Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - August 15, 2025

HOT

3 RI Schools Make LinkedIn’s 50 Best Colleges for Long-Term Career Success in the U.S.

LinkedIn’s first-ever Top Colleges ranking, which identifies the 50 U.S. schools that best set graduates up for long-term success, was released on Tuesday, and three Rhode Island schools made the list.

“The ranking is built on exclusive LinkedIn data looking at career outcomes of alumni, such as job placement rates and advancement into senior-level positions, or how many alumni held an internship during their degree or started their own company post-grad,” said the business-focused social media site.

Tops on LinkedIn’s list was Princeton University. Duke and UPenn came in the second and third slots, respectively.

Brown University #14

Bryant University #38

Providence College #49

HOT

Rhode Island’s Highest Flying Small Business Turns 25

“It all started as a boy,” said Jeff Codman, the owner of Newport Helicopter Tours.

You probably have seen the company — the bright red helicopter flying over Aquidneck Island. It provides tours, charters, and custom flights for photography.

Codman’s work ethic started as a boy, cutting and delivering firewood with his father. Their customers were all over Rhode Island. He remembers delivering wood to then Senator John Chafee’s cabin in the Pojac section of North Kingstown. The cabin had no heating except a wood stove.

But, cutting wood was not his passion. Flying was. He learned how to fly planes.

“I learned to fly with my dad. He flew out of Quonset, and I was around airplanes growing up. I think I was like 13 when I started to fly. I soloed at 16, it was my 16th birthday,” said Codman.

“I had a nomination for the Air Force Academy, but did not make the final round,” he said.

It did not deter his passion for flying. For years, Codman hustled and had a range of jobs, and flying was already a part of his life.

READ MORE

HOT

Wiener Fun

A fun story this week - 

Jeremiah Thomas MacKay loves hot wieners. Really, really, loves hot wieners.

The former Rhode Islander — who grew up in Pawtucket, and currently lives in Clearwater, Florida — says he now orders them on a regular basis to be shipped to the Sunshine State.

And how it started, according to MacKay, all came down to his girlfriend.
“She actually got them for me first,” said MacKay, of an anniversary “surprise” a few years back.

“I kept complaining to her about how much I missed them,” laughed MacKay, in an interview with GoLocal. “Apparently, she called Little Rhody (Wieners and Frankfurts in Johnston) for them."

And now, the rest isn’t history - it’s current events, as the couple continues to have the “dogs” shipped down to them; MacKay says he gets his spices from Dave’s.

But MacKay didn't stop there.

He even bought a meat grinder, in order to make his own sauce.

READ MORE

HOT

Bobby Doyle Classic - Churning Out Records Once Again

It looks like another running record has fallen in Rhode Island.

As GoLocal reported in 2024, an age-group record was broken at the famous, flat, and fast annual Bobby Doyle Classic five-miler in Narragansett.

Now, race organizer Brendan Doyle - son of Bobby Doyle - tells GoLocal it looks like another one fell this year.

"Nina Caron, winner of the 60+ division, broke the existing United States Women 65-69 record by over a minute on Sunday at the Bobby Doyle 5-Mile Summer Classic," said Doyle.

Race results show Caron ran the 5 miles in 32 minutes flat - good for a 7-minute per mile pace, during summer temps.

"As with Jan Holmquist’s past records set at the race, we’ll be forwarding the record form for signatures," said Doyle.

Want a 5 mile PR? Looks like this Rhode Island race is the place to be. 
 

NOT

Stupidest Press Release, Politico PR Machine

GoLocal has received hundreds of thousands of press releases over the past 15 years, but this one may have less information and couldn't be a bigger suck up to elected officials.

The release announced that a movie would be shot in Rhode Island and nothing else.

The release failed to provide information as to who, what, and when (as it's a big secret, apparently). It did self-congratulate. 

For most of these movies shot in Rhode Island, all the trucks have license plates from New Jersey.  It is hard to see the big economic impact when the majority of the workers are visitors for just a few weeks. 

Understand, Rhode Island taxpayers provide these studios with tens of millions of tax credits. De facto, we pay, so they don't have to.

This is the press release in its entirety:

WARNER BROTHERS PICTURES BRINGS MOVIE MAGIC TO THE OCEAN STATE

Providence, RI – Warner Brothers Pictures is thrilled to be filming an upcoming production in the City of Providence.  The filmmakers, some of whom have roots here, are deeply grateful to the community and will do everything possible to minimize any inconvenience.  A huge thank you for your warm welcome.

Steven Feinberg, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Film & TV Office, remarked, “We are very excited to welcome the terrific talents of Warner Brothers and their highly experienced team to Rhode Island to create their newest production. Our State is fortunate because we have superb partners in both the public and private sectors, and we enjoy working together to build a positive environment for the creative economy to shine. We are particularly grateful to the Governor, General Assembly as well as the Mayor of the City of Providence and his outstanding staff for coordinating with the production. We will also be working briefly in other areas across Rhode Island. Collaboration is key to the art of cinema, and we look forward to helping the Warner Brothers team produce movie magic here in the Ocean State!”

“We’re thrilled to welcome Warner Brothers to Rhode Island” said Governor Dan McKee.  “Our state offers historic charm, scenic beauty, and dynamic communities—an ideal setting for storytelling on the big screen.  This production is a valuable opportunity to showcase Rhode Island, support our local economy, and reinforce our growing role in the film industry.”

Providence Mayor Brett P. Smiley stated, “We are excited to welcome a new, highly anticipated Warner Brothers’ production here in Providence. We’re grateful to the Rhode Island Film & Television Office for their coordination with our city departments to ensure that this feature film production runs smoothly and safely, while highlighting all of the best of the Creative Capital.”

“From the recent filming of “Ella McCay” to HBO’s “The Gilded Age”, which was just picked up for a fourth season, Rhode Island is an incredible backdrop for a wide range of productions”, commented, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-District 23, Warwick). “I am proud to continue to promote the arts and filmmaking as a thriving industry in Rhode Island.  Our state provides a beautiful backdrop for a variety of major motion pictures from comedies to love stories to suspense thrillers.  Furthermore, this innovative industry has proven to be an economic catalyst for the talented artists and hard-working crew members, many of whom are based right here in Rhode Island.  It also provides an introduction to first-time visitors who inevitably fall in love with our Ocean State.”

President of the Senate Valarie J. Lawson (D-District 14, East Providence) said “The Senate is pleased to welcome another major production to our state.  This project will provide good paying jobs to the talented film industry professionals based in our state, indirect jobs to area small businesses, and tremendous exposure to the charm and diversity which make our Ocean State such an attractive setting to filmmakers and visitors alike.”.

NOT

RI Report Finds Child Care Providers Have Significant Noncompliance Issues

The Rhode Island Office of the Auditor General has identified significant noncompliance with each of the 50 child care facilities it recently reviewed.

The office randomly selected 25 home and 25 professional setting facilities and found at least one deficiency in every one of them.

In the sweeping report, the Auditor General found noncompliance in safety, health, and background checks of workers. 

“These instances of potentially hazardous conditions and noncompliance indicate that additional measures need to be taken to ensure that providers comply with mandated health and safety requirements for children in their care,” said the report.

This comes just days after GoLocal unveiled that the inspection reports for day care facilities — a key tool for parents in selecting a facility are presently not available online.

For Auditor General David A. Bergantino, who took over the office in January of 2023, this is the second major performance audit conducted by his office.

The Auditor General’s office found:

- 232 instances of noncompliance with provider facility health and safety requirements.

- 920 instances of noncompliance with documentation requirements for providers and staff. Documentation deficiencies were noted for 320 of the 464 staff members reviewed.

- Noncompliance with background check requirements for providers and staff was noted at 26 of 50 child care providers reviewed. Required documentation was lacking for 72 of the 464 child care staff members reviewed.

- Noncompliance with child record documentation requirements were noted at 43 of 50 child care providers reviewed. Child record documentation requirements were not met for 174 of the 622 children reviewed at provider locations.

These findings resulted from the Auditor General’s recently completed performance audit titled Child Care Provider Compliance With Health and Safety Standards.

The audit’s objective was to determine whether the Department of Human Services, Office of Child Care’s (OCC) monitoring procedures ensured that Family Child Care (FCC) and Child Care Center (CCC) providers complied with licensing requirements related to the health and safety of children in their care.

Although the OCC conducted the required desk audits and site visits at all 50 providers that we reviewed, these procedures did not adequately ensure provider compliance with health and safety requirements.

PHOTO: Annie Spratt, Unsplash

NOT

Cranston Kids 

Thanks to the failure of Ken Hopkins' administration, Cranston kids still don't have use of the Budlong Pool.

Hopkins ran for Mayor in 2020, promising to rehab the pool, and five years later, his record is intact.

He has a perfect record. No pool.

NOT

RI Department of Human Services

Sometimes it is unfathomable how incompetent some state agencies are in RI.

The Rhode Island Department of Human Services had a tech problem. That can happen to anyone.

The tech issue made it impossible for parents to search for inspection reports of childcare facilities. Did the agency tell anyone? Of course not. 

READ: Want to Review a RI Inspection Report for Your Child’s Day Care? Good Luck

PHOTO: Kelli McClintock, Unsplash

NOT

Cranston Crime

Cranston has had a reputation as a safe suburb of Providence. In previous years, it has been ranked as one of the best small cities in America.

But in recent months, it has been battered with a series of high-profile crimes.

Chapel View — Gun, Robbery

In April, Cranston Police announced the arrest of four individuals tied to a robbery that took place at Chapel View Plaza. According to Cranston Police, on April 14, officers responded to an armed robbery in Chapel View near Cold Stone Creamery. Two juvenile victims told police they were confronted and robbed at gunpoint by a group of four males.

The victims, ages 14 and 16, stated they were approached by the suspects who demanded personal belongings, including designer shoes, a sweatshirt, and jewelry, according to Cranston Police.

During the robbery, one suspect brandished a firearm and threatened to shoot one of the victims.

The suspects fled the scene in a vehicle, later identified as a ride-share operated by a registered driver.

Garden City — Shooting

In July, Cranston Police called the violent incident a “targeted shooting.”  It took place outside LA Fitness at Garden City and sent shoppers running.

“This brazen act of targeted violence at one of our city’s busiest and most vibrant shopping destinations is unprecedented in my tenure as Chief. While the intended victim was clearly targeted, it is incredibly fortunate that no innocent bystanders were harmed. I want to commend the quick action of the witnesses, including Garden City security officers, who provided crucial and timely information. I also extend my appreciation to our dispatchers and officers who coordinated an effective response while managing a second critical incident elsewhere in the city. Lastly, I commend the brave efforts of the Rhode Island State Police and Providence Police who swiftly apprehended two dangerous individuals who posed a serious risk to public safety. The investigation remains active, and we will continue working to prevent retaliatory violence and protect our community,” said Colonel Michael Winquist.

At approximately 11:46 a.m., Cranston Police responded to multiple reports of gunfire in front of the Verizon store located at 182 Hillside Road. A retired Rhode Island State Police Lieutenant, who witnessed the incident, reported that a male suspect dressed in black discharged several rounds at another male, who fled into the Verizon store for cover. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

Witnesses provided a description of the suspect vehicle, a green/grey Kia with Massachusetts license plates, later determined to have been stolen out of Swansea, MA. The vehicle information was rapidly disseminated through regional law enforcement networks. Within minutes, the Rhode Island State Police located the vehicle on Route 6 and initiated a pursuit, which continued through the Smith Hill neighborhood of Providence.

The pursuit concluded in the Providence Place Mall parking garage, where both suspects fled on foot but were quickly apprehended by members of the Rhode Island State Police and the Providence Police Department. One suspect was found in possession of a .25 caliber handgun. Two were charged in the incident.

Stabbing, St. Mary's Feast

A stabbing took place on Sunday night, July 20, after the conclusion of the St. Mary’s Feast in the Knightsville section of Cranston.

The incident reportedly occurred between two juvenile girls.

"Officers were notified of a disturbance and potential stabbing in Itri Park at approximately 11:39 PM. The victim, a 16-year-old female, was in a parking lot. The victim sustained minor superficial injuries,” said Colonel Michael J. Winquist, Chief of Police in July.

“The suspect was located at Hasbro Children’s Hospital with a laceration to her hand. Suspect was transported to CPD HQ, processed, and released to a parent at the direction of the Family Court after-hours duty judge,” added Winquist.

It was the second year in a row when there was an episode of violence during the Feast weekend in the proximity of the area.

Drug Raid at Cranston Day Care

The Rhode Island State Police (RISP) announced that on Thursday, it concluded a joint narcotics and firearms investigation.

According to RISP, their target was a Cranston man, and in that same house that they raided, there is a state-licensed daycare facility.

“As a result of this investigation, a court-authorized search warrant was executed at the residence located at 98 Western Promenade, Cranston. Based on illegal contraband located and seized on scene, members of the HIDTA Task Force charged Aaron Cabreja, age 31, of 98 Western Promenade, Cranston, Rhode Island, with numerous firearms and narcotics offenses," said RISP. 

“During the execution of the search warrant, members of the HIDTA Task Force became aware that a daycare was being operated out of the residence. The daycare, Promenade Kids, is licensed through the Rhode Island Department of Human Services and is operated by the owner of the residence, Annette Jordan. During the search warrant, it was learned that Cabreja is in a relationship with Ms. Jordan’s daughter and was residing with her on the second floor of the residence. There were no children present during the execution of the search warrant," RISP continued. 

16-Year-Old Shot and Killed

Sometime overnight — early Monday morning, a 16-year-old was shot and killed inside the Pocasset Village apartment complex.

At around 9:40 a.m., Cranston police were notified of the body of a teenager in a parking lot.

GoLocal asked Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins about the incidents and whether residents and visitors should be concerned — he did not respond to questions.