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In the News… Quick recap of the week’s news, ending Nov. 13, 2026
Here is a quick synopsis of local, regional, national and international news and passings of note:
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
Cranston schools – Chester W. Barrows (assessed $3.7M) and Daniel D. Waterman (assessed $3.095M – will be sold which should help Cranston’s bottom line
5 RI groups say Heat Pump electric costs are overpaid by approx. $902 annually
Potter St. Bridge, part of Washington Bridge reconstruction demolished, road open
Top state prosecutor retiring: Stephen Dambruch, senior prosecutor in RI AG’s office
Rob Gronkowski became the 38th member of the Patriots Hall of Fame – got his red jacket
Dear Hearts Ice Cream closes in Pawtuxet
$3.2M to be spent by Middletown to build 36 single, duplex and triplex modular homes on land it owns – 5 would be for lowest income (< $86K/2 people) – with 31 for $108K/2) with total cost of $425K per home – selling for $354K- $400K –
50% of MA parents say children were absent from school due to travel – school officials agreed – also stating that 73% were absent due to “mental health days” – survey saying COVID broke the school-child-family relationship pushing it down in priority of what is important (BosGlobe)
Governors of New Hampshire and Vermont remain Republican
Encore Casino strike settles
Bridgewater’s town manager, paid more than $220,000 a year, never keyed into his Town Hall office on 44 workdays in his first year with no time off logged
State Budget & Policy Director Resigns: Brian Daniels officially resigned from his position as Rhode Island’s budget and policy director
Providence Mayor Morales named Krystle Lindberg, a deputy finance director for the city of Providence, as CFO – and Jennifer Wood, a former chief of staff and legal counsel at both the state Department of Education and for Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts, as chief of staff.
Cranston Mayor Hopkins does not support the pilot overnight parking permit program
House Judiciary Committee meets Nov. 17 to hear Judge Matos Supreme Court nomination
Former DCYF worker, a woman, charged by Pawtucket with 3rd degree sexual assault
Johnston boys soccer team takes Division III State championships
Neighborhood Health Plan sues RI over $100M in unpaid Medicaid reimbursement
Company owned by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft is proposing a massive data center development in Sutton, MA
Providence Fire Chief Derek Silva announces retirement as Mayor-Elect David Morales opens search for successor
Mayor Brett Smiley says Providence will sign a friendship pact with Ayr, Scotland and host St. Andrew’s Weekend from Nov. 27-30
FM Global will move headquarters from Johnston to Providence 10-story tower – best known as GTech Tower – 2nd company to make moving transition with no conversation with city/town management
Newport Hospital birthing center’s future remains unsettled as local leaders presented a plan to sustain the Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center through greater visibility, more births and long-term funding. The center remains open, but its financial future is unresolved. The hospital is part of the Brown University Health system.
6 arrested in East Providence involved in a shooting of 1 – 3 minors, 3 adults
Neighborhood Health Plan says state of RI owes it $100M in Medicaid funding
J&W will pay $100,000 annually, with a $50,000 catch-up payment offered for fiscal years 2027-2029 to City of Cranston
Lowell, MA City Council voted 8 to 1 to reactivate and reinstate the city’s Flock Safety automated license plate reader (ALPR) camera system following a review of police usage protocols.
Rhode Island House Republicans unanimously elected Michael W. Chippendale of Foster as House Minority Leader, and David J. Place of Burrillville as Minority Whip
The Raynham IcePlex remains closed after an suspected ammonia leak
Westerly’s historic Shelter Harbor Inn is on the market for nearly $5.5 million.
Brown notified F-1 students that they will no longer issue Curricular Practical Training authorizations for undergrads.
Another junior team comes to RI – professional women’s basketball officially coming to Providence. The UPSHOT League announced its 8th franchise, with games at the Amica Mutual Pavilion (AMP) beginning on May 13, 2027, with 28-game season. Fans can suggest a team name at ProvidenceUpshot.com; season-membership deposits are $88.
Cranston shooter captured in New Bedford – ID’d on Flock camera system – victim recovering from critical injuries
RI revenue approx $109M higher than anticipated; but $260M deficit for 2027–28
Cranston man, 58, killed while cutting down a tree at his Cindy Lane home
RI Energy debuting new discount rates beginning in 2027
RI revenue approx $109M higher than anticipated; but $260M deficit for 2027–28
Cranston man, 58, killed while cutting down a tree at his Cindy Lane home
Kim Ahern, new RI AG picks a 17-member Transition Team and 5 staff leaders
Mayor-Elect Morales names Jennifer Wood chief of staff; Krystle Lindberg, CFO
No. Providence city worker charged with poisoning another town city worker
Lindsay Clancy dismissal request denied by judge over possible double-jeopardy
RI budget director Brian Daniels resigns; managed 12 budgets under three governors
Brown University reports $50.4 million operating deficit
Providence Fire Chief, Derek Silva, to retire, recruitment under way for new chief
RI Ethics Commission sets 1-year restriction for Richard Charest to deal with the state as new CEO of Roger Williams and Fatima Hospitals
Judge Matos confirmation hearing set for November 17
The Martha’s Vineyard Times has been named New England Newspaper of the Year.
RI AG Neronha opposes the acquisition of three skilled nursing facilities: the Greenville Center (735 Putnam Pike, Greenville, RI 02828), the Respiratory & Rehabilitation Center of Rhode Island (10 Woodland Drive, Coventry, RI), and the Warren Center (642 Metacom Ave, Warren, RI 02885), encompassing a total of 404 beds under the ownership of for profit AdviniaCare. The transaction would create 11 of the approximately 75 SNFs licensed under one of the largest chains in the state.
Steel Topping-Off Ceremony on November 17, at 11 a.m., at 1 Columbus Avenue for new Pawtucket High School
Gov. McKee’s staff, interested in staying with Foulkes administration are asked to send a “letter of intent describing your interest in continued service and your vision for the agency, department, or organization under your leadership” – and a résumé by the end of day on Nov. 19.
All judges on the RI U.S. District Court bench signed a letter to State House judiciary committee leaders in support of Judge Matos’ nomination
Former Gov. of RI, Gina Raimondo, said during a speech on capitalism that people who “buy $100 million homes, just to knock them down to build something bigger…is obscene. It is immoral. And it is not sustainable.”
Airport CEO Iftikhar Ahmad’s compensation approaches $2.2 million annually
RI-HEAP reports 12% more applications for heating assistance this year
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NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
Rewards for Justice, a US program begun in 1984 during Reagan administration is today offering $20M for information on Iran’s nuclear program – offering relocation and protections
As soon as halt of Cybertruck production was announced, they were flying off the showrooms
Lime has banned 2,000 riders and tripled its foot patrol team to collect abandoned Lime vehicles in response to resident complaints in Washington, DC
$7.45B in fines to be paid by GM for contaminating soil and water
Government funding, judicial confirmations, farm bill & defense legislation before Congress
Rumors UFC’s Dana White appointment to White House Press Sect. might be serious
Russia, Ukraine and U.S. to meet Tuesday and Wednesday in Abu Dhabi for peace talks
Uruguay visit by Pope Leo drew crowd of 40,000
Netanyahu faces major setback as rival gets 1st chance to form government
U.S. disables commercial ship that fired on St. Kitts-flagged vessel in Gulf of Oman
Train wreck, one of many in Egypt, kills 7 with many injured
EV targets in England reduced from production of 80% by 2030 to much less but keeping 100% by 2035
China Xi Ping & Russia Putin to meet with Pres. Trump in China next week
Dana White proposed appointment as press secretary was a joke – but media ran in all directions to cover it
Jean-Noël Barrot, France’s minister of foreign affairs, said Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of carrying out a number of “unprecedented” cyberattacks on refrigerators at about 700 French supermarkets last month.
Rep. Thomas Massie introduced articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing him of waging war against Iran without congressional authorization.
Ahmed Moor, a Gaza born Palestinian American writer and businessperson, announced a bid to unseat Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA)
South Carolina recruiting Gen Z – plenty of jobs for you is the campaign
Trial date set for accused Charlie Kirk killer: Jury selection June 21, 2028.
In Australia, only 1 in 3 children hold a pencil properly – blaming screentime for problem
BetUS TV will stream a new 1-hour NFL show featuring disgraced NYT sports reporter, Dianna Russini
Pepsico to cut 1,000 jobs as it restructure North American division (includes Mountain Dwew and Doritos)
Dave Chappelle, comedien, takes backlash from joking that he feels better since Charlie Kirk was murdered
House voted to send Rep. Thomas Massie’s articles of impeachment against Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to committee – blocking a floor vote on impeachment for now.
FDA slaps MAJOR WARNING on GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Zepbound. Both products can decrease blood flow to the optic nerve, increasing the risk of vision loss.
Shelter in place ordered in Deer Park, Texas after Level 3 incident at Lubrizol chemical plant
Treasury Sect. Bessent and his family have moved to a military base out of Iranian threats to their lives reached more than an advanced level of concern. Bessent is leading efforts to financially strangle Iran.
Since summer, several leaders of the White House staff, including Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, had moved with their families into military housing for security
3 dead, many injured in LA when car jumped the curb into vendors on the side of the road
Megan Markle’s father arrested after he cut off his ankle bracelet
Former President Joe Biden and family pummeled with eggs, milk and shouts of “blood on your hands” at a Dublin, Ireland event about his support for Israel
Alexander Darchiev, Russia’s ambassador to the U.S., 65, has died “suddenly” – Same day as Russia and Ukraine agreed to a new “large-scale” prisoner exchange on the 2nd day of peace talks in Abu Dhabi.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang reportedly had another extramarital affair, this time with Nvidia’s VP of health care who reports directly to him.
USS United States was to be sunk as a “reef” for fish – instead of sinking straight down, it rolled to its side and went down that way – 7 hours in what was to take 30 mins.
Veterans night in NYC saw masked Islamists making their way Rockefeller Christmas Tree and St Patrick’s Cathedral to protest
Envoys Kushner and Witkoff arrive in Moscow for talks with President Putin
Pres. Trump lawsuit for $10B against BBC may proceed, rules judge
Israel’s National Security Council raised the travel warning for Istanbul to level 4 (highest – the same as for Iran or Afghanistan. Calls on all Israelis there to leave immediately due to Iranian terror threats targeting them.
Ted Turner’s art collection is massive and will be sold off
DC gym shooter who killed himself and 1 other person and injured others “ID’d as Dr. Matt Lambert – who went berserk at HOA over black mold in his $1.1M apartment (NY Post)” – Lambert was an emergency physician in West Virginia – he left a “manifesto” at his X acct: @miceandmold
United Airlines restricts AI from making airline reservations for customers
Childcare tax credit will raise next year by $100
Former president Biden says his cancer has not spread
Pope Leo denounced “machismo” and violence against women in Peru
MA Fire Marshal Jon Davine retiring after 30 years
Gymnastics instructor Joseph Mello III who worked across RI and MA arrested for filming students and then using images for AI porn
Maria Bartiromo sells NYC townhouse for $7 million
100th anniversary this year of the Macy’s Day Parade coming up
Dana White’s “nomination” for White House Press Secretary a joke – but media ran to cover
Dems priority listed for Congress: reverse Medicaid & SNAP cuts, challenge tariffs, end to Iran war
Leaders of China, Russia and US will meet next week
Pope Leo continues tour – in Argentina met with Milei and gave pushback on policies
Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth spoke at the Newport Naval War College announcing a military-college overhaul with 33 directives, including ending tenure for newly hired civilian faculty and emphasizing recent combat leadership in teaching. College’s partnership with Brown University terminated last month.
Russia–Ukraine negotiations took place in Abu Dhabi on ending the war and security guarantees – now continuing in Russia
Jensen Huang resigns from NVIDIA; 3rd woman named; to testify before Congress soon
Sect. of War Hegseth presents medal to Tomb of Unknown Soldier guard for quieting group
1.5M expected to miss work 11/19 when Grand Theft Auto 6 released. $1B lost productivity
FDA puts major warning on GLP-1 drugs that they can damage optic nerve & increase risk of vision loss
Microsoft outage continues across 74 countries – Outlook most troublesome
Brooklyn building collapse death toll reaches 8, 18 injured. NYC will inspect 100 buildings
House elected new Minority leader, Jim Jordan, Ohio. Defeats Steve Scalise, Senate re-elects Minority leader, John Thune, of South Dakota
Oil prices fall sharply: Crude down 4.38% after renewed strikes in Iran downplayed
Sect. of War Pete Hegseth impeachment resolution filed by Rep. Thomas Massie – House blocks Sect. of War Pete Hegseth impeachment effort – sending it to committee
Dana White in DC for press briefing, took questions in lighthearted moment with press
Katie Miller, wife of new White House Chief of Staff, Stephen Miller, quit her job at SpaceX and sold her shares so her husband can work on AI, space, and more without restrictions
SKIMS $148 Advent Calendar seen as sub-par, ends sales, refunds or credits offered
First Snow of the season fell on Friday in northern New England
NVIDIA CEO to testify before Congress in private session next week
Kimberly Powell, named as the NVIDIA staff member who Huang had an affair with is a graduate of Coventry HS (GoLocal)
All cruise ship passengers in New Orleans tanker accident were rescued with no serious injuries. Tanker lost its steering, cruise ship turned onto its side and sunk
VP Vance will now focus on local issues and not continue with Iran negotiations
40 year old son of John Brennan, former CIA Director, arrested on child porn charges, 88 images at home, on phone
Bomb, possibly multiple bombs, found at ethanol plant in Peoria – local official makes statement the city can’t keep people safe
Rep. Boebert in Colorado loses re-election to Democrat opponent
Family Dollar agrees to $63 million settlement over alleged overcharging.
Medicaid: States get an optional six-month enforcement cushion to avoid denying or terminating otherwise eligible people’s coverage solely for failing work requirements through June 30, 2027
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PASSINGS
Milan Azar, 70, RI attorney, of a rare and sudden neurological disease
James Burrows – JoBeCerny, 85, actor, Cheers commercial, Pillsbury dough boy giggle
Dan Hicks, 74, sportscaster, has died
Stacy Keach, 85, actor, “Mike Hammer” – “Fat City”
Stanley Zabar, 94, co-manager Zabar’s food emporium, NYC