Christopher Gavin
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chrisgavin.bsky.social
Christopher Gavin
@chrisgavin.bsky.social
1.5K followers 450 following 560 posts
Boston Globe reporter covering Rhode Island
Bylines at The Messenger, Boston.com. Springsteen fan, guitar guy, Emerson College grad. Long Islander living in New England.
Latest stories: https://shorturl.at/PKLSh
News tips? christopher.gavin@globe.com
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Reposted by Christopher Gavin
stephmachado.bsky.social
NEW: Everyone's been asking: what's going into the old Eastside Marketplace in Providence?

Whole Foods just signed a 20-year lease for the space, according to public records.

Here's what we know: www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/11/m...
Whole Foods leases vacant Eastside Marketplace in Providence - The Boston Globe
The 33,800-square foot grocery store has been vacant since Stop & Shop closed 32 stores last year
www.bostonglobe.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Reposted by Christopher Gavin
stephmachado.bsky.social
NEW: Providence city councilor Sue AnderBois says she's running for lieutenant governor next year, challenging
Sabina Matos in what could be a crowded field. Former state Senator Cindy Coyne previously announced she's running www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/10/m...
Providence City Councilor Sue AnderBois to run for R.I. lieutenant governor - The Boston Globe
AnderBois will challenge incumbent Sabina Matos, a fellow Providence Democrat.
www.bostonglobe.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:43 PM
chrisgavin.bsky.social
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence has approved mergers between parishes in Providence and between others in West Warwick, citing declining numbers of parishioners.
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/10/m...
R.I. Catholic diocese approves merging parishes in Providence and West Warwick, citing declining number of parishioners - The Boston Globe
The parishes experienced a “decline in parish and sacramental life” prior to the approval of the mergers, diocese officials said.
www.bostonglobe.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:09 PM
chrisgavin.bsky.social
With SNAP benefits in limbo, restaurants, businesses, community organizations, and people around New England have stepped up, giving away food, money, and their time to make sure their neighbors in need will not go without.

www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/07/m...
‘Food is love’: With SNAP payments in limbo, New Englanders are stepping up to help one another - The Boston Globe
In Rhode Island, a federal employee who has worked for nearly a month without a paycheck has set up a front-yard pantry to help out. “One day I’ll be in need, and the community will do the same,” she ...
www.bostonglobe.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Reposted by Christopher Gavin
alexagagosz.bsky.social
NEW: Prospect Medical Holdings and the Rhode Island Attorney General’s office have struck a short-term deal to keep the bankrupt company’s two Rhode Island hospitals operating while a longer-term solution is worked out in bankruptcy court.

@bostonglobe.com
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/07/m...
Prospect, R.I. reach temporary deal to keep Roger Williams, Fatima hospitals open - The Boston Globe
New court filings show Fatima and Roger Williams hospitals are expected to lose about $6 million in November alone
www.bostonglobe.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Reposted by Christopher Gavin
fitzprov.bsky.social
Trump administration seeks to block court order for full SNAP payments for November
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/07/m...
Trump administration seeks to block court order for full SNAP payments for November - The Boston Globe
In court documents filed Friday, government lawyers argued that the food stamps crisis was caused by the government shutdown and can only be solved by congressional action.
www.bostonglobe.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Reposted by Christopher Gavin
fitzprov.bsky.social
🎙️Podcast: @reed.senate.gov warns of Trump politicizing the US military. Reed, ranking Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, urges Republicans not to remain silent while “while the president transforms the military into his personal political tool”
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/06/m...
Senator Reed warns of Trump politicizing the US military - The Boston Globe
Reed, ranking Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, urges Republicans not to remain silent while “while the president transforms the military into his personal political tool.”
www.bostonglobe.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:39 PM
chrisgavin.bsky.social
At Brown University, Condoleezza Rice says Putin is ‘the only person that matters’ in decision to end war in Ukraine

www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/05/m...
At Brown University, Condoleezza Rice says Putin is ‘the only person that matters’ in decision to end war in Ukraine - The Boston Globe
The former Secretary of State also discussed the AI race with China and the Iraq War. “The lives lost there will never be brought back and for that, I still have regret.”
www.bostonglobe.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:09 AM
chrisgavin.bsky.social
Smithfield, R.I., superintendent on leave pending review of handling of antisemitic hazing report
via @fitzprov.bsky.social
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/05/m...
Smithfield, R.I., superintendent on leave pending review of handling of antisemitic hazing report - The Boston Globe
The announcement comes two days after the Smithfield School Committee voted to have a law firm review how Superintendent Dawn Bartz handled the matter.
www.bostonglobe.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:07 PM
chrisgavin.bsky.social
About 1,000 people swarmed streets in Providence’s Elmhurst neighborhood in the early morning hours after Halloween night, culminating in fights that sent at least three people to hospitals, according to police.
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/04/m...
Several people assaulted during suspected ‘street takeover’ where about 1,000 people flooded Providence’s Elmhurst neighborhood - The Boston Globe
No arrests were made but the incident remains under investigation, a police spokesperson said Tuesday.
www.bostonglobe.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Reposted by Christopher Gavin
fitzprov.bsky.social
Trump says he won’t make any SNAP payments until shutdown ends. Tuesday's statement comes as plaintiffs have filed a motion in federal court in RI seeking full SNAP payments for November.
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/04/m...
Trump states he won’t make any SNAP payments until shutdown ends - The Boston Globe
Tuesday’s statement from the president came as plaintiffs on the SNAP lawsuit filed a motion asking a R.I. judge to force the Trump administration provide full funding for the national food stamp prog...
www.bostonglobe.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:36 PM
chrisgavin.bsky.social
On Monday, more than 40 cats and dogs were removed from an apartment building tied to a 24-year-old woman whose “suspicious death” is under investigation.

www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/04/m...
More than 40 cats and dogs removed from Central Falls, R.I., apartment building tied to woman in ‘suspicious death’ case - The Boston Globe
Erica Bader, 24, resided at the building along with others charged in connection to her death, court filings show.
www.bostonglobe.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Reposted by Christopher Gavin
alexagagosz.bsky.social
SCOOP: Another health system may be eyeing two cash-strapped hospitals in Rhode Island as Prospect Medical Holdings, their bankrupt parent company based in California, recently threatened to close the two hospitals down. See which one:
@bostonglobe.com
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/04/m...
New suitor emerges for bankrupt Rhode Island hospitals facing closure - The Boston Globe
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha notes the state is aware that “another operator recently commenced diligence” on the two hospitals.
www.bostonglobe.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Reposted by Christopher Gavin
fitzprov.bsky.social
Smithfield, R.I., school board votes for law firm to review handling of report of antisemitic hazing on football team. "Smithfield, the nation is watching," said Wendy Joering of the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center. “Do the right thing.”
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/04/m...
Smithfield, R.I., school board votes for law firm to review handling of report of antisemitic hazing on football team - The Boston Globe
" Smithfield, the nation is watching," said Wendy Joering of the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center. “Do the right thing.”
www.bostonglobe.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Reposted by Christopher Gavin
alexagagosz.bsky.social
SCOOP: Days after Prospect Medical Holdings signaled plans to shut down its two safety-net hospitals in Rhode Island, the CEO of the nonprofit trying to buy them says it’s not walking away from the deal.

@bostonglobe.com

www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/03/m...
Centurion vows to keep Rhode Island’s safety-net hospitals open as Prospect Medical moves to shut them down - The Boston Globe
While Prospect has “characterized themselves as victims of circumstances, the record tells a different story,” wrote Centurion’s attorneys in court documents.
www.bostonglobe.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:01 PM
chrisgavin.bsky.social
A 21-year-old man is facing charges after he allegedly threw fireworks at a Christian church group that had gathered to preach in public on Saturday, authorities said.
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/03/m...
Providence man charged after allegedly throwing fireworks at Christian group - The Boston Globe
The group had assembled on Saturday to preach in public, according to a police report.
www.bostonglobe.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Reposted by Christopher Gavin
fitzprov.bsky.social
Trump administration will tap contingency funds to make partial SNAP payments. But the US Department of Agriculture has refused to dip into other funds to make full food stamp payments for November
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/03/m...
Trump administration will tap contingency funds to make partial SNAP payments - The Boston Globe
But the US Department of Agriculture has refused to dip into other funds to make full food stamp payments for November.
www.bostonglobe.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:53 PM
chrisgavin.bsky.social
Monthly out-of-pocket premium payments for people who receive health insurance coverage through HealthSource RI, the state’s health care exchange, are expected to jump by just over 100 percent on average when federal tax credits expire, agency officials said.
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/03/m...
HealthSource RI monthly premiums set to double, on average, with federal tax credits expiring - The Boston Globe
Rhode Island’s health care exchange estimates the higher costs may lead to more than 13,000 people dropping coverage.
www.bostonglobe.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Reposted by Christopher Gavin
fitzprov.bsky.social
Federal judge dismisses lawsuit challenging deportation of RI kidney doctor. Judge says he lacks authority to act in the case of Dr. Rasha Alawieh, who was deported after border agents at Logan airport found photos of Hezbollah ‘fighters and martyrs’ on her phone
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/03/m...
Federal judge dismisses lawsuit challenging deportation of R.I. kidney doctor - The Boston Globe
Judge says he lacks authority to act in the case of Dr. Rasha Alawieh, who was deported after border agents at Logan found photos of Hezbollah ‘fighters and martyrs’ on her phone.
www.bostonglobe.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Reposted by Christopher Gavin
fitzprov.bsky.social
Federal judge in R.I. responds to Trump administration, spells out where to find funding for SNAP payments. Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr. gave the administration until Monday make full November SNAP payments or until Wednesday to make partial payments
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/03/m...
Federal judge in R.I. responds to Trump administration, spells out where to find funding for SNAP payments - The Boston Globe
Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr. gave the administration until Monday make full November SNAP payments or until Wednesday to make partial payments.
www.bostonglobe.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:52 PM
chrisgavin.bsky.social
Nothing quite like the vibe shift from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1.
November 1, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Reposted by Christopher Gavin
fitzprov.bsky.social
Federal judge in R.I. blocks Trump administration from halting SNAP payments
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/31/n...
Federal judge in R.I. blocks Trump administration from halting SNAP payments - The Boston Globe
Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr. ordered the government to tap $6 billion in contingency funds to make the SNAP payments, rejecting the argument that the money should be saved for other emergencies.
www.bostonglobe.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:27 PM
chrisgavin.bsky.social
A R.I. parent who has sparked battles over "gender ideology" and “critical race theory” in schools has now taken aim at Barrington requesting more than 45K records to determine whether a teacher who criticized Charlie Kirk has been teaching “radical politics.”
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/31/m...
R.I. public school quotes $117k fee for records request involving teacher who criticized Charlie Kirk - The Boston Globe
A local mom and transparency advocate asked for nearly 10 years of emails and 15 years of curricula to see what the Barrington, R.I., educator was teaching students.
www.bostonglobe.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:06 PM
chrisgavin.bsky.social
Rhode Island will feel significant impacts from the “One Big Beautiful Act,” which “severely threatens” Medicaid coverage for more than 30,000 residents and cuts food assistance benefits for at least 2,300 households, according new state reports.
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/31/m...
‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ threatens Medicaid coverage, SNAP benefits for thousands in R.I., state’s analysis finds - The Boston Globe
Three new reports released by Governor Dan McKee’s administration show the law cuts food assistance benefits for at least 2,300 households and threatens Medicaid coverage for more than 30,000 people i...
www.bostonglobe.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:04 PM
chrisgavin.bsky.social
The thing that gets me about Charlie Brown every year isn't just that he gets rocks on Halloween.

It's the implication that people have rocks at the ready to give kids with terrible costumes.
October 31, 2025 at 4:39 PM