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Kate Wilkinson

@katewilkinson.bsky.social
504 followers 94 following 41 posts

Reporter at WPRI-12. Wheaton alum. NH expat. 🏳️‍🌈. She/her. Stories: www.wpri.com/author/kate-wilkinson

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Reposted by Kate Wilkinson
WPRI 12 @wpri12.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Itri Ristorante and Campanella’s in Cranston are both closed as opposing lawsuits between their owner and his now ex-fiancée play out in Superior Court. Story by @katewilkinson.bsky.social: www.wpri.com/news/local-news/west-b…
2 Cranston eateries closed as court battles play out
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Reposted by Kate Wilkinson
Eli Sherman @elisherman.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
NEW: Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins says he's going back to the drawing board after the City Council rejected his proposed budget last night. The mayor spoke with @katewilkinson.bsky.social from Texas where he's attending a conference www.wpri.com/news/cransto...
wpri.com
Cranston mayor vows new plan after council shoots down budget
Mayor Ken Hopkins said “everything is on the table’ after the council rejected his plan that included a 7.4% tax hike.
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Reposted by Kate Wilkinson
Eli Sherman @elisherman.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Update: Teamster tells @katewilkinson.bsky.social Cranston initially offered early retirement packages to eligible employees. Now, he said they're offering buyouts to all employees, setting a deadline to respond by week's end www.wpri.com/target-12/te...
wpri.com
‘Terrible budget season’: Cranston cutting jobs, offering buyouts
An undisclosed number of city workers have accepted buyout offers; schools are poised for layoffs.
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Reposted by Kate Wilkinson
WPRI 12 @wpri12.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
While whiskey and beer may be the drinks of choice on St. Patrick’s Day, the Rhode Island Hospitality Association wants bars and restaurants to be able to serve another kind of beverage: drinks containing THC derived from hemp. @katewilkinson.bsky.social reports.
wpri.com
Should RI restaurants be allowed to serve THC beverages?
The RI Cannabis Control Commission is recommending against a further expansion of hemp regulations.
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Reposted by Kate Wilkinson
WPRI 12 @wpri12.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
Sparks flew during a March 5 meeting of the Bristol Planning Board as dozens of people came out to oppose a proposed Comfort Inn and Suites. Story by @katewilkinson.bsky.social: ⤵️
wpri.com
Bristol residents push back against proposed hotel
The Comfort Inn and Suites would be built in the wetlands along Gooding Avenue.
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Reposted by Kate Wilkinson
WPRI 12 @wpri12.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
22,000 people will receive corrected W-2s after the initial forms listed their employer as "State of Rhode Island Umbrella Company." But when these new forms will be distributed is still unclear, reports @katewilkinson.bsky.social: www.wpri.com/money/all-22...
All 22,000 R.I. state employees will get corrected W-2s
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Reposted by Kate Wilkinson
WPRI 12 @wpri12.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
“I have pride in this," an offshore rigger from Warwick told @katewilkinson.bsky.social on Tuesday. “I want to watch the fruits of my labor decrease the energy costs for my friends and my family.”
wpri.com
Warwick rigger feeling whiplash from second offshore wind pause
It was just before Christmas when offshore rigger Antonio Gianfrancesco of Warwick found out his job was put on pause.
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Reposted by Kate Wilkinson
WPRI 12 @wpri12.bsky.social · 25/12/2025
Outside Barus and Holley, a memorial to the two Brown University students killed in the Dec. 13 shooting now features hundreds of flowers, teddy bears wearing Brown t-shirts, and countless messages to classmates gone too soon. Story by @KateWilkinson.bsky.social.
wpri.com
Memorial to Brown U. shooting victims grows on quiet campus
Outside Barus and Holley, a memorial to sophomore Ella Cook and freshman MukhammadAziz Umurzokov now features hundreds of flowers, teddy bears wearing Brown t-shirts, and countless messages to clas…
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Reposted by Kate Wilkinson
WPRI 12 @wpri12.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
Nearly 200 nations gathered in Brazil to discuss the health of the planet at #COP30 — but the only federal representative from the United States present was Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. Story by @katewilkinson.bsky.social.
wpri.com
Sen. Whitehouse was the only US lawmaker to attend UN climate summit
President Donald Trump did not send any high-level US officials to the conference.
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Reposted by Kate Wilkinson
WPRI 12 @wpri12.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
BREAKING: Smithfield's superintendent has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of a legal review into how an alleged hazing incident was handled. Details here: shorturl.at/0MInq
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Reposted by Kate Wilkinson
WPRI 12 @wpri12.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
In a letter to Smithfield Public Schools, the Office of the Attorney General requests all documents, emails and logs related to an antisemitic hazing incident involving several football players. Story by @katewilkinson.bsky.social
wpri.com
RI attorney general launches civil investigation into Smithfield hazing incident
The letter said a parent made the complaint, alleging several students “assaulted and harassed” their child in the locker room before football practice on September 30.
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Kate Wilkinson @katewilkinson.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
Smooth sailing for passengers at TF Green right now despite national concerns about the government shutdown affecting air traffic control. I’ll have what we’re seeing across the country tonight at 4:30/5:30 @wpri12.bsky.social
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Reposted by Kate Wilkinson
Alexandra Leslie @alexandraleslie.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
Mayor Brett Smiley signed an executive order that reaffirms Providence police officers are not immigration officers. The EO also urges *federal authorities* not to wear masks, to clearly ID themselves/their agency. Reporting w/@katewilkinson.bsky.social: www.wpri.com/news/local-n...
wpri.com
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Reposted by Kate Wilkinson
WPRI 12 @wpri12.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
It's been 24 years since the U.S. was the target of a coordinated terrorist attack that killed thousands. 12 News would like to remember the lives lost, including those from Southern New England. #NeverForget
wpri.com
Remembering the 9/11 victims from Southern New England
Thursday marks 24 years since the U.S. was the target of a coordinated terrorist attack that killed thousands.
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Reposted by Kate Wilkinson
Ted Nesi @tednesi.bsky.social · 08/09/2025
BREAKING: It's official - Hasbro is moving its HQ out of Pawtucket and going to Boston www.wpri.com/business/has...
wpri.com
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Kate Wilkinson @katewilkinson.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
Love the answers in today's Rhode Map. A research vessel!?! www.bostonglobe.com/2025/09/03/m... @danmcgowan.bsky.social
bostonglobe.com
What would Rhode Island school leaders do with $1.3b Powerball jackpot? - The Boston Globe
Rhode Map asked Rhode Island College President Jack Warner and five district superintendents what they would do with $1.3 billion.
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Kate Wilkinson @katewilkinson.bsky.social · 20/08/2025
RI Governor Dan McKee wants Attorney General Pam Bondi to give a specific immigration policy the state needs to change, after DOJ sends letter threatening to take away federal funding www.wpri.com/news/politic... @wpri12.bsky.social
wpri.com
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Reposted by Kate Wilkinson
Ted Nesi @tednesi.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
How did RI land on the Trump admin's new list of "sanctuary" states/cities? DOJ won't confirm if it's the policy Chafee adopted after 2014 Morales ruling Gov's office says it got no notice AG: "their words are of no moment to me" (via @katewilkinson.bsky.social)
wpri.com
DOJ won’t say what RI needs to change to get off ‘sanctuary jurisdiction’ list
The DOJ released a list Tuesday of 35 communities that it says have policies that prevent federal immigration officials from doing their jobs.
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Reposted by Kate Wilkinson
WPRI 12 @wpri12.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
While Democrats are fighting proposed Medicaid cuts at the federal level, Rhode Islanders are facing their own cuts on the state level due to a change in the program’s income limit. @katewilkinson.bsky.social reports: ⤵️
wpri.com
700 Rhode Islanders to lose Medicaid coverage; state blames old mistake
A spokesperson for EOHHS says new income limits will take effect this month for new patients.
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Kate Wilkinson @katewilkinson.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
I got a work Tik Tok to talk about my more in-depth stories. Follow me if you want to see the stories I find interesting. This one required digging through some Rhode Island Revolutionary War History www.tiktok.com/t/ZTjQPLgLf/
tiktok.com
It was really interesting to put together a story that combines history with a very political topic. Also the woman testifying is a RI Congressman’s mother-in-law @WPRI 12 & FOX Providence #greenscree...
TikTok video by Kate Wilkinson News
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Kate Wilkinson @katewilkinson.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
“This is the most deliberately damaging bill to the economy and to our health care system that I’ve ever seen." RI Senator Jack Reed responds to Trump's "big beautiful bill" as it heads to the Senate www.wpri.com/news/politic...
wpri.com
‘Deliberately damaging’: Reed warns of difficult fight ahead against Trump bill
RI Senator Jack Reed said Trump bill could cut Medicaid for 40,000 Rhode Islanders.
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Kate Wilkinson @katewilkinson.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
With CRMC reform talks underway at the RI State House, homeowners are challenging regulators to keep their seawalls. Full story: www.wpri.com/news/local-n...
wpri.com
‘We lost 30 feet of property’ Homeowners challenge CRMC as bills propose reform
Anne-Marie Corbett is part of a class-action lawsuit against the CRMC, arguing she should be able to protect her property from erosion.
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Kate Wilkinson @katewilkinson.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
Just got a fun email
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Reposted by Kate Wilkinson
WPRI 12 @wpri12.bsky.social · 11/04/2025
An East Prov. woman says she signed a five-year lease for her city-owned rental in 2022. The city says it was never valid. @katewilkinson.bsky.social reports: www.wpri.com/news/local-news/provid… 
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Kate Wilkinson @katewilkinson.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
An East Providence woman believes her lease for her city-owned rental was called into question because she had repeatedly criticized Mayor Bob DaSilva on social media. The Mayor says he wants to use the home for homeless veterans Full story: www.wpri.com/news/local-n... @wpri12.bsky.social
wpri.com
‘I don’t want to leave’: East Providence mayor, disabled woman in dispute over city-owned home
Julia Dempsey experienced a moment out of a reality TV show six years ago when she was handed the keys to a city-owned rental in East Providence.
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Reposted by Kate Wilkinson
WPRI 12 @wpri12.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
A chain-link fence with a "no trespassing" sign has gone back up on George Waterman Road in Johnston after the property owners regained control of the lot, @katewilkinson.bsky.social reports.
wpri.com
Johnston affordable housing lot returned to owners after eminent domain attempt
Property owner Ralph Santoro said the property has been with his family for decades.
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Reposted by Kate Wilkinson
WPRI 12 @wpri12.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
A new lawsuit accuses Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr., who has said he intends to seize a property slated to become affordable housing through eminent domain, of infringing on the owners' rights. @katewilkinson.bsky.social reports.
wpri.com
Johnston mayor to take property by eminent domain as owners file lawsuit
The property owners want to build 250 affordable apartments.
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Reposted by Kate Wilkinson
Tim White @timwhiteri.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
BREAKING: A RI federal judge agreed to continue blocking the Trump administration from freezing federal aid to states. "The executive has put itself above Congress," Judge John McConnell wrote. (w/ @elisherman.bsky.social) www.wpri.com/target-12/th...
wpri.com
‘The executive has put itself above Congress’: RI judge extends block of Trump funding freeze
Judge John McConnell issued his decision two weeks after hearings were held at federal court in Providence.
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Kate Wilkinson @katewilkinson.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
Bookshelf dilemma: Tracy Deonn just dropped her new book and I LOVE THIS SERIES. But that paperback needs to come out ASAP because I NEED my spines to match 🫢 Do I buy a whole set of hardcovers? Do I buy the kindle? Do I buy the audiobook? Do I wait for my library hold to come in? I’m in shambles
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Reposted by Kate Wilkinson
WPRI 12 @wpri12.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
The Maddie Potts Foundation is working with the family of late Chariho soccer coach Michael "Scotty" McGuire to create a scholarship in his memory, “He was just such an empathetic soul,” Stephanie Potts recalled.
wpri.com
Maddie Potts Foundation creating scholarship for late Chariho coach
Michael “Scotty” McGuire coached Maddie Potts, who died in 2017.
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Reposted by Kate Wilkinson
Ted Nesi @tednesi.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
Great piece about the real drivers of your energy bill by my colleagues @elisherman.bsky.social @sarahguernelli.bsky.social @katewilkinson.bsky.social - including this chart slicing it up into different components www.wpri.com/target-12/ex...
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Reposted by Kate Wilkinson
Eli Sherman @elisherman.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
NEW: Warwick has agreed to a $600,000 settlement in a lawsuit involving a former Water Division employee who accused her former boss and several colleagues of repeated sexual harassment. www.wpri.com/news/local-n...
wpri.com
Warwick settles sexual harassment lawsuit filed by former worker for $600K
A former Water Division employee accused her former boss and several colleagues of sexual harassment over multiple years.
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Kate Wilkinson @katewilkinson.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
BTS thoughts: I have never done a 5-person interview before and it is not simple. Thanks to the help of MANY people @wpri12.bsky.social, we got this done in 24 hours 🧵
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Reposted by Kate Wilkinson
Ted Nesi @tednesi.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
“This was my dream job.” @alextpnews.bsky.social and @katewilkinson.bsky.social talked with workers at USDA's Warwick office who just lost their jobs as part of the federal job reductions nationwide
wpri.com
Former USDA workers warn cuts could harm RI farmers, groceries
The former employees said they received termination letters via email last week.
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Kate Wilkinson @katewilkinson.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
NEW: The new RI lead registry shows fewer than 10% of rental properties have been registered. Landlords say the new database appears to have some inaccuracies. Full story: www.wpri.com/health/renta...
wpri.com
‘Rental Registry’ database reveals only 10% of landlords have signed up
The new public database designed to give renters peace of mind regarding whether their landlord has secured a lead certificate is facing pushback less than a day after it was launched.
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Kate Wilkinson @katewilkinson.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
A federal judge in Boston has blocked proposed cuts to National Institutes of Health research funding after Brown University and several other institutions sued the Trump administration over the policy. www.wpri.com/news/brown-u... @wpri12.bsky.social
wpri.com
Brown University warns federal funding cuts could be ‘a disaster’ for medical research
Brown University said it received $253 million in federal funding for research last fiscal year.
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Reposted by Kate Wilkinson
Ted Nesi @tednesi.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
Did some more canvassing of local groups about the state of the federal funding freeze Refugee Dream Center says its funding (via US State Dept) is frozen OSCIL says payment processing is taking way longer 2 community health centers also cite delays
wpri.com
RI lawmakers accuse Trump, Musk of ‘lawlessness’ amid fights over funding
Rhode Island’s congressional delegation zeroed in on billionaire Elon Musk’s influence Monday amid dramatic moves by the White House.
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Reposted by Kate Wilkinson
Ted Nesi @tednesi.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
Happy Birthday to one of RI's best musicians: trumpeter Bobby Hackett, born 110 years ago today, who grew up on Atwells Ave - CCRI's theater is named for him Here's Hackett backing up Tony Bennett on "The Very Thought of You," recorded in London in 1966
youtube.com
The Very Thought Of You
YouTube video by Tony Bennett - Topic
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Reposted by Kate Wilkinson
WPRI 12 @wpri12.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
All it took was one targeted action by ICE for rumors to spread "like a forest fire" in Newport, reports @katewilkinson.bsky.social She talked to a man who said his family's normally busy market was empty on Wednesday: trib.al/xTNdCO4
trib.al
‘Like a forest fire’: Fear-fueled rumors race across Newport after singular ICE arrest
Newport Police said ICE arrested one person Wednesday.
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Reposted by Kate Wilkinson
Save The Bay - Narragansett Bay @savethebayri.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
Did you catch Save The Bay’s executive director Topher Hamblett on WPRI 12 News last night? @wpri12.bsky.social Watch Here: wpri.com/news/local-news/south-county/quidnessett-seawall-proposal-rejected-but-attorney-general-says-reform-is-needed
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Reposted by Kate Wilkinson
Ted Nesi @tednesi.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
Minor fact check While @whitehouse.senate.gov did go to law school at UVA with RFK Jr., both Class of '82, and they were friends, they were *not* roommates, according to Whitehouse. Whitehouse says his UVA roommate was the late Michael Kennedy (RFK Jr.'s brother).
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Reposted by Kate Wilkinson
Ted Nesi @tednesi.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
Fast facts on federal 💰💰 in RI 37% of the $13.96b state budget is federally funded (or $5.067b) in the current fiscal year Over half of federal funds goes to Medicaid (56% or $2.8b) Other big federal pots are SNAP ($360m) and highway ($347m) h/t RI House Fiscal Office
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Reposted by Kate Wilkinson
Ted Nesi @tednesi.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
Will be interesting since Frias is an articulate critic of Shekarchi's housing policy
cranstononline.com
Frias steps into new role: Planning chair - Cranston Herald
Cranston has a new president and chairman of its Planning Commission. Steve Frias, who used to hold one of the top positions in the Rhode Island Republican Party as its national committeeman …
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Reposted by Kate Wilkinson
Alexandra Leslie @alexandraleslie.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
NEWS: The former Hasbro HQ in downtown Providence will soon be home to administrative offices for RI’s largest employer: Brown University Health. In 2023, Hasbro said the company would exit the space at the end of its lease term in Jan. 2025. www.wpri.com/news/local-n... @wpri12.bsky.social
wpri.com
Brown U. Health to move offices into former Hasbro HQ in Providence
Brown University Health announced Friday that the move to 15 LaSalle Square will be effective on June 1.
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Kate Wilkinson @katewilkinson.bsky.social · 23/01/2025
I love using libraries as a reporter. Quiet place to work with a free bathroom!
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Kate Wilkinson @katewilkinson.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
Excellent update on the situation at Brayton Point by my colleague @alextpnews.bsky.social www.wpri.com/news/local-n...
wpri.com
Cable manufacturing company cancels plans for Somerset plant
Prysmian Group says it made its decision after evaluating market opportunities in the U.S.
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Kate Wilkinson @katewilkinson.bsky.social · 16/01/2025
NEW: An RI mother's roughly 7-year legal battle over Trump immigration policies has now ended with a settlement agreement just days before his second inauguration. Full story: tinyurl.com/48ypvprv @wpri12.bsky.social
tinyurl.com
ACLU settles ICE lawsuit filed on behalf of RI woman who was detained
A federal court judge has signed off on a settlement agreement connected to a years-long legal battle lodged by the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts (ACLU) on behalf of a Providence …
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Reposted by Kate Wilkinson
Ted Nesi @tednesi.bsky.social · 13/01/2025
INBOX: Senate Pres. Dominick Ruggerio and other top Senate Dems issue call for Governor McKee to declare a state of emergency on homelessness Speaker Shekarchi also said McKee should consider a declaration, as have dozens of lawmakers who signed Rep. Tanzi petition All on eve of State of the State
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Kate Wilkinson @katewilkinson.bsky.social · 06/01/2025
ICE Officials said 28-year-old Leonardo Andujar Sanchez entered the country illegally sometime in the past year and was living in a state-run shelter at a hotel in Revere. @wpri12.bsky.social www.wpri.com/new-england/...
wpri.com
Healey orders inspection of state-run shelters after drugs, AR-15 found
Revere police said they found more than $1 million in fentanyl and an AR-15 inside an immigrant’s room.
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Kate Wilkinson @katewilkinson.bsky.social · 06/01/2025
"Seth Magaziner returned to Capitol Hill with some bragging rights from the November election — the Cook Political Report calculated that he improved his margin of victory more than any other member of Congress between 2022 and 2024." Remember Magaziner's warning in September? tinyurl.com/3wyjzw5b
wpri.com
Magaziner fears Dems are 'overconfident' about presidential race
The freshman congressman called on Harris supporters to “get off the couch” and help the party’s ticket through activities like phone banks.
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