Good morning, Providence.

Sunflower season offers five farms where you can pick your own blooms and join local events.

Butterfly Farm in Lincoln will open its sunflower field and Open Farm Day on Aug. 15 while other locations in Hope, South Kingstown, Westerly, and Johnston host daily pick-your-own experiences this August.

Washington County Fair kicked off yesterday in Richmond to celebrate 60 years with agriculture, carnival rides, country music, free line dancing, and a fundraiser for Hasbro Children's Hospital as the event runs for five days.

The Campanella family bought the restaurant's assets for $20,000 and will reopen the venue soon in Cranston to honor its legacy and support local workers.

They did not provide an exact reopening date.

A man is recovering in the hospital after being attacked by a rabid raccoon at Potter Wood in South Kingstown on Monday; local officials & Animal Control advised visitors to avoid the area and keep pets on a leash.

Local historians encourage residents to visit key King Philip's War sites as the state marks 350 years since the war's end — sites in Swansea, Central Falls, and Bristol provide insight into Native American heritage.

Electric rates continue to burden customers this summer as Rhode Island Energy seeks further increases for winter while Gov. McKee has announced $28 million in state funds to provide temporary bill credits; debates remain over long-term fixes like pipeline expansion or more renewable sources.

Providence firefighters hosted a live burn drill for Central High career-tech students on Wednesday to demonstrate fire suppression techniques and prepare them for ride-along experiences and a year-long EMT program.

Community Libraries of Providence announced that the Olneyville branch in Olneyville Square will close its current location and reopen in a new space soon to better serve residents (Director Cheryl Space explained the move addresses evolving community needs).

Researchers at URI’s Biocontrol Lab are studying a parasitic wasp (Dryinus sinicus) to help control the invasive spotted lanternfly harming local trees and orchards.

The USDA funds tests to ensure the wasp only targets the pest and that no unintended effects occur.

Food safety specialist Nicole Richard from URI shared guidelines to help avoid Cyclospora and salmonella on Gene Off Script.

She explained that outbreaks may have been linked to contaminated soil (or irrigation water) at local farms like Taylor Farms.

Adventurous locals can try extreme summer sports at venues including surfing in Narragansett, skydiving and shark diving in Newport, rock climbing at Beach Pond, and parasailing from Newport.

Each activity provides lesson times and pricing to suit thrill-seekers in the Ocean State.