Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - May 1, 2026

HOT

As economic development director for the state of Rhode Island in the early 1990s, Joe Paolino was instrumental in the development of Providence Place Mall. It was a bold development — building a major upscale shopping center in the middle of a Northeast city.

Now, 35 years later, the story has come full circle.

On Wednesday, Paolino was part of an investment group with Pyramid Group, which received a recommendation from the receiver, Mark Russo.

After a break, Superior Court Judge Brian Stern approved the recommendation.

The Paolino deal saves the city of Providence. The closure of the mall would be an economic and reputational disaster.

READ THE GOLOCAL EDITORIAL

HOT

Community Speaks Up

A group of South Providence residents on Wednesday decried plans by a housing developer to build a seven-story parking garage on a surface lot owned by Brown University Health, and accused Providence Mayor Brett Smiley of “enabling” the process. 

On Tuesday, GoLocal previewed the rally and outlined some of the neighborhood's concerns with the development.
 

Currently, Brown Health is negotiating a lease agreement with Marathon, a Boston-based development firm.

“Let’s be clear - this is not about a garage. This is what keeps happening in South Providence - over and over again,” said group organizer Yaimaini Rivera. “Our voices dismissed. Our people were pushed aside to make room for someone else’s priorities. South Providence has carried the weight of institutional expansion for too long."

Several community members spoke at the event, including Ron Crosson, who lives on Dudley Street, next to the parking lot at the corner of Prairie Avenue. 

“Growing up, I watched this neighborhood be knocked down, paved over, and built around - not by us, but despite us,” said Crosson. “This is part of the same pattern of callousness and carelessness, driven by the greed of developers, disguised as progress for residents, with grave indifference to the community, and enabled by an Administration that shows that time and time again that it supports developers over residents when it comes to our neighborhoods.” 

HOT

Nunes Family's Newport Vineyards Unveils New Dining Experience: Farm & Barrel Bistro

Newport Vineyards has unveiled a new experience.

The destination has announced the debut of Farm & Barrel Bistro, “a refined farm-to-table dining concept that celebrates the natural connection between their vineyard, brewery, and on-site farm.”

The new experience is opening on May 8th at Newport Vineyards, Farm & Barrel Bistro.

According to the vineyard, it marks a new chapter in “estate dining”—where seasonality and craftsmanship guide every detail. Rooted in the philosophy “what grows together, goes together,” the bistro highlights ingredients harvested directly from Newport Vineyards’ own farm and greenhouses, paired seamlessly with estate-grown wines and house-crafted beers.

“Farm & Barrel Bistro is our next evolution of dining here at Newport Vineyards,” said owner John Nunes. “From vine to glass and field to fork, this new experience brings everything together in a way that is both elevated and deeply rooted.”

Farm & Barrel Bistro introduces a new dining format at Newport Vineyards, featuring distinct lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch menus, along with a new full-service cocktail program. Guests can enjoy lunch from 11 am to 3 pm or dinner from 4 pm to 8 pm, with a “Sips & Snacks” interlude in between offering curated cheeses, wines, and craft beers. 

HOT

Onetime North Kingstown Football Star Signs With the Ravens

It is about 360 miles from North Kingstown, Rhode Island, to Baltimore, Maryland, but the distance from the football field at NK High School to M&T Stadium, the home of the Baltimore Ravens, is a million miles further.

But Ty Pezza, the former North Kingstown star who played at Brown, has signed to attend the rookie mini camp with the Baltimore Ravens.

Those million miles are looking closer and closer. READ MORE

HOT

James Lombardi Named Chief of Staff of the RI Department of Administration

James Lombardi, who previously held multiple senior roles in the City of Providence, has been tapped to serve as chief of staff for the Rhode Island Department of Administration.

In Providence, Lombardi served as chief of staff for the City Council, treasurer, and internal auditor.

He has also served on both the RIPTA board and the RI Board of Accountancy.

Lombardi is both an accountant and an attorney by training.

The addition of Lombardi provides the Department of Administration with significant stability following the director's departure.

READ MORE

NOT

Purdue Pharma Settles With US Justice on Criminal Case for $5B

There have been two major ongoing cases relating to the Sackler family and their company, Purdue Pharma. One was resolved on Tuesday.

Opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma LP (Purdue) was sentenced Tuesday in federal court in Newark, New Jersey, and ordered to pay criminal penalties of over $5 billion for its role in fueling the opioid epidemic.

“Purdue Pharma put profits over patient health and safety,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “The company willfully rejected the law and ignored the diversion of their highly addictive prescription drugs. Their actions contributed to the opioid crisis that claimed countless lives and destroyed entire families and communities. Today's sentence is a prime example of the Department’s effort to redress past wrongs by rooting out and punishing unlawful conduct by companies that have contributed to the national crisis.”  

The pharmaceutical company has been accused of fueling the opioid epidemic.

The sentencing on Tuesday comes years after Purdue Pharma pleaded guilty to three federal criminal charges related to the marketing and distribution of its powerful opioid painkiller.  As a part of Tuesday’s actions, U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arelo  sentenced OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma to pay the federal government $225 million of the $5 billion legal battle, ending the government’s criminal case. READ MORE

NOT

RIDOT Bridge Inspection Rated the Cranston Bridge “Poor” But Not for the Issue That Failed

On Monday, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation released the most recent bridge inspection report of the Cranston bridge that failed and dropped debris onto the Amtrak tracks on Friday night.

The report requested by GoLocal on Saturday shows that the bridge was rated poor, with a grade of 4 out of 10.

The report identifies dozens of issues and deficiencies. But the railing structure was not the most serious issue. 

The report states, "The underside of the deck has scattered hairline map and longitudinal cracks, some with efflorescence and rust staining." 

The failure of the railing caused Amtrak’s Northeast Services to be canceled or delayed for much of the weekend. Full repair is ongoing.

NOT

Political Violence

Saturday night was just the latest in a near-endless series of acts of political violence. 

Here is a partial list of the past couple of years:

Politicians directly targeted

Josh Shapiro – Democratic Governor of Pennsylvania
Target of an arson attack on the governor’s residence in April 2025 while he and his family were inside.

John Hoffman – Democratic state senator, Minnesota
Shot multiple times at his home on June 14, 2025, by an attacker impersonating a police officer.

Yvette Hoffman – Spouse of Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman
Also shot multiple times in the same home attack; included here because the attack was aimed at the senator and his household.

Melissa Hortman – Democratic state representative and former House Speaker, Minnesota
Targeted in a coordinated attack the same night as the Hoffman shooting; police arrived as the suspect was shooting her husband at their home.

Mark Hortman – Spouse of Rep. Melissa Hortman
Shot and killed at the Hortman residence in the same politically motivated attack; again, included because the attack was directed at the lawmaker’s household.

Donald Trump – President of the United States (then‑candidate, later president)
Subject of at least two assassination attempts during the 2024 election cycle, including a July 2024 rally where he was grazed on the ear by gunfire that killed one supporter and wounded two others.

Kamala Harris – Vice President of the United States (and presidential candidate in 2024)
Her campaign operation was directly targeted when the Tempe, Arizona office shared by her campaign and the state Democratic Party was shot at three times in October 2024.