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In the News… recap for the week, as US and Israel actions against Iran are underway
A quick synopsis of news of the week in Rhode Island, regionally, national and international.
NOTE: As we go to publication today Saturday, February 28th, know that Israel and the US are engaged in attacks on Iran – President’s message is that the action will take place over several days as the effort to free Iran and return it to the people who have risen up against leadership. Stay tuned to hour by hour developments – follow us on “X” at: @RINewsToday.
President Trump’s announcement:
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 28, 2026
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
INSA Hookah Lounge to open on Federal Hill
Anna’s Taqueria is bringing its authentic, made-to-order burritos, tacos, and quesadillas to Garden City Center
Eight months of wastewater surveillance data show consistently elevated levels of cocaine in Nantucket’s sewage – with spikes in October and December 2025 that were nearly three times the national average
The Steamship Authority processed 6,747 transactions on the first day that reservations were available for the Nantucket route for the summer of 2026, a 6.9 percent decline from last year. Since 2023, opening day reservations have fallen by around 26.3 percent.
Boston Globe did not print on 2/24 – first time in 153 years
Cranston Herald did not print this week
Party City which closed in Garden City has opened inside the Staples in Chapel View
Salve Regina student dies of carbon monoxide poisoning as he sat in his car to charge his phone when the university had no power
Stanley Black & Decker is closing its manufacturing plant in New Britain, impacting hundreds of jobs in Connecticut
Planet Fitness opens its doors in several states, including RI, to members and non-members as warming locations – Warren, RI also now open
East Greenwich planning major big-truck snow removal through the weekend, using 3rd party sources provided with the state.
Pennsylvania DOT director, workers and equipment in RI to assist cities, primarily Cranston, in major snow removal
Johnston only city/town to keep regular garbage collection after blizzard
Lynch Ice Arena in Pawtucket has reopened
Grandfather who was in critical condition at RI Hospital from the hockey rink shooting has died. 2 others remain in critical care
Efforts to keep Fatima Hospital and Roger Williams Hospital operating are taking final steps
Parking ban ends in Providence TODAY at 5pm – massive cleanups will continue as Saturday weather will reach into the 50s before a plunge back into freezing temperatures.
RI Football Club postpones opener due to snow accumulation
Cranston fatal shooting by person from Seekonk over a female colleague. Shooter then fled and hit a car head on in Swansea, resulting in an explosion and death of the 2 in the car. Shooter in serious condition in hospital
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NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
Texas is on track to unseat Virginia as the world’s largest data center market by 2030
AI is going to impact 300 million jobs in next 3 years
NASA wants to launch 4 astronauts around the moon around March 6 – now delayed due to mechanical issue
Proctor & Gambler retires “Mr. Clean” as the image behind its cleaning product, which will continue without the iconic figure, which began in 1958
Scientists discovered a new 40-foot Spinosaurus species in Niger, revealing a semiaquatic predator with a blade-shaped crest and fish-snaring teeth that prowled inland rivers
NYC Mayor Mamdani says he will use money from pension reserves – however, he cannot do that by the city constitution
NYC Mayor recruiting snow shovelers – but you have to bring 2 forms of ID to do it
Susan Rice makes $6K a week on the board of Netflix – she recently notified the public that Democrats will not forgive and forget when they come back into power – they will overturn and prosecute
Last Sunday, a 20 y.o. man armed with a shotgun and fuel can, scaled north gate of Mar-A-Lago, and was shot and killed by Secret Service. Deemed 3rd attempt on life of Pres. Trump. Identified as 210year old Austin Tucker Martin of North Carolina who had been reported missing by his family
El Mencho, leader of the Mexican cartel killed – country erupts in violence in taking over airports, hotels, etc. Total chaos reigns in country, in all cities. At least 27 Mexican officials and 30 cartel members died in operation
The son of cartel boss ‘El Mencho’ has been captured by the Mexican military and taken to an undisclosed location for interrogation.
State of the Union held Tuesday night – Pres. Trump delivers record-long 1 hr, 47 mins. State of the Union
Politicians turning more to social media creators to promote campaign messages
FedEx sues US govt over tariffs it paid
Former Norwegian Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland has been hospitalized after a suicide attempt, shortly after authorities opened a criminal investigation into his ties to Epstein.
Director of the Louvre in Paris resigns
Dr. Richard Axel, a leading molecular biologist who won the Nobel prize for his work studying how the human brain processes smells has resigned from Columbia University over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
A speedboat from Florida that had entered Cuban waters was carrying weapons and that its occupants, Cuban nationals living in the U.S., allegedly planned to carry out terrorism on the island. Cuba’s coast guard killed four people on the boat after the occupants opened fire,
Medicaid payments will be temporarily halted to Minnesota and $259M frozen
In 2027, Pres. Trump will launch a retirement plan offered for those without plans offered by their employer. Fashioned similarly to the children’s Trump Accounts, this plan would match an individual’s contributions with up to $1,000/yr that would also profit from stock market.
NASA will allow astronauts to bring modern smartphones on missions beginning with SpaceX Crew-12 and Artemis II
10 FBI employees terminated over Pres. Biden subpoenoeing Suzie Wiles and Kash Patel, when they were private citizens
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women worldwide, with annual cases expected to reach over 3.5 million by 2050
St. Sampson’s Church bells are ringing in Cornwall for first time in 50 years, using a $40,000 touchscreen system and electromagnetic hammers after experts deemed the bells too fragile to ring traditionally.
Bill Gates admits to having at least 2 affairs with Russian women and having a relationship with Epstein after charges were made against him – he apologized to his staff
Capitol Police arrest Rep. Omar’s Guest for Refusing to Sit During Trump’s SOTU
eBay has laid off about 800 employees -6% of its global workforce – 3rd round of cuts in 3 yrs
Target in Minneapolis pays $150M to get out of its lease and close, due to violent demonstrations and store takeovers
FCC says it will “crack down” on sports streaming problems
Pres. Trump will hold a roundtable on college sports first week in March
Kansas has canceled drivers licenses of over 1,000 who changed their gender
Both Burger King and McDonalds are changing their primary burgers to have better buns, bigger patties, crisper garnishes and better packaging
Larry Ellison and son, head of Paramount wants Warner Brothers and may get it as Netflix bows out
After three years of service, Cindy McCain says she is stepping down as head of the World Food Programme. McCain suffered a mild stroke in October and says she has not yet made a full recovery.
Amazon won’t renew its lease on a 7-story building blocks from its headquarters, with roughly 1,500 employees who are expected to move
Iran attacks underway by Israel and the United States – beginning 8am Mid-East time
Bill Clinton testified in his deposition on Epstein saying he did nothing wrong. Follows the day before testimony by Hillary Clinton who maintains she did not know nor never met Epstein.
Today is the celebration of Purim for Jews all over the world, recognizing the saving of the Jewish people by Queen Esther
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PASSINGS
Robert Carradine, 71, actor, of suicide
Lauren Chapin, 80, actor known for Father Knows Best
Rondale Moore, 25, wide receiver for NFL team The Vikings, found dead of self-inflicted gunshot wound
Neil Sedaka, 86, singer-songwriter
Katherine Short, 45, daughter of Martin Short, of suicide
I live in Johnston and my trash pickup was delayed by two days. We were informed by the town it would be delayed so there was no question about when it would be picked up. My normal day is Tuesday. It was picked up on Thursday.