One potential match-up to watch involves a Democratic primary challenge for Providence Mayor Brett Smiley. THE MESSAGE: Morales’ communication ability is one of his top political assets. GREAT NORTH: Rhode Island House Speaker Joe Shekarchi sat down with Massachusetts Gov. Excerpt: “In Rhode Island, more than one in six people who were homeless in 2024 – 1,572 people – were 55 or older, according to an analysis for The Public’s Radio by the Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness. Michael Sroczynski has been named president of the Hospital Association of Rhode Island (HARI).