With the venerable online Providence Journal (no link available) disappearing behind a $200/year paywall, how will Rhode Islanders get their fix of fair and balanced news and commentary? By happy coincidence, today marks the launch of the Ocean State Current, a new offering from the nonpartisan Rhode Island Center for Freedom and Prosperity, described in a press release as "the state's leading free-enterprise public policy think tank."

Veteran editor of the conservative blog Anchor Rising, Tiverton's Justin Katz, has come onboard as managing editor.

"I definitely have a point of view," said Katz in the release, "but for the core content of The Current, I intend to pull it back to where it will only enable me to ask questions and follow leads that others might not consider."

The release says, "Although their relationship is one of funding and mutual support, the Current will enjoy wide latitude for independence from the Center."

As Charles Foster Kane once said, "I think it would be fun to run a newspaper."

Editorial note: Written substantially from a press release.

Full disclosure: Obviously, I live on the other side of the Sakonnet River from Tiverton's Katz. I live on the left side. Left side. Too subtle?