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In the News… quick recap of the week ending Jan. 9, 2025
Here are news items for the past week for Rhode Island, the region, nationally and internationally. Search on the topics for more information, or get in touch with us.
Rhode Island
At Mass & Cass Ave, donations of blankets and supplies are being sought, while police still reinforce encampments be removed
19 states raised their minimum wage in 2026 – in New England, Rhode Island raised it the highest – to $16/hhr
Joe Powers to step down as head of RI GOP 1/15
A 16 year old was now identified as having hit and killed the New Bedford woman coming out of midnight mass
Maria Bucci formal DUI charges dropped. Given 30-day license suspension and interlock device for 6 mos, 30 hours community service, following refusal for alcohol test
City of Providence expands snow ban parking options: https://www.providenceri.gov/public-works/snow-parking-program/
Seven Stars baristas authorize a strike
Pawtucket officer charged with shooting a man aiming a gun at others innocent, even though the man’s gun was fake
GameStop is closing 9 stores in MA – there are 6 stores in RI
Wordle word that stumped more Rhode Islanders than any other – MINTY (only other state with that word is Louisiana)
Chick-fil-a to open in EG
BankRI is now Beacon Bank
Mass General Brigham will take over Fallon Health insurer
RI health officials say the vaccination recommendations will stay the same for children
New RI payroll system experiencing shortages in state payroll checks
RI Bishop Lewandowski has led a “migration themed” prayer group with demonstrators at the Wyatt Federal Prison in Central Falls – and led a poverty vigil at the RI State House
Suspicious powder found at RI Sect. of State’s office – cleared
Uno Pizzeria in Warwick, last of chain, to close
ABC6 long time anchor, John DeLuca, leaving after over 25 years
RI cities & towns begin appointing 250th Committees
Catholic Charity Appeal is begins with a goal of $7.7 million
Rhode Island Airport Corporation‘s VP of Public Safety, Duc Nguyen, leaving and position absorbed with existing staff
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NATIONAL
California’s open carry ban struck down by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals
Oprah Winfrey says using weight loss drugs has helped her to stop drinking
During the Manuto domination over 8 million people had to leave Venezuela
Head of Mexico, Sheinbaum, is not really running the country said Pres. Trump – it is being run by the cartels
Ben Domenech, a reporter on Fox (with the unmistakable voice) is married to Meghan McCain and they just had their 3rd baby, first boy, named Ransome. Their 2 girls are Liberty and Clover.
US has frozen oil shipments to China
Iran offers money to citizens for 4 months to quell demonstrations
New York City’s subway and bus fares rose to $3 yesterday, up 10 cents for most rides.
Cuba says 32 people were killed in Venezuela – providing security to Maduro during US capture
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting announced that its board has voted to dissolve the organization after 58 years
US to sell 30M barrels of Venezuelan oil at market price – split proceeds between Venezuela and US
Iron Age objects uncovered in Norfolk, England
Business of non-alcoholic drinks is booming
Vatican says 33.5M visitors came in 2025, Jubilee Year
Venezuela’s opposition leader Maria Corina Machado vows to return home quickly
5 states will have temporary aid to families cut off until specific fraud can be investigated and costs documented – they are: Minnesota,, New York, California, Illinois and Colorado
The Swiss bar with the deadly fire had not been inspected in over 6 years
Alan Jackson withdrew as defense attorney for Nick Reiner
5th oil tanker seized off Venezuela by US
50,000 jobs added in December
President Trump says he may want to put on a 2nd floor to the East Wing to make it symmetrical to the West Wing
FEMA will let go 1,000 workers
A Hilton hotel in Minneapolis turned away ICE agents – since then Hilton has ended association with that hotel
Wordle word that stumped more people in US – DOWEL
Jan 26th first day to file taxes early
New fraud regs going into effect: Those on public assistance, cannot wire transfer more than $3,000 out of the US.
New national Fraud AG position created
Senior oil and gas executives came to the White House to discuss future oil production, primarily in Venezuela as $100B project will begin
El Salvador dispatched prisoners to the local beaches to clean them up in a nationwide effort
Iran moves towards freedom as top leaders are rumored to be leaving the country, and widespread protests erupt throughout the nation, including burning of institutional locations where hangings, etc. were once held
Elon Musk turns on Starlink in Iran as internet is turned off by leaders
Woman who was killed in Minneapolis confirmed to be a trained member of Ice Watch, a group of people who try to disrupt ICE activities – training included use of vehicles to blockroads
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PASSINGS
John Axelrod, 79, art collector, killed by a hit and run driver in Back Bay, Boston, while walking his dog
Arthur J. DeBlois, III, RI business leader, entrepreneur, philanthropist, volunteer
US Rep. Doug LaMalfa, 65, (R) from California passed away after suffering an aneurysm and later a heart attack during emergency surgery.
Michael Reagan, 80, oldest son of past President Ronald Reagan
Art DeBlois III made a big difference in my life showing meby e example that you could be successful in business while active in non profit organizations that benefitted the community . The Deblois family always kept its charity under wraps while giving untold numbers of hours of leadership and substance to charitable endeavors. particularly in Pawtucket and the Blackstone Valley. Good by Art, we will miss you but your generous spirit lives on