Good Day
Providence
Thursday, January 8th, 2026
Good morning, Providence. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 8th of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Today, GoLocal will announce RI’s Man and Woman of the Year. The Woman of the Year is Henrietta “Henrie” Tonia White-Holder—founder of High Ground International, which serves thousands of residents—and she is honored for driving her group’s new Providence headquarters at 7 Ninigret Avenue. Go Local Prov
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The RI-made film Sleepwalker, starring Hayden Panettiere, holds its world premiere today at Greenwich Odeum in East Greenwich, where cast members including Beverly D'Angelo and Mischa Barton are expected to attend, while public screenings will start tomorrow at Warwick's Apple Cinemas. The Providence Journal
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Brown University engineers use a temperature gradient across a battery’s solid-state electrolyte — creating mechanical stress that blocks lithium dendrite growth and improves charging performance three-fold. They plan to test practical applications that could shape future battery designs. Brown University
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ A new Save the Bay report shows volunteer beach cleanups have collected more tiny plastic and foam trash items, though cigarette butts declined from last year, and lawmakers still debate a bottle-deposit program while a DEM study is underway. Rhode Island PBS
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The state bought the shuttered St. Mary’s campus in North Providence on Dec. 31 and plans to open a new 16-bed psychiatric residential facility — pending environmental remediation and renovation approvals. The project is expected to be completed in about two years. The Boston Globe
- ➤ 2026 is set to bring major changes to Rhode Island as local elections, hospital ownership debates, and cultural shifts unfold. Stories include Gov. Dan McKee’s race for reelection, Brown University safety adjustments, a new reality TV show on Bravo, and international soccer drawing global attention. Rhode Island PBS
- ➤ The city announced plans to expand its snow ban parking locations to 16 sites for permit holders this winter (according to Mayor Brett Smiley's office) to give neighbors more parking choices during storms. Residents must move vehicles within eight hours once bans are lifted. 10 WJAR
- ➤ Ken Block is named Rhode Island’s Man of the Year for his decades of volunteer work holding government officials accountable while running a local software company; he founded a moderate party and provided independent analysis of local government practices. Go Local Prov
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ On Jan. 7, URI's men's basketball lost 79-72 to La Salle at the Ryan Center, and coach Archie Miller said the team's poor defensive play calls for improvement ahead of their Saturday road game against Davidson. The Providence Journal
- ➤ Providence and UConn coaches shared their insights after the Huskies rallied to win 103-98 in overtime at the AMP on Wednesday, Jan. 7. The Providence Journal
- ➤ Local high school basketball scores, recaps and game highlights were featured in the Wednesday Hoops Wrap report. The recap covered close contests between Chariho and Juantia Sanchez and multiple boys and girls games across divisions — providing key details for local sports fans. The Providence Journal
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Mojo Brookzz Comedy Show
9:30 PM - 12:30 AM — Comedy Connection — Tickets available — Enjoy the humor of Mojo Brookzz, a star on the We Them Ones Comedy Tour.
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Fight Life Pro Wrestling: Never Easy
3-6 p.m. — Lighthouse Skatepark — Snacks and drinks available — Enjoy an afternoon of live indy wrestling featuring top performers in a vibrant venue.
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Birdhouse Painting Workshop
4:00 – 5:30 PM — Knight Memorial Library — Reservations required — Create and paint your very own wooden birdhouse in this hands-on workshop.
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Read More, Learn More!
2:30–5:30 p.m. — Washington Park Library — Free entry — Unlock the magic of storytelling with engaging sessions led by Ms. Carol.
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Read More, Learn More!
2:30-5:30 p.m. — Washington Park Library — Free entry — A delightful reading series designed to unlock the magic of stories with Ms. Carol.
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Alex Cohen Acoustic Performance
5:30-8:30 p.m. — Basta Italian Restaurant — Reservations highly encouraged — Enjoy an eclectic acoustic mix of classics and originals from the ’50s to today.
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Providence Friars vs. Creighton Bluejays Basketball Game
6:30-8 p.m. — Amica Mutual Pavilion — Ticket prices vary — Watch an exciting NCAA basketball matchup featuring the Providence Friars taking on the Creighton Bluejays.
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Aurora Lake Painting Session
2-4:30 p.m. — Paint and Vino — Complimentary beverage included — Unleash your inner artist while enjoying a drink with friends.
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Starlit Bottle Lamp Workshop
1-3:30 p.m. — Paint and Vino — Complimentary beverage included — Create your own bottle lamp while enjoying a drink in a relaxed studio setting.
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Technology Time at the Library
1-3 p.m. — Washington Park Library — Free entry — Offering free tech help in Spanish to empower the Hispanic community with digital skills.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.
~ Rumi
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