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Rhode Island International Airport has been selected as the best airport in America by Travel & Leisure.

The airport may need to expand to be able to fit all the awards that have been piling up.

“This recognition is an incredible honor for our airport and a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team,” said Iftikhar Ahmad, president and CEO of Rhode Island Airport Corporation. “To be named the No. 1 Domestic Airport by some of the most seasoned travelers in the world is both humbling and inspiring. We’re proud to be Rhode Island’s gateway to the world and the fastest growing airport in the country.”

“Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards are a trusted barometer for excellence across the travel industry," said Jacqueline Gifford, Editor-in-Chief of Travel + Leisure. “To be selected as No. 1 winner means your guests feel truly taken care of, and that you stand out among the best of the best.”

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Off-Duty Warwick Police Capt. Rescues Family From House Fire in Cranston

Off-duty Warwick Police Captain Charles Boisseau is being credited with saving the lives of a Cranston family after a house caught fire late Saturday night. The fire began as a result of used fireworks not being properly disposed of, according to Craston officials.

“At approximately 11:15 p.m. on July 5, 2025, Captain Charles Boisseau of the Warwick Police Department had just finished working a detail and headed home when he noticed a fire starting in a trash can in front of 16 Whispering Pines Drive. Without hesitation, Boisseau exited his vehicle, called 911, and immediately began banging on the front door to alert the occupants who were still asleep,” according to Cranston Police.

After receiving no response, he searched for a hose to control the growing flames. Upon contacting the homeowner, both men attempted to extinguish the fire with a garden hose, but the water pressure proved insufficient. When the fire began to spread to the garage and house, Boisseau called 911 a second time at 11:21 p.m. to report the escalation. 

As the house became engulfed in flames, Boisseau and the homeowner re-entered the home to rescue the homeowner’s wife and their three young children, ages seven, five, and six months, successfully evacuating all occupants without injury. 

The Cranston Fire Department responded quickly and was able to contain the fire to the northwest section of the home, a new addition under construction. The remainder of the house sustained water and smoke damage. 

Initial investigation revealed the fire was likely caused by fireworks that had been used earlier in the evening during a birthday celebration and improperly discarded. Although they had been rinsed with water before being placed in a recycling bin, residual heat appears to have ignited nearby materials.

“This incident highlights both the heroism of Captain Boisseau and the hidden dangers associated with consumer fireworks,” said Cranston Police Chief Michael J. Winquist. “Had it not been for his immediate actions, the outcome could have been tragic. We commend his bravery and selflessness in risking his safety to save others.” 

Boisseau is a 24-year veteran of the Warwick Police Department, with over four years of previous experience as a Correctional Officer with the Rhode Island Department of Corrections.  He has held positions in the Patrol Division and the Traffic Division, and has been assigned as a Patrol Supervisor for the Past 12 years. Charles also served as a Combat Medic in the United States Army and its Reserves, deploying multiple times; and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Combat Medical Badge for his actions while deployed to Afghanistan. The Captain has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Roger Williams University, according to his bio with the City of Warwick.

The Cranston Police Department reminds all residents to properly soak and dispose of used fireworks in a metal container away from combustible materials and structures, even after dousing them with water. 

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RI’s Cutest Weatherperson Breaks Down Storm

The storm that came through Rhode Island last week wreaked major havoc across the state.

But for one of the state’s smallest residents - who was among those still without electricity on the 4th of July - she said she was fine to play with books and toys, even without her trusty iPad. 

SEE THE VIDEO HERE

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There’s a New RI “Reality” Series - Helping Women Achieve Their Health Goals

Christina Rondeau is on a mission to help the middle-aged women of Rhode Island. 

The health and fitness professional, who runs Rondeau’s Kickboxing, has recently embarked on her own reality show project. 

Her goal? Give women the tools they need, from workout to nutrition advice, to address what she says is the “taboo” issue of menopause. 

“I created a six-week series; I wanted to prove, that give me this opportunity, and I will transform your lives,” said Rondeau. 

Now, Rondeau is documenting her cohort of middle-aged trainees, real-time, on video, in her "Menopause Fitness Makeover."

And she hopes this "real" reality show garners attention. 

'[With menopause], there are aches and pains that have come with this that you never expected," said Rondeau. "So yeah, we're a little bit more reactive. And we're very more emotional." 

READ MORE

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CW Roelle

Michael Rose has a wonderful look at one of the area's most talented artists, using unique materials.

Artists often find supplies in surprising places. For Clifford “CW” Roelle, industrial wire procured from the same place one would buy hammers and nails is his medium of choice. With it, he crafts wire “drawings” that have the dimensional qualities of relief sculptures. Detailed, time-consuming, and exquisitely assembled, Roelle’s artworks are some of the most unique in the region.

Born and raised in upstate New York, Roelle earned his BFA at the Maryland Institute College of Art before settling here over twenty years ago. He has earned both a coveted MacColl Johnson Fellowship from the Rhode Island Foundation and a 3D Fellowship from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts.

His work has been featured at the Fringe Festival in Scotland and CBGB’s 313 Gallery in New York. The RISD Museum, the Attleboro Arts Museum, the New Hampshire Institute of Arts, and the Brookfield Center for Craft, among many other venues, have shown his work. And the Newport Art Museum holds his art in its permanent collection.

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Rhode Island's Continued Dismal Biz Ranking

Rhode Island dropped in CNBC's ranking of the Top States for Business.

The business news network released the data on Thursday morning at 8:15 AM.

Under Governor Dan McKee, RI fell from #44 to #46. A big blow for the man who ran as a champion of small business in a small business state.

Rhode Island fell in the following categories:

Economy — dropped from 42 to 45
Infrastructure — fell from 32 to 39
Business Friendliness — dropped from 45 to 46
Technology & Innovation — fell from 23 to 33

The only significant improvement was education — improved from 43 to 33  

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Providence House Party Turns Into Melee, Accusation of Police Abuse

Video provided to GoLocal by Jorge Ventura shows what he says was Providence Police responding to a house party in the city early on Saturday morning.

Ventura says that during the incident, he was assaulted by Providence Police.

GoLocal has reached out to Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez. He did not respond to requests for comment.

UPDATED: Providence Mayor Brett Smiley’s spokesman, Josh Estrella, said, "Following multiple noise complaint calls, Providence police officers responded to Friendship Street at approximately 1 AM Saturday. Officers on the scene attempted to disperse the crowd while many individuals at the location acted in a disorderly manner and obstructed officers conducting their duty. Four individuals were arrested."

Ventura said, “On July 4th at around 1:30 AM, me and others were victims of police brutality by the Providence Police Department. A couple of hours before the cops violated me and my girlfriend’s rights and what felt like our humanity, they came and told the homeowner that the party had to be over by 1:00 AM/1:30 AM, and we were very understanding and agreed to the time they gave us.”

“The speaker had cut off by itself at around 12:50 - 12:55 AM, so everyone in the party was already getting ready to leave. Then, the cops showed up around 1:15 AM, and then everyone started to leave. After the cops cleared out the party, there were about 10 of us left there, and it was only family and immediate friends. The homeowner told the cops that we were just going to chill for the rest of the night, and the cops were still trying to make all of us leave,” added Ventura. READ MORE AND WATCH THE VIDEO

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Offshore Wind Was Supposed to be the Future of Rhode Island's Economy

Between delays, costs, and President Trump, Rhode Island's emerging offshore wind industry is sick and dying.