Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - April 24, 2026

HOT

RI International Airport Launching Nonstop International Flights to Cabo Verde

Rhode Island International Airport (PVD) is launching a new direct international service between Providence and Praia, Cabo Verde.

The carrier is TACV Cabo Verde Airlines.

The weekly service marks a major milestone for the region, strengthening longstanding cultural, economic, and family ties between Rhode Island and the Cabo Verdean community.

This year-round flight will operate using a Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft configured with 174 economy seats and will connect Praia (RAI) to PVD. Initial operations will include a Monday afternoon arrival in Providence with an immediate return flight to Cabo Verde. This is a return of this service as TACV previously served PVD from June 2015 through January 2018.

HOT

NBC's Earth Day Grants

The Narragansett Bay Commission (NBC) has awarded its 2026 Earth Day Clean-Up Grants to twelve local community organizations. The grants provide support to cities, towns, and local nonprofits to perform community enhancement, such as restoring riverbanks, planting trees, or hosting litter clean-ups, which helps the NBC achieve its goal to reduce floatable pollution on the urban rivers and Narragansett Bay.

The program began in 2003 as the Chairman’s River Restoration Initiative, and over the past 23 years has made significant investments in improving local waterways and public spaces. “The NBC has a long history of environmental stewardship,” said NBC Chairman Vincent Mesolella. “We’re gratified to work with so many partners to make our communities better.”

Funding for the program comes from fines levied on companies that have violated NBC Rules and Regulations, not from NBC operating revenue.

The 2026 NBC Earth Day Clean-Up Grants are: The Sqquantum Association, Save the Bay, Waterman Street Dog Park Association, Edgewood Waterfront Preservation Association, City of East Providence, Woonasquatucket River Watershed Association, Town of Smithfield, Rhode Island Clean Water Association, Partnership for Providence Parks, Blackstone River Watershed Council, Friends of the Moshassuck, and The Empowerment Factory.

HOT

This RI Restaurant Might Have the Best 4/20 "Munchies" Special

It's an unofficial "holiday," but 4/20 - April 20th - is often celebrated by those in the cannabis community.

While Time Magazine in 2025 attempted to explain the actual origins of 4/20, restaurants often cut to the chase with crave-worthy specials for the occasion.

"For those who celebrate, we have just what you’re looking for when the munchies hit - introducing The Crunch Munch," said Angelo's on Federal Hill in Providence, on unveiling its creation.

GoLocal reached out to Angelo's Jamie Antignano for the origins of the culinary concoction.

A "Fun Play on the Holiday"

"We have run something similar in the past called the 'Munchable' which was an appetizer pu pu plater," said Antignano. "This is our first time running this special, which is three mozzarella sticks smothered in cheddar cheese sauce stuffed in between two chicken cutlets, topped with bolognese and melted mozzarella."

The brainchild of kitchen manager Jason Salinas, Antignano said it was a "blast to be creative and have some fun."

So how - and when - can you get one?

"Since we’re not open on 4/20, we are running the special Saturday and Sunday 4/18 and 4/19," said Antignano. "It’s fun to play into the holiday, and the specials [actually] do great on DoorDash and takeout!"

And in 4/20 fashion, there's a cannabis connection. 

"We are also giving out coupons for 20% off to a local dispensary (Aura) while supplies last if you order the special!" said Antignano. 
 

HOT

A New Race

A poll released by independent Ken Block’s campaign appears to reset the governor’s race and shows him in one series of findings tied with Helena Foulkes and beating Dan McKee in potential November election matchups.

Block’s polling firm, Opinion Diagnostics, writes in its analysis, “Ken Block doesn’t just have a path to winning the November gubernatorial election; he has a runway. By September 8, Block will have significantly raised his profile with voters, who tend to view him favorably once they know him, and who are inclined to believe Block can solve the pressing issues facing the Ocean State.”

“If incumbent Governor McKee survives his primary, Block ought to be regarded as the frontrunner. If Foulkes defeats McKee, Block would face off against her in a highly competitive race in which he will start with a more positive favorability rating, better positioning on key issues, and a pathway to gain ground among undecideds and Guckian supporters,” adds Opinion Diagnostics. READ MORE

NOT

Cyberattacks Big Costs

This week, Hasbro and Citizens Bank were hit by cyberattacks.

Then, those companies were hit with class-action lawsuits.

NOT

RI Home Prices Jump Up Again, Providence Up 34% Year Over Year

If affordability is the number one worry for Rhode Islanders (and all Americans), then having home prices continue to spike is not helpful.

The median price of a single-family home in Rhode Island jumped to $514,250 — the highest price since last September. It was the third-highest monthly median price on record. Only below June and September of 2025.

Prices had appeared to be declining, but the trend has reversed and is moving upward. The median price of a single-family home in Rhode Island in February was $475,000.

Some cities and towns saw some dramatic price increases.  The City of Providence saw home prices increase 34% year-over-year. The number of sales was similar: 33 in March of 2026 and 39 in 2025. 

READ MORE
 

NOT

Brown Keeps Moving Its Wrecking Ball Forward

Good for Providence Preservation Society. While Brown is ignoring the community, PPS has issued a statement calling on Brown University to “pause the RFP process and project planning to explore an adaptive reuse solution on this site, given both the irreversibility and the measurable environmental costs of demolition and new construction.

Brown is pushing forward to tear down four multi-family homes on Brook Street. Providence is in a housing crisis. 

The non-profit organization cites the architectural value of the homes and says Brown’s history has been to demolish homes. The group identifies that since 1945, Brown has torn down more than 150 buildings.

“To proceed with this project, Brown must amend its 2023 Institutional Master Plan with approval from the City Plan Commission (CPC). PPS has been told by University staff that Brown plans to appear before the CPC in September, October, or possibly later. The University has begun preliminary planning and issued a request for proposals (RFP) with a spring due date to a select number of firms to submit proposals for this development, said PPS.

READ MORE

PHOTO: Rhys A. Flcikr CC: 2.0