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In the news… updates on March 11, 2023
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
Fane building developer has pulled out of the project, citing “risks beyond his control” – the project goes back to the I95 Commission for next steps. The building has been talked about for 7 years. From our architecture writer, David Brussat: “…Most of Providence will be rejoicing with this news. I certainly am. Advice to the I-195 District Redevelopment Commission: Listen to the people. Period.”
The Jamestown-Newport Ferry may not run this season if a disagreement cannot be solved with its landing points.
McCoy Stadium will have a summer good-bye party planned by the city.
Shea HS will stay in the school portfolio for the city of Pawtucket – Tolman will be offered for private development – if both plans are approved
Memorial Hospital’s development into affordable housing is still being considered
A COVID outbreak at a So. Yarmouth assisted living center ends with 5 dead
CEO of Care New England says they are not looking for a partner, and that CNE has great potential for a good future.
Electric Boat wants to hire 6,000 people to build a new type of submarine fleet
Mavy Pineda of Central Falls won the RI Cherry Blossom Princess
The RI Radio and Television Hall of Fame, to be held in September, will induct the 2023 class in Rhode Island:
AG Neronha has recovered full restitution of over $15,000 for a Smithfield homeowner from work not done by a contractor who was not licensed.
Fairhaven police report the 43-year old woman who went missing last week has been found safe, outdoors and was taken to the hospital for evaluation
Peter Alviti confirmed to once again head the RIDOT – later this month Alviti & RIDOT will receive a national highway construction award
Matthew Weldon confirmed to head RIDLT
A Food Bank opened at Rogers High School in Newport
In the RIPTA matter of a no-bid contract for RIPTA CEO to conntract a lobbying group it was brought out that by the operating processes, the CEO can do so
RI legislature will consider a bill increasing the age for children to stay on a parents’ health insurance to age 30
Henry Barnard School will move from the campus of Rhode Island College to the campus of Providence Country Day in East Providence.
The Pawtucket Animal Shelter at Slater Park will reopen soon
Cardi Construction is having financial problems – they have 10s of millions of projects under way and they say they will complete all the projects and bid on more.
Pawtucket’s Curvin-McCabe School will have a $1.29 million “Everyone’s Playground” built, opening in August
Cassandra Thomas will serve as Director of Economic Development for the City of Providence. She was formerly with FEMA
Highway shooting in Pawtucket at a city off-ramp
A new Rhode Island tourism campaign is in the works.
Massachusetts begins online gambling, expected to take over what business Rhode Island is doing.
URI is removing a Malcolm X quote etched on the side of a building by replacing it with blank identical granite-like panels
The MBTA reduced speeds of most of their trains from 40mph to 25mph out of caution about several issues such as insulation of rails, light repairs, etc. – this follows several complete shutdowns for rail repairs. Some buses were put into use when stairs crumbled at one location.
3 Boston public pools will open for children and families to have a place to go as summer approaches
Presidential primary in 2024 will fall on Passover – efforts to change the primary are beginning for RI and 3 other states
Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos announced that she will announce she will run for Congress on Monday.
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NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
Janice Yellen said to congress that 90% of new IRS audits will be on families and small businesses – not “billionaires and tax cheats”.
March is National Reading Month
Nordstrom will close all its stores in Canada
Gannett has eliminated 59% of its jobs in four years, among their newspapers. Gannett publishes the Providence Journal in Rhode Island.
Facebook will make more cuts in staff
Oregon is considering a program to help the homeless and low income by giving them universal income of $1,000 a month until 1/26. San Francisco has a program for transgendered similar to this. NY has a similar program for artists.
Federal health officials are warning parents of newborns to sterilize equipment used for both bottle-feeding and breastfeeding after a baby died last year from a rare infection tied to a contaminated breast pump. One premature infant was infected with the bacteria Cronobacter sakazakii, the same germ that sparked a recall and nationwide shortage of powdered infant formula last year
Pres. Biden had a lesion removed from his chest during his annual physical – and it was analyzed to be cancerous, but no further treatment required
Another trail derailment in Ohio, owned by same company – no toxic chemicals – there have now been four, same company.
Rachel Ray will end her television show
Deepak Chopra is selling his wellness business – The Healing Company
General Motors opening employees buy out options
Oklahoma has rejected the use of recreational marijuana
Maker of liquid Albuterol, has closed many of their operations, leaving only one other manufacturer and a shortage
4 Americans from South Carolina were kidnapped in Mexico who had traveled for cosmetic surgery, it is believed. Government has offered $50K for information. 2 were killed, one seriously injured.
Walmart will close its last 2 stores in Portland, Oregon
A new statins, Nexletol, is coming on the market for those who cannot take common statins.
TikTok’s future will be determined by Gina Raimondo, Commerce Sect (former Gov. of RI) – she may consider banning the app out of concern over China information gathering
Manhattan prosecutors have indicated they may criminally charge Donald Trump for paying Stormy Daniels
Mexican cartel has “apologized” to the US for the death of 2 of the 4 US citizens kidnapped on their trip described as for a medical cosmetic procedure – some discussion that the visit could have masked a drug deal
Tiger Woods wife alleges sexual abuse
Mitch McConnell still hospitalized after a fall in a hotel where he sustained a concussion
FDA now requiring doctors to inform women if they have dense breast tissue so they can consider an MRI or ultrasound
23 whales have washed up in the New York and New Jersey area recently – one theory is the number of wind turbines and the sonar used to build them, but this is still a theory. The fishing industry supports the theory and says it is the sonic and seismic testing that is happening.
Casino game dealers in Atlantic City are advocating for a smoke free working environment
311,000 jobs added in February in the US
Silicon Valley Bank has failed – all depositors will be made whole
The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is back in 2023 with all body types
Brown freshman, Justin Bolsen, is the $100K winner on Jeopardy.
Flood emergencies now replacing snow emergencies in parts of California, with roads giving way and widespread destruction.
Warnings for American tourists, spring break students and others not to travel to most parts of coastal Mexico – even self-contained tourist areas have concerns in transportation in and around the cities and airports.
US House is trying to declassify all COVID origin information – not clear if the Senate will approve or the President would sign such an order
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PASSINGS
Robert Blake, 89, actor
Frank Corrente, 94, former chief aide to Prov. Mayor Cianci
Judy Heuman, 75, disability advocate that led to the Americans with Disability Act
Gary Rossington, 71, founding and last member of Lynyrd Skynrd