Subscribe!
In the news… brief summary week ending May 18th
A brief review of news and events in Rhode Island, regionally, nationally, and internationally – and passings of note in the last week.
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
Warwick Mayor says there is nowhere for COSTCO to go in the city
MTR Guns and Ammo has a new gun range at 229 Quaker Highway in North Smithfield, and wants a tax stabilization agreement similar to Planet Fitness in the area
The Cranston YMCA fired an employee for allowing a registered sex offender on the premises.
450 illegals from the border will be coming to Norfolk, MA to be housed in an emergency shelter that was a prison
Minerva Pizza in Wayland Sq. has closed after decades, noting their failure to pivot after the Henderson Bridge traffic redirect
Salted Slate on Wayland Avenue is also closing
MIT and Harvard grads who participated in protests prevented from graduating, thrown out of campus housing
Sen. Jack Reed said it is time for Israel’s Netanyahu to resign
2 women in Somerville underwent liposuction in a private home – one died and one hospitalized with complications
RIPTA says there are 7 possible sites to relocate its headquarters
Gov. wants to buy Citizens Bank bldg. in EP for $34M – moving in at least 3 state agencies – DEM, DHS, DPS – some say this is the way to keep Citizens from leaving RI and getting new space for state agencies
Applebee’s may – or may not – close 1 or more of their 7 restaurants as part of its nationwide closing of 25-35 locations targeted
Twin Willows in Narragansett recognizes 40 years
Dozens of Providence educators will not have their contracts renewed
RI Convention Center – AMP – will “lay off” over 1,000 employees from ASM Management as it transitions to Oak View Group for management services.
Commencement: Providence College, May 19th, Dr. Arthur Brooks has served as the Parker Gilbert Montgomery Professor of the Practice of Nonprofit Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School and Professor of Management Practice at the Harvard Business School, where he teaches courses on leadership, happiness, and social entrepreneurship.
Demonstrators from Jewish Voice for Peace did a “noise protest” outside of Rep. Magaziner and Sen. Reed’s homes at 7am on May 15th. Magaziner and his wife have an early-born newborn baby only a few weeks old.
USPS Main office in Providence: 6 people arrested for “massive mail fraud”, stealing of envelopes with cash, etc. particularly around the holidays
DCYF says they will pull 10 children out of St Mary’s as soon as possible
Broadway Bistro to close
Governor McKee announced the nomination of Mindy Penney to serve on the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission.
The South Attleboro Train Station will partially reopen on Monday
Martha’s Vineyard is the location of the filming of a movie based on Judy Blume’s Forever…
“We will dance again”, a video performance based on the Israeli massacre on October 7th, was attended by hundreds at MIT, sponsored by their Hillel
Cape Cod Hospital will pay more than $24M in Medicare fraud fees to the US govt
Katelyn Medeiros to become Rhode Island’s next child advocate. She’s been “acting” for 2 years
MA placed immigrants in 5 hotels with convicted child molesters
Wayne Salisbury named new head of RI Dept. of Corrections
Providence Brewing Co., has been selected as a finalist for the third annual Sam Adams Brewing the American Dream Experienceship!
Planet Fitness in Warren and Lincoln are now reopened after renovations
___
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
Planet Fitness raising prices for the first time in many years to $15 for new members
Japan has almost no overweight children – experts studying this phenomenon have credited how the govt has not allowed the fast food industry to control eating and change taste and hunger needs
Man died who was the first to receive a genetically altered pig’s kidney – he is from MA.
Meghan and Harry visited Nigeria. Meghan has learned she is part Nigerian
The iconic Rockport fishing shack, painted by thousands over the years, was refurbished, and repainted, though remaining its classic red.
Applebee’s will close 25-35 restaurants in US
Sect. Blinkin goes to Kyiv to meet with Zelenskyy and promote support of US for Ukraine
FBI and DHS warn that PRIDE events may be targets of terrorist attacks
The WHO classifies “firefighting” as carcinogenic. Women firefighters have 6 times the incidence of breast cancer. PFAS in firefighting clothing may be one reason. In San Francisco, new uniforms are being made and tested.
The first mixed breed dog won the Westminster Kennel Club agility competition
New COVID strain may rise over summer
Red Lobster will close 48 restaurants
Carnival, the world’s largest cruise company, now has 100% of its ships equipped with SpaceX’s Starlink global internet
President Biden says he will debate Pres. Trump – saying he hears he is free on Wednesdays – Pres. Trump says he accepts and they should debate a few times. Initial dates are on CNN on June 27, and on ABC debate on September 10.
US Sect. of State Blinken traveled to Kyiv in the Ukraine and played and sang in a rock band at a local nightclub at night
VP debate with Kamala Harris and other candidate will take place after the GOP convention
Chubb Insurance will pay $350 to Maryland due to the crash of the ship into the bridge – first of more than one payment
UNC Chapel Hill will move DEI funds as it dismantles the department, to campus safety
Sage — a miniature poodle from Houston, Texas — won the 2024 Westminster Dog Show
Brazilian Olympians not going to the event to stay in Brazil and help rescue and recover from massive floods in the country
Toshiba says to cut up to 4,000 jobs
Cocaine in a small packet was found in a second floor office of the US Capitol Police in congressional building
Scottie Scheffler, the top golfer in the US was arrested after an altercation with police at a traffic problem area. He was booked and charged, but released in time to play the same day,
Victoria’s Secret will begin their annual fashion show again, first since 2018
Israel reporting recovery of 3 hostage bodies from Gaza: Amit Buskila, Shani Louk and Yitzhak Gelernter.
Houston, TX recovering from massive damage from rainstorms with high winds
Mark Seidel has left The Weather Channel – going to “another network”
Barron Trump graduated from high school – Pres. Trump was present for the event
New cancer diagnoses expected to exceed 2 million – many over age 65
U.S. State Department issues a worldwide travel alert, warns of terror threat against LGBT events – this follows “Due to the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations, or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests, the Department of State advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution. We are aware of the increased potential for foreign terrorist”.
Howard University cancelled a graduation ceremony for the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences an hour into the ceremony as a group outside smashed open the door to the building.
Morehouse College says it will cancel the President’s commencement speech at once if protests erupt
Video seen of Sean “Diddy” Combs beating his past girlfriend as more cases are expected to come forward and the results of his home raids to be announced
Miss Hawaii takes over for Miss USA, who resigned
16 women have come forward claiming harassment, drugging, even rape from David Copperfield
___
PASSINGS
Dabney Coleman, 92, actor, known for role in “9 to 5”
Jasper White, 69, famed Boston area chef, has died – no cause of death yet provided
Wow! Chubb Insurance is going to pay $350 bucks to Maryland for the bridge disaster. Is this why rates are so high?
MIKE Seidel is/was at the Weather Channel.