Massachusetts Kratom Ban and Local Alerts | Providence News

Providence News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 14, 2026 · 1m

Massachusetts just cracked down on kratom with a new emergency ban, while Rhode Island’s South Kingstown is bracing for raccoon rampages—and Narragansett Beach had to be evacuated after a shark sighting. In legal news, a New Bedford cop faces court over alleged surveillance abuse, and a Fall River shooter was nabbed in a major bust. Health-wise, a Newport County man has been diagnosed with the rare Powassan virus, but the town’s rolling out free harm-reduction vending machines as a bright spot. And in a courtroom twist, Tupac’s murder trial moves forward with a jury seated for Duane “Keffe D”…