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In the News… quick recap of the week’s news (6.7.25)
This weekly feature is designed to give you only the most basic topic you may not have known was “in the news” – being a digital publication we don’t have the luxury of pages of text reporting on important things – like the topics, below. But! We know you may be interested in some of them. We phrase the lines such that you can easily copy and paste most of it into your favorite search engine and get, as they say, “more of the story”. We hope this is helpful to you.
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
Eric Spofford, 50, founder and former CEO of Granite Recover Centers, a for-profit drug and alcohol treatment company in New Hampshire, indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston for allegedly orchestrating a conspiracy to stalk journalists employed by New Hampshire Public Radio in retaliation for unfavorable reporting.
Localz Burger & Cocktails in Tiverton closed
Karen Read sells home and taps retirement fund to pay mounting legal bills in murder retrial
Wayfair will open in Attleboro
Roger Williams Medical Center opens R.I.’s first myeloma cancer therapy site
2 RI law firms merged – Duffy & Sweeney, a division of Stevens & Lee
Exeter Job Corps suspending operations by end of June
Carter’s clothing store closing in Garden City this week
On Tuesday, Gov. McKee delivered a Pride Month proclamation for June. State House was lit with pride colors. Many cities and towns did similar events in RI
Holly McClaren, who falsified signature documents in the Sabina Matos Lt. Gov. campaign, ultimately losing and placing 4th, admitted to the charges, and will have 3 years suspended sentence.
American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against Brown’s Department of Public Safety over the department’s alleged claims that it was not subject to public record disclosures under the state’s Access to Public Records Act.
WGBH is laying off 45 employees, 6 percent of its staff, across multiple departments due to financial challenges
Just days after graduating from URI, Timothy “Timmy” Howard died from an allergic reaction to peanuts.
1,500 illegal aliens arrested by ICE in Massachusetts in May. More than half had significant criminal convictions or charges
Walden Pond will close its main beach for the summer to construct a pavilion
309,000 children and adults are on Medicaid in RI – nearly ½ the population
David Reiss retired as CEO of the Fogarty Center for 35 years. Heather Alge – Chief Operating Officer will assume the CEO position
DHS targeting sanctuary cities in MA this week, including Springfield and Holyoke
Dean of the Brown Univ. Graduate School, Thomas Lewis ’90, will step down after more than 17 year sand become Cornell University’s vice provost for graduate education and dean of the graduate school.
Butler Hospital strike results in loss of group insurance (most will get insurance under HealthSource), and positions are being for permanent replacement of striking employees
New senior center to be built in Portsmouth, RI
Formation of Ocean State 2026, a new nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring Rhode Island maximizes the exceptional economic opportunities next summer’s major international soccer tournament will bring to Rhode Island and the region next year, seven tournament matches will be played at Gillette Stadium from June 13 to July 9, 2026. Secretary of Commerce Liz Tanner will lead Ocean State 2026 as the nonprofit’s Executive Director, and step down from her current role at Commerce to take on this new position. Treasurer James Diossa will serve as Chairman.
Bill working its way through the RI legislature to establish a Rare Disease Advisory Council within the Department of Health.
Touro Synagogue no longer has tours due to the rift between congregations here and in NY
Pride Fest & Boston OutLoud Music Festival being held on the same date June 21st
Gov. McKee signs Pride Month proclamation – and State House lit in pride colors for the night
The Sports Bra bar opening in Boston – shows only women’s sports on televisions
The Nantucket Historical Association Martha Stewart will be the keynote speaker for its 2025 Nantucket by Design event held July 14 – 17
Over 1,500 have been arrested by ICE in MA, including Nantucket & Martha’s Vineyard
Warwick will install Red Light cameras at dangerous intersections
Alex Shieh, Brown U student and journalist testified before congress about his experience researching what admin staff do and the value of a $400K education
No. Smithfield affordable housing units reduced to 20 affordable housing units within the existing structure of the former Pines Restaurant, but more to follow
Veolia NA recently entered a 3-year agreement to operate the Jamestown water treatment plant
The U.S. Justice Department is investigating whether the state of RI engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination based on race or other protected aspects of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
Sandra Cano to become Director of Industry Relations for URI Foundation and Alumni Engagement, a new position at URI
Michael’s bought JoAnn Fabrics and will expand
Prov. City Council will consider an ordinance to exempt striking Butler Hospital workers from the city’s noise ordinance so they will not be fined and can continue to use megaphones and amplification in their efforts (RINewsToday “X” poll shows 85.7% do not support this ordinance)
Gordon Ramsey show featuring Crazy Burger in Narragansett will air on Sept. 10th
Gaspee Day events scheduled: TODAY, 6/7, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Warwick Symphony Orchestra & 9 p.m Fireworks. Next weekend: 9:30am, 5k foot race. 10am Gaspee Days Parade. 2-8pm, Colonial militia encampment. Sun, 6/15, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Blessing of the Fleet parade of boats, Rhode Island Yacht Club, noon to 4 encampments – 4pm – re-enactment of burning of the Gaspee.
13 arrested for “pay for sex” business happening at the South Bay Mall – all MA residents, except for 1 from VT and 1 from FL
Walsh Construction chosen to rebuild the Washington Bridge – estimated completion 2028 at over $570M cost
Milford teen says he was in a small room with older men, sleeping on concrete with a mylar blanket with no showers, sinks. Crackers for dinner – office bldg near the Burlington Mall.
Canadian wildfire smoke will continue to drift into New England
Walsh Construction chosen to rebuild the Washington Bridge – completion date 2028. Company competed with American Bridge Co. of Pittsburgh for the contract. Estimated total cost may exceed $525M
Hookah Lounge on Federal Hill closed by regulators
Bandidos with 3 local restaurants has opened a 4th in Pawtucket
The Franklin, a bistro and patisserie will open in Bristol
John Dorsey, one of the two lawyers currently running the Providence Place mall will become a Bankruptcy Judge in RI.
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NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
Over 100 Federal Judges call for dropping charges against judge Hannah Dugan who helped an illegal immigrant evade ICE.
President Trump fired the director of the National Portrait Gallery, Kim Sajet, for being a “strong supporter” of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), and for being highly partisan, and will appoint a new director
Hamas agreed to release 10 more hostages – allowing more food in – and looking at ceasefire
NYC lawmaker advocating for free dental care for illegal migrants.
Ukraine’s ground forces chief Drapatyi steps down.
Vandals cut the flowers off 250 peony plants in the arboretum at the University of Michigan “for Palestine.” They left a note telling people to replace their American flags with Palestinian ones.
Conservative candidate Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential runoff
Attacker in Colorado had overstayed his visa and was in the country illegally. Mohamed Soliman yelled “free Palestine” as he attacked Jewish people, children, most seniors, 6 badly burned, including a Holocaust survivor. This was a “Run for their Lives” walk on behalf of freeing hostages in Gaza, happening weekly in Boulder
Hudson Bay Company closing all 88 locations in Canada, after recognizing its 355th anniversary
Measles spreading overseas and in US – vaccinations recommended or avoid travel
Greta Thunberg, climate activist, is on a ship going to Gaza to advocate for Palestinians
Price of eggs dropped 61%
Single-use vapes were banned in the U.K. yesterday to help protect the environment and children’s health
Walt Disney Co. is laying off hundreds of employees as part of a cost-cutting measure
Magazines shuttering – laying off entire staffs – In Touch, Life & Style, Closer and First for Women
National Weather Service can now hire 125 meteorologists and specialists to replace those 500 or so let go at the beginning of the Trump administration
Moderna COVID vaccine with 1/3 strength will be available for the fall for young people with high risk and those over 65 or at compromised immune systems
FEC finds Rep. Maxine Waters’ campaign guilty of violating multiple election laws, ordered to pay $68,000.
40% of boomers having lived in their homes for at least 20 years and another 16% staying put for 10 to 19 years.
Alex Marquardt, reporter at CNN, leaving after 8 years
Target opts out of Pride month displays. Has put up America First Summer display.
Bill Gates says he will spend most of his fortune funding health and education programs – in Africa
The Big Beautiful Bill eliminates the requirement to report transactions of $600 or more to the IRS.
France is banning smoking in all outdoor places frequented by children (e.g., beaches, parks, sports venues, and bus stops), and failure to comply could result in a fine of about $153. Spain is taking similar anti-smoking measures, with plans to prohibit cigarettes and e-cigarettes in more public spaces, including outdoor bars, restaurant terraces, and university campuses.
A judge has ruled federal prisons must continue providing hormone therapy and social accommodations to transgender inmates.
Opening night at The Kennedy Center will be June 11th with Les Miserables. President Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance will attend.
Dutch Government Collapses Over Migration Dispute
Delta Airlines will now be serving Shake Shack to First Class passengers on selected flights
Dave Portnoy, who does pizza restaurant sampling, was filming when someone yelled to him “Hate the Jews”. Portnoy is Jewish. Young people who were gathered around started to laugh and Portnoy stopped and asked them why they were laughing. He went on with the segment.
Navy will rename the USNS Harvey Milk. Milk was a gay rights activist
5 members of the Proud Boys are suing the US govt for $100M for their detention
META signed a 20-year electricity deal with Constellation Energy, the largest nuclear power operator in the US, as its electricity usage swells amid the AI boom. They won’t actually use the energy: Constellation will deliver electricity on behalf of Meta to the local grid, helping the tech giant maintain its decarbonization goals
Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune will stream on Hulu and Peacock the day after episodes air on TV starting in the fall
Massive fire broke out Tuscia University in Italy
Former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre leaves the Democratic Party, becomes “independent”
Business Insider laying off 1/5 of its workforce
Washington Post incentivizing anyone who has worked there for 10+ years to leave
White House Summer Soire being planned
20,000 people in Cologne, Germany evacuated after 3 unexploded bombs were found in the city
Pres. Trump orders investigation into actions of Pres. Biden and aides
Malia Obama will use Malia Ann (her middle name) professionally
All Hooters restaurants have shut down – more than 24
Many employers are now insisting their employees become proficient in A.I.
A federal judge ruled a preliminary injunction against “dismantling” of AmeriCorps.
Elon Musk made a claim that Pres. Trump is in the Epstein files among other comments on X, while upset about the Big Beautiful Bill possibly getting passed. Musk’s father, Errol, has reportedly told his son that mentioning the Epstein files was a mistake, and that he thinks the two will eventually mend their fences.
SCOTUS rules that “reverse discrimination” is real – on a case brought by a straight woman passed over on an employment issue
“Maryland father” Garcia returning to US from El Salvador after an arrest warrant was issued to face charges of human trafficking (over 100 charges), drugs, weapons – AG Bondi said if convicted he will serve time in US and then face deportation.
Clark University to downsize faculty by 30% over the next 3 years
Appeals court rules Pres. can tell the AP they can’t be in the Oval office
After ICE raid in Los Angeles, massive protests and attacks on police and officers, “violent individuals” throwing large pieces of concrete A citywide tactical alert was issued shortly thereafter.
LinkedIn lays off 281 employees in CA
400,000 living in US beyond their VISAs
Pampers to cut 7,000 positions
Feds upset that Boston Mayor Wu is comparing immigration agents to neo-Nazis
Amazon will invest $10B in North Carolina for AI and to expand the cloud
Pres. Trump announces he will build a new Ballroom at the White House, which can’t accommodate large events, having to use a pop up tent instead – he will pay for it himself
President Trump executive order reverses ban on supersonic aviation in US
US Supreme Court gives DOGE access to Social Security Data
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PASSINGS
Devin Harjes, 41, TV actor best known for his roles in “Boardwalk Empire,” “Daredevil” and “Gotham,”
Jonathan Joss, ‘King of the Hill’ Actor Who Voiced John Redcorn, Dies in Shooting at 59
Valerie Mahaffey, 71, actress “Young Sheldon”, of cancer