In the news… local and national news summary

FOR RHODE ISLAND

Proposed health insurance increases for RI: HealthSource RI, 9.6%, Blue Cross Blue Shield; 6.8% Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island. For small biz, increases vary between 9.2% and 11.7%. For largest groups, increases along all products range from 8.5% to 13.4%.

6 ET charge stations for autos along MA highways have been repeatedly damaged and unable to be used.

Kent Hospital first in state to offer a breast milk program

Cranston’s Park Avenue Bridge may open late June/early July

Boston group that focuses on safety in Boston Public Schools is calling on Mayor Michelle Wu to make school safety a top priority after violent incidents across the district.

Massachusetts home delivery of alcohol during COVID increased 300%, but the increase has resulted in a bump in incidents where alcohol has been improperly delivered to minors or even left on the front steps.

Raytheon will move its world corporate headquarters from Waltham to Arlington, VA, but will keep their building in Waltham – they maintain a location in Portsmouth, RI

RentReliefRI program closed to new applications at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, June 1, 2022.

3 gun reform bills have passed House go to RI Senate this week.

Hasbro shareholders reject takeover challenge from activist investor Alta Fox

RIDOH issues health alert over drug overdoses in RI – Jamestown, Bristol, Warren, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport and Barrington, with approx. 6 overdoses. And – Cumberland, Lincoln, Smithfield and North Smithfield, with 5.

Kelly Bates returns to TV as the weekend evening meteorologist for ABC6

Mogehan Bluffs staircase repairs on Block Island nears completion

Newport Cliff Walk damage far more extensive than thought – will not open that portion this tourism season

Pawtucket Soccer Stadium will be considered this week for state funding of $30M – as it is now $40M over original estimate

Matt Glendinning, head of Moses Brown School to step down after 13 years

2 miles of bike lanes will be constructed on Broad St in Providence

Wright’s Farm turned 50 years old

Portsmouth/Tiverton area has had 3 minor earthquakes in the past few weeks.

Special Olympics RI returned to URI

Steve DeToy, long time director of the RI Medical Society, retires

Boston Bruins relieved Bruce Cassidy of his duties as head coach.

North Restaurant will close in Providence

Big King Restaurant will close in Providence

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NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

COVID

Hospitalizations for children are the highest in 3 months

Vaccine for children under 5 should be available within a week or two – federal experts are predicting an uphill effort to have parents feel comfortable vaccinating their young children.

The US ended COVID-19 testing requirements for international travelers Sunday

5 COVID sub-variants have now been identified and are circulating in US

Elon Musk tells Tesla workers to return to the office or quit

OTHER

Supreme Court being watched for major decisions this week. DC preparing for protests.

Stock market expected to have a tumultuous week.

Rice seen as the next stable commodity to be hit with shortages and impact on finances

Penn Station will be renovated

Canada to be first country in the world to require warnings to be printed ON each cigarette sold.

England wants to deport new immigrants to Rwanda – Prince Charles weighs in against that plan.

Smithfield Foods will close their California plant due to costs to run the business in the state.

Estimates there are 395 million guns already in circulation – the majority of new guns are AR-15s

Elon Musk said he may not buy Twitter amidst fake account and other issues.

Approx. 10 hurricanes are expected this year in the area.

Treasury Sect. Yellin says “she was wrong” about the path inflation would take

Rumors that ex-RI Gov. Raimondo, and current Commerce Sect will take over for Treasury Sect. Yellin in November

Sheryl Sandberg leaves Facebook, but remains on the board of directors

Hinckley will be let out of jail after serving many years for shooting Pres. Reagan

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PASSINGS

Ann Turner Cook, 95, the original Gerber Baby

Enrico Garzilli, Rhode Island, acclaimed composer and performer

Samella Lewis, 99, black female artist and arts advocate

Shelby Scott, 86, former WBZ-Ch. 5 reporter