Woonsocket Radio News Room

 

Sen. Thompson sworn in as General Assembly convenes

 

STATE HOUSE — Sen. Brian Thompson (D-Dist. 20, Woonsocket, Cumberland) was formally sworn into office today as the 2025-2026 term of the Rhode Island General Assembly convened.
Senator Thompson was one of six new members of the Senate who took the oath of office, which was administered to all 38 Senate members by Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore.

The Senate began its legislative year with a program of activities that included the re-election of Dominick J. Ruggerio as president of the Senate.

Prior to his election to the Senate, Senator Thompson served a two-year term as a member of the Woonsocket City Council.

Originally from Massachusetts, Senator Thompson has lived in Woonsocket for more than 20 years. He works as a general foreman for a sheet metal contractor. He and his wife, Christine, have six children who have attended Woonsocket’s public schools.

Senator Thompson was appointed to serve on the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and the Senate Labor Committee, which is expected to be changed to the Committee on Labor and Gaming.

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee handles all legislation and matters relative to public health and welfare; health care and human service access and quality; health and human service professional standards of practice, and facility standards of care.  The Senate Labor and Gaming Committee deliberates legislation relating to workers’ compensation and labor laws in addition to laws regarding gambling and games of chance.

President Trump's tariffs on steel and aluminum are getting responses from other nations. The tariffs are 25 percent on metals that come into the U.S. from any country in the world, including allies. Meanwhile, the European Union announced it will impose counter tariffs on U.S. goods worth 28-billion dollars.        A deportation hearing in New York City for a pro Palestinian activist at Columbia University has wrapped up. Mahmoud Khalil was arrested by ICE agents last weekend and had his student visa revoked. His lawyers said they plan to file a new version of their petition to free him by tomorrow, while federal prosecutors will file papers by midnight related to arguments that the case should be moved out of New York.        A stopgap funding bill is heading to the Senate as the deadline to prevent a government shutdown nears. The bill narrowly passed in the House yesterday by a vote of 217-to-213. All but one Republican supported the six-month stopgap measure.        California is gearing up for a massive storm that's expected to bring widespread rain and snow. Parts of Los Angeles and Malibu are posting warnings about mudslides and debris due to what is being called an "atmospheric river-fueled storm." Evacuation orders have already been issued for parts of SoCal that have already undergone "burn scars" due to this year's Palisades Fire.        Authorities are naming a person of interest in the case of a missing American in the Dominican Republic. Police say new video has been found showing Sudiksha Konanki and two other men, including previously questioned 24-year-old Joshua Riibe, walking to the beach in Punta Cana. Konanki was on a spring break vacation in the country when she was reported missing earlier this month.        Brooks Koepka will finish out his contract with LIV Golf. It comes after former golf star Fred Couples said Koepka was unhappy playing in LIV's league and he wanted to return to the PGA Tour. Koepka said once his contract has ended, then he'll "see what happens."       

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