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In the News… recap for week ending Feb. 22, 2025
A brief catch-up on the week’s news – locally, nationally, internationally…. For more on any one item get in touch with us or put the phrase into a search vehicle for more detailed news.
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
Tiverton’s Fort Barton School is closing due to low enrollment
New England Tech cuts tuition by 47%
Debris fell from the ceiling of the Prudential Tunnel in Boston – no injuries as large pieces fell on top of traffic
Gov. McKee says there are no prospects or plans for the Cranston Armory
MBTA trains will begin running from Fall River and New Bedford to Boston starting March 24
Boston Pride Parade set for June 14th
Cambridge City Council eliminates ordinance that created districts for only single-family houses – new rules permit construction of apartment buildings of up to six stories, with 20% affordable – could have dramatic impact on neighborhoods if implemented in RI
Kennebunk, ME urge revoking of the district’s policy that permits transgender girls to participate on girls sports teams.
Black home ownership rises in RI by 4%
$2M gift to support URI Fine Arts Center
Brookline building collapses – 6 people rescued
Acting RI AG, replacing Zachary Cuna, is Sara Miron Bloom
Baby seal found on the streets of New Haven – thought to have been running from large seal in the ocean
So. Kingstown having a rash of mail being stolen out of personal mailboxes
Providence street group has plastered locations with stickers that say the Mayor doesn’t like to have fun
RI State Police suing CODAC for return of funds
URI will have a 3.5 percent increase in tuition for both in-state and out-of-state students
March 9th will be spring forward day
RISD reporting to their students that 2 students have died on the same day – both appear accidental and unrelated to each other
A Cranston judge ordered state Rep. Enrique Sanchez, who was accused of drunk driving, to install a car breathalyzer in order to continue driving under a hardship license.
6 children in Massachusetts have died from the flu
Redfin has named Providence the least affordable metro area in the United States
Martha Stewart will open a restaurant at Foxwoods – The Bedford is expected to open late March
Massachusetts, long a top vaccine state, has now fallen below the US average
Martha’s Vineyard have had no on-island ICE arrests but 2 individuals were arrested in Boston and deported who had court appearances in Edgartown District Court
Sunday is the most dangerous day of the week to drive in Rhode Island, accounting for 19.51% weekly fatal crashes. – next most dangerous are Saturday, then Friday
Sacred Heart School in EP will close – students will be transferred to other Catholic schools
New design for a 200+ apartment complex on I-195 land by new developer – moving to brick, said to be “warmer”, though it is larger
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern MA and of Boston will merge
Shark plates are now available for motorcycles
Maine looking at small nuclear
“Secret Mall Apartment” film about the young people who made a secret apartment in the Providence Place Mall begins screenings
Gov. of Maine called out at governors meeting by Pres. Trump to abide by national law re women sports – Gov said she would “see him in ccourt”
BankRI scraps its $70M HQ plan for I-195 land as it says costs have soared since planned
Over 900 have been hospitalized with flu in RI – flu and norovirus continue to rise – while COVID cases fall
Cranston Forward forms again, a group, mostly progressive Dems who oppose Republican candidates and issues – saying the US is facing a “hostile takeover” that is unfolding with lightning speed – using words such as brutality – cruelty – chaos. And that people feel “overwhelmed, frightened and alone”.
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NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
Shaq re-signs with TNT Sports for $15M
178 Denny’s will close in 2025, and will open 25-40 new Denny’s, and Keke’s Cafes.
US will import 15,000 tons of eggs from Turkey due to the rapid outbreak of bird flu in the country.
Measles cases double in Texas
The average American RV enthusiast is 44 years old with an average disposable income of $87,000.
Forever 21 will close hundreds of stores
Tim Cook announced he is moving an Apple manufacturing plant from Mexico to US
300 people who could not be deported to countries such as China or Afghanistan, are now in Panama, per agreement with that country – and being held first in a hotel and now in a primitive jail
“Journavax,’’ a non-opioid treatment for moderate to severe pain approved by FDA.
Zelenskyy says there needs to be a European army, and not count on US anymore
Top level US negotiators dispatched to Saudi Arabia to begin preparing for peace talks with Russia – Ukraine
Pope now put on “absolute rest” and hospital modifying his treatment for respiratory problems
President Trump’s grand-daughter, Kait Trump signed an endorsement deal with TaylorMade Golf. She played the pro-am at Torrey Pines alongside Rory McIlroy.
“Regular” light bulbs now being sold again.
The Ocean Liner, SS United States has set off for Florida where it will be sunk and used as an artificial reef
Israel targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities for possible attack
UK PM will meet with Pres. Trump next week – says they are open to sending troops to Ukraine
Shakira hospitalized with abdominal condition, cancels concert in Peru
PEPSI purges DEI from company
Hasbro says it predicts a return to prosperity in 2027 – does not mention a corporate move
Fox, CNN, other news outlets as the White House to allow the AP back “in”
US conditionally approves vaccine for chickens
3 mules that have been the backbone behind Hurricane Helene survival work died when soil collapsed around them
Social Security top official steps down – due to disagreement over sensitive data and DOGE
Kamala Harris to receive Chairman’s award from NAACP
Southwest Air to lay off 1,750 employees
Tapestry to sell footwear brand Stuart Weitzman to Caleres—owner of brands like Sam Edelman and Famous Footwear—in $105M all-cash deal; sale allows Tapestry to focus on its handbag brands Coach and Kate Spade
7 Chilean gang members arrested in FL for stealing from top athlete celebrities, often while they were away playing games
Cult-like group called the Zizians extreme vegan/techies, members arrested for 6 murders, also involved in killing of Canada’s border guard by a trans member.
Paul Simon announces four-month tour across 20 North American cities
KFC moving headquarters from Kentucky to Texas
Lawyer for Sean Diddy Combs says he quits and under no circumstances can continue
Coca-Cola introduces prebiotic soda brand Simply Pop in the US Southeast and West Coast
Nike partners with Kim Kardashian’s shapewear brand Skims to launch women’s activewear brand this spring
Acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration, has stepped down over the DOGE efforts to access sensitive government records.
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy will resign from his position atop the U.S. Postal Service
Jim Jones, head of food division of FDA resigns
Siesta Key voted 4th top beach in the world – the only one in US to make the list
The home of Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban was vandalized on 2/14 while they were not home
UnitedHealthcare will resort to laying off staff if a certain number of people do not accept the buyouts
Norovirus on cruise ships its own pandemic
2 planes crash in Arizona – both pilots killed – no passengers on either of the small planes – airport is not staffed, visual takeoffs and landings
Hanceville, Alabama grand jury recommends the police department be “immediately abolished,” finding a “rampant culture of corruption”
Brittney Griner was the keynote at Women Grow conference, but left early because she felt “unsafe”. Women Grow is about women cannabis company owners – Griner went to jail in Russia for cannabis possession
Ron Howard reveals Don Knotts from the Andry Griffith Show was actually his cousin
At least 68 children have died from the flu in the US
Passengers in Canadian crash offered $30K each by Delta – no strings attached, they can still sue
Pres. Trump ends congestion fees in NYC – it will go to court
DOGE has found $8.5B in cuts so far
There is an idea to pay Americans a percentage of what DOGE finds to save – figure of $5K each
The U.S. Internal Revenue Service laid off approx 6,700 employees of their total of 100,000 employees
Migrants deported from the U.S. could be held in Costa Rica for up to six weeks before being sent to their home countries, according to the country
4 hostage bodies were released this week – a journalist, and the 2 young children who were known to have been murdered with their mother – DNA analysis showed the adult woman was NOT the mother and the DNA does not any known hostage.
3 buses explode in Israel, thought to be a terrorist attack – 5 bombs in total found, public transport is halted
Fort Knox’ gold will be checked and verified (2% of world’s supply – $434B)
All migrants held at Guantanamo have been transitioned to Honduras, using the location as a staging for deportation to other locations
Sen. Mitch McConnell announces he will not run again but will complete his term
Meta laid off 3,600 people
Inhalable gene therapy to treat cystic fibrosis begins trials in Europe; treatment delivers healthy copies of the gene responsible for mucus buildup in the respiratory and digestive tracts
NY Gov. Hochul decides against removing NYC Mayor Eric Adams from office, instead seeks increased oversight of City Hall
John Stoll, head of news at X, was the guest in the “new media” seat at the White House briefing room
National Science Foundation went beyond the staff cuts demanded by the Trump administration and fired about 10 percent of its staff, removing 168 people – most of the agency’s probationary employees and all of its experts. NSF warns more cuts are to come.
The five states with the highest early-onset breast cancer incidence from 2001 to 2020 were Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Hawaii and Connecticut – 32 percent higher than those with the lowest incidence.
US has paused all non-mission critical contracts for media subscriptions that are not academic or professional journals
Possible merging of USPS and Commerce Dept
Pentagon will cut staff by 5-7%
Military division leader changes – General Charles ‘CQ’ Brown, joint chiefs of staff replaced by retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine. Heads of Navy and Air Force also announced to be replaced.
Pope Francis doctors say his condition is serious but not life threatening
Sat morning release of Bibas mother’s remains
Hamas releasing 6 hostages – Israel to release 600+ prisoners – 1 hostage was held for 11 years
White House – Ukraine rare earths deal said to be nearing
Measles continues to spread – now in New Mexico
USAID dismantling can proceed, per court
NAACP issues “Black Consumer Advisory” – urging their members to “Prioritize Black-owned businesses and service providers in spending decisions” in response to DEI rollbacks – noting their $1 trillion in buying power.
Lowe’s, Target, Walmart, Amazon, Meta, McDonald’s, Google, Ford, Harley-Davidson, Jack Daniels, John Deere, and Tractor Supply have rolled back DEI, per AP. Jack Daniels says, “the world has evolved, our business has changed, and the legal and external landscape has shifted dramatically.”
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PASSINGS
2 RISD students die on the same day – accidental and unrelated