Columns | EastBayRI.com - News, Opinion, Things to Do in the East Bay

Abortion will be a big topic in state races this year

The sweeping ability of the U.S. Supreme Court to reshape American life – and the power of justices with lifetime appointments -- used to be a quiet topic for the inside baseball of political … more

By Ian Donnis | 6/28/22

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

By Jessica Arons, ACLU Senior Policy Counsel | 6/25/22

Commentary: Senate needs to act on shoreline access

The Rhode Island General Assembly has a singular opportunity in this session to end years of chaos and confusion regarding where Rhode Islanders can exercise their constitutionally-protected rights … more

By Thomas J. Gibson, Jr. | 6/13/22

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

By Ian Donnis | 6/7/22

Letter: School safety is everyone's responsibility

As I watched our middle school students and teachers perform beautifully at the Spring Band concert yesterday evening, I have to admit that I was profoundly distracted; distracted … more

By Thomas Aubin | 6/3/22

Not another moment of silence

I’m sick to death of observing another moment of silence when children have been murdered, particularly in a school setting. Since 2018 there have been 119 school shootings. The most recent … more

By Arlene Violet, Esq. | 6/3/22

Op-Ed: The Coffee Depot turns 20

Twenty years ago this month a former mattress store opened its doors as a warm, spacious, California-style coffee house: The Coffee Depot. Pioneering and exciting at its inception, the Depot has now … more

By Jerry Blitefield | 5/26/22

Ashley Kalus’ media buy is a knockout

Since she is an unknown candidate in the gubernatorial race, Republican Ashley Kalus has commenced a media buy in order to get name recognition. One campaign ad shows her as a boxer (with … more

By Arlene Violet | 5/13/22

Column: Important lessons from (almost) forgotten history

As someone who makes it their profession to know things and seeks out knowledge when I find myself ignorant on issues of importance, I will admit flatly that I was ashamed to learn how little I truly … more

By Ethan Hartley | 5/12/22

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

5/6/22

Welcome to the America of Me, Myself and I

I was not among those jumping for joy when a federal court judge struck down the mask mandate on the basis that the CDC had no authority to require masks on folks using modes of public … more

By Arlene Violet | 4/29/22

The Acoaxet Chapel was built in 1872, on a $35 lot of land near Westport Point.

Acoaxet chapel at 150 years: Faithful paid $35 for the land

Editor's note: This is a second in a series of articles commemorating this year's 150th anniversary of the Acoaxet Chapel Association. By Neil Timpson From 1840 on, neighbors in Acoaxet, … more

4/29/22

Commentary: On Mother’s Day, don’t forget moms who struggle

Mother’s Day is the day when we celebrate our moms and the other women in our lives who have given us love, guidance, inspiration, and support.What we don’t often do on Mother’s … more

By Diane LeValley | 4/29/22

Westport Health Notes: Rabies clinic is Saturday

Welcome to Westport Health Notes, a monthly column from the Westport Board of Health (BOH). The goal is to share information with our community about local issues and projects, public health … more

By Tanja Ryden | 4/22/22

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a bamboozle!

Here we go again! Armed with a four-page term sheet, Gov. Dan McKee, Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza, and the Principal of High Rock Westminster Street LLC announced an “agreement” that … more

By Arlene Violet | 4/22/22

Column: Students show that addiction education has come a long way

Sitting in the Mt. Hope High School auditorium, I’d be lying to say I wasn’t a little hesitant about the addiction awareness theatrical performance I was about to see. I was born in … more

By Ethan Hartley | 4/14/22

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

By Ian Donnis | 4/6/22

Op-ed: The seeds of change planted 50 years ago now bloom in Warren

Looking back from where we were 50 years ago, it brings joy to my heart to see these initial efforts have continued to blossom, bringing renewed vitality in our now vibrant community. more

By Robert Porter Lynch | 3/30/22

As the virus persists, will the future repeat the past?

STORY OF THE WEEK: The approach of nicer spring weather makes it easy to think that COVID has been banished. But surges are sparking lockdowns in other parts of the world, and the Omicron BA.2 … more

By Ian Donnis | 3/22/22

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

By Dr. Kevin M. Blanchard | 3/11/22

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

2/28/22

Commentary: Shallow Learning displayed by Barrington School Committee

By Dr. Kevin M. Blanchard, Ed.D., NBCT For several years the Barrington Public Schools have been engaged in an effort to promote and instill Deep Learning in our graduates. … more

2/23/22

Commentary: What about us, the Barrington teachers?

With the click of my right index finger I may have contributed to the termination of more than 30 of my colleagues. I teach in Barrington and the members of our school committee are insisting that … more

By Dr. Kevin M. Blanchard, Ed.D., NBCT | 2/15/22

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

By Ian Donnis | 2/11/22

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

By Arlene Violet, Esq. | 2/2/22