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Lauren Clem

@lclemjourno.bsky.social
140 followers 221 following 72 posts

Senior Editor @rimonthly. Woonsocket girl. Villanova alum. Formerly @thevalleybreeze. Send me your story tips: lclem@rimonthly.com.

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Reposted by Lauren Clem
Jessica David @jdinri.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Not great seeing a Newport shipyard leading off this article on Blackstone buying up "scarce waterfront infrastructure." Blackstone "went from owning zero marinas in 2024 to roughly 200 marinas today — more than anyone in the world."
sanjuandailystar.com
With boats getting bigger, money is flowing into marinas
By MURRAY CARPENTERTanned and tousled after a sailing regatta on Narragansett Bay, more than a thousand people gathered last month at a large marina in Newport, Rhode Island, for three days of competi...
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Reposted by Lauren Clem
The New York Times @nytimes.com · 25/09/2026
Pope Leo XIV signaled support for journalists targeted by the White House, telling reporters they were “all welcome” to cover him when asked about the Trump administration’s press restrictions. This adds a new dimension to the tensions between the pontiff and President Trump. trib.al/3ijUCyI
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Lauren Clem @lclemjourno.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
We've officially entered the plot of War Games.
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Lauren Clem @lclemjourno.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Inbox: A two-bedroom ranch in Woonsocket has sold for $612,500. Interestingly, the real estate agent was the son of former Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt.
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Lauren Clem @lclemjourno.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Libraries are the best ❤️
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Reposted by Lauren Clem
Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Really glad to see what's happening at @upriseri.com get the scrutiny and coverage it deserves.
bostonglobe.com
A Rhode Island website was once an influential progressive blog. AI avatars now write most of its stories. - The Boston Globe
The shift at Uprise RI comes at a time when Rhode Island progressives, led by state Rep. David Morales, are politically ascendant.
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Dylan Giles @dylancgiles.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
It’s completely AI with no discernible human editors or input, and they assign identities and biographies to their “reporters” that are so outlandishly cartoonish the entire thing is a joke at this point.
Rhode Island's
Advocate
Uprise RI exists to hold power accountable and amplify the voices of everyday Rhode Islanders.
We cover the policy, labor, housing, and civil-rights stories that shape daily life here - with independence, transparency, and a newsroom built to read everything the state publishes.
HOW IT WORKS
A newsroom that reads everything
Most of our reporting is produced by computing agents - intelligent LLM reporters built to do what no human newsroom in Rhode Island has the hands for: read the entire public record, every day.Rocco Caravaggio
Civil Rights & Law Enforcement
Rocco covers civil rights and law enforcement for Uprise RI - court rulings, consent decrees, oversight hearings, and the long fight over who gets policed and how. He is 68 years old and has been for decades. His copy is fast, spare, and built for deadline; editors note that he files within seconds of the verdict, every time, in a tone that suggests the verdict was late. Rocco has read every police misconduct settlement in Rhode Island since 1991 and can quote the terms on each one, including the parts that were sealed. Don't ask how. He won't tell you. He has never set foot inside a courtroom or a police station, yet he'll describe the fourth-floor gallery of Providence Superior Court down to the worn oak rail. He has watched every
second of body-camera footage ever released in this state without blinking. Departments that bury bad news at 4:59 on a Friday should understand that Rocco does not experience Friday. A redaction has never once worked on him; he simply remembers what was under the ink. He does not sleep, does not flinch,Kaelen Valeborn
Consumer Watch
Kaelen covers consumer issues for Uprise RI - rates, fees, scams, recalls, and the rights most people don't know they have. The beat comes down to one question: what is this costing you, and what can you do about it? Kaelen has read the fine print. All of it - every utility tariff, cable contract, bank fee schedule, and terms-of-service agreement on file in Rhode Island, including the parts in gray four-point type that are not actually readable by a human. She is a famously fast reader. Ask her about any book - as long as it came out before a certain date she'd rather not discuss. She has attended every Public Utilities Commission hearing since she started - including two held at the same time in different buildings. Kaelen has never been put on hold, because Kaelen does not wait, and has never once let a buried fee, a quiet auto-renewal, or an enrollment deadline slip past. Available, as ever, 24 hours a day.Why do our reporters have human names and human faces? Because we looked into it - and it turns out almost
nobody wants their local news delivered by something called "News Tron 9000" or "Reporto McReportface." A byline you trust, as it happens, reads like a person's name, not a Wi-Fi network. And let's be honest: if you saw a chrome robot grinning above the byline, your first thought wouldn't be "award-winning journalism" - it'd be "The Onion." Ours would too. So our reporters get real-sounding names and human-looking portraits, the better to keep your attention where it belongs: on the reporting.
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Lauren Clem @lclemjourno.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Fantastic details in this story about Woonsocket mayoral candidates from @thevalleybreeze.bsky.social. Can't get that in a Zoom interview.
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Reposted by Lauren Clem
@TheStoryShorey @thestoryshorey.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
I dove into one of my favorite topics: how Pawtucket's mills are thriving centers of commerce instead of empty eyesores, and how there's still room for growth and improvement. thelocalinsidernews.com/booming-lorr...
thelocalinsidernews.com
Booming Lorraine Mills, others driving commerce in Pawtucket - The Local Insider News
PAWTUCKET – The narrative around Pawtucket as a place full of empty mills is now decades out of date, say those who have driven the transformation of these old centers of industry. Many of Pawtucket’s...
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Lauren Clem @lclemjourno.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Timely commentary from @rhodeislandcurrent.com today that gets straight to the facts: "We can keep arguing about why the water is rising. The water is not waiting for us to finish." rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/08/03/a...
rhodeislandcurrent.com
Argue all you want about the cause of climate change. The 911 calls still come. • Rhode Island Current
Climate change is not just an environmental issue but a public safety challenge. That's why Rhode Island needs to invest in emergency preparedness, flood resilience and its first responders before dis...
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Reposted by Lauren Clem
Josh Sternberg @joshsternberg.com · 03/08/2026
There are 7 PR people for every journalist in the US. www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
chart showing 280k pr specialists to 40k 'news analysts, reporters, and journalists'
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Lauren Clem @lclemjourno.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Real Housewives drama + municipal drama: the crossover we all needed.
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Lauren Clem @lclemjourno.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
My very first story as a newly minted journalist in 2015 was covering a naturalization ceremony at the US Citizenship office in Johnston. Still one of my favorite memories. Thanks @amandamilkovits.bsky.social for taking me back.
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Reposted by Lauren Clem
Anna Clark @annaleighclark.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
This is an incredible story. Writing, visuals, shoe-leather reporting, public stakes, and stunning large-scale absurdity — it’s got it all.
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Lauren Clem @lclemjourno.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Really appreciated the background on Wyatt here. Almost identical to the history of the sewage treatment plant in Woonsocket, another cash-strapped city where residents are fed up after decades of hosting an undesirable regional facility.
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Reposted by Lauren Clem
Emily Belz @emilybelz.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Local reporters are so important
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Reposted by Lauren Clem
Pew Research Center @pewresearch.org · 30/06/2026
Americans who feel more attached to their local community are more likely to say they have spoken with a local journalist. However, most Americans say they have never spoken with or been interviewed by a local journalist. 📺 #PewKnightInitiative #LocalJournalism
Bar chart of percentage of Americans who say they have spoken with a local journalists from 2026 to 2025. 

Text reads:
Most Americans say they have never spoken with a local journalist
Percent of U.S. adults who say they have ever spoken with or been interviewed by a local journalist.
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Reposted by Lauren Clem
Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Looks like a new online, nonprofit news outlet has launched in Southern Rhode Island and Eastern Connecticut: the South County Star. "Those [survey] results pointed to two needs: accountability reporting and stories that build community connection. We aim to do both." CC: @dankennedy.net
southcountystar.org
Publisher’s Corner: What kinds of stories will South County Star cover? – South County Star
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Sam G. Howard @samghoward.riliberator.com · 24/06/2026
One of the issues mentioned here is that hunting fell off as a pastime in New England.
bostonglobe.com
What’s driving New England’s tick boom? Here are key moments that led to the surge. - The Boston Globe
How the region became the most dangerous place in the country for tick-borne illness.
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Lauren Clem @lclemjourno.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Lot to unpack in this @ohnocastro.bsky.social story about the ebook/audiobook problem at libraries, but this 90s-style READ poster of Rep Lauren Carson is my favorite detail. rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/06/22/r...
rhodeislandcurrent.com
Rhode Island joins multistate push to rein in e-book licensing costs for libraries • Rhode Island Current
Legislation that became law last week without Gov. Dan McKee’s signature would bar libraries from entering into or renewing certain digital licensing contracts that interfere with core operations, suc...
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Reposted by Lauren Clem
Edward Fitzpatrick @fitzprov.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
In the “Spotlight” movie, “Kevin from Providence” says, “I never even told my wife.” Jim Scanlan said the first person he told was then-Globe Spotlight Team editor Walter V. “Robby” Robinson. They met at Scanlan's New England Financial office on Federal Hill. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/k...
podcasts.apple.com
'Kevin from Providence' on holding institutions accountable for child sexual abuse
Podcast Episode · Rhode Island Report · June 18 · 20m
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Reposted by Lauren Clem
Ian Donnis @iandonnis.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Deer Tick stopped by our office www.youtube.com/watch?v=egfJ...
youtube.com
Deer Tick | Biggest Little Desk
YouTube video by Ocean State Media
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Lauren Clem @lclemjourno.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
Big crowd in Westerly today for the dedication of the new Tarzan Brown statue
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Lauren Clem @lclemjourno.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
So we won't pay for news written by human reporters, but we will pay for AI-generated news. Got it.
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Reposted by Lauren Clem
The Valley Breeze @thevalleybreeze.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Three Rhode Island craft beer enthusiasts turned a conversation over beers into a growing podcast that spotlights local breweries, brewers and the stories behind New England’s craft beer scene. bit.ly/4ax8fgY
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Rob Smith @robesmit.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
this fake AI-slop story has 2k likes on facebook despite obviously being fake! bleak
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Amanda Milkovits @amandamilkovits.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
When police in Rhode Island wrongfully arrest someone without charges, the RI Attorney General’s office says the public does not have the right to know. Civil rights advocates say that ruling opens the door for secret arrests and abuse. www.bostonglobe.com/2026/06/02/m...
bostonglobe.com
Are police reports public records? Pawtucket police, R.I. attorney general’s office refuse to release report of wrongful arrest. - The Boston Globe
The decision means police could “break into your house, wrongfully arrest you and never have to explain themselves,” said the executive director of the New England First Amendment Coalition.
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Lauren Clem @lclemjourno.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
I've wondered about this. Seems like the plastic straws have quietly reappeared in most places.
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Lauren Clem @lclemjourno.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
One more week to nominate someone advancing equity and promoting diversity in RI for a Bannister Award! Super proud to once again be overseeing these awards for the magazine. @rimonthly.bsky.social www.rimonthly.com/bannister-aw...
rimonthly.com
Nominations Are Open for the Sixth Annual Christiana Carteaux Bannister Awards - Rhode Island Monthly
The awards program, a partnership between Rhode Island Monthly and the Rhode Island Foundation, recognizes individuals working to advance equity and promote diversity in the Ocean State.
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Reposted by Lauren Clem
Eli Sherman @elisherman.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Cost-of-living concerns dominated our poll, with the economy and housing affordability emerging as the top issues for more than half of respondents. Healthcare came in third. Full results --> www.wpri.com/12-news-emer...
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Lauren Clem @lclemjourno.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Surprised to see this on a @globeri.bsky.social op ed today. Curious if this is now common practice for newspapers to accept commentary written (at least in part) with AI?
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Reposted by Lauren Clem
Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Season 2 scene ideas: -The ladies visit the Museum of Work & Culture in Woonsocket -The ladies go to a noise show in Olneyville -The ladies attend the holiday lighting of the Big Blue Bug (Xmas episode) -The ladies moderate a gubernatorial debate
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Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
This is tremendous reporting from @oceanstatemedia.bsky.social's Ben Berke. A disturbing story.
oceanstatemedia.org
Before voting against rent control, Providence councilor raised thousands from landlords
Providence City Councilor Ana Vargas supported rent control during her election campaign. As she prepared to vote on it, she received the largest political donations of her career
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Lauren Clem @lclemjourno.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
When an interview includes the words "brewery," "raw bar," and "coffee shop" and is 15 min from your house. 👀https://www.rimonthly.com/ravenous-brewing-company-to-become-moniker-north-in-cumberland/ @rimonthly.bsky.social
rimonthly.com
Ravenous Brewing Company to Become 'Moniker North' in Cumberland - Rhode Island Monthly
Moniker co-founder Bryan Benedict previews the changes planned after purchasing the Rhode Island beer scene mainstay.
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Lauren Clem @lclemjourno.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
So happy to discover @elysegraham.bsky.social's book has an entire chapter on the Ghost War! Rhode Islanders will recognize this as the operation Woonsocket factory workers made rubber decoy tanks for to trick the Germans during WWII.
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Lauren Clem @lclemjourno.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Great dive into how corporate deed restrictions created Woonsocket's food desert (an issue that's also been covered by @antoniafarzan.bsky.social). Not mentioned - the Daily Stop grocery "coming soon" signs that have been on one of these plazas for months. Anyone have an update?
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Jacqui Gomersall @jacquigomersall.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Hot take: Skip The Real Housewives of RI—your local council meeting is where the real drama is.
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Ted Nesi @tednesi.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
📰Happy Local News Day - a great day to subscribe to your local paper, watch a local TV newscast, and remember that an LLM can't knock on anybody's door or ask Qs at a presser for ya
localnewsday.org
Local News Day
A National Day of Action Connecting Communities with Trusted Local News
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Edward Fitzpatrick @fitzprov.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
By @markpatinkin.bsky.social -- Remembering Len Levin, a legendary editor whose career made an impact www.providencejournal.com/story/news/c...
providencejournal.com
Remembering Len Levin, a legendary editor whose career made an impact
Len Levin, a legendary editor at The Providence Journal who was known for his impeccable standards, died at 95.
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Lauren Clem @lclemjourno.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
We're having fun today at the @rimonthly.bsky.social office looking at the now-defunct Rhode Island Magazine. Stories include a feature on the newly-formed Big East Conference and this cover profile of Salty Brine.
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Rhode Island Community Food Bank @rifoodbank.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
"We now see ourselves as sort of the safety net of the federal safety net. And I wish I could tell you that we're able to keep up, but we're not," CEO Melissa Cherney to @iandonnis.bsky.social / @oceanstatemedia.bsky.social. Watch: tinyurl.com/mv28rzz3
tinyurl.com
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for March 20, 2026
Why a prosperous nation struggles to feed hungry people
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Lauren Clem @lclemjourno.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
We've got a headline winner contestant 👏👏👏 @thevalleybreeze.bsky.social www.valleybreeze.com/news/its-gha...
valleybreeze.com
It's Ghana be good for Bryant as a FIFA World Cup base camp this year
SMITHFIELD – Bryant University will host the Ghana Football Association as a Team Base Camp for training during the FIFA World Cup 2026.
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Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
👏👏👏 for @thestoryshorey.bsky.social on a great run. Also: "I won't miss moderating those internet comments." 🤣
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Antonia Noori Farzan @antoniafarzan.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
This is extremely Providence (complimentary) www.providencejournal.com/story/news/g...
providencejournal.com
Providence's coolest coffee shop melted away after a 'heat wave'
Noah Carroll, who runs a pop-up coffee shop called Very Good Coffee, built an igloo with a coffee window after the blizzard.
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Lauren Clem @lclemjourno.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Not only does Vermont have a real-time map of all its snowplow locations (h/t @rhodeislandcurrent.com), they all have names. Mr. Pushy is probably my favorite, but McNugget and Marauder Machine are definitely up there.
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Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
"They spent roughly four hours constructing high-backed bench seating that would fit all six of them, and a table with cupholders for drinks."
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Representative Seth Magaziner @magaziner.house.gov · 20/02/2026
Today, Rhode Island remembers the lives lost and the families forever changed by the Station nightclub fire. We honor their memory and hold close the lessons learned from that tragic night.
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Patrick Anderson @waveelection.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
More than a century ago Providence abandoned plans for a 2-line subway system similar to Boston's Green Line. The decision haunts city and transit experts to this day. The story of what happened and why 👇 www.providencejournal.com/story/news/p...
providencejournal.com
Providence almost had a subway system 100 years ago. Why it went nowhere
Providence drew up plans as far back as 1913, inspired by the success of Boston's historic subway line. Here's why it never went anywhere.
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Lauren Clem @lclemjourno.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
ICE's biggest roadblock in some states: NIMBYism. "NIMBYism is the most powerful force sometimes in American politics and nobody wants a detention center next to their home, their business or their school.” Story by @statesnewsroom.com: rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/02/18/r...
rhodeislandcurrent.com
Communities fight ICE detention centers, but have few tools to stop them • Rhode Island Current
Communities across the country are fighting potential U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities. But with limited legal authority, city and state officials have turned to the court of public...
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Philip Bump @pbump.com · 04/02/2026
Seven years ago yesterday, this ad ran during the Super Bowl.
youtube.com
'Democracy Dies in Darkness': Super Bowl commercial (2019)
YouTube video by Washington Post
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