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In The News… for January 20, 2024
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
RI House Oversight Committee will hold hearings on St. Mary’s Home – and on the I-195 bridge failure
$26M to repair Providence sidewalks and improve ADA accessibility
Raising Canes chicken restaurant opened in Johnston on January 17th
Tiverton puts 6-month moratorium on new construction
Warren says no to densely designed affordable living complex, 5-1
Pawtucket is recruiting residents to serve on various commissions – go HERE to indicate interest:
Encompass Health is building a new, 50-person bed rehabilitation facility in Johnston
Dana Farber and Harvard have created a website resource in 9 languages for cancer information for the public – https://cancerfactfinder.org/
West Valley Inn gave out free soup to make up for an over-salted, non-recipe soup last week
The Boston University CTE program is studying the Maine shooter, Robert Card II, to determine if exposure to sounds of bombs while in the military may have altered his brain
Rhode Island ranks 50 of 50 states where it is good to start a business. #1-3 is Utah, Georgia and Florida
Former Friar men’s hockey player Pierce Norton ’09 passed away on January 11 at the age of 38.
Clean Ocean Access (COA), a nonprofit founded with “$900 in cash in a Tupperware container” more than 10 years ago, has been dissolved, according to ecoRI. Their Executive Director, Pamela Cook, has announced she has been named director of advancement for the Catholic college prep Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth.
The Massachusetts Senate has signed off “X”, but members have gone on to maintain individual accounts
Breeze Airlines now flies direct to San Diego
There are “severe capacity challenges” in Mass. Hospitals. This designation allows health insurance providers to waive prior authorizations for some patients, allowing discharge to rehab facilities sooner.
Massachusetts will do their Point-in-Time count of homeless on January 31st. Rhode Island’s will be done in January, as states are required to do by HUD.
Town of Plymouth, MA has overturned the ban on the same of nips, due to liquor store concerns – other cities have also overturned the bans.
R.I. Infrastructure Bank issues $20M in loans for Pawtucket, Woonsocket drinking water upgrades
Sen. Valarie Lawson and Rep. Joshua J. Giraldo are sponsoring legislation to expand Rhode Island’s Temporary Caregiver Insurance (TCI) program from six weeks to 12 for new parents and those who care for critically ill family members
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that adults convicted of crimes committed before the age of 21 cannot be sentenced to life without parole.
A 71-year old woman was killed when she was hit at her No. Providence apartment complex by a snowplow driver
The media room at the AMICA Pavilion (Convention Center) will be named after ProJo writer, Bill Reynolds…
A resolution was passed condemning the demolition of three historic homes on the city’s East Side and urged the preservation of Providence’s historic housing stock on Angell Street and urging the strengthening and enforcement of regulations about preserving historic structures.
Steward Health Care, a for-profit health system that serves thousands of patients in Eastern Massachusetts, with 9 hospitals, is in such grave financial distress that it may be unable to continue operating some facilities. Called a “fast-moving crisis” by Boston Globe reports, it has left regulators racing to prevent the massive layoffs and erosion of care that could come if hospital services were to suddenly cease.
Unfounded bomb threat on the Block Island Ferry
The RIDEM is training firefighters in wildfire fighting
RI DEM is accepting proposals for agricultural use of 2 pieces of property: South Shore Management Area, Carpenter Unit, South Kingstown, 13 acres – and – South Shore Management Area, Fields 4 & 5, Cheeseman Unit, South Kingstown, 41 acres
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha announced today that the District of Rhode Island collected $6,952,328.06 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2023. About ½ were civil and ½ were from criminal actions.
Rhode Island FC announced it has signed Albert Dikwa to a multi-year agreement, pending league and federation approval. Dikwa’s 2023 USL Championship accolades include the Golden Boot (20 goals in 28 games), Most Valuable Player and Players’ Shield.
Patricia Socarras, Dir. Of Communications for Mayor Smiley leaving to take on the same role at the Arizona Democratic Party.
Matt Sheaff, communications advisor to Gov. McKee leaving for the private sector
Bristol-Providence Ferry had its last run Friday night
Expansion of the parking lot at the Pawtucket-Central Falls Transit Center. This enhancement adds 270 new spaces, benefiting commuter train and bus riders and addressing the increased demand for convenient parking.
The Providence Flea announced Friday that it will not be able to return to the strip of land along the river on South Water Street this summer.
Cost of bonds on Tidewater Landing is expected to be “dramatically higher” due to higher interest rates. $27M bonds was expected to cost $57M to return, now will cost $110M over 30 years to pay back
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NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
John Kerry, 80, US Climate Envoy will step down and begin on the Biden campaign
NYC Mayor Adams reversed his position on cuts to schools because of costs of migrant relocations
In Chicago, many Teslas cannot be charged in the frigid weather, and are waiting for the weather to warm in parking lots – charges will be 25% less in below zero weather
Republican caucus in Iowa will be held in the coldest environment ever
California will provide health insurance starting this month for undocumented immigrants
Defense Sect. Austin went home on Mon, 1/15 and will work from home for awhile
Republican caucus in Iowa results
Miss America is Miss Colorado – Miss Rhode Island placed 4th runner up. Miss Colorado is the first active duty enlisted officer to win
Pres. Trump won the Iowa caucus by 51%, with DeSantis 21%, Haley 19%, Ramaswamy 8%
Iran attacked Israel’s HQ in Iraq, some missiles/bombs very close to US consulate
CVS says they will close a significant number of pharmacies located within Target stores. CVS purchased all Target pharmacies, approx. 1,800 a while ago. Prescriptions will be transferred to nearby CVS stores. Closures will take place from February to April. None in RI will be closed at this time.
ABC cancels Republican presidential debate as both Nikki Haley and Pres. Trump decline participation
Court has blocked the purchase of Spirit Air by Jet Blue
Lloyd Austin’s aide called the ambulance that took Austin to the ED from his home, so someone in his office was aware of his illness and hospitalization.
In Chicago, homeless and migrants are sleeping in airports and buses at night
Maine will now wait for SCOTUS to rule on Colorado’s effort to remove Pres. Trump from ballot
King Charles will have prostate procedure in hospital next week
Princess of Wales had abdominal surgery, undisclosed type, and will be in-hospital for up to 2 weeks, with not appearing until after Easter on palace business.
Chase says hackers try to get into their systems 45 billion times a day
Reba McEntire to perform national anthem at Super Bowl – Usher is performing at halftime
March for Life took place in DC on Friday
US missiles have retaliated against the Houthis for the 6th time as of Friday morning
½ million beds recalled by Wayfair and Walmart because they can collapse
North Korea has announced that it conducted a test of an underwater nuclear weapons system
Macy’s laying off 3.5%, or 2,350 employees, closing 5 stores.
Wayfair cutting 13%, or 1,650 jobs.
Rumors that Sports Illustrated has laid off ALL of its employees
UK fires high-power laser at aerial targets for first time – with ‘intense beam of light’ able to cut through drones
Narcan freezes at 31 degrees – problems with first responders using it in sub-zero weather
Japan becomes fifth country to land on the moon
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PASSINGS
Edward J. Epstein, 88, investigative journalist
Claire Ferguson, 88, Jamestown, 1st female president of US Figure Skating
John A. Markey, 89, former Mayor of New Bedford
Alec Musser, 50, TV actor, died at home, no cause identified
William Rambone, RI Superior Court Magistrate
Joyce Randolph, 99, actress who played Trixie on The Honeymooners, and the last surviving cast member