Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - November 7, 2025
Analysis
Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - November 7, 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 Not? - November 7, 2025
HOT
Smithfield Town Council President John Tassoni
The Smithfield antisemitism incident has been a stain on the town's reputation, but Tassoni has been appropriate in his actions and demands for an independent review.
HOT
Signs of Life?
Providence Place Mall has a new movie theater operator and has now announced a new tenant.
A little good news for once.
But, it is also a reminder of how far the mall has declined from anchors like Lord & Taylor and Nordstrom.
HOT
Kudos to Rhode Island Energy, People's Credit Union
The Rhode Island Energy (RIE) Foundation announced a $50,000 donation to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank this week. The contribution will help ensure continued access to nutritious food for thousands of families facing increased hardship during this uncertain time.
“As federal support stalls, local organizations must step up, and the Rhode Island Energy Foundation is proud to do just that for the communities in which we live and serve,” said Greg Cornett, President of RIE and Vice President of the Rhode Island Energy Foundation. “The Rhode Island Community Food Bank is a lifeline for so many, and we know this donation will go a long way in helping them meet the rising demand for food assistance across the state.”
People’s Credit Union is also donating a total of $50,000 to benefit six local food pantries. In the East Bay, the recipients are the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, Aquidneck Food Pantry, East Bay Food Pantry, and the East Bay Community Action Program. In the West Bay, donations will go to the Jonnycake Center for Hope and the North Kingstown Food Pantry.
HOT
Hope Springs Eternal (college basketball)
ESPN college basketball guru Jay Bilas has unveiled his index ranking the top 68 college basketball teams.
The Big East was well represented with six teams.
Connecticut is ranked #4
St. John’s #6
Creighton #21
Marquette #38
Xavier #49
Providence College #64
Bilas Index wrote about the Friars:
After a disappointing 2024-25 season, the Friars will look to rebound on the talents of Jason Edwards, a senior guard and third-team All-SEC selection out of Vanderbilt. He averaged 17.0 points last season and is sure to be second-year coach Kim English's best scoring option.
HOT
Mamdani Wins, Progressives on the Move
Zorhan Mamdani's sweeping victory is a message that uncontrolled capitalism is losing popular support.
It wasn't close in the NYC election.
Closer to home, Jill Davidson's victory in the 2nd Ward in the Providence City Council Democratic primary race was another message. She was the most progressive candidate. Stay tuned to the Providence mayoral race in 2026. READ MORE PHOTO: David Morales, American Socialist candidate for Mayor.
NOT
Tone-Deaf? Arrogance? Just Doesn't Care?
On Wednesday, the day after the New Jersey gubernatorial election, Helena Foulkes posted a photo to her X account taken at the Democratic National Convention last summer of her standing next to New Jersey Governor-Elect Mikkie Sherrill.
Sherrill had two key messages in her campaign: Trump's impact on New Jersey and her Republican opponents' ties to the opioid crisis.
Foulkes has been heavily criticized for her role in the opioid crisis as the President of CVS.
The U.S. Department of Justice has a lawsuit against the company relating to her time as President.
In addition, a GoLocal investigation uncovered how her family center has been heavily funded by members of the Sackler family.
Foulkes chaired the board, and one of the other board members was a Sackler lobbyist who is also a donor to her campaign for Governor.
Sherrill hammered her GOP opponent in a political debate in early October.
“You know, my opponent likes to talk a lot about being a businessman, but I think what New Jersey doesn't know as much about his business, how he made his millions by working with some of the worst offenders and saying that opioids were safe, putting out propaganda, publishing their propaganda while tens of thousands of New Jerseyians died," charged Sherrill in the debate.
“And as if that wasn't enough, then he was paid to develop an app so that people who were addicted could more easily get access to opioids. And so as he made millions, as these opioid companies made billions, [as] tens of thousands of New Jerseyians died,” added Sherrill.
GoLocal reached out to Foulkes for comment on the social media post.
Foulkes refused to comment.
NOT
Crime in Providence
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley is going to have a hard time convincing anyone that Providence is safe while:
1) An 11-year-old is robbed at knifepoint for fifty cents, a melee takes place with 1,000 people, a man is shot, and a religious group is assaulted by a man throwing fireworks at them (all in 4 days)
2) Smiley has a four-person police force.
NOT
Elon Musk Gets a $1 Trillion Pay Package
Not much more to say.
(Oh, wait, did folks get their SNAP benefits)
PHOTO: White House
