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In the News… quick recap of the news of the week ending September 25, 2026
In the News gives short summaries of top news stories of the week in Rhode Island, regionally, nationally and internationally with key deaths over the past week
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
In the RI primary vote, Boomers were outnumbered by younger voters for the first time – but Boomers and Older “Silent” Generation showed up in more than younger 3 generations – combined
Providence launched Passport Parking, an expanded version of paying for parking that will locate available open spots for you and also serve as a ticket payment outlet
Mayor Smiley says he will not endorse incoming Mayor Morales
Abbott Labs will pay state of MA $1.9M in formula settlement
Flock camera use this weekend for arrests: 2 Pawtucket drive-by shooters; Murder suspect in stabbing of UMassDartmouth student; Boston kidnapping suspect in Providence
New England Patriots beat the Pittsburgh Steelers, 20–3
A Vermont jury convicted Jason Eaton of attempted murder for shooting three Palestinian students, including one former Brown student, in 2023. Eaton was found guilty of three counts of attempted second-degree murder and faces up to life in prison. The jury rejected his insanity defense, according to the Associated Press. Hisham Awartani ’26 — a junior at Brown at the time of the shooting — sustained injuries that paralyzed him from the waist down.
Presumed Mayor-elect Morales says he will set up a noise ordinance hotline as he works toward de-escalation – with a presence of public safety. Also clubs should be working toward having details at establishments. (NBC10 report)
Cranston City Council proposes expenses $100,000 need Council discussion/approval. Admin says that violates separation of powers and would put city in chaos
MA will take off local gas tax for 2 months – 3 months for California
Clavicular charged with rape – national celebrity on extreme looksmaxxing
Brown’s highest paid employee, Chief Investment Officer Jane Dietze, leaving end of 2026
Red Sox name Chad Tracy permanent manager. Boston removed his interim designation
New England Tech running new criminal justice training exercises
The Elms mansion, Newport, designing new “imagined visitor” experience. Reopens soon
4 Providence schools proposed to be merged into 2 – so children can be in renovated buildings
Q’s Waterfront to open where Quito’s was in Bristol
Brown Health cuts approx. 48 senior-level jobs following a $13 million operating loss in the first nine months of its fiscal year.
Coyote attacks T. F. Green airport worker in Warwick – he is receiving rabies prevention treatment
4 youth arrested in sexual assault of a 16 year old Hope HS girl who said she was sexually assaulted under a school staircase
ICE arrests in New Bedford, with dozens of illegal immigrants taken into custody
RI Comic Con banning Ray Ban recording devices, or similar
Massachusetts company guilty of $8M fraud in Mass Save energy saving installation systems
NECN back on TV with morning news program, with Matt Reed anchor
On Thursday of this week, all schools in South Kingstown were closed due to a power outage – after school activities and athletics also canceled – phones and internet had been down
At least 3 buildings in Fall River lost to a massive fire, will need to be torn down
Providence School Board erupts into shouting over several issues, continues with 2nd meeting
Rhode Island PUC approved $28 million in direct winter electric bill relief for 450,000 Rhode Island households who will receive a $20.45 credit in January, February, and March 2027, totaling $61.35 per account.
Brown Univ continues with restructuring – the Division of Campus Life eliminated Brenda Ice’s position as assistant vice president for residential and community living
Most romantic places in New England: RI – Cliff Walk. MA – Boston Public Garden. CT – Lover’s Leap State Park. NH – Ice Castle. VT – Hildene Estate. ME – Cadillac Mountain
19-year-old Chukuwnonso Uzoma-eze charged with murder in stabbing death of Marvins Antoine and stabbing of another, outside Mezzo Lounge in Providence. All 3 students at UMass Dartmouth. Uzoma-eze is a Nigerian national here on a tourist visa since 2015 (8 yo), extended twice in 2016, block on deportation in 2022, rejected for work auth. in 2023. Deportation deferral renewed in 2025, to expire in fall of 2027.
Ed Sheeran concerts both canceled at Gillette – refunds offered
Helena Foulkes returning approx. $10K in donations that were above the legal threshold.
The National Urban Rat Summit is being held in Boston this weekend
Mezzo Lounge ordered closed for one month. End to the club’s 18-and-over events. New crowd control and admission practices required. This after stabbing death outside of Lounge last weekend as overcrowd waited outside club.
Middletown defense company wins $64 million Navy contract
Rhode Island receives $7.4 million for disabled renters
South Kingstown schools closed Thurs of this week due to internet and phones being down, creating what officials called an unsafe situation
MA is suing Draft Kings claiming they use AI to target people most likely to lose
Charter Care nurses may strike – reported by Brown Daily Herald
Election Dates: Sunday, October 4 – Voter Registration Deadline. Tuesday, October 13 – Mail Ballot Application Deadline. Wednesday, October 14 – Monday, November 2 (4pm) – Early Voting Period. Tuesday, November 3 – General Election Day: 7am to 8pm, most locations
Nantucket has approx. 34 weddings schedule for this stormy weekend
Julia Child’s home in Cambridge is up for sale for $6.475M
Frugal Fannie’s in MA to close
RI AG Neronha has notified leaders of the New CharterCARE System of deficiencies within their strategic plan and directing them to re-submit a plan by October 2, 2026.
The UFL team coming into Pawtucket will have their name, colors, logos, and brand identity for Rhode Island unveiled at a public event taking place at Centreville Bank Stadium on October 18.
3 RI students at Chariho HS stabbed during metal making class
New Upshot League women’s professional basketball team coming to Providence, with 17 home games at Amica Mutual Pavilion
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NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
Donald Trump, Jr. will pay back the Russian friend who paid for an after-party event after his marriage
New Russia sanctions go into effect, targeting officials, banks and the oil “shadow fleet,” and authorizes tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian energy
White House will appoint an AI czar and an “AI force” – will rename AI to SI – “Super Intelligence”
Ed Sheeran apologizes to fans, says how much he supports ending conflicts in Gaza/Jerusalem and goes on to play at his concert with no backup singers, and a new band
Asian Games open in Japan. Saturday’s opening ceremony launched the 16-day event, featuring at least 11,000 athletes from 45 countries competing in 43 sports.
60 Minutes interview with Patrick Clancy and new wife revealed they are having a baby. Also, he said he had a panic attack just before his phone call to 911 was going to be played in court and EMS was called – he returned to court without being hospitalized
Italian President Meloni puts a Burqa ban in schools, and limits # of foreign, non-Italian speaking students in classes, puts responsibility on parents to have their children learn the language
Toys R Us to open 120 new stores throughout the US
Arch in DC proposed to include storage for drones and be a military defense complex
11 trillion tons of ice has vanished from Greenland and Antarctica
US & China establishing an AI hotline to address rogue or security issues
Hayden Panettiere died from an accidental fentanyl overdose, coroner says.
China makes an EV every 78 seconds
During Pres. Trump’s address at the UN, the Cuban delegation officially stormed out of the UN General Assembly hall as the country was called a “failed state”
750,000 removed from Obamacare due to fraud, ineligibility, duplicate insurance, or not knowing they were enrolled
Tom Brady fined by the NFL for swearing (s word) on television sports show
19 states keeping daylight savings time (not RI)
FBI hacked with information on every agent, past agent, and applications
Zelenskyy warns Russia is planning a massive attack on Ukraine
2 deaths at Ole Miss University – likely from “gas station drug” Kratom
Taylor Swift drops her new single – “Patient Zero” – and 4 others
Lionel Richie postpones concert schedule due to heart procedure said to have gone well
Dolly Parton manager gets restraining order against her nephew over threats and intimidation
Iran slams US at UN – US delegation exits the room
22 students sick at Univ. of Kentucky taken to ED – no drugs, environmental cause found
More people seen coming out of manholes, dressed similarly, in NYC
President Trump’s Board of Peace Announces $2.45 Billion Gaza Recovery Plan
400 of 422 women Marine recruits passed the first gender-neutral physical fitness test
White House App Hits No. 1 in News and Cracks App Store Top 20
Capt. Sully Sullenberg reveals he has early Alzheimer’s
GLP-1 use now linked to a rare blindness most often seen as an eye stroke, and it is irreversible
Starbucks closing 230 stores that are underperforming, and openings hundreds of new stores
META making new AI glasses
Chinese President XI announced that two pandas, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, will go to Zoo Atlanta – recalling how China removed their pandas in the Biden administration
Macklemore who gave a pro-Palestine message from the stage at an Ed Sheeran concert is now going on a multi-country “Free Palestine” tour of his own
US Senate rejected House approved resolution to block military operations against 49-50 – casting the decision vote was (D) Sen. Fetterman, voting with Republicans
57-year low in US for unemployment claims
SCOTUS Friday ruling allows state and local election officials to use a revamped immigration database to check the accuracy of state voter rolls, rejecting a ruling that the database risks disenfranchising eligible voters and ignores privacy safeguards.
Japan passes laws including bans on Halal, large mosques, call t prayer and praying in the street in an effort to control Islamic overtake
US govt rolling out a new website – America.gov – to use AI (SI) to make government access easier and more efficient for Americans
Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos and challenger John Loughlin are statistically tied
China’s leader, Xi, will host Pres. Trump visit to China in November and also come to Florida in December
Pope celebrates mass in France for 600,000 people
Iran offers new peace plan to include opening the Strait of Hormuz in 7 days
Menu for State Dinner with President of China:
– 1st course – Yellow Squash Velouté and a Wild Mushroom Fricassée, complemented by crispy Pancetta and topped with a drizzle of Scallion Oil.
– 2nd course – Sesame-crusted Sea Bass, served with braised Baby Bok Choy and roasted Eggplant, finished with Sauce Vert.
– Dessert: Vanilla Crémeux with a Sour Cherry Confit center atop a Walnut Frangiapane and served with White House Honey Ice Cream on the side
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PASSINGS
Raymond Coia, 91, Laborers attorney
Presley Gerber, 27, son of Cindy Crawford, died in a rehab facility
Bob Pettit, 93, formerly with NBA
James J. Rossi, 39, RI pharmacist, of cancer