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In the news… on February 19, 2023
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
A lawsuit filed by former legislator Blake Filippi against the Speaker of the House for not holding meetings or disclosure opportunities for the JCLS – the group that is an administrative funding arm of the General Assembly has been dropped with the Speaker announcing that he will hold quarterly public meetings of JCLS.
$920,280 grant for Accessibility Improvements at Warwick Public Library’s Apponaug and Norwood Branches
Central Falls is holding nominations for the 2023 Womens Hall of Fame – due on February 28th
Brown approves a 4.75% tuition increase for undergraduates, many graduate students
Brown’s college-readiness program for Providence Public Schools students will recruit its first class for fall 2023. The program was first set to start fall 2022.
A hotel in Concord, MA will be rented for housing the homeless or migrants from 3-5 days
COVID relief checks in RI do not need to be reported as income on your tax returns
Meeting Street will expand its physical location to accommodate more students, and will admit children of all abilities to be taught side by side
Massachusetts the most educated state in America, per Wallet Hub
Hasbro Inc. posted a $203.5 million profit in 2022, a 53% decline in net.
Superior Bakery in Cranston closes – may open with new owner
From April 2020 through July 2022, more than 110,000 more people moved out of Massachusetts than into it, one of the highest rates of “domestic outmigration”.
Rhode Island saw its population decline by about 3,200 residents between July 2021 and July 2022.
Boston does away with outdoor dining in the North End, but allows it elsewhere
Johnston will take e-bikes that are left in the city and keep them until the company comes for them
Johnston City Council wants to allow food trucks that are presently not allowed
RIAC will make 10 airport restaurant spaces available, ranging from 300 to 2,300 square feet. Five locations will be in the airport concourses, four will be in the airport food court and one will be near the baggage claim area – they will call it “A Taste of Rhode Island”
A bill would allow RIC security to carry weapons – all staff at present are retired officers and have been trained
The Malted Barley in Westerly to close
RISD has pulled out of the US News & World Report rankings
The RI Dept. of Health says the rate of STDs in RI is up 200% in 11 years
TF Green adds 4 nonstop flights to Florida on Breeze Airways in July
Fidelity to hire 250 people for mainly customer service in Smithfield – offering continuing ed training
Cranston will donate seized ATVs and motorbikes to the Dominican Republic
President of RI College wants free tuition for 2 years, competing with CCRI that offers it – it would be for Jr. and Sr. years
A crematorium and chapel is seeking approval to be built in Tiverton
Providence public school students admitted into Brown University’s summer pre-college program at no cost
The Old Grist Mill has new owners Karl Pelletier and a partner, owners of the Tipsy Toboggan in Fall River, and they are dedicated to keeping the traditional restaurant alive another 100
RI Judge Brian Stern named chair of the board of directors at Roger Williams University School of Law
Derek Silva has been named Providence Fire Chief
Ocean State Job Lot is donating more than $1 million in essential supplies to help those impacted by the deadly earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, including health and hygiene products, winter coats and clothing, blankets, and large tents for temporary shelter.
Mayor Smiley puts further speed bump development on hold so it can be studied
Brockton Hospital will be partially shut down until at least May – other hospitals are getting overloaded with patients – Samaritan Hospital has doubled their emergency room load
Save the Bay is recruiting for a new director as Jonathan Stone is stepping down
The 20th anniversary of the Station Fire is Feb. 20th
2 Rhode Island hotels made the Forbes 5-star rating – The Ocean House & The Weekapaug Inn (same owners)
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NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
Moderna has announced it will now not charge for the vaccinations.
CDC has stopped counting COVID cases and deaths – data will be maintained by HHS
CDC has now put COVID vaccine onto the list of recommended shots for children
25,000+ dead, 80,000+ in hospital from Turkey, Syria earthquake
COVID vaccine is now on list of routine child vaccines
Amazon is requiring all staff to return to the office at least 3 days a week
Sen. Diane Feinstein will not run for office again
American Embassy in Russia advises all Americans to leave immediately
NORAD shoots down 3rd object, flying high-altitude over northern Canada
Bed, Bath & Beyond closes all stores in Canada
Pride Month’s signature parade and festival will be held June 10 on Boston Common and at City Hall Plaza
Wine drinking in France has dropped 2/3rds over the last 60 years
No schools in Baltimore had children proficient in math – not one child
A member of the Rockettes is teaching a for-credit dance course at the Boston Conservatory
Epstein list expected to be released in a matter of days
A 30 sec. message during the Super Bowl is 7 million
Queen Consort Camilla has COVID for 2nd time
President has fired the Architect of the Capitol – for misrepresentation and handling of money
House launches investigation of origins of COVID
Michigan State Univ. shooting. 3 killed, 5 injured critically. The shooter was 43 yo, no relation to campus, dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, found off campus.
Washington is confident the manufacturer of the Chinese balloon has a “direct relationship” with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) the senior official said the balloon manufacturer has a direct relationship with China’s military and is an approved vendor of the People’s Liberation Army (the principal military force of the People’s Republic of China and the armed wing of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). In a statement this week Pres. Biden acknowledged we do not know what the last 3 objects were.
6 companies have been blacklisted by the US right after the objects were shot down: Beijing Nanjiang Aerospace Technology and China Electronics Technology Group Corporation 48th Research Institute, Dongguan Lingkong Remote Sensing Technology, Eagles Men Aviation Science and Technology Group, Guangzhou Tian-Hai-Xiang Aviation Technology and Shanxi Eagles Men Aviation Science and Technology Group.
Taylor Swift named 2022’s highest paid entertainer
Actor Bruce Willis diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia
Ryan Seacrest to exit “Live With Kelly and Ryan” after six years; Kelly Ripa’s husband Mark Consuelos to take over
Tuesday Morning will close ½ of their stores in US
Nikki Haley announced she will run for president
An over-heated wheel bearing may have caused the Ohio train derailment
Homeless encampments are set up in Chicago’s O’Hare Airport
Shooting at El Paso, TX mall – 1 dead, 3 injured
Daytona 500 on for Feb. 19 – 65th annual at Daytona racetrack
Cincinnati is closing off intake from the Ohio River for their water system, out of an abundance of caution.
FEMA says the Ohio area is not eligible for disaster funds – though they will provide some staff to assist the community.
Former President Jimmy Carter, 95, has gone into hospice care at his home, after a series of short hospitalizations
FEMA has agreed to place staff on the ground in East Palestine, Ohio to test the water and air
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PASSINGS
Cody Longo, 34, Days of our Lives actor
Austin Majors, 28, child star from NYPD Blue, found in homeless shelter
Bill Shields 70, WBZ reporter for 41 years
Raquel Welch, 82