Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - May 9, 2025

HOT

Pope Leo

He is the first American-elected Pope.

“The cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church elected Robert Francis Prevost as their 267th pontiff on Thursday, ending a two-day conclave in Rome with the election of the first pope from the United States. He took the name Pope Leo XIV,” reported the New York Times on Thursday.

The news report came shortly after white smoke appeared at the Sistine Chapel, marking that cardinals in the conclave reached the necessary votes for a new pope. 

“Despite his American roots, the Chicago-born polyglot, 69, is viewed as a churchman who transcends borders. He served for two decades in Peru, where he became a bishop and a naturalized citizen, then rose to lead his international religious order,” reported The Times. “Until the death of Pope Francis, he held one of the most influential Vatican posts, running the office that selects and manages bishops globally.”

HOT

Smartest Development Going

One of the most significant waterfront housing developments in the Providence area is now launching.

The project, which features waterfront stand-alone condos, apartments, and more traditional condominiums, is now in development, and the waterfront condos are completed and are now selling.

In total, the project will total nearly 400 units.

It is the brainchild of Churchill & Banks and its CEO, Richard Baccari II. For him, it is a time of mixed emotions.

Last April, Baccari’s father passed away and now, the project that the two of them worked so closely on is coming to fruition. The senior Baccari was one of the most successful developers in New England.

Baccari said the vision of this project has been years in the making. "The goal was to be able to build 400 units on the waterfront within five minutes of the East Side of Providence. I think it's a special opportunity," he said. 

The project located on the Seekonk River in East Providence has arguably the best view, as it looks over to the East Side of Providence and the Blackstone Park and Butler Hospital campus.

“You also have the advantage of having the new Henderson Bridge; you're not dealing with the Washington Bridge.  It literally takes five minutes to drive from East Point to Wayland Square,” said Baccari.

As the project rolls out, Baccari said it has some significant advantages over his firm's very successful Kettle Point project — specifically, it has more waterfront views.

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HOT

"Real Hot"

Bravo made it official on Wednesday, announcing that Rhode Island will be the location for their next “Real Housewives” franchise.

According to Bravo, The Real Housewives of Rhode Island is the 11th Real Housewives franchise, joining The Real Housewives of Orange County, The Real Housewives of New York City, The Real Housewives of Atlanta, The Real Housewives of New Jersey, The Real Housewives of D.C., The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, The Real Housewives of Miami, The Real Housewives of Potomac, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, and The Real Housewives of Dallas.

There have been numerous international installments and spin-offs, including Real Housewives of Dubai, Real Housewives of Melbourne, and more. 

The Real Housewives franchise's total value is estimated to be around $1 billion, according to multiple sources, The franchise's success is attributed to its long-running format, global adaptations, and the popularity of the individual cast members. 

No Film Tax Credits

The new show will bring a lot of buzz to Rhode Island, but the production costs for the reality show may be just a fraction of those of more traditional movies and television series.

According to Steven Feinberg, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Film & Television Office, the Bravo series is not eligible for the state’s tax credit program because it is a reality show.

Further, the series does not have the production costs of a series like The Gilded Age, which Feinberg said has spent $35 million to $40 million a season in Rhode Island. The Gilded Age also films in New York City and Troy, New York.

HOT

Brown Women’s Lacrosse Secures Its 1st NCAA Tournament Slot, Will Face Syracuse

The nationally ranked Brown University women's lacrosse team continues to make history by receiving an at-large bid to the 2025 NCAA Women's Lacrosse Tournament.

The Bears will play Syracuse University on Friday, May 9, at 4 p.m. in New Haven, Connecticut.

Year two under Katrina Dowd marked the program's first-ever Ivy Tournament appearance and secured 10 victories for the second consecutive season, tying the Brown single-season record (1978, 1996, 1997, 2024).

First Round in Focus

Brown went 10-6 overall with two victories over nationally ranked opponents. Friday's game will be just the second all-time meeting between the two teams. The Orange defeated the Bears, 19-6, on March 30, 2005. Syracuse enters the tournament 9-8 overall.

The winner of the Brown v. Syracuse contest will face the winner of host Yale and UAlbany on Sunday, May 11, at 2 p.m.

PHOTO: Brown University

HOT

Landscape Painter Karen Murphy

Michael Rose, GoLocal's Art Columnist, features the talents of painter Karen Murphy:

The landscape is an enduring source of inspiration for artists, and for Rhode Island painter Karen Murphy, it is a subject she excels at capturing. Fine details as well as the subtleties of color and light come naturally to this local maker. She crafts bright and expressive scenes of the outdoors in her East Providence studio and shares them with viewers throughout the region.

Murphy did not attend a traditional art school but was raised by an artist father who taught her realist painting techniques. She also spent two decades studying under artists while holding down a corporate day job. One of her most impactful teachers was the popular Tonalist painter Dennis Sheehan, whose work is in the collection of The White House. In 2015, Murphy was able to switch her focus to painting full time and she has actively and energetically created and sold her work, acquiring a large and international social media following along the way. Recent sales have sent her artworks to clients in New Zealand, England, Germany, and Japan, among other locales.

HOT

Blackstone Heritage Corridor Receives Donation From Koopman Lumber for Greenway/Bikeway

The Blackstone Heritage Corridor, a nonprofit providing strong leadership to preserve, promote and celebrate the Blackstone Valley’s historic, natural and recreational resources since 1986, has received a $45,000 donation to its Legacy Campaign from Koopman Lumber. 

The Whitinsville-based company’s funding will support efforts over the next three years to complete the Blackstone River Greenway/Bikeway, a 48-mile trail connecting Worcester and Providence.

“We are grateful for the generosity and support of Koopman Lumber, a fourth-generation family-owned business with a long tradition of supporting the communities it serves,” said Blackstone Heritage Corridor Board Chair Dennis Rice.  “With the help of the community and organizations like Koopman Lumber, we have made great strides toward completing the Greenway/Bikeway.  We encourage others to join us – and let’s get it done by ’31.”

“We are happy to support this effort and see our communities continue to grow and thrive,” said Koopman Lumber President and CEO Dirk Koopman.  “This bike path is a meaningful addition that I hope will bring joy to my grandkids and their kids for generations.  It’s one more reason we’re proud to call the Blackstone Valley home.”

About Corridor

The Blackstone River Greenway/Bikeway is an off-road, multi-use paved path following the historic Blackstone River flowing through a region known as the “birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution.”  The vision is for the Blackstone River Greenway/Bikeway to extend from Worcester to just north of Providence.  It currently consists of 18 completed miles of scenic beauty and history in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

The Blackstone Heritage Corridor publicly launched its $1.3 million campaign in 2024.  The four-year initiative, The Legacy Campaign: Reimagining Our Future, aims to support four key initiatives that will enable the Corridor to expand its efforts: the completion of the Greenway/Bikeway, growing its award-winning volunteer program, telling its stories through wayside signage and interpretative panels, and strengthening its collaboration with community partners.

For more information, visit BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org.

PHOTO: Blackstone Heritage Corridor

NOT

Mounting Job Losses 

This week, Johnson & Wales announced 91 layoffs, and Providence Community Health Centers announced 70.

NOT

Wrong Direction

GoLocal's new survey tool, SNAP SHOT, released this week unveils a number of interesting sentiments.

The most disturbing is that the vast majority of Rhode Islanders who responded believe Rhode Island is on the wrong track.

More than 80% responded "wrong track" and less than 10% said Rhode Island is going in the "right direction."

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