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Gun debate looms large in General Assembly’s final days
    The Senate Judiciary Committee is the key battleground for contentious legislation in Rhode Island. So what happens when the majority of support on the committee for gun … more
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Will Senate Committee thwart gun reforms this year?
STORY OF THE WEEK: The familiar ritual of hearings on gun-related bills played out at the Statehouse last week, with lengthy meetings extending into the night and impassioned testimony on both sides … more
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The author with Dorothy Lamour.
Commentary: Recollecting on the hits and misses with those revered and renowned
I have finally, at long last, figured out how to travel...from Providence to East Providence. My lifelong habit was to cross a little red bridge and voila! There I was, decade after … more
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Mommy, can that man in the mug shot be President?
The slight rumble which you may have heard on Wednesday evening during the Republican Presidential debate was former governor and U.S. Senator John Chafee, former Secretary of State Susan Farmer, … more
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How do women factor into races for Governor and Congress?
STORY OF THE WEEK: When women run for office in Rhode Island, they usually win. Years of gains in the state Senate, for example, resulted in the chamber being equally divided between male and female … more
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Commentary: A call to reason: Booster mandate is punitive and untenable
This editorial will be straightforward and brief. The issue at hand is clear: why would the Barrington School Committee mandate a third COVID shot for teachers when: • Our school committee … more
Our impotent Congress is a disgrace
By now you know whether the Republican House got its act together and continued the funding to run the government. To think that these do-nothings continue to receive a whopping salary while our … more
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Commentary: RIMEA applauds strengthening of Arts Education in new graduation requirements
Following months of debate and collaboration with the Rhode Island Music Education Association (RIMEA) and other RI arts education groups, the Rhode Island Department of Education’s Council on … more
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Fung trying to have it both ways with national GOP connections
If a nationally prominent member of a political party comes to Rhode Island to support a particular candidate, the standard course would be for that candidate to shout about it from the rooftops. But … more
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The ‘Do Nothing’ attitude about guns is sickening
If I hear one more feckless politician express sympathy for gun victims after he/she voted against sensible gun regulation, I am going to barf. Take the recent hand-wringing by Maine’s U.S. … more
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May baskets — our forgotten Rite of Spring
By Jenny O'Neill Westport’s old-timers have fond memories of a now forgotten tradition of May baskets. These hand-made paper or cardboard baskets, filled with small treats and trinkets, … more
Challengers take their shots at McKee, who dismisses and deflects
STORY OF THE WEEK: Televised debates on WPRI and WJAR last week offered a window into the state of the Democratic primaries for governor and the 2 nd Congressional District. Rivals tried piling on … more
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Commentary: Are you age 70 or older and not yet receiving benefits?
Retirement is not one-size-fits-all.   It can mean different things to different people. Perhaps you have not applied for Social Security retirement benefits because you're still … more
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Poli-ticks: The sacred cows are mooing!
Forgive me for titling a column that I used almost 14 years ago. Like then, but with more money available now, the State has a surplus ($618.4 million, a $1.3 billion CARES ACT infusion of cash, … more
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Revelations show ugly behavior from state officials in Philly trip
STORY OF THE WEEK: The floodgates opened last week on the problematic visit by two high-level state Department of Administration officials to Philadelphia in March. Attorney General Peter Neronha … more
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Government is more like a tanker than a speed boat
STORY OF THE WEEK: From a marketing standpoint, the idea of enlisting a 96-year-old World War II vet to make the ceremonial first purchase of recreational cannabis at the Slater Compassion Center was … more
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ACLU: With Roe overturned, what comes next for abortion rights?
  The Supreme Court’s ruling today, which overturned  Roe v. Wade , is nothing less than a shameful, sweeping, … more
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Commentary: Mask Wars: Unvaccinated students should keep masks on in school
In the first Star Wars movie—you know with the Jawas, Sand People, Greedo, “Let the Wookie win” and the trash monster—there’s a scene on the Millenium Falcon where … more
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Will the Fung-Magaziner outcome reflect a national trend?
The out-of-town frame on the CD2 race is mainly about how a potential win by GOP candidate Allan Fung in a Democrat-leaning Rhode Island reflects a tough national outlook for President Biden’s … more
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All eyes are on the Speaker as Congressional race takes shape
STORY OF THE WEEK: With Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos having announced a run in CD1, the race to succeed U.S. Rep. David Cicilline is approaching a more active phase. All eyes are on House Speaker Joe … more
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Column: Remembering three coaches and a team that welcomed everyone
It’s easy to mock the “way things used to be” guy. He’s always got a story about the old days, about things that no longer exist, about people you’ve never heard of. He … more
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The gubernatorial candidates are getting aggressive
The fight for governor between Republican Ashley Kalus and Democrat Dan McKee has seemingly shifted into a new gear, with both campaigns aggressively going at each other amid an occasional misstep. … more
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Never a day in the U.S. where slavery is not legal
As Rhode Islanders go to the polls to vote, at least the abolition of slavery will not be on the ballot. Elsewhere in five states, Alabama, Louisiana, Oregon, Tennesee and Vermont, voters will decide … more
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Accountability and leadership in the I-195 crisis
STORY OF THE WEEK: The emergency closing of the westbound part of the Washington Bridge put Gov. Dan McKee — and how he performs during a crisis — under a microscope. McKee was … more
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McKee shows another side of himself
My parents always taught us to be gracious in victory as well as in defeat. One event that should be a source of gratitude to others and respect for a vanguished opponent is a stunning victory in a … more
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Jim McGaw

A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.

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