Good morning, Providence.

A truck crash on I-95 north by Thurber Avenue near exit 35 in Providence blocked three lanes for over an hour as gasoline trailed along the road (no injuries were reported) before officials cleared the scene.

Providence police said Angel Martinez (23) wanted for kidnapping his ex-girlfriend was arrested by Connecticut State Police at a Madison rest area along Interstate 95 after troopers found a loaded 9mm handgun in his vehicle while confirming the victim was unharmed.

Providence College grad Manya Glassman’s 20-minute film How I Learned to Die will debut at the Tribeca Film Festival next month—shot in Rhode Island, it tells the story of a 16-year-old with a 60% chance of dying in four days and sets the stage for a future full-length feature; Spike Lee, who once taught her, helped produce the project. Glassman plans to expand the film as she continues to work on new film projects.

Revised estimates released on May 9th show that state revenue beat forecasts by $60.7 million this year and will be $19.3 million over next year’s estimates—sales tax fell $22 million short, easing pressure on a projected $250 million deficit.

Leaders remain cautious amid national recession fears as they shape next year’s budget.

Professor of History Ethan Pollock has been named the new dean of the College at Brown University and will lead academic operations for more than 7,200 undergraduate students.

He brings years of teaching and research experience — skills he will use to build trust and support academic growth at Brown.

Rhode Island colleges will soon award honorary degrees to notable figures such as musician Jon Batiste and track star Allyson Felix—honors that will be presented during 2025 commencement ceremonies to recognize leaders in arts, public service, and education.

On May 7, the Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture considered two bottle bill proposals requiring a 10-cent deposit on beverage containers—aimed at reducing landfill waste and litter.

Industry leaders argued the fee would raise costs for consumers while environmental advocates pointed to poll results and microplastic pollution in Narragansett Bay—further fueling the debate over better recycling solutions.

Rhode Island officials announced that roughly $251 million in federal funds has been secured to upgrade 11 bridges along I-95 between Providence and Warwick while eliminating four for vertical clearance improvements+ the overall project is estimated to cost $723 million and will serve 180,000 vehicles daily+ officials expect work to start soon.

Food House Concert in Providence

7:00-11:55 PM — Fete Music Hall — ADV $20 • DOS $25 18+ — Experience vibrant performances from Food House and Folie in a lively atmosphere.

Lake Street Dive Concert

6:30-9:00 p.m. — Providence Performing Arts Center — Starting at $70 — Experience a high-energy night filled with outstanding tunes from Lake Street Dive.

Zumba with Kiki

6:30-7:30 p.m. — Roger Williams Park Gateway Center — Registration required — Get moving with Kiki in a high-intensity Zumba class set in a beautiful park environment.

Chair Yoga Classes

1:30-2:30 p.m. — Community Libraries of Providence: Mount Pleasant Library — Registration required — Enjoy the benefits of yoga with supportive chair postures and a certified instructor.

Youth Makerspace Exploration

3:30-5:30 p.m. — Washington Park Library — Free entry — Explore innovative makerspace technology like sewing machines and 3D printers in a creative environment.

Espresso Martini Painting Night

7-9:30 p.m. — Paint and Vino — RSVP required — Enjoy a creative night with a complimentary drink and craft your own masterpiece.

Writing on Westminster

2-4 p.m. — Symposium Books — Free entry — Enjoy an outdoor write-in with fellow creatives at a local bookstore with coffee and pastries on offer.

Puzzical Chairs & Pie with Live Music by Skyjelly

1-3 p.m. — 195 District Park — Free entry — Engage in a fun, intergenerational puzzle challenge accompanied by live music and enjoy a festive atmosphere.

Create Your City

4-5 p.m. — Community Libraries of Providence: Smith Hill Library — Free — Explore urban planning through activities like public art, tree planting, and city design.

Leland Baker Quartet Performance

6-7:30 p.m. — Community Libraries of Providence: Mount Pleasant Library — RSVP required — Enjoy an evening of energetic jazz infused with the spirit of blues from the Leland Baker Quartet.