In the news… quick look at the week ending June 1, 2024

RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY

Providence Brewery a finalist for the Sam Adams “Brewing the American Dream” award

4 girls stabbed in a Braintree, MA movie theater – a couple was stabbed right after in Plymouth, immediately afterwards, where there had been a riot on the beach, with over 100 arrested on Memorial Day weekend

Waterfire will be cut by 1/2 for full lightings due to budget issues – 5 instead of the usual 10

Boston extends its homeless shelter closure until July

Arts groups are reeling from the loss of extra ARPA funds in RI, as reported by the Boston Globe – this includes The SteelYard, and small theater groups, joining the struggles of many smaller arts groups around the US.

Protesters briefly disrupted the outdoor commencement address of Brown University’s president

Cranston’s $40M bond issue for schools is endorsed by Mayor Hopkins and all 3 candidates for mayor

Harvard statement on statements:  “After months of controversies tied to the Israel-Hamas war, Harvard University said Tuesday that its leaders would no longer issue official statements about public matters that “do not directly affect the university’s core function.” – from Boston Globe

Takeover of Providence schools by the state may be over, after an independent review is done

Sakonnet Vineyards will be turned over to James Davids and Marissa Stashenko, of Anchor & Hope, to manage – Carolyn Rafaelian will stay involved as a consultant on products and items. Anchor and Hope Wines filed for bankruptcy and will close and now join with Sakonnet.

Warwick will hold a Senior Center Town Hall on May 30^th starting at 10am at the Pilgrim Senior Center, 27 Pilgrim Parkway. Representatives from state and federal offices and local nonprofits will be on site to help Warwick seniors navigate the government services and resources available to them.

Sen. Ruggiero, RI Senate President will manage the rest of the session from home, with designated people attending meetings and being actively engaged, as he recovers after having a virus after cancer treatment.

Newport Skatepark opens with Saturday ceremonies

2 Guans flew away from RWPZ – 1 has been found and returned

The Day of Portugal celebration will return to Providence June 7-9, with a parade festival and other events

30 guns were taken at a Warwick gun shop after a car drove through the front door

Woonsocket independent auditors quit saying they couldn’t get financial records in a timely manner and after some Council members questioned their independence

Centreville Bank will go into the space in Pawtucket formerly occupied by Stillwater Books

Holly McLaren was arraigned for a felony charge of submitting nomination papers for Lt. Gov. Matos that were not certified.

As the RI budget is finalized, Speaker Shekarchi says it will focus on education and children

A BJs with gas station will open in Warwick

Bacco Restaurant on Federal Hill will close

The Citizens Bank tax proposal is said to be dead at the RI legislature – it was a proposal of Gov. McKee

The proposal to build a new RI State Archives is not included in the budget at this time

___

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

Papua New Guinea landslide kills hundreds

Nicki Minaj arrested for drugs in her baggage in Amsterdam

World Health Organization fails to agree on a global pandemic treaty, after 2 years debate

Uber has a Rides for Moms program to take expectant mothers to doctor’s appointments – over 450 are expected to use it this year

Jimmy Kimmel’s 7-year old son, has his 3^rd open heart surgery

James Biden associate Keaton Langston pleads guilty to $51M Medicare fraud

4.2Million chickens on an Iowa farm will be slaughtered due to bird flu

The MLB will update its official stats to include the Negro League data – after a 3-year study – approx. 2,300 black players now included

Sen. John Fetterman presented with the Yeshiva University’s highest award, the Presidential Medallion, at its annual commencement ceremony at the Louis Armstrong Stadium.

2 Giant Pandas on their way to the National Zoo in DC

World Kitchen pauses food aid program in Gaza again due to repeated attacks, and Hamas stealing supplies, as well as the floating dock being grounded

Chief Justice Alito refuses to recuse himself on cases relative to Jan. 6^th because of house flags flown by his wife, who refused to take them down at his request.

Past-President Trump found guilty on all 34 charges – sentencing July 11^th – 4 days before Republican National Convention

Since the Trump decision, $34Million was raised in the next 24 hours – now totaling over $52Million

Princess Kate Middleton was seen in public with her husband at a small event looking healthy. Statements are that she will return soon to duties and is on the “other side” of treatment

Sen. Joe Manchin filed papers to switch from being a Democrat to being an Independent, in reaction to the Donald Trump court case

Moderna’s RSV vaccine has been approved

Rob Gronkowski has agreed to promote Sentient Jet, a private jet provider founded in 1999 in Boston and based in Boston and Cleveland

___

PASSINGS

Doug Ingle, 78, of Iron Butterfly

Grayson Murray, 30, PGA player, of suicide

Marian Robinson, 86, mother of Michelle Obama

Johnny Wactor, 38, actor, known for General Hospital role, shot and killed in robbery attempt

Bill Walton, 71, NBA Hall of Famer, of cancer

___