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In the news… local, national updates
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
A free backpack giveaway will be held on Sunday, Aug. 28, from noon to 4 p.m., at 574 Main St. in Pawtucket
Life expectancy in RI fell from 79.5 in 2019 to 78.2 in 2020. All states in the US had a fall in life expectancy
All five gubernatorial candidates will take part in a debate at Johnson & Wales University on August 31 at 7 p.m. The debate will be co-hosted with NBC10 WJAR and moderated by Gene Valicenti. Members of the media are invited to attend and must RSVP to JWU in advance. NOTE: This event is not open to the public
RI DEM & Fish & Wildlife will begin a campaign to recruit more hunters, with licenses falling from 11,000 a year to 8,000 a year in the past few years
Providence will extend the experimental guaranteed income program ($500/mo for low income applicants) – another 6 mos.
Pascoag is opening a battery storage facility to meet demand of their customers.
No masks required in Massachusetts schools – no surveillance testing.
16 Warwick police officers will begin a body camera trial
Amazon is closing 5 MA warehouses – in Milford, Dedham, Everett, Radolph and Mansfield.
Warwick pushed off use of Flock surveillance cameras
The National Guard to respond to a wildfire in Rockport, as drought conditions continue to worsen across the state
Burrillville had many acres burn in the drought situation.
Raising Cane – a chain fried chicken restaurant – will open on Atwood Ave in Johnston
Warren, RI has become the first municipality in Rhode Island to codify a local ordinance outlawing the public consumption of recreational marijuana.
RI Rhythm & Roots Festival is on this year for Sept. 2-4 in Charlestown
2 US Coast Guard Cutters now make Newport their home. Each, the Tahoma and the Campbell, have a crew of approx. 100
Ballard’s of Block Island has had their liquor license restored on appeal
Providence schools will open next week, with 100 teachers short.
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NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
FAA cutting back NYC flights because too many key personnel are out sick.
The cost of hot dogs has risen 37.8% in one year
DC Mayor says students who are not vaccinated cannot attend school and there is no virtual option – over 40% of Black students in DC are not vaccinated.
Vanessa Bryant won her lawsuit again the city of LA for photos taken at the helicopter death of Kobe Bryant and her daughter – she was awarded $16 million.
Pfizer-BioNTech submit updated COVID-19 booster targeting BA.5 to the FDA for authorization
Former New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio and others as teaching fellows at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics
Dental practices are facing labor shortages that are delaying routine care for some patients, sometimes for months.
New research showing Paxlovid for those over 65 with COVID, taken within the first 5 days is most effective, with lesser effect for those under 65.
California looks to ban all gas-powered car sales by 2035, starting with 35% in 2026 and 76% in 2038
The US ran aerial attacks on weapons depots in Syria to protect US personnel
Islamic militants stormed a hotel in Somali, at least 20 dead.
Moderna is suing Pfizer over patent infringement of booster
Dennis Rodman is going to Russia to try and negotiate the release of Brittney Griner
IRS is doing a security review of all of its buildings nationwide
US gives $150M aid to Afghanistan
The federal student lunch program providing breakfast and lunch will not be available this year same as before. The free lunch program was extended by the pandemic – now they must apply and meet income guidelines to get the program. Some school boards are allocating funds to provide free meals for all.
Moderna seeking approval for new booster for new variant
Wendy’s has pulled lettuce off their menu due to problems with Romaine identified
Gov. of NY signed a bill replacing the word “salesman” with “salesperson”
President Biden building a government paid, 1/2M dollar wall around his Delaware beach house.
The monkeypox vaccine was behind in its doses stored at the Strategic National Stockpile, and the government knew for years.
80% of COVID patients never have symptoms and may not know they have had it
Wayfair cuts 870 jobs, over 400 in the Boston market – saying they are seeing a shift in the way buyers are buying again – having had great success in the pandemic.
UPS begins to deliver to Prudence Island once again
Apple employees must return to the office at least 3 days a week starting Labor Day – employees are protesting
Planet Fitness reports 20% increase in business as people return to gyms
At-home and cycling programs are decreasing – Soul Cycling closing stores; Peloton closing and laying off thousands.
Salmon Rushdie is off the ventilator and speaking, on the road to recovery, after “lifechanging” injuries, according to his son
Bally’s donates $600K for research on gambling by young adults
Quadruple vaccinated U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin infected with COVID for the second time this year.
Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla says he tested positive for Covid-19 and is experiencing very mild symptoms.
Americans will soon be able to buy hearing aids without a prescription – more to follow
In addition to 87,000 new IRS agents, the department has been funded with billions more in their budgets to “ramp up audit enforcement”
CNN cancels “Reliable Sources” show about the media and lets Brian Stetler go
Roslyn Carter celebrated her 95th birthday
Amazon is shutting down the hybrid virtual, in-home care service it’s spent years developing, a surprising move that underscores the challenges it faces as it moves into health care. The service, called Amazon Care, will end by Dec. 31
The NIH announces it will no longer sub-contract to the WUHAN Lab for research
COVID cases have dropped 24% worldwide, according to the WHO
Walmart has adapted its health care plans so they will now cover abortion for employees ‘when there is a health risk to the mother, rape or incest, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage or lack of fetal viability.’
Iodine tablets are being handed out in Ukraine due to the tenuous condition of the nuclear reactor.
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PASSINGS
Denise Dowse, 64, actress
Richard Dujardin, 77, former Religion Writer for Providence Journal, in an accident on a bridge in Milwaukee
Catherine E. Graziano, RN, PhD, former RI Senator, 90
Sempe, known as JJ, 89, French cartoonist featured in The New Yorker who drew iconic cartoons with thin black lines.
William P. Shields, 84, owner of Twin Willows, after brief illness
Chip Young, media columnist most known for “Philipe & Jorge”