckian will take immediate action to lower the cost of living, expanding housing options, reducing barriers to construction, lowering utility expenses, and working to rein in healthcare costs. “Families shouldn’t have to choose between paying rent and buying groceries, said Guckian.
When GoLocal reached out to get the specifics of how he would achieve these things, Guckian had nothing to say.
No details.
