Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - July 17, 2026

HOT

A Federal Hill Street Will Now Be “Angelo’s Way”

Providence has a new street name - in honor of a venerable Federal Hill institution.

On Friday, Angelo’s on Atwells Avenue - which in 2024 turned 100 years old - will celebrate the renaming of a portion of a street next to the restaurant as “Angelo’s Way.”

This week, GoLocal spoke with Angelo’s owner, Jamie Antignano, about the significance of the event to the business - and family.

“We are absolutely thrilled and honored by the dedication of 'Angelo’s Way!' The inspiration for this came during our 100th Anniversary celebration, while I was speaking with JR Pagliarini about his involvement with Dave Gavitt Way,” said Antignano. “In an amazing twist of timing, the City Council resolution approving the street renaming was passed on July 17, 2024—exactly two years to the day from [Friday’s] ceremony!”

“This milestone means the world to our family and to our incredible community—from the generations of families who have dined with us for decades, to the new guests discovering us for the very first time. Personally, it is an honor to help cement Angelo’s legacy in such a permanent and significant way here in Providence. I look forward to preserving our rich history while celebrating our future as we continue to evolve,” she added. READ MORE

HOT

Providence Police

Wednesday night was a horror when a 40-year-old man was stabbed to death on the Van Leesten Bridge in Providence.

The violence involved a group of juveniles. Providence has arrested the individual whom they believe stabbed the victim. 

The events are a violent tragedy.

The arrest was made in less than 48 hours. The police work was outstanding.

HOT

This 82-Year-Old Man is Still a Warrior for Providence

Make no mistake about it, Wilbur Jennings, Jr., is a physical marvel.

The former city worker and two-term Providence City Councilor is still on the watch in the City of Providence. He can be seen interacting with everyone from tourists to the homeless in downtown Providence.

At 82, Jennings is still working in downtown Providence, taking on some of the most difficult situations for Paolino Properties, patrolling the downtown area.

He works with the staff of the Providence Downtown Improvement District (DID) and the Providence Police Department to provide a sense of safety in the often difficult Kennedy Plaza area.

The core of downtown is both the hub for tourists and some of the most difficult situations. "We have to deal with everyone," said Jennings.

Jennings is often in the middle of it all, trying to keep the calm and the area safe.

READ MORE

HOT

Ken Block

When the national media seeks an expert on fair elections, they contact Rhode Island's Ken Block.

NOT

Paul and Al Gone

The Paul & Al show, which has been a mainstay on Rhode Island radio for 36 years, is being slashed as part of corporate cutbacks at WHJY’s parent company, iHeartMedia.

The show celebrated its 36th anniversary on July 15th. And announced it was ending due to corporate slashing. The show has been one of the top-rated radio shows in Rhode Island for decades.

The duo said in the announcement that they would be having a "retirement" party in August at Track 15.

This is part of a massive corporate restructuring by the financially troubled iHeart.

According to former radio, Geoff Charles, who previewed the end of the show two weeks ago, “I just found out that Paul and Al, WHJY FM’s morning show in Providence, Rhode Island, that’s been on air for 36 years, got whacked yesterday by iHeart Media. They’ll do an anniversary show on July 15th and say goodbye on September 1st. This is the end of WHJY. It was a legacy rock station, but with Paul and Al gone, it’s just an empty shell of what it used to be.”

Others in the radio industry contacted GoLocal with the same information about the demise of the popular, longstanding radio show.

The corporate slashing has been reported in recent days.

“iHeartMedia is undergoing staff cuts as the company embarks on the process of restructuring its radio programming.

In a memo sent to employees this week, executives outlined a need to speed up the sales process after building new tech capabilities over the past few years. The memo does not detail the exact number of employees impacted, and iHeartMedia declined to comment on the number, but reports have put it in the dozens,” wrote The Hollywood Reporter.
 

NOT

Morales Refusing to Answer Questions Two Weeks in a Row

For the second week in a row, Providence mayoral candidate David Morales has refused to answer questions from GoLocal. 

If you are looking to be the voice of change, then you might want to answer pretty basic questions.

NOT

Really?

Joe Biden's book release is another kick to the Democratic Party.

This is just another self-absorbed move.

Joe, give the Democrats a chance, go away!

NOT

WPRI-12’s Parent Company Nexstar Gets Huge Win From Trump Administration

The Trump administration’s Chairman, Brendan Carr, published an op-ed in Breitbart announcing that the FCC will vote on August 6 on an Order that repeals the FCC’s 39% national television multiple ownership rule.  “Specifically, the FCC will vote to replace the national cap with a granular, case-by-case review.  This will empower the FCC to approve deals that promote the public interest while allowing the agency to reject any deals that do not meet that standard.  This action will foster a competitive media market, enhance localism, and promote investment in trusted sources of news and information,” wrote the FCC.

The decision is a major win for WPRI’-12’s parent company, which has been looking to repeal that 80-plus-year standard.

The FCC move will clear a major hurdle for Nexstar’s mega merger with Tegna. 

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Following the announcement, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) released the following statement: 

“Trump’s FCC Chair is trying to illegally rewrite the rules to make it easier for billionaires to line their own pockets while jacking up costs and controlling what Americans watch. After rubber-stamping the Nexstar-Tegna megamerger, this looks like the Trump administration's latest attempt to roll out the red carpet for more antitrust disasters.”

TVTech reported that the deal still faces opposition from some state attorneys general.

It reported:

A U.S. District Court [July 9] denied a stay of the FCC Media Bureau’s approval of the merger of Nexstar and Tegna TV station groups, while a California judge set a trial date for lawsuits filed by DirecTV and state AGs, which are challenging the transaction.

Since it was announced in August 2025, the merger has faced opposition from other media companies, public interest groups, and state attorneys general who filed a lawsuit in March, attempting to block the merger.

The merger, valued at $6.2 billion (when it was announced), would create a behemoth in the local broadcasting industry with 265 full-power television stations in 44 states and the District of Columbia and 132 of the country’s 210 television DMAs.

A total of 13 attorneys general have filed suit. Rhode Island's Peter Neronha did not join the lawsuit

Nexstar and Trump

In September of 2025, WPRI-12’s parent company, Nexstar, led the effort on Wednesday to remove Jimmy Kimmel Live! Many saw the move as an effort to curry favor with Trump. Ultimately, Nexstar backed down after public criticism.

Nexstar has also been a major donor to Trump over the years.

Besides WPRI, Nexstar owns FOX Providence (WNAC-TV), The CW Providence, and myRITV in the Rhode Island market.