🌱 Patch AM: When will RIPTA bring reduced-fare bus pass signups to East Providence?

Hello East Providence! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• When will RIPTA bring reduced-fare bus pass signups to East Providence?
• How bad is this winter’s flu surge in East Providence?
• How will an East Providence-educated rep tackle Rhode Island’s affordability crunch?

Also on today's calendar: Qigong Class.

Today's riddle: The world champion tongue twister just got arrested! 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Windy and much colder, with a high of 28 and low of 21 degrees.
• Wednesday: Variably cloudy and breezy, temps: high: 34, low: 25.
• Thursday: Partly sunny and breezy, with a high of 31 and low of 13 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!

📰 News we're reading

1. RIPTA announces 2026 community site visits for reduced fare bus pass program (whatsupnewp.com) — East Providence seniors and residents with disabilities will be able to get RIPTA reduced-fare photo ID bus passes when customer service staff visit local senior centers in 2026. The statewide schedule lets people avoid traveling to Providence, with $10 passes valid for two years and staff on hand to answer questions about all RIPTA services.
   

2. Health officials warn of ‘especially bad flu season' (wpri.com) — Health officials in East Providence warn this winter’s flu season is already especially severe across Rhode Island, with flu, COVID-19, and RSV cases all rising and several deaths reported. Local infectious disease experts urge residents to get vaccinated, mask in hospitals, practice strict handwashing, and isolate sick family members—especially with a changed H3N2 strain and stubborn norovirus circulating.
   

3. Legislative Outlook: Finkelman (whatsupnewp.com) — A state representative with roots at Providence Country Day School in East Providence outlines his priorities for the 2026 General Assembly session, focusing on affordability, insurance costs, and climate resilience. He emphasizes responsible budgeting and plans to reintroduce insurance reform bills. The piece also notes his reelection plans and current campaign finances, which could shape future policy debates affecting local families and businesses.
   

4. Want a job at the RI State House? How to become a page and what it pays (providencejournal.com) — An East Providence state representative who once served as a teenage State House page is used as a success-story example in this guide to becoming a legislative page. The piece explains who can apply, how to get chosen, what the job pays, and what pages actually do during the busy General Assembly session.
   

5. Which state employees made the most money in Rhode Island and Massachusetts (wpri.com) — State salary records show that top earners in Rhode Island and Massachusetts are largely university coaches, medical leaders, and hospital officials, not traditional bureaucrats. From East Providence, you’ll see how URI and UMass athletics and medical administrators dominate the 2025 pay rankings, offering a revealing look at where taxpayer-funded compensation is highest in both states.
   

📸 Around East Providence

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🗓 Upcoming Events in East Providence

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Tuesday January 6

• Qigong Class
  The Soul Purpose - Energy Healing, Spiritual Guidance, and Reiki - Yoga Studio and Acupuncture - Swansea, MA Wellness Center , 1211 Grand Army of the Republic Hwy , Swansea
  5:00 pm

Saturday January 10

• DarkStar Collectibles Show
  146 Sutton Ave , East Providence
  9:30 am

📣 East Providence Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday December 30

• Amy Del Santo Recording Session
  Music Mansion , 88 Meeting St , Providence
  12:00 pm
• Zumba at The Gateway
  Gateway Center at Roger Williams Park , 1197 Broad Street , Providence
  6:30 pm

Wednesday December 31

• Xtreme Hip Hop Step Aeorbics
  Gateway Center at Roger Williams Park , 1197 Broad Street , Providence
  5:15 pm
• Tai Chi Paradigm Beginner Level
  Gateway Center at Roger Williams Park , 1197 Broad Street , Providence
  6:30 pm

Thursday January 1

• All Aboard for the Holidays
  Botanical Center , 1000 Elmwood Ave , Providence
  10:00 am

Friday January 2

• RWP Museum Discovery Tykes
  Museum of Natural History and Planetarium , 1000 Elmwood Ave , Providence
  10:00 am
• Tai Chi Paradigm® Introduction - Beginner Level
  RWP Gateway Center , 1197 Broad St. , Providence
  6:30 pm

Saturday January 3

• Yoga for Every Body with Mimi Budnick
  RWP Gateway Center , 1197 Broad St. , Providence
  9:00 am
• Free First Saturdays In The Park
  Roger Williams Park , 1000 Elmwood Ave , Providence
  9:00 am
• Storytime in the Garden with Chris
  Roger Williams Park Botanical Center
  11:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making East Providence PatchAM possible:

• Constantin Floors corp — (401) 999-0199
  Holiday Flooring Special! This Christmas season, Constantin
• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• She is missing AGAIN!
  BOTTOM OF 1ST ST AND vVeteran's Memorial. She is a senior feral under my care. Please don't chase just respond to this if you have seen her. (Nextdoor Pierce Field)

• The City of East Providence, RI posted a job opening for Custodian - Library Part Time in East Providence. Apply here.
• Care New England Health System posted a job opening for Third Party Biller in Providence. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near East Providence here.

Ok East Providence! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I hear they’re giving him a really tough sentence.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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