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In the news… for January 1, 2023
Rhode Island & Vicinity
Robert Davis steps down as chair of I-195 Commission
Providence and Kent Counties are both now in HIGH COVID risk as of Dec. 30
Westerly, RI has been reclassified as urban, from rural, by the US Census, joining Charlestown and Providence with the urban designation
The new COVID variant – XBB – is in New England, though not seen as more virulent
9,000 more RI unemployment claims were made last week
MBTA pulls Orange line from service, without notice – this is the new line that was launched a few weeks ago
RIDOT will make a series of additional changes to ease congestion caused by the reconstruction of the Pell Bridge Ramps in Newport
Boston school children & staff are being asked to wear masks when they return to school, until January 13th, to try to curb a possible COVID outbreak
New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft buys $24Million condo in Palm Beach, FL
Brown University accepted 879 students to the class of 2027 from a pool of 6,770 early decision applicants – continuing the 5th year in a row of steadily decreasing acceptance rates – this year 13%
Francis J. Doyle III was named the University’s 14th provost – Doyle comes to Brown from Harvard, where he currently serves as dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
William C. Tsonos named CEO and president of Bank Rhode Island
Ames is rumored to be opening a store in RI in 2024, one of 7 new ones around US
Boston is launching a nationwide survey on how many “pot shops” are enough
Both retail and wholesale prices of cannabis in the Bay State have plunged this year, following a trend seen in other states that have embraced legalization. The per-gram price for cannabis flower fell to $7.76 in October, compared to more than $14 a year ago, a plunge that could imperil some dispensaries whose business plans were built on prices remaining high for longer.
Liquor stores on Nantucket are scrambling to sell off their supplies of single-serving alcohol bottles, or nips, as the ban on the tiny bottles approved at last year’s Town Meeting takes effect on Jan. 1.
Wayland Bakery on the East Side will close – Zacagninis will remain open
Simpson’s Pharmacy to close in Pawtucket
Joe and Donna Dubé, owners of Wickford Gourmet Factory Outlet will close their shop
The MBTA is issuing “go slow” orders for most of its trains in Boston
MA lottery begins selling $50 scratch ticket
Keith Stokes steps down as city of Providence economic director at $136K salary
New MBTA station in Pawtucket will open Jan. 23
Patricia Coyne-Fague will serve as the Providence Director of Public Works. Coyne-Fague just left her position as the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Corrections
Joe Wilson Jr. will serve as the Director of Art, Culture + Tourism (ACT)
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National & International
Chinese authorities are going door to door and paying people older than 60 to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Southwest Airlines cancels all flights until after Dec. 31st, leaving thousands stranded
China now offering Paxlovid to those with COVID, where it previously wasn’t allowed
Taiwan extends mandatory 4 mos military service to now be 1 year
SCOTUS votes to keep Title 42 border policy in effect for now. They will hear arguments in February – their vote was 5-4, with Neil Gorsuch joining the three liberal judges.
Romance novels are the largest selling book category of 2022
The controversial medication for COVID, remdesivir, made by Pfizer, is being reintroduced under the new name of Verklury.
Japan will tighten border controls for COVID-19 by requiring tests for all visitors from China
CDC will require new testing requirements for fliers coming into the US from China, due to the surge in cases from China and out of concern for new variances. A negative PCR test or rapid antigen test no more than 2 days before will be needed.
Cambodia casino fire killed more than 10
Starting on New Year’s Day Veterans will be able to cross California bridges for free. The program applies to tolls on any state bridges and includes the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges.
CNN has ended the custom of drinking on the air on their New Year’s Eve programming
Ohio is having a measles outbreak, with over 80 cases in children – officials saying anti-vax mis-information is to blame
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Passings
Pope Benedict (emeritus), 95
Joseph “Jo Mersa” Marley, 31, reggae musician and Bob Marley’s grandson and Stephen Marley’s son
Pele, 82, soccer star
Barbara Walters, 93
Vivienne Westwood, 81, London-based fashion designer