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2023 Inaugural Spoken Awards – Winners

Spoken words have power – to spread ideas, create new thoughts, spin up ideas, or even just amuse or entertain. They are the OG medium of communication, artistic expression and journalism. To recognize the practitioners of art forms such as spoken word, storytelling and stand-up comedy, Motif embarked on a new kind of awards show […]

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Connolly, Jackson named youth poetry ambassador, deputy: Celebratory reading Jan 27

Natasha Connolly has been selected as youth poetry ambassador and Sadie Jackson has been selected as deputy youth poetry ambassador for 2023 by RI Poet Laureate Tina Cane, the RI Center for the Book announced. Both are students at Classical High School in Providence. Karuna Lohmann of Quest Montessori High School in Narragansett, Marvellous Awe […]

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RI Recreational Cannabis Sales Begin Dec 1: Five retail venues licensed to open

Recreational cannabis sales begin Thu, Dec 1, under a new state statute signed into law on May 25. “Five licensed medical marijuana compassion centers have been approved for hybrid retail licenses, which allow them to sell both medical and adult use marijuana products in retail settings,” the office of RI Gov. Daniel McKee said in […]

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RI Election 2022 — Magaziner, McKee, cannabis sales win big: Democrats sweep all state general offices

Republican candidates, expected to mount strong challenges in marquee races, went down to defeat against Democratic opponents in RI in the Nov 8 election, although by varying margins. For the seat being vacated by retiring James Langevin (D) in the US House of Representatives for the 2nd congressional district, Allan Fung (R), who served as […]

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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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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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Phillipe and Jorge Columnist Chip Young Passes Unexpectedly: Motif mourns the loss of an extraordinary journalist

We are stunned and saddened to report that Chip Young, environmental activist, rabble-rouser and long-time contributor to Motif and to Rhode Island journalism, has passed away suddenly. Chip and collaborator Rudy Cheeks have brought Phillipe & Jorge’s Cool, Cool World to RI readers through various publications, including the Phoenix and Motif, non-stop for the last […]

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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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