List of Newspapers in Rhode Island

The smallest state in the U.S. by land area, Rhode Island packs a punch with its rich history, coastal beauty, vibrant cities like Providence and Newport, and a dynamic economy blending education, tourism, maritime industries, and emerging tech. From the historic streets of Providence to the beaches of Narragansett and the quiet towns of the Blackstone Valley, Rhode Island newspapers serve as essential sources for local news, investigative reporting, community events, and coverage of statewide issues like education funding, environmental protection of Narragansett Bay, political developments in the State House, and high school sports rivalries. If you're searching for "Rhode Island newspapers list," "Rhode Island news sites with URLs," "daily newspapers in Rhode Island 2026," or "best local papers in RI," this SEO-optimized, in-depth guide provides a complete Rhode Island all newspaper list with URLs, compiled from sources like Wikipedia listings, Rhode Island Press Association insights, media directories (ABYZ News Links, W3Newspapers), and recent 2025–2026 reports.

Rhode Island's media landscape features one dominant statewide daily, several regional and community weeklies, and growing digital platforms. With a population around 1.1 million concentrated in Providence County and along the coast, print circulation remains modest—Providence Journal traffic surged dramatically in late 2025—but digital audiences thrive, with sites like providencejournal.com seeing massive gains (up over 100% month-over-month in December 2025 per Similarweb data). This 3000+ word article explores the history, categories, major titles with URLs, regional and weekly outlets, digital innovations, and future trends, serving as your essential resource for "Rhode Island media directory" or "RI local news URLs" in 2026.

The Rich History of Newspapers in Rhode Island

Rhode Island's journalistic heritage is among the oldest in the nation, reflecting its role as a cradle of American independence and religious freedom. The earliest newspaper in the region was the short-lived Rhode-Island Gazette, published in Newport from 1732 to 1733 by James Franklin (Benjamin Franklin's brother), focusing on local affairs and imported news. The Newport Mercury followed in 1758, becoming one of the longest-running papers in America and covering the Revolutionary War era, including the Gaspee Affair (1772), a key precursor to the Revolution.

Providence entered the scene with the Providence Gazette in 1762, founded by William Goddard, which championed colonial rights and printed early anti-British sentiment. The Providence Journal itself launched on July 1, 1829, as the Providence Daily Journal, billing itself as "America's oldest daily newspaper in continuous publication" (outlasting competitors like the Hartford Courant in daily format). It covered the Dorr Rebellion (1841–1842), a suffrage crisis unique to Rhode Island, and grew into a major voice during industrialization, with Providence as a manufacturing hub.

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw ethnic and community papers flourish: Italian, Portuguese, and French-Canadian immigrants in Woonsocket and Pawtucket supported multilingual publications. The Pawtucket Times (1885) and Woonsocket Call became staples in the mill towns. Newport's Newport Daily News (roots in the 19th century) chronicled Gilded Age society and naval history.

Post-WWII suburbanization boosted community weeklies in Warwick, Cranston, and Johnston. The Providence Journal expanded statewide coverage, winning four Pulitzers, including for public service and investigative work on organized crime and corruption. The 1990s–2000s brought digital transitions; the Journal launched online early, while smaller papers followed.

Consolidation hit hard: GateHouse Media (now Gannett) acquired the Journal in 2014, leading to staff reductions but maintaining strong local reporting. Community chains like Beacon Communications, East Bay Newspapers, and RISN Operations sustained weeklies. Digitization efforts via the Rhode Island Digital Newspaper Project (Chronicling America) and library archives preserve millions of pages from territorial times onward.

In 2026, Rhode Island journalism shows resilience amid challenges. The Providence Journal's web traffic exploded 279% in late 2025 (per Nieman Lab/Similarweb), driven by major local stories, highlighting digital potential. Nonprofit and independent models (e.g., Providence Business News) fill gaps, while community papers preserve hyper-local identity in a state where "everyone knows everyone."

Categories of Rhode Island Newspapers

Rhode Island newspapers fall into dailies (statewide/metro focus), weeklies (community/regional), and digital/specialized platforms. Ownership includes Gannett (Providence Journal), Beacon Communications (suburban Providence), East Bay Newspapers (East Bay towns), Breeze Publications (Blackstone Valley), RISN Operations (South County), and independents. Most are English; some ethnic or college papers add diversity.

Major Daily Newspapers in Rhode Island

These provide broad coverage, with Providence Journal dominating.

The Providence Journal

• Description: Rhode Island's flagship, Pulitzer-winning, covers statewide news, politics, business, sports.
• Location/Area Served: Providence/statewide
• Ownership/Notes: Gannett

Newport Daily News

• Description: Newport County focus, tourism, naval history, lifestyle.
• Location/Area Served: Newport
• Ownership/Notes: Gannett

Kent County Daily Times

• Description: Kent County/West Warwick, local government, community.
• Location/Area Served: West Warwick
• Ownership/Notes: RISN Operations

Westerly Sun

• Description: Westerly/southwest RI, coastal news, arts.
• Location/Area Served: Westerly
• Ownership/Notes: Independent