Woonsocket’s location on the Blackstone River powered the city’s many mills and helped it become an industrial center in the 19th century. Now, many of those mills are vacant, and in July an abandoned mill on Privilege Street burned to the ground. The fire highlighted the problem of what happens to abandoned mills, and the chemicals often found onsite. Woonsocket residents are invited to meet ecoRI News’ staff and participate in a discussion about this topic and other environmental issues facing the city. The “Mobile Newsroom” is touring all 39 cities and towns in the state, hosting community editorial meetings in community spaces every other month.