Senate OKs Sen. Gu bill to expand online database of affordable housing

Senator Gu thinks people have the right to more affordable housing information

The Senate voted today to approve legislation sponsored by Sen. Victoria Gu to expand the searchable online database of low- and moderate-income housing to better serve Rhode Islanders searching for a home.

“A few years ago, the General Assembly tasked RIHousing with creating and maintaining a searchable online database of low-income housing developments to inform the public of low-income housing opportunities,” said Senator Gu (D-Dist. 38, Westerly, Charlestown, South Kingstown). 

“But that law only narrowly applied to the limited number of rental units funded by RIHousing, leaving large gaps that made it difficult for Rhode Islanders searching for affordable housing to find an available unit. This bill expands that database to all low- and moderate-income housing units — including homeownership units — to create a comprehensive one-stop location for Rhode Islanders searching for housing.”

The legislation (2026-S 2690) would expand the database to include all residential developments that meet the definition of low- or moderate-income housing, including homeownership units. Currently, the database is limited to rentals in specific low-income housing developments and subsidized housing developments.

Scientists discover why Alzheimer’s risk hits women so much harder

By the numbers

University of California - San Diego

Why are women more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease?
 - Harvard Health

Women not only face higher rates of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, but new research suggests they may also be more strongly affected by several common risk factors linked to cognitive decline.

Scientists at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine analyzed data from more than 17,000 middle aged and older adults and found that certain modifiable dementia risk factors appear to have a greater impact on women's cognitive function than men's. 

The findings were published May 19, 2026, in Biology of Sex Differences.

Remind Me. Why Cuba?

I’ve Lost the Rationale for Why We’re Doing What We’re Doing

By Tom Cantlon

Cuba? My first reaction when recent news brought this up was, “Um, okay, yes, communist government, oppressed people, past possible attacks on the U.S.” But to consider each of those: Communism? 

There isn’t much left of it in the world. Out of the three or four still claiming it there is China which is primarily a typical single-top-leader with a mix of some central planning and programs with a significant amount of free-market. 

There is North Korea which is a dictatorship. Even if you could describe Cuba as truly communist, so what? It’s not going to be leading a wave of other countries becoming communist. What do we care what form they take?

Oppressed people? That’s also true in countries all over the world that we don’t seem to care about. Even further, Viktor Orban in Hungary was transitioning the country to an oppressive authoritarian system and we supported him. Is it because Cuba is in our Western hemisphere? So is Peru where President Bukele is leading a harsh authoritarian rule, but we’re making deals with him to take the immigration rejects (to put it in terms that fit Trump’s attitude) that Trump wants to get rid of. 

And much of what the Cuban people suffer is simple poverty which the U.S. has played a big role in creating. We’ve had embargoes of varying degrees imposed on them since 1960, and of course much worse now since Trump has almost cut off their ability to import oil.

The Supreme Court’s Whites-First Reasoning on Gerrymandering

It’s Always Been About Race

Mitchell Zimmerman

Will the Supreme Court’s evident desire to assist the G.O.P. before the midterms override a decision by three Republican-appointed judges to spare Black majority districts in Alabama from being gerrymandered out of existence?

This is the question posed by possible Supreme Court review of the finding by an Alabama judicial panel that Alabama could not use a congressional district map that deliberately discriminated against Black voters.

Two of the three judges on the panel which found race-based discrimination had been appointed to the bench by President Trump; one, by President Reagan. The issue now is whether the conservative justices of the Supreme Court will upend the panel’s racial discrimination finding, notwithstanding that the Alabama judges had followed legal standards set in the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Louisiana v. Callais.

If they allow the Alabama decision stand, it will be a rare exception to the flood of Supreme-Court-encouraged gerrymandering prompted by the Callais decision. Those Republican gerrymanders are likely to purge one-third of African -Americans representatives from Congress by destroying the Black majority districts that elected them.

Nonetheless, the six justices of the Supreme Court who caused this political bloodbath along racial lines claim that Republican gerrymandering does not violate the voting rights of African-Americans. The purge is lawful under the Voting Rights Act, say the justices, because the G.O.P. has partisan reasons to eliminate the Black districts that cannot be “disentangled” from racial motives.

June 6: Pride in the Park

Meet and support our great state Rep Tina Spears

NEWS FROM THE RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN FOR TINA SPEARS

JUNE 2026

LET'S TALK STATE BUDGET AT OUR NEXT TEA WITH TINA This Saturday, June 6, 2026 10-12 noon @ Caf Bar in The Venue, 5153 Old Post Road, Charlestown   What's in and what's out of the 2027 State budget? How will it impact you and your community?   We'll discuss new taxes and tax relief school and local aid healthcare and housing investments bonds and coastal resilience    Come with questions! If you'd like to submit a comment or question beforehand, you may do so here.   Next Month: Let's Talk Housing. I have heard many concerns regarding housing, local control and the need to find solutions that work for our community. We'll have more info to come soon on details and guest speakers. Subscribe below for the latest intel on our events and campaign!

CLEAN WATER ACTION AWARD Each year, Clean Water Action honors environmental advocates who fight for a cleaner environment, public health, and climate resilience, during Rhode Island’s annual Breakfast of Champions. I was honored to receive, along with my colleague Sen. Mark McKenney, the 2026 Clean Water Action award for Legislative Champions.   A huge thank you to Clean Water Action for all their work.

THE IMPACT OF CONSTITUENT VISITS I have been actively participating in community forums, discussing key issues that matter most to you. Feedback is vital, and I am committed to fostering an open dialogue that aligns with our shared vision and continues to make a meaningful impact in our community.   With the warmer weather, we're getting back outside with our neighbors. ⬇️

CHARLESTOWN AMBULANCE SERVICE OPEN HOUSE I spent an incredible afternoon at the Charlestown Ambulance Service open house! It was a privilege to visit with the dedicated men and women who answer the call every single day — often in the most stressful moments of our neighbors' lives. A huge thank you to Chief Andrew Kettle for his outstanding leadership and for opening the doors so our community could see firsthand the people and equipment that keep us safe.   And to all the volunteers — your commitment, your training, and your sacrifice of time and energy for the sake of this community does not go unnoticed. You are the backbone of Charlestown's emergency response, and we are so fortunate to have you.   Events like this remind me why strong, community-rooted public safety services matter so much. Thank you, Charlestown Ambulance Service, for everything you do — today and every day.

VISITING OUR FRIENDS ON BLOCK ISLAND We had a great time out on Block Island, visiting with constituents there, and touring the Block Island Water Company. Clean water on an island isn't easy, but the they make it look that way. Zero lead lines, reliable service, and a whole lot of island pride. I'm grateful for the dedicated team keeping Block Island healthy and hydrated.

Breaking ground for new Harborside Hotel BI Meet and greet at Weatherbees BI

If you'd like to donate to Tina's re-eelction campaign, please make personal checks payable to: The Friends of Tina Spears 82 Hillside Drive Charlestown, RI 02813   Or click HERE to contribute online or scan the QR code

Want to volunteer on Tina's re-election campaign? Contact us here. We have lots of fun and we'll keep Tina in the State House!

The surprising reason you’re so productive one day and not the next

Be sharp

University of Toronto

A study from the University of Toronto Scarborough suggests that feeling mentally sharp can significantly boost how much you accomplish in a day. 

Researchers found that when people are thinking clearly and efficiently, the effect can equal roughly 40 extra minutes of productive work.

Published in Science Advances, the research tracked participants over 12 weeks to better understand why people sometimes struggle to follow through on their plans. 

The findings point to daily shifts in mental sharpness as a key factor. 

On days when participants felt more mentally alert, they were more likely to set goals and complete them, whether tackling schoolwork or everyday tasks like making dinner.

"Some days everything just clicks, and on other days it feels like you're pushing through fog," says Cendri Hutcherson, associate professor in the Department of Psychology at U of T Scarborough and lead author of the study.

"What we wanted to understand was why that happens, and how much those mental ups and downs actually matter."

Targeted supplements can support healthy aging in some older adults, but unnecessary or excessive use may do more harm than good

Nutrition experts emphasize food quality and protein intake first

By Miguel G. Borda, Universidad de Navarra, and George E. Barreto, University of Limerick

Give me some of this (but not him)

The use of dietary supplements has risen rapidly in recent years. Vitamins, minerals, and other nutrition products are commonly promoted as easy ways to increase energy, strengthen the immune system, support brain function, and even extend lifespan. For many people, taking supplements seems like a smart step toward maintaining good health.

However, that assumption is not always accurate. People who already get enough nutrients from their diet often see little to no clear benefit from many supplements. In some cases, supplements are simply an added cost with limited value. They can also carry risks. Large amounts of certain vitamins and minerals may cause toxicity, interact with medications, or lead to other unwanted health effects.

For older adults, however, the picture is more complicated. The most useful question is not simply whether supplements are “good” or “bad,” but whether someone is actually deficient, what might be causing that deficiency, and whether a supplement is the safest way to address it.