In the News… recap of the week ending Jan. 25, 2025

This is a recap of news stories/events of the week ending today – for more information just search more about the topics/articles.

RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY

RI Commerce & Cox Communications issued a statement that litigation between the two has been voluntarily dismissed, with a shared goal of ensuring all Rhode Islanders have access to fast, reliable, and affordable internet.

$850,000 in Gov’s budget for Culinary and Hospitality Hub at CCRI Newport to train hospitality workers

Bill to increase Minimum Wage in RI from $15 to $20

1^st Measles case in many years reported by RI Health Dept. – child was not in school or day care, and was not vaccinated

HealthSourceRI extending open enrollment until end of February

Organ donations reached a new high in RI in 2024

Josh Kraft, a recently registered Democrat, son of Bob Kraft, and head of the Patriots Foundation, will run against Michelle Wu, Mayor of Boston

Fire at Medium Security at ACI started by an inmate lighting K2 (synthetic marijuana) – 4 inmates were treated

Globe Media to acquire Boston Magazine, retaining all staff

Boston expects to shutter 17% of schools by 2030

RI legislators to submit bills on eliminating little flags at their desks and other issues/country support objects – and establishing a dress code

Over $10K of valuable coats were taken in a robbery at Stadium Cleaners in Cranston

Jan 26-Feb. 8 – Providence Restaurant Weeks at 60 restaurants

Matt Rife will perform at the Lil Rhody Laugh Riot on 3//29 and 30 – all sold out

RITBA confirms a 2^nd text scam is underway

ICE made arrests in Boston of criminal illegal immigrants – Gov. Healey took a step back in not interfering with the arrests

Warwick Town Council asks state for help in looking at its $9M deficit created by the school committee

House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi introduced legislation to enable temporary emergency housing structures for people experiencing homelessness during severe weather and/or natural or man-made disasters. It would enable municipalities to make an emergency declaration, under limited circumstances, to allow for the construction and use of Supportive and Versatile Emergency units (“SAVE Units”) on a temporary basis for up to 180 days.

Sandra Cano has left the SBA as Regional Director. She comments to RINewsToday: “I am deeply honored to have served as the Regional Administrator for New England for the U.S. Small Business Administration under the Biden-Harris Administration. This role allowed me to work with an extraordinary team and play a vital part in advancing transformative programs that empower small businesses, drive economic growth, and expand opportunities for communities across the region. As is customary, the new administration appoints individuals to key positions, including SBA regional administrators. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve in this capacity.

United Way announced a group of RI attorneys have formed a Lawyers Committee for RI to respond to community needs for legal support – unclear on their priorities, but related to new governmental changes

Tiffany to close at Providence Place Mall

Brown Health will move administrative offices to empty Hasbro building at LaSalle Square, downtown Providence – with 600+ employees to be located there

The Director of the RIDOH is starring in a community play in Fall River

Bird flu in a flock in RI on private land identified – about 40 birds euthanized – not considered a threat to food supply

Chef Walter Potenza will speak at both the Johnston Sr. Center and the Cranston Sr. Center on a variety of topics – recipes, Italian cooking, tradition, etc. in a series of talks

RI Bridges system with cybersecurity problems ready to go back on line, program by program, soon

MA to receive $108M in oxycontin settlement – RI amount is unclear

The Nation – national magazine had a long feature on Providence, RI’s homeless experience – read it HERE:

$300M offshore wind industry loss in Somerset as restrictions go into effect, companies choosing to leave

Warwick wanting a commission to oversee school expenditures now that there is an $8M shortfall which could mean a tax increase for residents

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NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

Three Mile Island, the long-dormant site of America’s worst nuclear meltdown is coming back on line, with a goal of providing energy to power AI servers

TikTok was turned off on Sunday – after Pres-elect Trump spoke about asking for a 90-day delay, officials turned TikTok back on

3 girls held as hostages from Israel released in exchange for 100 released terrorists back to Hamas

Pres. Biden, on the morning of Pres. Trump’s inauguration, pardoned Dr. Anthony Fauci, Gen. Mark Milley (Jt. Chiefs of Staff), and the Jan.6^th committee and all those who worked on it or testified, particularly including law enforcement

Hampshire College president will resign in June

A fire broke out at a popular ski resort in Bolu, Turkey, early on Tuesday, killing at least 76 people. Absence of fire alarms, exits

Mt. Danali going back to Mt McKinley

Vermont border patrol agent shot and killed at Vermont-Canada border by non-USA resident

Gulf of Mexico now Gulf of America

Harvard joins other colleges and universities in adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism (which includes examples) – ‘Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities’. They did this as part of their settlement to resolve Students Against Antisemitism’s claims against Harvard.

The US Coast Guard has now surged aircraft, cutters, and specialized forces to the SE border around Florida to prevent illegal immigration from Haiti and Cuba, etc.

6% of the 1,500 Jan. 6^th people who were in prison (approx. 100) had any violent crime charges. 94% were charged with trespassing, or never entered the building and had extraordinary sentences given out.

All federal employees of DEIA offices are being placed on paid administrative leave as the agency takes steps to close/end all DEIA initiatives, offices and programs – orders include taking down all outward facing media (websites, social media accounts, etc) of DEIA offices.

Snowing along Florida coast – New Orleans – etc. – Louisiana has no plows or salt – everyone is told to stay home until it all melts

The Department of Homeland Security is firing all the members of its various advisory committees

New Iraqi law will legalize child marriage

Netflix added 19 subscribers in the last quarter

Saudi crown prince agrees to $600 BILLION investment push with U.S. after call with Pres. Trump

Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year is “Wicked” star Cynthia Erivo

CNN set to layoff hundreds this week

Trevor Noah will host this year’s Grammy awards

Southern CA fires have erupted again, north of LA and fueled by high winds

Pres. Trump signed EO to cut off funds to “sanctuary cities” if they interfere with ICE work

Judge temporarily blocks birthright citizenship order – will go to SCOTUS

US to pause external meetings, publications, travel of all health-related agencies

TARGET end DEI program

Mexico has refused to take plane load of immigrants from the US, saying they don’t have the financial resources to take them

Pete Hegseth confirmed as Secretary of Defense, with VP Vance casting the tie vote

4 Israeli hostages – all young, female Israeli soldiers, are being released as we go to press Sat. morning

John Ratcliffe confirmed as head of the CIA

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PASSINGS

Jules Feiffer 95, cartoonist

Garth Hudson, 87, original member of “The Band”

Cecile Richards, 67, former president of Planned Parenthood