nlavin@rhodeislandcurrent.com

Nancy Lavin

[email protected]

Nancy Lavin is a senior reporter at the Rhode Island Current. She is an award-winning reporter covering politics, energy issues and the environment for Rhode Island Current. She previously reported on banking and finance, energy and entrepreneurship for Providence Business News. Nancy also spent three and a half years at the Frederick (Md.) News-Post and worked at The Westerly Sun. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island.

Rhode Island Energy looks to Maine onshore wind farm to boost renewable electricity supply
Rhode Island

Rhode Island Energy looks to Maine onshore wind farm to boost renewable electricity supply

Sep 11, 2026
Nancy Lavin
After a series of failed attempts to add more offshore wind power to Rhode Island’s energy portfolio, the state utility operator has turned landward. Rhode Island Energy announced Tuesday that it has tentatively agreed to buy 150 megawatts of wind-powered...
Conservative business group’s multi-PAC strategy flops as General Assembly incumbents prevail
Rhode Island

Conservative business group’s multi-PAC strategy flops as General Assembly incumbents prevail

Sep 10, 2026
Nancy Lavin
In contrast to the stunning primary day upsets in which Democratic challengers dethroned Rhode Island’s governor and the mayors of Providence and Pawtucket, every sitting state lawmaker seeking reelection won Wednesday night. Incumbents typically hold an advantage, especially in Rhode...
Pelino seeks recount in close GOP gubernatorial primary
Rhode Island

Pelino seeks recount in close GOP gubernatorial primary

Sep 10, 2026
Nancy Lavin
Trailing by 271 votes in preliminary, unofficial primary results, Republican gubernatorial candidate Elaine Pelino asked for a recount in her matchup against Aaron Guckian, the Board of Elections confirmed. In a Facebook post just after noon Thursday, Pelino said her...
RI GOP gubernatorial primary too close to call
Rhode Island

RI GOP gubernatorial primary too close to call

Sep 09, 2026
Nancy Lavin
Just 279 votes separated moderate Aaron Guckian from MAGA candidate Elaine Pelino in the GOP gubernatorial primary as of 11:10 p.m. Wednesday, one of few races still too close to call. Guckian led Pelino by 1.2 percentage points according to...
Rhode Island Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos clinches second term, defeating four primary challengers
Rhode Island

Rhode Island Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos defeats four primary challengers

Sep 09, 2026
Nancy Lavin
Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos held on to her seat, defeating four Democratic primary challengers Wednesday night with 37% of the votes just before 9 p.m., according to preliminary, unofficial results from the Rhode Island Board of Elections. The Democratic incumbent’s...
Foulkes wins Democratic gubernatorial primary, marking historic loss for McKee
Rhode Island

Foulkes wins Democratic gubernatorial primary, marking historic loss for McKee

Sep 09, 2026
Nancy Lavin
Gov. Dan McKee won’t be in office to see through his promised “day of reckoning” over the Washington Bridge closure, after losing his reelection bid to Democratic challenger Helena Buonanno Foulkes on Wednesday, according to preliminary, unofficial results. Foulkes had...
Staffing shortages, technical problems delay opening of some Providence poll sites
Rhode Island

1 in 7 Providence poll workers called out sick or did not show

Sep 09, 2026
Nancy Lavin
Seven polling sites in Providence opened late on primary day due to unexpected staffing shortages, according to the Rhode Island Board of Elections. The capital city hired 640 people to staff polling sites across the city. But more than 100...
Will Democratic challengers have the upper hand on Primary Day? Voters head to the polls to decide.
Rhode Island

Will Democratic challengers have the upper hand on Primary Day? Voters head to the polls to decide.

Sep 09, 2026
Nancy Lavin Christopher Shea
Up and down the ballot, the incumbent advantage is at risk today in Rhode Island’s primaries. If polls, campaign cash and endorsements piling up behind Helena Buonanno Foulkes prove an accurate predictor, Democratic Gov. Dan McKee could be the first...
Early in-person voting breaks Rhode Island record
Rhode Island

Early in-person voting breaks Rhode Island record

Sep 08, 2026
Nancy Lavin
More Rhode Islanders than ever before are casting ballots early at designated in-person polling sites open before the Sept. 9 primary, according to the Rhode Island Department of State’s online turnout tracker. The 37,444 early, in-person ballots cast as of...
So many election surveys. So few voters willing to pick up the phone.
Rhode Island

So many election surveys. So few voters willing to pick up the phone.

Sep 07, 2026
Nancy Lavin
The missed call log in Dr. Eric Bai’s iPhone has a sea of phone numbers with unfamiliar area codes. Some of them are likely from pollsters wanting to ask him about the upcoming Rhode Island primary elections. A few times...
A clean energy super PAC zeroes in on little Rhode Island. Its target: Dan McKee
Rhode Island

A clean energy super PAC zeroes in on little Rhode Island. Its target: Dan McKee

Sep 01, 2026
Nancy Lavin
Eight days out from the Sept. 9 primary, Gov. Dan McKee’s reelection campaign is attracting national attention — and not the positive kind. A clean energy super PAC funded by solar developers and Silicon Valley entrepreneurs is spending $500,000 on...
Buckle up! The energy bill roller coaster is about to begin.
Rhode Island

Buckle up! The energy bill roller coaster is about to begin.

Aug 31, 2026
Nancy Lavin
The seasonal swings in energy bills will be a lot bumpier this year under a series of extra charges and discounts authorized by state utility regulators. The upshot: Rhode Island Energy customers will have to start paying more in fees...