Philip Eil

@phileil

Journalist. Cat dad. Rhode Islander. Author of "Prescription for Pain: How a Once-Promising Doctor Became the 'Pill Mill Killer.'"

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Philip Eil@phileil· 29d

"Widespread Cases of Diarrhea" in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles typeface.

Philip Eil@phileil· 29d

Here's a pic I took in Providence yesterday. 🍋🧊🚚

A yellow and white van marked "New England Soft Frozen Lemonade" parked on Blackstone Boulevard, next to Lippitt Memorial Park, on July 13, 2024.

Philip Eil@phileil· 29d

Though, I will admit, this moment at the forum *hosted by Brown* made me laugh. www.browndailyherald.com/article/2026...

Waters consistently drew the most polarized reactions from the audience. In response to a question about the city’s relationship with Brown, Waters stated that “Brown University is one of the most anti-American institutions in the United States,” to which attendees responded with laughter.

The University could not immediately be reached for comment.

Philip Eil@phileil· Jul 13

As a Providence-based Jew, let me be the first to say no thanks to whatever the hell is going on here.

A Facebook post from Waters for Mayor of Providence that reads: "Socialists want to destroy the Jew.
The Democrats, especially among the most radical, are abandoning the Jews ✡️. Providence Jews should vote in their long term interests as Dems pull away from you. As a black, independent candidate for Mayor of Providence, the increasing Jewish Derangement Syndrome, especially among the Democratic Socialists, is a public safety concern. Only a fool votes for people who hate you, lie about it, displaying a pleasant smile.
Visit: www.WatersForMayor.com"

Philip Eil@phileil· Jul 13

My copy editor is particularly aggressive this morning.

A selfie with an adorable calico kitty — Jill — on my shoulder.

Philip Eil@phileil· Jul 12

Providence.

Philip Eil@phileil· Jul 12

A few pics my first trip to Centreville Bank Stadium for a RIFC game last night, as well as some thoughts I shared over on IG. TL;DR: it was great.

The view inside Centreville Bank Stadium on a beautiful summer night -- July 12, 2026.

A large video screen at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket announcing a Yellow Card, with sponsorship by General Dynamics. The RIFC's mascot -- Chip, a harbor seal -- holds a large yellow card on the screen.

Players in action, as viewed from Section 103 at The view inside Centreville Bank Stadium.

I went to my first RIFC game tonight. It was a blast.

Great views. Gorgeous weather. An exciting game that the home team won on penalty kicks. Mid-game conversations with @dylancgiles and @dariaphoebe, who were seated nearby.

Because most of the sponsors were local I found the commoditization of the game — yellow cards brought to you by General Dynamics (lol); field-level ads for RIPTA, Blue Bug Solutions, the Providence Business News; corner kicks brought to you by Chick-fil-A in Attleboro — more amusing than grating.

It was, of course, hard not to get a bit sad about the PawSox and McCoy. But I’m very excited for this new era for Pawtucket and all of Rhode Island.

I’ll be back for sure.

Damn, I love this state. ⚽️🌊⚓️

Philip Eil@phileil· Jul 11

TFW you’re in Rhode Island.

Two people wearing mascot-style suits depicting two of the Cardi’s (furniture) brothers.

Philip Eil@phileil· Jul 11

First RIFC game tonight. 🤩

The view from Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket before tonight’s RIFC game.

Philip Eil@phileil· Jul 11

Here, from the @phileil.bsky.social archives, is the subpoena I received to testify in a federal criminal trial in Cincinnati in 2011. I hired a local lawyer who helped me to sort it out and I didn't testify. But it wasn't fun!

A subpoena issued in the U.S. District Court for Southern Ohio in March 2011 for Philip Eil to testify.

It reads, in part: UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
for the
Southern District of Ohio

United States ofAmerica
V.
Case NO. SSB

PAUL VOLKMAN

Defendant

SUBPOENA TO TESTIFY AT A HEARING 0R TRIAL IN A CRIMINAL CASE

To: Phillip

YOU ARE COMMANDED to appear in the United States district court at the time, date, and place shown

below to testify in this criminal case. When you arrive, you must remain at the court until the judge or a court officer
allows you to leave.

Philip Eil@phileil· Jul 11

I have been subpoenaed before. And it's scary stuff. The etymology -- here, via Merriam Webster -- shows that the threat of penalty/punishment is built into the word itself. www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/s...

The Origin of Subpoena

If you think you recognize the sub- in subpoena as the prefix meaning "under, beneath, below," you're on target. Subpoena arrived in Modern English (via the Middle English suppena) from the Latin sub poena, a combination of sub and poena, meaning "penalty." Other poena descendants in English include impunity ("freedom from penalty"), penal ("of or relating to punishment"), and even punish. There is also the verb subpoena, as in "Defense lawyers have subpoenaed several witnesses to the crime."

Philip Eil@phileil· Jul 10

I got a kick out of Paolino Properties announcing its purchase of four downtown-PVD parking facilities for $16+ million by saying it was part of a mission of "supporting downtown Providence." Philanthropy, basically.

An instagram graphic that reads "Paolino Properties Acquires Four Downtown Providence Parking Facilities." Below, in a rundown of the numbers -- 832 parking spaces, 4 properties, $16.5 million -- reads "1 MISSION: SUPPORTING DOWNTOWN PROVIDENCE."

A caption reads, in part:

We’re proud to announce another significant investment in the future of downtown Providence.

Paolino Properties has acquired four strategically located downtown parking facilities, adding 832 parking spaces to our portfolio and reinforcing our long-term commitment to the city’s continued growth and revitalization.

While parking may not always make headlines, it is essential infrastructure. Accessible, well-managed parking supports local businesses, residents, hotels, restaurants, employers—both current and future—and the thousands of people who visit downtown every day.

This investment reflects more than an acquisition. It reflects a belief in Providence’s future.

Philip Eil@phileil· Jul 10

I'm biased as a board member. But I love how today's articles from the @thepvdeye.bsky.social reflect how we're covering both the cultural and political life of this city. It's good for my soul to be part of this outlet as it grows and evolves.

The front page of the Providence Eye on July 10, 2026. One article is headlined "FRINGE PVD is Back with a Week of Creative Risk-Taking." Another reads: "Which of Providence's General Assembly Seats Are Being Challenged This Year."

Philip Eil@phileil· Jul 9

Good morning from Providence.

Philip Eil@phileil· Jul 6

Someone is glad that I’m back from my trip. 🥰

Philip Eil@phileil· Jul 6

A highlight from my trip to Maine: breakfast at the Villager Cafe -- affiliated with @midcoastvillager.bsky.social -- in Camden. The NYT called the cafe “a staff canteen, a way to meet readers and a source of a revenue for the paper.” I loved it.

A sign for The Villager Cafe, above a flag that says "Open."

The interior of the Villager Cafe in Camden Maine on a busy morning in July.

A newspaper -- the Midcoast Villager -- on a wooden coffee table, inside the Villager Cafe, in Camden, ME.

Merchandise for the Midcoast Villager, including hats, tote bags, mugs, and travel coffee cups.

Philip Eil@phileil· Jul 2

Anyway, one easy way to avoid making the biggest mistake of a 50-year journalism career at age 82 is to retire at a normal age. www.cnn.com/2026/06/30/m...

“It was the worst professional mistake of my more than 50 years in journalism,” she wrote to Alito. “I could go on, but I don’t know what else to say except that I am so, so sorry.”

Philip Eil@phileil· Jul 2

So, the story of how Nina Totenberg decided to report that Alito was retiring is batshit bonkers and raises a million more questions than it answers. Via NPR's Public Editor: www.npr.org/sections/npr...

Totenberg was reporting on the final day of the Supreme Court session on Tuesday. As she was leaving the court, Chief Justice John Roberts was announcing upcoming retirements. Totenberg wondered why everyone else wasn't leaving and asked someone outside the court. According to her interview that same day on All Things Considered, Totenberg asked a bystander what was going on, and the person replied "retirement announcements." But Totenberg heard the reply in the singular, "announcement, " and assumed it was the notice that Alito was retiring.

Philip Eil@phileil· Jul 1

Somewhere north of Woonsocket.

A restaurant with a huge inflatable lobster on the roof. The sign reads “Taste of Maine.”

Philip Eil@phileil· Jun 30

This is a vision of America I can get behind: a rainbow crosswalk leading into a public library. 📚🌈 Pic taken before my “News Media in the Misinformation Age” talk in East Providence, RI last night.

A rainbow crosswalk leads into the Weaver Memorial Branch of the East Providence, RI Public Library. An American flag is visible next to the entrance. The sky is bright blue.

Philip Eil@phileil· Jun 29

That was a tense three minutes.

Two text messages, received three minutes apart, that read:

"Your order has been placed. We’ll send you an update when it is accepted by The Sandwich Hut."

"The Sandwich Hut has accepted your order."

Philip Eil@phileil· Jun 29

Good morning from Providence.

Philip Eil@phileil· Jun 28

The documentary about Amy Goodman and Democracy Now! - "Steal This Story, Please!" -- is wonderful, moving, and inspiring. I was lucky to catch it at the Avon yesterday, followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers and Amy by @thepvdeye.bsky.social's Eric Halvarson. Go see it if you can!

Eric Halvarson, Amy Goodman, Carl Deal, and Tia Lesson on stage at the Avon Cinema in Providence on Saturday, June 27.

Philip Eil@phileil· Jun 26

This raccoon does not have rabies. This is Roger, and he's headed to the office. He works in accounting.

Philip Eil@phileil· Jun 26

I am amused by RI's Department of Health making an announcement about rabid raccoons with an image of a very cool, relaxed, and exceedingly-non-rabid-looking raccoon. Also: there are bats(?).

PRESS RELEASE: RIDOH is alerting the public that a raccoon found in the area of Amy Street in the Fox Point neighborhood of Providence tested positive for rabies on June 24. A second raccoon that was collected near Hope Street in this area is also being tested because of indications that it may also be rabid.

An Instagram post from the RI Dept. of Health that reads: There were no human exposures to either of these animals. RIDOH is alerting the public out of an abundance of caution as the rabid animal was found in a densely populated area. Check out today's press release to learn more. #LinkInBio

Attached is a cartoon image of a cute non-rabid-looking raccoon with three bats inexplicably flying above it.

Philip Eil@phileil· Jun 26

Also these are among the furthest things from modern Republican values. 🤷‍♂️

Woodley said as a city councilor, he wants to help give high school seniors more options after graduation, create higher-quality homeless shelters, and provide more resources to residents living on welfare.

Philip Eil@phileil· Jun 26

On a personal note, I was lucky to get to meet and profile Amy Goodman for @forward.com a decade ago. Here's a pic from my visit to DN's office in NYC in 2016. And here's the piece: forward.com/culture/3395...

Phil Eil and Amy Goodman in 2016 at Democracy Now's offices in New York.

Philip Eil@phileil· Jun 25

My kitties don't really get along with each other. But they both like me. So right now, Jill is on my right shoulder. And Jack is snuggled up next to me on the couch, on my left side. No better way to start the day. 🥰 A recent pic of the two of them:

A calico kitty (Jill) and tuxedo kitty (Jack) tolerate each other grudgingly on a navy blue couch.

Philip Eil@phileil· Jun 24

Providence.

Philip Eil@phileil· Jun 24

Gannett (now the USA Today Co.) is firmly in its "Is this anything?" era. Check out this email I just got from the Providence Journal. What are we doing here? And who is this for?