• by Ray Schultz , March 19, 2023

States Newsroom, a network of state-based nonprofit news outlets, has launched the Rhode Island Current to provide nonpartisan reporting in the state. The network now has 33 state outlets and eight independent newsrooms. 

Janine Weisman will serve as editor in chief. Weisman spent 25 years at The Newport Daily News, including 13 as editor of the weekly Newport Mercury.

In addition, the staff will include these journalists:

Kevin Andrade, senior reporter: Andrade was previously a reporter for The Providence Journal and The Standard-Times (New Bedford, Massachusetts).

Nancy Lavin, reporter: Lavin is an award-winning journalist who previously reported on banking and finance, energy, and entrepreneurship for Providence Business News.

Christopher Shea, Reporter. Shea was previously an editor of Dartmouth (Mass.) Week.

“The Rhode Island Current will produce vital journalism that helps Rhode Islanders understand what is happening on Smith Hill and how it affects their daily lives,” states Chris Fitzsimon, director and publisher of States Newsroom.

In related news, States Newsroom has been selected by The Pew Charitable Trusts to be the new home of Stateline.