In the News… quick recap of the news of the week, ending July 17, 2026

A quick recap of news events of the week – Catch up on local, regional, national and beyond – with deaths of note.

RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY

Business group, Partnership for Rhode Island asked Gov. McKee to stop referring to CVS in a negative way in his campaign ads

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce seen in Montana and California after their wedding

90 football helmets stolen from a Providence Rec. facility

Portofino of Warwick has new ownership and continues – while owners of Portofino have opened a bar nearby called Runway 41 Sports Bar

Pennsylvania wins Best of Show for their booth at the America’s Fair in DC – booth was empty until Sen. Fetterman and others rushed down to complete it.

Union Station Brewery, Providence has been open for more than 30 years, will close on July 19

The Frank Olean Center is celebrating 60 years of supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

2 horses added to Providence Mounted Police

21-year-old woman remained in serious condition after being shot in the head outside a house party

Wyatt Detention Center in Central Falls, a private federal jail, files for bankruptcy – will restructure and stay open

Pentagon’s official count of Iran War death/injuries has increased to 14 American service members killed and more than 400 wounded.

An ICE officer shot and killed a 26-year-old Colombian man in Biddeford, ME, who was not the person intended for arrest, but used his auto as a weapon

2 downtown restaurants to close: Figidini and Amarylis

The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee has been selected as the future home for our beloved African elephants Alice, Ginny, and Kate. They are set to move at the end of 2027.

Man in his 40s stabbed and died – at the Providence Pedestrian Bridge – a young group of males involved say some bystander/witnesses. Scooters can be seen left at the scene.

The parking lots Paolino Properties purchased in downtown Providence add up to nearly 850 spots

Kayak Centre of Rhode Island acquires Narrow River Kayaks

AFL-CIO chooses no endorsement for Governor in RI race – RI Teamsters does endorse Gov. McKee

One of RI’s Most Wanted, for over 20 years, captured on a sailing vessel after intensive investigation coordinated by the RI Violent Fugitive Task Force and the FBI

Matt Damon discloses he is involved in the making of a movie based on the Karen Read trial

A multi-million dollar yacht ran aground off Woods Hole 

MassHousing executive resigns after exposure of apparent fraud, ethics lapse at program he led

Waterfire is recruiting for Ambassador Training on July 30th from 6pm – 7:30 pm at the WaterFire Arts Center at 475 Valley Street in Providence. For more info on being a volunteer: 401-481-1469, or [email protected]

63-year-old willow tree in Boston’s Central Park fell – found to have extensive internal decay

Swarms of giant lion’s mane jellyfish whose tentacles can stretch 120 feet and unleash painful stings even 25 days after they’re dead are invading New England’s quaint beaches – seen in Maine and heading to the Cape

Street on Federal Hill to be renamed Angelo’s Way in honor of Angelo’s Restaurant

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NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

Kristi Noem, whose husband was outted as a cross dresser, is divorcing after 34 years marriage

Last person living in an Iron Lung has died – she had polio as a child. Died when the machine could no longer be repaired.

Turkey’s president Erdogan gave each world leader as they left a revolver with 6 rounds, engraved with their names. Canada’ prime minister gave Turkey’s president maple syrup

Gov. Walz of Minnesota pardoned child sex offender who was an illegal immigrant in prison since last fall for assaulting a 10 year old girl. Sect. of State Rubio had him immediately deported.

Justin Trudeau former PM of Canada hopped in the background of a Katy Perry video

American Red Cross says “wearing damp clothing is a good way to cool down” in extreme summer heat

Journalists who broke the news that the new Presidential airplane from Qatar didn’t have the same level of security & defense that the original plane has were served with subpoenas on how they came by that information.

Nurses at Brigham & Women returned to work on Monday

Sen. Lindsey Graham, 71, dies one day after returning from Ukraine – and on the day he was to appear on Meet the Press

Cooling towers in NYC have tested positive for Legionnaires Disease at 31 locations. 50 sites have been tracing this disease so far

South African midfielder Jayden Adams has died at age 25 less than three weeks after helping his country advance out of World Cup group play for the first time.

Reports claim the Trump administration is finalizing a proposal to purchase Greenland from Denmark in what would be one of the largest geopolitical deals in modern history. According to the reports, the offer would include hundreds of billions of dollars, along with direct payments to Greenland’s residents if an agreement were reached.

Microsoft is offering 39 weeks of pay for over 7,000 layoffs

NYC Mayor Mamdani admits trying to set up a personal meeting with the head of Iran which was stopped by US government

Hunter Biden awarded $1.7M in an anti-defammation lawsuit against Overstock CEO, Patrick Byrne, for saying he was part of an $800 million bribery scheme involving Iran

After numerous fatal long haul truck accidents, ICE officers are being deployed to some of the nation’s most popular rest stops

Nearly two million evacuated as Typhoon Bavi hits China

Mitch McConnell posted a photo from rehab with his wife Sunday afternoon – he will not seek election after January of 2027 – he was discharged from the hospital after his time there developed into pneumonia and is now at a rehab facility

Princess Charlotte, 11, seen wearing nail polish, a light pink, for the first time – at Wimbledon

20 wind turbines in Zeeland, Netherlands, have been shut down during the day after a rare Eagle was killed by them

Film, “Moana” flopped in its opening weekend

A fast-moving fire tore through a crowded beer hall shortly before midnight Sunday. Sixty-three people were hospitalized, 22 critically, 27 dead total.

Crisis in the Senate from both the unexpected death of Sen. Graham and extended absence of Sen. McConnell. Graham was heralded by both parties as someone who could disagree without being disagreeable. Key negotiator with both Ukraine and Israel.

Reflecting Pool in DC is drained again for permanent repairs, as planned

With “explosive diarrhea” medical warnings, people are avoiding lettuce or other greens packaged in plastic, which promotes bacteria growth

FBI was seen at Sen. Graham’s home

Consumer prices fell 0.4% in June, the first monthly decline since April 2020, while annual inflation slowed from 4.2% to 3.5%. Core inflation was 2.6%. Renewed fighting and rising oil prices could reverse part of that progress.

Olympics in LA in 2028 – 2 years from now – new sports: Flag Football and Squash

Sully Sullenberger, pilot from “Miracle on the Hudson” flight says he has early-onset Alzheimers

United Airlines will make available several rows on planes without middle seats, for thoe who want to pay an extra fee

New York Gov. Hochul puts a one year ban in place for data center construction

12 NBA players charged with poker scheme plead guilty in New York City

Smoke from major fires in Canada and Minnesota is expected to spread across large sections of the Midwest and Northeast this week. Air-quality alerts are already affecting several states, with children, older adults and people with heart or respiratory conditions facing the greatest risk.

1 dead, 3 missing, 16 rescued after boat capsized near Alcatraz, off the San Francisco coast – they were family members engaged in a memorial service – now saying boat was overloaded

Norah O’Donnell will host “Healthful”, a women’s health podcast that will feature expertise from doctors, scientists and innovators

A new gold $1 coin featuring image of President Donald Trump will be released by the U.S. Mint to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in the fall – the image will be the “mug shot” taken when the President was arrested and put on trial.

A new species of monkey with bright orange lips was discovered in the Congo

US military men over 30 will begin testosterone testing – if low they will have the option for supplements and counseling on risks, such as decreased fertility. A urologist commented that “some symptomatic people do need TRT to raise their testosterone to normal levels, and for them, the treatment can “truly be life-changing,”

George Santos will appear in a new reality show taking on military challenges in a Malaysian jungle

A Florida woman received a license plate she was upset about which reads “SQZ-ASS”

President Trump has placed his speech teleprompter operator on LEAVE WITHOUT PAY while they’re being investigated for making allegedly $90K on Kalshi by betting on Trump’s speeches

Smoke from the Canadian fires is on its way out – for now

Kayak Centre of Rhode Island acquires Narrow River Kayaks

George Santos will appear in a new reality show taking on military challenges in a Malaysian jungle

Norah O’Donnell will host “Healthful”, a women’s health podcast that will feature expertise from doctors, scientists and innovators

An intruder to the NBC Today show asked for Al Roker then lunged at Craig Melvin – arrested by NYC police – the station’s security guard was fired

Deadly flooding in Texas, once again Guadalupe River, resulting in multiple rescues, right in areas where summer camp flooding and deaths occurred

Bird Strike Likely Caused Deadly Hudson River Helicopter Crash That Killed Tourist Family and Pilot

President Trump will attend the final FIFA World Cup game on Sunday

At least 20 children and one adult were killed when a school bus returning from an educational trip overturned in eastern Uganda. Nine other children were critically injured. Uganda suspended school trips nationwide while the crash is investigated.

Canada asking US governors (MA, MI) for assistance in fighting 191 infernos roaring across the country – “we’re throwing everything we can at them”.

NBC and ABC may have their licenses up for discussion after they refused to air a 1/2 hour address by the President

World Cup final for Sunday – officials are watching the smoke coverage in the area

Don Lemon says he is “totally serious” about possibly running for President

Paul Pelosi, husband of Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s driving record revealed, showing many tickets for minor driving infractions and community is said to be aware of his problem driving safely

Taylor Swift said to be upset about fallout from their lavish wedding, even by some guests

Shannon, mother in Kardashian family has died – frequently appeared in their reality programs

Smart glasses (ability to record without being observed) are being banned in some court rooms

VISA policy being revised back to old policy of not granting if the person is on federal subsidy programs

The Ben & Jerry’s Foundation will shut down, having given hundreds of thousands to local charities, primarily in Vermont

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PASSINGS

Sen. Lindsey Graham, 71

Sam Neill, 78, actor from Jurassic Park fame, of cancer diagnosed 3 years ago, of pneumonia

Cristina Sanz, 36, of “Born This Way”, of sudden cardiac arrest  

Ann Widdecombe, 78, British Reform leader, murdered in her home