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Voters will still have to show identification to vote in Rhode Island -- but not a photo ID -- under a compromise ticketed for passage in the House of Representatives.

On today's podcast, a hearing on the state budget is scheduled to for this week in the House Finance Committee, and Twin River Casino prepares to launch table games.

Plus, considering the lack of Republicans in Rhode Island in this week's commentary from Political Analyst Scott MacKay.

Rhode Island and the rest of New England have become foreign territory for Republicans, says Rhode Island Public Radio political analyst Scott MacKay.   

Governor Lincoln Chafee, Providence Mayor Angel Taveras and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse will be among the dignitaries who gather Monday morning for the dedication of  Joyce House – an apartment building for homeless vets.  Rhode Island has roughly 270 homeless veterans, but has designated beds for only about a third of them.

The state House of Representatives is scheduled to take up the casino gambling crime and punishment bill Tuesday.  Passage would pave the way for a pivotal moment in the history of gambling in Rhode Island.

Provided the House passes the gaming crime and punishment bill, Twin River will become the first full-fledged casino in modern Rhode Island history Wednesday, when it launches table games like blackjack, craps and roulette.

Dealers were practicing over the weekend with a select group of invited guests.

Welcome back to my weekly column. You can find me on Twitter. Let's head in.

Rhode Island and the rest of New England have become foreign territory for Republicans. RIPR political analyst Scott MacKay explains why.

Just about every state in New England, and especially Rhode Island, could benefit from robust two-party political competition. Our state’s  General  Assembly has 113 members. Only 11 caucus with Republicans.

All eyes are on the Pawtuxet and Pawcatuck rivers as they are expected to rise even higher Friday night. The Blackstone River is also rising.

Two inches of rain fell between Thursday and Friday morning, according to the National Weather Service. It came in what was already a soggy week in Rhode Island. All the rain has pushed the Pawtuxet River to more than a foot above flood stage. The National Weather Service expects it to crest at 11 feet and remain high through Saturday night.

The long-sought trial of James "Whitey" Bulger in US District Court in Boston offers a great example of how Twitter can carry the drama of legal action to a far bigger audience. Tweets from a bevy of top crime reporters, including WPRI-TV's Tim White, have offered a minute-by-minute account of the scene as the former fugitive mobster faces justice.

When the Bruins host the Chicago Blackhawks for games three and four of the Stanley Cup finals, a voice from Rhode Island will be part of the games.

When Jim Martin’s working his day job, he’s the spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Providence. But during hockey season, his night job is being the public address announcer for TD Garden in Boston. Martin’s been announcing there for almost 20 years. Two years ago, he announced in his first Stanley Cup game.