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Good morning, Providence. This is PVD Current, the newsletter as lovely as a breeze on a warm day.

What to expect in today’s Current:

• ProJo printing facility shutting down in 2025 📰

• Hot 106 switches from hip-hop to oldies rock 🎸

• 🌟 Nominations open for MLK Jr. Hall of Fame

Let’s get to it.

— Oscar Punchak

November 6th, 2024 - Mini Crossword

Reply to this email letting me know how you did!

Currents & Waves

Providence Opens Nominations for MLK Jr. Hall of Fame 🌟 

Providence Mayor Brett P. Smiley has announced the city is now accepting nominations for the 22nd annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Hall of Fame. This initiative honors local leaders who embody Dr. King’s values of justice, equity, and civil rights. Residents or individuals with significant contributions to the community are eligible. Nominations are due by December 6 and can be submitted electronically or by mail. Mayor Smiley emphasized the importance of recognizing those who strengthen Providence's inclusive and welcoming environment. Full details are available on the city’s Human Relations Commission website.

Hot 106 Transforms from Hip-Hop to Rock 🎸

Hot 106, a popular radio station long known for its hip-hop format, has recently shifted to an oldies rock lineup, marking a new chapter in its programming. While fans will miss on-air personalities like Mike D, Alexus Lee, Big Stress, DJ Half Pint, and Fly Rye, this transition reflects a broader repositioning by Cumulus Media to diversify its offerings in the Providence market. Joining stations like WPRO and Lite 105, the rebranded Hot 106 aims to bring a fresh vibe to classic hits while continuing to engage its loyal audience base.

$715K Grant to Aid Female Prisoner Reentry in RI 🚀

Rhode Island’s U.S. Senators Reed and Whitehouse, along with Reps. Magaziner and Amo, have secured nearly $715,000 in federal funding for OpenDoors Rhode Island to support reentry services for formerly incarcerated women. The grant, provided through the DOJ’s Second Chance Act, will fund critical resources like housing, job training, addiction recovery, and more to help women reintegrate into the community. OpenDoors Deputy Director Dina Bruce emphasized the transformative impact of investing in these programs, which aim to reduce recidivism and strengthen local communities.

Coastline Commerce

Providence Journal Printing Facility to Close 📰

The Providence Journal’s printing facility on Kinsley Avenue will close in 2025. Production will relocate to New Jersey due to an unexpected supply chain issue: a sole manufacturer of critical printing plates is halting production, leaving the facility's press inoperable. Alongside the Providence Journal, the plant also prints USA TODAY and nine other Gannett publications, which will now be printed at a Gannett facility in Auburn, Massachusetts. Gannett, the Journal's parent company, has not issued an official release since September.

Seaside Skies

WEDNESDAY

47°🌡 28° | ☀️ | 💧 0% | 💨 NNE 15 mph

THURSDAY

48°🌡 27° | 🌤️ | 💧 1% | 💨 N 11 mph

(The forecast as of the night before this newsletter was published.)

Sound Waves

WEDNESDAY

Moonshine Alley | Wednesday Nights with Kolton Davis | 7 pm

Nick-a-Nee’s | Bluegrass Throedown | 8:30 pm

THURSDAY

Bar'Lino Pizzeria | Johnny Paris | 7 pm

Moonshine Alley | Dan Greaves | 8 pm

That’s all for today…

Thank you for reading all the way through! Feel free to email us with any questions or suggestions. You’ll hear from us again on Friday.

Thanks,

Oscar Punchak | Publisher, PVD Current