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Alexandra Leslie

@alexandraleslie.bsky.social
617 followers 81 following 644 posts

Emmy nominated Target 12 investigative reporter covering Providence and more for WPRI 12 • Eddie’s mom🐾🪽 • Living with Cystic Fibrosis • Reposts/likes = look! • aleslie@wpri.com

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Alexandra Leslie @alexandraleslie.bsky.social · 14h
For the first time, hospital security camera footage that captured a psychiatric patient attacking a nurse in Sept. 2023 has been viewed by individuals outside of law enforcement and attorneys. Only @wpri12.bsky.social was in court. MORE: www.wpri.com/news/jury-sh...
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Alexandra Leslie @alexandraleslie.bsky.social · 22h
Quick update on the Providence Deputy DPW Director story. A settlement had been in the works since June. I'm told that Maureen McManus' resignation became effective on Sept. 16 when the claims committee gave its approval. Background: www.wpri.com/target-12/dp... @wpri12.bsky.social
wpri.com
DPW deputy director enters into separation agreement with Providence
Maureen McManus entered into a separation agreement with the city in late September due to “an irretrievable breakdown in the working relationship,” according to documents obtained by T…
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Alexandra Leslie @alexandraleslie.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Remember the RIH nurse who was attacked by a psych patient in 2023? His civil case went to trial today. Scott Amaral alleges Allied Universal Security Services and 2 of its officers were negligent and failed intervene when he was attacked. MORE: www.wpri.com/target-12/ci... @wpri12.bsky.social
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Alexandra Leslie @alexandraleslie.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
NEW: Maureen McManus, Providence DPW's deputy director, entered into a separation agreement with the city due to “an irretrievable breakdown in the working relationship." The agreement said McManus "resigned from city employment in good standing.” MORE: www.wpri.com/target-12/dp...
wpri.com
DPW deputy director enters into separation agreement with Providence
Maureen McManus entered into a separation agreement with the city in late September due to “an irretrievable breakdown in the working relationship,” according to documents obtained by T…
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Alexandra Leslie @alexandraleslie.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Providence Councilman Miguel Sanchez, 28, secured enough votes to become the city’s next council president in the 2027-2031 term. The Democratic nominees for the council caucused last week and voted for other leadership roles, too. MORE: www.wpri.com/news/electio... @wpri12.bsky.social
wpri.com
Miguel Sanchez says he has enough votes to be next council president in Providence
Councilman Miguel Sanchez announced in a news release on Monday that his colleagues are supporting him as Council President for the 2027-2031 term.
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Tim White @timwhiteri.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
BREAKING: An airport contract worker was arrested trying to bring a firearm into a secure area at TF Green. A spokesperson says the TSA "identified" the gun and denied the person access. w/ @Eli_Sherman www.wpri.com/target-12/t-...
wpri.com
T.F. Green worker arrested after trying to bring firearm into airport
Airport officials say security protocols worked as intended, detecting the prohibited item before access was granted.
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Tim White @timwhiteri.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
JUST IN: In a blow to the hospitality industry in RI, the US Conference of Mayors has decided not to host its annual meeting in Providence. The event was to be hosted at the RI Convention Center and was expected to draw hundreds to the region in June. www.wpri.com/news/local-n...
wpri.com
US Conference of Mayors pulls 2027 meeting out of Providence
The U.S. Conference of Mayors annual conference was expected to draw hundreds of people to Providence in June.
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Alexandra Leslie @alexandraleslie.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Some members of the Providence School Board want change at the top. (h/t Dan McGowan) The board plans to discuss the job performance of Ty'Relle Stephens. No vote will be taken. Stephens tells me he welcomes the conversation. www.wpri.com/news/local-n... @wpri12.bsky.social
wpri.com
Providence School Board faces internal strife
The Providence School Board is slated to discuss the job performance of its president on Wednesday night.
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Alexandra Leslie @alexandraleslie.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
ICYMI >> Zack Scott, PPSD's deputy superintendent of operations, departs the district on Friday. He tells me he will join RIDE as the Chief Financial Officer. The district is still working to find a replacement for Scott’s role. Background: www.wpri.com/news/local-n...
wpri.com
PPSD proposes two school consolidations, construction could be done by 2029
The Providence School Board is expected to vote on proposed consolidations at a meeting currently scheduled for Oct. 21.
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Ted Nesi @tednesi.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
NEW: RI's biggest health system, Brown Health, just cut an undisclosed number of “senior-level” jobs as the end of its fiscal year draws near www.wpri.com/business-new...
wpri.com
Brown Health axes multiple execs after $13M operating loss
Rhode Island’s largest health system has been trying to get its operations back in the black this year.
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Ted Nesi @tednesi.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
NEW: @helenabfoulkes.bsky.social campaign confirms it is refunding $10,500 to donors who gave contributions above legal limit Rival @kenblockri.bsky.social says the issue "should cause real concern for Rhode Island voters" www.wpri.com/news/electio...
wpri.com
Block knocks Foulkes over donations above state’s legal limit
The Democratic nominee’s campaign acknowledged it is refunding about $10,500 in donations that should not have been accepted.
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WPRI 12 @wpri12.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Providence's superintendent is proposing the consolidation of four schools into two as the district looks to expand its K-8 model. @alexandraleslie.bsky.social has the details: www.wpri.com/news/local-news/provid…
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Alexandra Leslie @alexandraleslie.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
TARGET 12: The amount of homicides in Providence in 2026 have now surpassed 2025 totals, when the deadly shooting at Brown University took place. www.wpri.com/target-12/of... @wpri12.bsky.social
wpri.com
Of five homicides in Providence in 2026, just one involved firearm
The stabbing death of an 18-year-old on Charles Street in Providence on Saturday was the city’s fifth homicide of the year.
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Alexandra Leslie @alexandraleslie.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
BREAKING OVERNIGHT: @wpri12.bsky.social photographer Johnny Villella at this scene on Charles Street in Providence at a double stabbing with *one fatality* at this hour. Maj. David Lapatin says Mezzo Lounge got crowded, people in line walked to Wendy’s parking lot, then a fight ensued.
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Alexandra Leslie @alexandraleslie.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
On @wpri12.bsky.social Newsmakers , @davidmoralespvd.bsky.social, the Dem. nominee for Providence mayor, told @tednesi.bsky.social and @timwhiteri.bsky.social that he plans to start enforcing rent stabilization "towards the fall of 2027, if not the very start of 2028.” www.wpri.com/news/local-n...
wpri.com
Morales: Rent control in Providence could be enforced by next fall at the earliest
State Rep. David Morales, the Democratic nominee for Providence mayor, had his first sit-down television interview since his stunning primary night win.
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WPRI 12 @wpri12.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Now that Providence Mayor Brett Smiley has been defeated in the primary, where does the rent control debate stand? @alexandraleslie.bsky.social has a look at which city councilors support the proposal: www.wpri.com/target-12/where-incomi…
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WPRI 12 @wpri12.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Target 12 obtained body-worn camera footage of the arrest of two suspects in a 2023 bank robbery on Federal Hill. Story by @alexandraleslie.bsky.social: www.wpri.com/target-12/video-police…
Video: Providence bank heist suspects arrested in NY
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Alexandra Leslie @alexandraleslie.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
UPDATE: The Providence City Council Claims and Pending Suits Committee has approved a settlement regarding a personnel matter with the DPW's deputy director. Details of the settlement have not been made public. More: www.wpri.com/target-12/pa... @wpri12.bsky.social
wpri.com
Panel OKs settlement for DPW official on paid leave since January
Maureen McManus was quietly placed on paid leave Jan. 10.
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Alexandra Leslie @alexandraleslie.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
EXCLUSIVE: Target 12 obtained police body-worn camera video of the August arrests of Providence bank heist suspects, Tracey Delgado and Stanley Palmer, at their Gloversville, NY home. Full story + more video here: www.wpri.com/target-12/vi... @wpri12.bsky.social
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Tim White @timwhiteri.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
NEW: Two more people have been arrested in connection with a nuisance case in the affluent Alpine Estates neighborhood in Cranston. www.wpri.com/target-12/mo...
wpri.com
More arrests made in Cranston’s Alpine Estates ‘nuisance’ house
Two men were charged with animal cruelty, a third was also arrested on drug-related charges after multiple complaints from neighbors.
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Tim White @timwhiteri.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
The U.S. Department of Justice has sent a letter to Secretary of State Gregg Amore demanding that his office preserve election records, including those from the 2024 election, as a key deadline looms. www.wpri.com/target-12/do...
wpri.com
DOJ demands Amore preserve 2024 election records amid voter roll fight
The letter from the DOJ was sent on the eve of a 22-month deadline where states can discard voting records under federal law.
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WPRI 12 @wpri12.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
The deputy director of Providence's Department of Public Works earns $128,153 per year — a salary she's been collecting even while on leave since January. Story by @alexandraleslie.bsky.social and @elisherman.bsky.social: www.wpri.com/target-12/pr...
Providence official on paid leave for 8 months — but why?
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WPRI 12 @wpri12.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
A man living in the former home of drug ringleader Jasdrual “Josh” Perez was arrested by Cranston police on Sunday. He's now accused of animal abuse and dealing drugs out of the home: www.wpri.com/target-12/man-arrested…
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Alexandra Leslie @alexandraleslie.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
TARGET 12: Since January, a top Providence public works official has collected a six-figure paycheck while sitting on paid leave. The city won’t say why. Story with @elisherman.bsky.social: www.wpri.com/target-12/pr... @wpri12.bsky.social
wpri.com
Providence official has collected $128K salary while on leave for 8 months
The city won’t say why DPW Deputy Director Maureen McManus was quietly placed on leave in January.
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Alexandra Leslie @alexandraleslie.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
If @davidmoralespvd.bsky.social is successful on Nov. 3, Providence is poised to elect a democratic socialist for mayor. What does that mean? STORY: www.wpri.com/news/electio... @wpri12.bsky.social
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Alexandra Leslie @alexandraleslie.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Did rent control decide the Providence mayoral election? Plus, national attention on state Rep. David Morales’ victory in the race for Providence mayor. MORE: www.wpri.com/news/electio... @wpri12.bsky.social
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Eli Sherman @elisherman.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
MAPS: Where voters rejected incumbents in Rhode Island’s biggest races. Interactive maps + breakdowns --> www.wpri.com/target-12/ma...
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Alexandra Leslie @alexandraleslie.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
There will be LOTS of new faces on the Providence City Council in 2027. Now, a whole new race begins ahead of the Nov. 3. election. Plus, at least one race is being contested after just two votes separate the Democratic candidates in Ward 9. www.wpri.com/news/electio... @wpri12.bsky.social
wpri.com
Recount sought after Providence council race decided by 2 votes
Ten of the 15 wards had contested Democratic primaries and the incumbent was defeated in two of them, while others had races to replace outgoing council members.
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Alexandra Leslie @alexandraleslie.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
David Morales is out on Cranston St. thanking supporters after last night’s primary win. The Democratic nom for Providence mayor said he’ll use the next few months to prepare his transition into office. One big change: he wants DPW Director Patricia Coyne-Fague out. @wpri12.bsky.social
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Alexandra Leslie @alexandraleslie.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
According to the latest numbers from RI BOE, Providence City Council's Ward 9 Democratic nominee could be decided by just TWO votes! In all races, RI BOE is still tabulating remaining drop box votes, overseas/military ballots, and provisional ballots. Very fluid. @wpri12.bsky.social
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Alexandra Leslie @alexandraleslie.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
According to the latest numbers from RI BOE, Providence City Council's Ward 9 Democratic nominee could be decided by just TWO votes! In all races, RI BOE is still tabulating remaining drop box votes, overseas/military ballots, and provisional ballots. Very fluid. @wpri12.bsky.social
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Alexandra Leslie @alexandraleslie.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Providence City Council Ward 1 Democratic nominee decided by 68 votes, according to the latest from RI BOE. Miguel Martínez Youngs won over incumbent, John Goncalves. In an email, Goncalves says he has "no intention of reentering the political arena as a candidate." @wpri12.bsky.social
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Alexandra Leslie @alexandraleslie.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Mayor Brett Smiley is here at his watch party. I’m told he called Mayor-Elect David Morales to concede. Lots of applause and hugs from his supporters. @wpri12.bsky.social
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Ted Nesi @tednesi.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
BOOM: Voter turnout in Providence has *already* passed the 2022 total turnout as of 5pm, with three hours of voting still to go 21,950 in 2022 (final) 22,327 in 2026 as of 5pm What everyone wants to know: what does that mean for the Smiley-Morales mayoral primary?
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Ted Nesi @tednesi.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
One thing is becoming clear: this isn't going to be a low-turnout Rhode Island primary. Total turnout as of 3pm is just under 109,000 voters - that's 33% higher than at the same hour in 2022. And election-day turnout alone is running 12% higher despite much higher early vote.
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Ted Nesi @tednesi.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
TONIGHT: @wpri12.bsky.social will have full coverage of the RI primary results as soon as the polls close At 8p we will kick off our streaming special on our 12+ TV app, YouTube, our website and everywhere else Then at 9:30p we will go on the air on WPRI 12 Tune in! www.wpri.com/news/electio...
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Ted Nesi @tednesi.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
We're up to 48,899 votes so far in RI between early voting and mail ballots received at BoE That = 36% of *total* final turnout in the 2022 primary So while a majority of votes will still be cast tomorrow - the primary is already over for a lot of people www.wpri.com/news/electio...
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Alexandra Leslie @alexandraleslie.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
In the last moments of their campaigns, incumbent Mayor Brett Smiley and Rep. David Morales made some of their final pitches on why they should lead Providence through 2030. www.wpri.com/news/electio... @wpri12.bsky.social
wpri.com
Smiley, Morales make final push in Providence mayor’s race
In the history of Providence, no sitting mayor has ever lost a primary.
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WPRI 12 @wpri12.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Rhode Island's primaries are Wednesday, and one of the races that has people talking is Providence's Democratic primary for mayor. @AlexandraLeslie.bsky.social spoke with both candidates ahead of Election Day.
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Alexandra Leslie @alexandraleslie.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
A disabled concrete truck is behind a massive traffic jam on the Washington Bridge right now. It took us 30 minutes to get from WPRI in East Providence to the bridge itself. @wpri12.bsky.social
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Eli Sherman @elisherman.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
NEW: Rhode Island’s political season has hit a fever pitch. Gov. Dan McKee has called on Attorney General Peter Neronha to resign. They are both Democrats www.wpri.com/news/local-n...
wpri.com
Rhode Island governor calls for attorney general’s resignation in escalating feud
The Democratic rivals have clashed for years, but Friday’s exchange marked a dramatic escalation.
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Alexandra Leslie @alexandraleslie.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
I’m outside of Plymouth Superior Court on the seventh day of jury deliberations in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial. Media from all over has taken an interest in the case. www.wpri.com/new-england/... @wpri12.bsky.social
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Ted Nesi @tednesi.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
NEW: RI's overshadowed GOP gov primary now has its own air war, on the radio Pelino and Guckian are both on WPRO with closing-argument spots Either Republican would head into the general election underfunded, with only about $12,000 apiece right now www.wpri.com/news/electio...
wpri.com
GOP rivals Pelino, Guckian buy radio ads for final week of gov primary
The two Republican candidates for governor are both making their final pitch to primary voters.
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Alexandra Leslie @alexandraleslie.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Votes from the Providence School Board are no longer in an advisory capacity now that the district is under local control. The board is having several important conversations this fall, including a review of the superintendent’s contract. www.wpri.com/back-to-scho... @wpri12.bsky.social
wpri.com
Providence schools are back under local control, here’s what next
The Providence School Board is set to have important conversations around policies, finances, and the superintendent’s contract this fall.
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WPRI 12 @wpri12.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
✏️🎒BACK TO SCHOOL: Alexandra Leslie's favorite school memory was when she made the National Honor Society! Submit your first day of school photos here: www.wpri.com/back-to-school/share-y… 
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WPRI 12 @wpri12.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Two reports on the response to the Brown University shooting, both released Friday, identified failures in emergency preparedness, response and communication between agencies and the public. @alexandraleslie.bsky.social reports.
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Eli Sherman @elisherman.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
NEW: Brown's shooting review lands just hours after the city's. It clears Brown on preventability, but lists what didn't work: • no siren • delayed alerts • issues with radios • command problems • trouble getting PPD video w/ @alexandraleslie.bsky.social www.wpri.com/target-12/tw...
wpri.com
Two Brown shooting reviews, two very different pictures of the response
A Brown University review details failures involving emergency alerts, staffing, cameras and communication during the deadly attack.
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Eli Sherman @elisherman.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
NEW: Rhode Island state Rep. Julie Casimiro is refusing to resign her seat despite moving out of state and facing mounting pressure to step down before her term ends in January. h/t @bostonglobe.com www.wpri.com/news/politic...
wpri.com
RI lawmaker moved out of state but won’t resign. Is that legal?
State Rep. Julie Casmiro she’ll finish her term remotely after relocating to South Carolina, despite calls to resign.
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Alexandra Leslie @alexandraleslie.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
NEW: A review commissioned and paid for by the city has concluded that Providence’s response to the 2025 mass shooting at Brown University was highly effective, though there were major communication failures. Story with @elisherman.bsky.social www.wpri.com/target-12/re... @wpri12.bsky.social
wpri.com
Report praises Providence response to Brown shooting, flags communication failures
The assessment offers a largely favorable review while raising questions about communication during the attack.
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