News

Blizzard criteria met in RI, MA: NWS announces list of stations that qualified

The National Weather Service announced at 5:41pm that the official requirements for classifying the Jan 29 storm as a blizzard were met at a number of (mostly airport) observation stations, including Providence (KPVD), Westerly (KWST), Newport (KUUU), and Block Island (KBID) in RI and Boston (KBOS), Worcester (KORH), Beverly (KBVY), Hyannis (KHYA), Marshfield (KGHG), and […]

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High-impact winter storm/blizzard likely, 12–24 inches snow: Fri 9pm–Sat 8pm time frame

Blizzard Warning in effect from Sat Jan 29, 12:00am EST until Sun Jan 30, 12:00am EST. RI has declared a state of emergency and imposed a travel ban Sat until 11:59pm for all vehicles. RIPTA has suspended all service Sat. A classic “nor’easter” winter storm is bringing blizzard conditions and an estimated 12–24 inches of […]

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RI Gov. McKee updates blizzard situation: 9:30am press conference

(Click here to watch the full press conference.) After declaring a state of emergency and imposing a travel ban because of the blizzard affecting RI today, Gov. Daniel McKee gave a progress report at a press conference held at the Emergency Management Agency (EMA) in Cranston this morning at 9:30am. He was accompanied by Lt. […]

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McDonald named interim RIDOH director: Part of new transition team

Dr James McDonald, medical director of the RI Department of Health (RIDOH) since Feb 2012, has been named interim director following the resignation of Director Dr Nicole Alexander-Scott on Jan 13 and of Deputy Director Tom McCarthy on Jan 18, both resignations effective Feb 1, according to a statement issued this morning by the office […]

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Thursday morning snow less than 2 inches: Will cause difficult commute

At Providence, snow is possible Thu 3:00am–2:00pm, possibly beginning as rain before changing to snow by 7:00am. The timing of the precipitation will make the morning commute difficult due to slippery road surfaces, especially as ice forms during the transition from rain to snow. Several cities in RI and nearby MA have announced parking bans; […]

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Free rapid COVID-19 tests available: US government web page, pharmacies

Every residential address in the US can order four rapid antigen test (RAT) kits for free, expected to be delivered in late January, through an official government web page: covidtests.gov (which currently redirects to a site operated by the US Postal Service special.usps.com/testkits). Persons need enter only their name and shipping address to place a […]

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RI Health Director Alexander-Scott resigns: Led state’s COVID-19 response from the beginning

Dr Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, who has served as director of the RI Department of Health (RIDOH) since 2015 and spearheaded the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic from the beginning, has resigned effective two weeks from today, according to a statement from Gov. Daniel McKee, and the governor “regretfully accepted.” She will continue in […]

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