Good morning, Providence.

Women’s Refugee Care supports refugee families in Providence by providing housing, food, education and job placement services, including ESL classes and empowerment sessions.

The organization works with local partners to assist over 300 families weekly but faces challenges from recent funding cuts — volunteers are encouraged to help.

A majority of Ocean State Media editorial team members voted to unionize with SAG-AFTRA on Wednesday + they are asking for fairer pay and more input in decisions as the local public media outlet works to bounce back after funding cuts.

Providence organizers announced that Big Freedia and native artist Butch Tavares will perform at the 2026 PVDFest on Sept.

18 and 19 in downtown, with a preview event this Saturday (3–7 p.m.) at the PVD FanZone. The festival will feature food, art, and live music.

Barstool founder Dave Portnoy praised Real Housewives of Rhode Island in a TikTok after the reunion aired Sunday, June 21 (he highlighted bold insults) and plans to tune in for more.

The show streams on Peacock with Part 2 airing Sunday at 9 p.m. on Bravo.

Researchers from Brown’s Annenberg Institute and Warren Alpert Medical School launched a Student Mental Health Network in September 2025 to help leaders in 11 public school districts improve mental health screenings, interventions, and parent communications.

The program will continue with nearly all districts in the 2026-27 school year (including Woonsocket).

Brown University announced that 39 Fulbright awards have been given to 35 recent grads + 4 graduate students for teaching and research assignments in 24 countries starting Fall 2026.

The placements span North America, South America, Africa, Asia and Europe.

The City Council plans a proposal to speed up how local schools make purchases by letting the district approve contracts under $500,000 while larger deals still need extra review (ensuring competitive bidding).

The proposal will be introduced for a public hearing before schools return to local control on July 1.

Scituate and Johnston public schools have chosen Zum to update student transportation, creating 50 local driving positions and providing an app (for added reliability) to track bus routes.

The new system will modernize daily commutes for students.

Traffic from Route 2 South will use a new ramp when the old on-ramp to I-95 closes forever at 9 p.m. Friday, June 26 to remove a tight merge; a ramp 450 feet away will open as part of a $144 million project to improve safety.

Rhode Island now allows pet telemedicine, letting vets offer virtual first visits and 30-day prescriptions (controlled drugs still require in-person exams).

This update aims to expand access to pet care statewide.

Yankee Magazine ranked six top Rhode Island beaches to visit this summer — including Narragansett Town near Providence and East Beach in Charlestown — to help families and surfers plan trips.

A family is suing their landlord after photos from April 2026 show peeling paint and contaminated dust in an apartment on Ivy Street.

The unit, which was abated in 2018, again displayed lead hazards that put the children at risk.

Delta Sleep Concert

7-9 p.m. — Fete Music Hall — $25 ADV | $30 DOS — Experience the dreamy sounds of Delta Sleep alongside Michael Cera Palin and Combat.

Reaper's Gong Live Concert

5-8 p.m. — Alchemy — Tickets from $40 — Experience the electrifying performance of Reaper's Gong at this can't-miss live event.

Revolve Dance Project: Revolutions

2-5 p.m. — The Strand Ballroom — Cost information not provided — Celebrate five years of artistic collaboration with new works of live music and dance.

Eric Johanson Concert

7-10 p.m. — The Parlour Providence — Tickets available — Experience sharp songwriting and exceptional guitar skills by Eric Johanson.

Chatty Cats Gathering

4-5 p.m. — Wanskuck Library — Free entry — Connect with fellow cat lovers over snacks, coloring, and crafting cat toys.

Open Studio at Makerspace for Adults

6:00 – 7:30 p.m. — Knight Memorial Library — Free entry — Explore your creative projects with access to cutting machines and other makerspace equipment.

Recycled Sewing Workshop

3-5 p.m. — Wanskuck Library — Free entry — Upcycle and repurpose fabric in this all-ages sewing session.

Arcadia - Arcade Music Festival

July 4th — 165 Pub — Cost not specified — Experience a vibrant celebration of arcade music in Providence.

Annual Cape Verdean Independence Festival

Time TBD — India Point Park — Free entry — Celebrate the rich culture of the Cape Verdean community in the oldest festival of its kind in the U.S.

Elway Concert

7-10 p.m. — Alchemy — Tickets starting at $39 — Elway is coming for an unforgettable live music experience in Providence.