Subscribe!
In the News… Quick Update on News of the Week, Aug. 30, 2025
A quick recap of a busy news week for Rhode Island, regional, national and international…
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
Paul King, former police chief of Pawtucket, appointed new director of public safety at Community College of Rhode Island.
Prospect Heights in Pawtucket has closed their waitlist for new tenants
Harvard professors say extracurricular activities of students impacts their academics (BosGlobe)
South Shore Hospital doing some layoffs now that Brockton Hospital is operating again
Bill Belichick has listed one of his Nantucket properties for sale at $3.9 million – he owns several properties – this is right at the water’s edge
The MBTA will ramp up enforcement to prevent fare evasion starting in September, with warnings and fines on the table for riders who fail to pay
RI may have less than the $32M in transportation funds from the federal govt
Rhode Island GOP has gained 23,000 registered voters since 2018, while Democrats have lost 18,000
Electrical fire in a rooftop solar array on a MA school – dark smoke, no damage to school
2 new Fire Trucks for Providence
US money for education departments to be returned to states in October, after successful lawsuit – led by AG Neronha
Brown Health reports $3.8M operating loss in Q3
T.F. Green is set to undergo $64 million in terminal upgrades
First high-speed trains built in US, Amtrak’s NextGen Acela operating now from Boston and Washington, D.C., with stops in NYC, Philadelphia, and Baltimore and Providence. Features: new rail tilt system, increased seat size, Wi-Fi capabilities enhanced, more seats.
RIPTA cuts will begin to be made next week, especially for infrequently used routes – some extended times between buses, etc.
JC Penney’s will close 7 stores, one near RI – at Fox Run Mall in New Hampshire
Carrie Underwood will play at PC’s Late Night Madness
Davisville port servicing offshore wind industry and projects receive cuts of $11.25 million previously approved for upgrades. Part of upgrades of ports and ancillary services cuts.
___
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
Secretary of Defense Hegseth fired Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency
Federal Reserve Chair Powell may cut interest rates soon
Hooters to phase out skimpy shorts to attract families
The Atlantic Journal Constitution will go on-line only after 12/25
44% of adults are ordering kids meals when eating out. Reason being cost savings.
White House tours paused for Ballroom construction
Nutrition will be added to med school curriculum, per RFK Jr.
Canada to drop some retaliatory tariffs on US – their tariffs are much high than ours
Florida will make all truck weigh stations immigration checkpoints
Ukraine & Russia each give up 164 prisoners
Pres. Trump institutes a 1-year jail sentence for burning the American flag
Cashless bail eliminated in DC
1 person a day is killed in Chicago. 3 homicides this weekend and 27 were shot. Chicago Mayor and Governor vehemently opposes National Guard coming – says they are not needed.
Enormous dust storm engulfed Phoenix – also at Burning Man event
Federal Reserve Lisa Cook being removed – charges of mortgage fraud
Missouri and Maryland may redistrict
RFK Jr. says research has shown “interventions” which caused a MASSIVE spike in autism in children and it will be presented in September
Iran Not Yet Allowing Inspectors Into Main Nuclear Sites, Says U.N. Atomic Agency Chief
Vanity Fair staff say they will walk out if a cover with Melania Trump happens
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are now engaged
SNL cast members have left calling the show “toxic” – Devon Walker, Michael Longfellow, Heidi Gardner, and Emil Wakim, as well as writer Celeste Yim
Man who hit a National Guardsman with a sandwich has charges downgraded from a felony to a misdemeanor
US money for education departments to be returned to states in October, after successful lawsuit
Apple will debut their new iPhone on Sept. 9th
US DOT to take over Union Station in Washington, DC, from Amtrak – announced by DOT head Sean Duffy
Bruce Willis living one-story home where he receives around-the-clock care. His wife spends breakfast and dinner with him every day
2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid — better known as FAFSA — will launch for all students by Oct. 1
RFK Jr. responded to the 4-5 people leaving CDC by saying that the CDC is a broken agency
President Trump revoked Kamala Harris’ Secret Service protection which was extended by Pres. Biden and undisclosed
Israel declares Gaza City a war zone
Nordstrom’s and Nordstrom Rack pulling out of Santa Monica Mall due to crime and violence in the mall area
Offshore wind project funding of $679 million terminated across America
Appeals court says president overstepped in his tariff policies, but left them in place until administration goes to Supreme Court, which is likely to overrule the decision
Powerball to exceed $1Billion this weekend
Protections for Venezuelans in US blocked by Pres. Trump – later overturned (Fri) and reinstated
___
PASSINGS
Jerry Adler, 96, actor, Sopranos, Good Wife