David Morales is in the news because he is running in the Providence mayoral race and is now in the final stretch before the primary. Recent reports say he has been campaigning on housing affordability and public safety, while also facing heavy attack ads from Mayor Brett Smiley over police funding and past comments. Morales has outlined a plan to keep police staffing steady while adding social workers and violence-prevention efforts, and he has picked up endorsements from SEIU and the Providence Teachers Union. There are also reports that campaign AI use and possibly altered materials are becoming an issue in the race, with Morales mentioned in that broader controversy.