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In the news… local and national news of note
Rhode Island & Vicinity
COVID
Gov. McKee will make an announcement with Dr. Jha, TODAY, on COVID treatment in RI.
Central Falls mask mandate reinstituted effective May 23rd due to risk being raised to high.
Providence is masking in classrooms again, effective May 24th.
Block Island mask mandate since last Wednesday in schools.
Brookline, MA reinstitutes masks in schools and city/town buildings, indoors.
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OTHER
Neil Steinberg, head of the RI Foundation has announced his retirement in May of 2023.
RI signed into law the recreational marijuana law, becoming the 19th state to do so. Purchases can begin after December 1st.
Newport has announced a free hop of – hop off RIPTA bus arrangement as a tourist incentive for the city
Section of Cliff Walk will remain closed for repair in Newport this summer.
Swampscott town moves to 4-day work week to attract, retain employees
Mohegan Bluffs stairs on Block Island will close for repairs.
National Grid sells to PPL
Jonathan Searle was named police chief in Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard – he had a role as a young child in the movie “Jaws” filmed on the island.
The Save the Bay Exploration Center & Aquarium will move from Easton’s Beach to the ground floor of the Gateway Center in Newport.
Newport Life Magazine will come out again, having been bought by a local Newport group of investors.
Brett Johnson to become head of Eleanor Slater Hospital – he comes from Northwest Ohio Psychiatric Hospital where he was CEO.
The Economic Progress Institute announced that Linda Katz will retire from her role as Policy Director.
The Conjuring House in RI has been sold.
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National & International
COVID
Philadelphia students started wearing masks in schools May 23rd, due to risk level being raised to high in their community.
Taiwan is averaging 80,000 cases a day – compared to 15,000 a day in the first COVID go-around.
Americans with a recent diagnosis of depression or schizophrenia had a seven-fold increased likelihood of COVID-19 infection. These individuals died at nearly twice the rate of those without a mental disorder. The risks were even greater for African Americans with SMI. (https://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/director/messages/2022/covid-19-risks-for-people-with-serious-mental-illness?utm_campaign=mhm22&utm_medium=email&utm_source=gov)
Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Friday that he will run for Congress
Study finds that most people who are now suffering from long-COVID were not hospitalized.
OTHER
Mass shooting at elementary school in Texas – 19 children and 2 teachers killed – nearly 20 others injured. Shooter killed by law enforcement border guard strategic team member.
28 states have put in place programs to train and arm teachers, on a voluntary basis. Texas is expected to adopt a version for their state.
Pres. Biden said in Japan that if China invades Taiwan, the US will respond militarily.
After saying that monkeypox was a situation we should all worry about, Pres. Biden walked back the statement saying it is under control, and the smallpox vaccine works well against it.
NYC institutes a state of emergency regarding formula – cracking down on any provider over-charging
Bank of America has raised their minimum wage to $22/hour
Starbucks will leave Russia.
McDonalds will leave Russia.
Most sought after travel locations this year are England, followed by Paris.
Chase hiring 1,300 wealth management advisors
Jen Psaki, former spokesperson for the White House will join the network in the fall and begin working on a streaming show that will debut in the first quarter of 2023. In the meantime, Psaki will appear on NBC and MSNBC for special coverage of the midterm elections, as well as coverage regarding the 2024 presidential election.
Lee University in Tennessee is considering banning conversation about gender issues and sexuality
First and second shipments of formula came into US – from Germany. 1.5 million bottles of hypoallergenic formula designed for children with severe allergies will be delivered to Indiana. Next shipment should be middle of the week. Abbott will also establish a $5 million fund to help babies hospitalized – and will also begin shipping formula to US from their Ireland facilities.
The personal information of more than half a million Chicago Public Schools students and staff was compromised in a ransomware attack last December, but the vendor didn’t report it to the district until last month, officials said. The data breach occurred Dec. 1 and technology vendor Battelle for Kids notified CPS April on 26, the district said Friday.
Tiger Woods withdrew from final round of PGA championship due to pain
Naomi Osaka will return to the French Open
A judge stopped Pres. Biden’s intention of pulling Title 42 on Monday, which would have opened the floodgates for immigration along the southern border.
An archbishop told Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi that she should no longer present herself for communion at church in her home town of San Francisco. On Sunday, Pelosi went to a church in DC and did receive communion.
Ringling Brothers Circus will begin to tour again, after announcing their end 5 years ago
In Afghanistan, women TV anchors must now cover their faces, except for their eyes.
Pete Davidson, comedian, has left Saturday Night Live for undisclosed reasons. Leaving also are: Kate McKinnon, Aidy Bryant, and Kyle Mooney.
The Hearst Corporation, publisher of many newspapers and magazines, and in Connecticut publisher of eight Connecticut daily newspapers, 13 weeklies and Connecticut Magazine will move its printing division from Bridgeport, CT to Albany, NY.
Security is now being provided round the clock for the Supreme Court justices.
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PASSINGS
Mary Donnelly, 94, nurse on Block Island
Elizabeth Ann ‘Libby’ Rock, 66, artist and cartoonist
John Zderko, actor, “The Mentalist”, “Criminal Minds”, etc.