Michael Bilow

Opinion – Fung Squirms as Magaziner Treads Water: 2nd Congressional District a Toss-Up

See how this turned out. In a three-way contest to represent the RI 2nd congressional district in the US House – among Republican Allan Fung, independent William Gilbert, and Democrat Seth Magaziner – polling has consistently shown a dead heat between Fung and Magaziner with considerable uncertainty as to whether Gilbert could serve as a […]

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Opinion – Cannabis Bans on 31 of 39 Local RI Ballots: Revenue implications could be substantial

[See how this turned out.] Prohibiting licensing of cannabis-related businesses directly defies the underlying principle of the new Cannabis Act that legalized adult recreational use, which is to regulate it like alcohol. Allowing local bans of cannabis-related business was a necessary political compromise to get the legislation passed after well over a decade of stalling […]

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Early voting now open to all in RI: No explanation or application required

Motif has analyzed a few of the hotly contested races and the statewide referendum questions (“News Analysis – Elections 2022: Few contested races remain after primaries”, by Michael Bilow, Oct 5). Every registered voter in RI is allowed to vote early with no need for explanation or pre-approval: just show up at your local city […]

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Lending Library of Things: PVD Things opens in Olneyville

PVD Things held its grand opening on Sun, Oct 23, at its new space at 12 Library Ct in Olneyville. The multi-room facility was open for tours, and free hot dogs (with vegetarian options) were being served from a grill. “We are a non-profit co-operative tool-lending library, and what that means is we’re a non-profit […]

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Fung leads Magaziner, McKee leads Kalus: Political poll results

A telephone poll was conducted by Fleming and Associates of Cumberland (sponsored by WPRI-12 News and Roger Williams University) of 402 RI likely voters, 254 of whom were in the Congressional second district, from Thu, Sep 29, to Sun, Oct 2. The most notable result shows Congressional second district Republican nominee Allan Fung leading Democratic […]

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News Analysis — Elections 2022: Few contested races remain after primaries

For information about the upcoming RI general election on Nov 8, see the web site – vote.sos.ri.gov – that explains how and where to vote, options for early voting, and lists of candidates for all offices. RI has early in-person voting Oct 19 through Nov 7 at city and town halls; no special application is […]

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RI Gov. McKee Tests Positive for COVID-19: Reports mild symptoms, isolating and working from home

RI Gov. Daniel McKee has tested positive for COVID-19, his office announced in a statement Sunday afternoon, saying the positive test was conducted Saturday night. Matt Sheaff, spokesman for Governor Dan McKee, said in the statement: “Late yesterday evening, Governor McKee tested positive for COVID-19. He only has minor symptoms because he is vaccinated and […]

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Was State Government Data Used for Politics?: Stephanie Beauté campaign e-mail raises legal, ethical questions

I received an e-mail message with a press release from Samuel Aboh, Jr, the campaign manager for Stephanie Beauté who is running as an underdog candidate for secretary of state in the Sep 13 Democratic primary. That’s not unusual, but the message was sent to an e-mail address I use for exactly one purpose and […]

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Heat Advisory – Dangerous heat index Thu, Fri: Thunderstorms possible Fri, Sat

A Heat Advisory is effective Thu 11am–Fri 8pm in RI, MA, and CT for dangerous heat index (combination of heat and humidity) up to 100F. The body loses the ability to regulate its temperature by evaporating sweat, possibly causing severe illness such as heat stroke, which is life-threatening. The heat index is an estimate of […]

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