Latest news with #DEM
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
What does it take to be a lifeguard at a surf beach in RI?
NARRAGANSETT, R.I. (WPRI) — Most of Rhode Island's state beaches are open for the season as temperatures start to rise. With more people flocking to the ocean, safety is top of mind for the R.I. Department of Environmental Management (DEM). The agency held its first Surf State Lifeguard Certification testing at Scarborough North State Beach in Narragansett on Tuesday. 'They're doing two different drills here today,' explained Jim Farrell, the regional president of the U.S. Lifesaving Association. 'They're swimming out to a victim, putting them on a buoy, and swimming them back in. They're also doing a rescue board rescue.' RELATED: DEM offering $1,000 bonuses for lifeguards In accordance with Rhode Island's Drowning Prevention Act, any beach that charges money for entry must have lifeguards that reach a certain skill-level requirement. All applicants at surf beaches must be 16 years old. They must also have first aid, CPR and lifeguard certifications before taking the surf test. Beachgoers on Tuesday were grateful for the lifeguards' presence. 'It makes me feel very safe,' North Kingstown resident Angelina Mantia told 12 News. 'They obviously wouldn't be working here if they didn't know what they were doing.' Ocean, Bay & Beach // Sophia Mutti from East Providence said she's been coming to Scarborough North her whole life. 'I know that the waves are really strong here,' she explained. 'I feel like I can trust the lifeguards and especially now that they're doing extra training.' Even with lifeguards on duty, it's still best to practice water safety by watching for rip currents, taking note of marine flags, and avoiding rougher waters. You can learn more about rip currents, including how to spot them and what to do if you get caught in one, here. MORE: How much do RI beach passes cost for summer 2025? Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
RI distributing 5,000 farmers market cards to seniors
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — A food assistance program that helps connect local farmers with Rhode Island seniors is returning this summer. The R.I. Department of Environmental Management's (DEM) Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) will give out 5,000 benefit cards to eligible residents. The cards can be used at local farm stands and farmers markets to buy fruits, vegetables and honey. Less than a third of seniors in the United States eat their recommended intake of fruits and vegetables, according to the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. The benefit cards will be preloaded with $50 and distributed at 90 senior sites starting on June 1. The cards will be valid through Nov. 30. The DEM is also partnering with Farm Fresh Rhode Island to deliver produce boxes to homebound seniors. Eligible seniors can apply for the program at their local senior center. You can find a sign-up location near you by clicking here. Any organizations that work with seniors and would like to get involved with the program can email Farmers and businesses interested in accepting SFMNP can sign up here. Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Free boat-cleaning station takes aim at invasive plants in South Kingstown pond
SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) — Over the past couple of years, an invasive aquatic plant has started to take over a pond in South Kingstown. Now, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is trying to stop the plant from infiltrating other local waterbodies with a new boat-cleaning station set up at Worden Pond. The invasive plant, Hydrilla, was first detected in the pond in 2023. By 2024, a study estimated that the plant had taken over 150 acres, around 14%, of the entire pond. IN-DEPTH: Invasive aquatic plants are an expensive problem in RI The DEM said Hydrilla not only poses a threat to native plants and wildlife, but also boating and recreation. Hydrilla spreads easily, and it can grow from a small fragment. Boaters can use the new solar-powered boat-cleaning station for free. The town said it will hire a part-time greeter to show boaters how to use the self-service station. The DEM is encouraging boaters to clean their boats both before launching and after taking them out of the water. All boats should be cleaned, drained and dried before entering a waterbody. According to the DEM, more than 114 ponds and lakes and 29 rivers in Rhode Island have invasive aquatic plants. You can find a map of affected waterbodies here. The DEM is also looking for volunteers to educate others at Worden Pond or their local boat ramp. Anyone who is interested can register for a training session here. NEXT: Here's why RI scientists want you to report roadkill Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Japan Times
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
The sudden death of Kurdish separatism in Turkey
The world's longest-running armed insurgency has come to an abrupt end. Some four decades after orchestrating its first attack against Turkish government targets, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has decided to disband and disarm, it was announced earlier this month. The decision marks a turning point not only for Turkey, but for the entire Middle East. Since its founding in the late 1970s by the now-jailed Abdullah Ocalan, the PKK was motivated primarily by the goal of establishing an independent Kurdish state, while also seeking to secure political rights for the Kurdish minority in Turkey. But several factors, both domestic and international, have apparently convinced its leaders to abandon violence. Begin with the domestic political situation. As a two-term president, Erdogan has made clear that he hopes to seek a third mandate, meaning that he has to find a way to amend Turkey's Constitution or to convince Parliament to back an early election bill. In either case, success would require him to secure more support than his ruling coalition, comprising his Justice and Development Party and the far-right Nationalist Movement Party, can provide. But Turkey's third-largest party, the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM), can deliver the missing votes. The objective of enrolling DEM in the parliamentary effort to amend the constitution paved the way for the 'Kurdish opening,' designed to enhance the political and cultural rights of Turkey's Kurds. The quid pro quo was the dismantling of the PKK and an end to its terrorist campaign against the Turkish state. The PKK's decision to disband was also influenced by international developments, which had placed the group under severe pressure. Last December, Syrian President Bashar Assad — who had used the PKK as a tool to undermine Turkey — was ousted and the new Syrian regime could not be counted on to support Kurdish efforts to destabilize Turkey. The United States, too, is distancing itself from the PKK affiliates that once played a leading role in the fight against the Islamic State. Whereas former U.S. President Joe Biden's administration offered near unconditional support to U.S.-allied Kurdish groups, such as the Syrian Democratic Forces, Donald Trump believes that U.S. national interests — not least political stability in Syria — are better served by strengthening ties with Turkey. A final, less-discussed factor shaping the PKK's calculations was Turkey's growing use of drone technology to strengthen border security and, more importantly, to target senior PKK commanders outside of Turkey — even deep in Iraqi territory. As this significantly weakened the PKK's logistical and operational effectiveness, it likely prompted a fundamental reassessment of the insurgency's prospects. This combination of factors has created a window of opportunity for Turkey to resolve the Kurdish issue without the kind of violent campaign that fuels radicalization. But a successful transition from an era of armed struggle to one of peace and integration will require Erdoğan's government to deliver on two fronts. The first is transparency. The PKK's long history of violence has understandably generated deep animosity within Turkish society. It is thus essential that the contents of negotiations between the PKK and the Turkish government — including the relevant trade-offs — are communicated clearly and openly. For example, a major consideration will be whether PKK-affiliated entities like the People's Protection Units in Syria will also disarm. Parliament — and, in particular, the main opposition parties within it — must play a central role in guiding this sensitive process. The second front is democracy. This historic opening cannot succeed without genuine democratic reform, including credible steps to safeguard judicial independence and enhance freedom of speech and association. Erdogan's government could secure quick wins in this area by complying with recent rulings from the European Court of Human Rights, including its demand to release Kurdish political leader Selahattin Demirtas. At a time when Ocalan could be released, Turkey's government would also do well to address the conditions faced by other political detainees, such as Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and Umit Ozdag, who leads the ultranationalist Victory Party. The dismantling of the PKK presents a historic opportunity to build a better Turkey. Safeguarding the country's newfound freedom from PKK terrorism requires strengthening its democracy more broadly. Beyond helping Turkey, such an initiative would demonstrate to violent actors across the Middle East that the end of political insurgencies can lead to lasting and inclusive peace. Sinan Ulgen, a former Turkish diplomat, is director of EDAM, an Istanbul-based think tank and a senior policy fellow at Carnegie Europe.© Project Syndicate, 2025
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
RI beaches open for summer Memorial Day weekend
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — With summer right around the corner, Memorial Day weekend is the beginning of beach season in the Ocean State. Starting Saturday, May 24, all Rhode Island state beaches — except for Roger Wheeler State Beach — will be open to the public. Roger Wheeler is scheduled to open later than usual on Saturday, June 14, due to an ongoing upgrade project. Concessions will be available, though limited for the next several weeks. Ocean, Bay & Beach // Beachgoers are encouraged to purchase their 2025 season parking passes before heading to the beach. Starting this year, the R.I. Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is using license plate recognition technology, so a physical pass is not required for entry. RELATED: How much do RI beach passes cost for summer 2025? Those who don't want to buy their pass online can visit the office at Fishermen's Memorial State Park & Campground on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Parking passes are valid at all eight state beaches, but spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors are encouraged to check beach capacity status online before heading out—especially on holiday weekends. Lifeguards will be on duty daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Swimmers are responsible for their own safety outside of those hours, according to the DEM. MORE: RI DEM is still hiring lifeguards for summer After Labor Day, lifeguards will no longer be on duty and all restrooms will close for the season. Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
