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In the News… recap for week ending Sept. 21, 2024
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
Ship’s Inn Restaurant in Warwick closed during repairs from a car going into the building
WADK’s Bobb Angel, on radio for 58 years, wraps up his career and entered semi-retirement on Thursday. Bobb will continue broadcasting local sports at WADK
Nantucket has denied a public records request filed by Nantucket Current seeking access to the executive session minutes that led up to the signing of the Good Neighbor Agreement with Vineyard Wind. Signed in August 2020, it was negotiated behind closed doors with no public input.
17th annual North Smithfield Great Pumpkin Festival will take place TODAY, on Saturday, Sept. 21 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the grounds behind North Smithfield High School
More than half (49) of the migrants sent by Florida Gov. DeSantis to Martha’s Vineyard two years ago — report facing harsh realities of an overburdened system, difficulties getting work permits, and feel stuck in a sort of “limbo” (Boston Globe)
Six of Pawtucket’s 28 precincts were missing Spanish-language signs as mandated by a federal consent order for the city to provide election-related information in English and Spanish (The Rhode Island Current)
The city of Lynn has been awarded $85K in federal funding, allocated by the state, to help provide extra services for homeless students. Around 10 percent of the district’s 17,000 students are classified as “homeless,”.
GE Vernova pegs $300M loss to offshore wind blade failures in New England and the U.K.
Hasbro Inc. is again considering moving its headquarters out of the Ocean State. (PBN) A Boston move may be considered (Boston Globe)
Big E has had several fights and scuffles
Organized retail theft ring broken up with arrests made and garages in at least 3 cities found with products and items in them
RI is getting $125.4M Mega grant to help with Washington Bridge replacement. Ask from RI to feds was for over $200M
2 new transit buses are being considered – the first to be “built” would either be from the Cumberland area to the Pawt. train station or from the Edgewood, Cranston area and airport to the train station
More people are leaving Massachusetts than arriving in almost every demographic category. Among the culprits: Escalating housing and childcare costs, deficient public transportation infrastructure, and increased freedom to work remotely. (Mass Live)
Newport’s Playhouse on Ocean Ave sold for $9.9M
General manager of the Steamship Authority, Bob Davis, announced today that he is stepping down
Charlesgate building #2 purchased by RI for nearly $7M for use by the homeless – as winter is about 90 days away
Boon Street Market in Narragansett has many complaints against it for noise and crowds
Homeless groups have returned to Logan Airport in MA
School buses will take months to catch up to 90% efficiency
The Providence Public School District experienced a network security breach, and the school board is meeting with the superintendent to see how the breach occurred, what steps are being taken to resolve it, and how we’re supporting students and families during the outage. Supposedly a $1Million ransome.
Dacia Read, formerly deputy chief of staff to then-Gov. Gina Raimondo, will join Brown as the chief of staff for President Christina Paxson.
Castle Hill Inn (2), The Chanler (2), Cliffside Inn (1), and The Vanderbilt (1) – were chosen by the Michelin Guide – 2 and 1 stars
Stop & Shop confirms approx. 400 stores across 5 states. 2 stores in RI are closing – Johnston and the East Side Marketplace
20% of Lifespan management terminated – including CEO of Newport Hospital, which will work under a one management structure for its hospitals
Newport Naval War College may be expanding their scope. In a statement, their spokesperson said, “The U.S. Naval War College is currently undertaking a comprehensive review of potential campus revitalization plans,” Peter Pagano said. “These plans would involve construction of new facilities and the renovation of existing buildings to enhance the college’s overall functionality. This feasibility study is the beginning of a multi-year project that is still being conceptualized internally at the college and through the Department of the Navy. When the Navy is ready, we look forward to coordinating with the City of Newport in order to develop strategies that align with the needs and priorities of our institution, the naval station and the local community.” In a document report on by the Providence Journal: the document outlined concepts for a Warfighting Center and a complex with an auditorium, archives and museums. The study identified the 800-seat auditorium as having an estimated cost of $78.8 million with the parking lot to cost an additional $16.8 million, which Lima’s resolution refers to as ‘the largest development project in Newport History.’ The document, prepared by a Washington, D.C., museum consulting firm lists the study under “Current Projects.” Bewport city council: The 150-page report, titled “Project 150: Building Capacity, Fulfilling the Vision,” outlines proposals for a new educational and cultural complex including an 800-seat auditorium and parking facilities. The estimated cost is $95.5 million.
Guardian caps are now being worn by Lincoln HS football team – used to reduce concussions
North Kingstown is now among communities across the United States considered an “American World War II Heritage City” by the National Park Service. (Boston Globe)
House Speaker Shekarchi will testify before Congress on housing issues
Prison in Lancaster, MA had a mass stabbing, with 5 Cos in the hospital, 1 officer in serious condition
Esek Hopkins & Kizirian schools in Providence may merge for next year
Paddle for Progress is holding its second annual Fun Paddle this weekend in Wickford Harbor, raising money for breast cancer research in RI
CCRI receiving $2M for RIPTA bus improvements, covered shelters, etc.
In Nantucket, despite strong endorsements from island housing advocates and members of the Select Board, petitions were all defeated by wide margins for affordable housing developments
Al Drew’s Music Center in Woonsocket to close
AG Neronha tells WPRO’s Gene Valicenti the pause order on Washington Bridge was “routine” as they got to a spot where preservation of various parts of the bridge needs to be done. Neronha says this [controversy] has been “overblown”. It was routine and will not delay the bridge rebuild whatsoever.
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NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
United Airlines to equip over 1,000 planes with Starlink internet at no additional cost to passengers!
Tiger Woods underwent successful back surgery for nerve impingement causing pain
Social Security staff have been reduced to a 25 year low, per AARP interview with Marti O’Malley, SS chief
Nike CEO to retire – immediate 6% rise in stock showing company ready for change
Anti-Semitic group spray paints building at Univ. of North Carolina
Orca whales are attacking boats (700+) off the coast of the Strait of Gibraltar, near Spain – scientists think the older Orcas are trying to teach the younger ones how to attack and capture large tuna. Other scientists think it could be a trendy play activity that will fade away over time
Start your holiday shopping now – with port strike on the horizon
The Joro large flying yellow-and-black spider has now been found as far north as Pennsylvania – they pose no threat to people or animals
A Banksy print was stolen – worth over $350K – later recovered and returned to the gallery
Gwyneth Paltrow’s son, Moses Martin, is a freshman at Brown University
China caught dressing up dogs to look like giant pandas and saying they were a new breed
Dollywood will recognize its 40th year in 2025
The bar in Lewiston, ME that was the site of the shooting last year, and has been closed, will reopen as a homeless shelter
Moderna will cut R&D by over $1 billion
The Titan submersible wreckage has been found
2nd assassination attempt on the life of President Trump at his golf course in Florida. Single person seen with an AK-47 put through a chain link fence – Secret Service engaged and shot at least 4 times at the potential assailant. He fled but was captured after a witness took a photo of the person running and his car. Found were 2 backpacks with ceramic tiles in them, a gun scope, an AK47 and a GoPro camera. Person identified as 58 year old Ryan Wesley Routh. Routh’s profile quite different than other “lone gunmen” involved in incidents like this. He was a Ukraine supporter and wrote a book about how Iran needs to kill Donald Trump. Lengthy criminal history with extensive social media profile.
Strike in nation’s ports may be happening soon – could dramatically impact supply chain, holiday shopping, etc – president says he will not interfere to stop it
Joe Castiglioni retires after 42 years as the voice of the Red Sox
Sean “Diddy” Combs arrested at a hotel in NYC after indictment by grand jury – charges around sexual assault and trafficking – denied bail twice and held in prison
Houston, Texas natural gas pipeline explosion burning, not yet capped
A North Carolina company that owned a local hospital forgave the debt of nearly 12,000 people
Portugal says it will build 59,000 new homes to address housing crisis
2 colleges in Springfield, OH now virtual due to violence threats
Mark Cuban said he wants to buy “X” and Fox News if they are ever for sale
Acting Director of the Secret Service said in a public address that they need to get out of a reactive model and into a readiness model – issued a warning about what might be ahead for the US in terms of terrorism and national security
Pope Francis, The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, grants approval for devotion linked to Medjugorje, recognizing its spiritual fruits but not making a declaration on the supernatural character of the Marian apparitions.
An 8-year old in Ohio took her mom’s car at 8am on a Sunday morning and drove it to a Target 11 miles away to get a Frappuccino – she said she hit a mailbox on her way to the store. Otherwise she was ok.
Billie Jean King, tennis icon, will receive a Congressional Gold Medal
24 and Me Board of Directors resigns, en masse
CEO of Campari, in Italy, resigns
CEOs of Warner Music, Sony Music, Elektra Entertainment resigned
More than 600 CEOs have resigned or been forced out in the first quarter of 2024
Fed cuts interest rates by ½ point – seen by many as done now to influence the election
Teamsters refuse to endorse any candidate for president, regardless of members support for Trump (58%) over Harris (31%) – saying the membership had “no clear preference”
Boeing will furlough hundreds of management staff
Most passports can now be renewed online
Melania Trump’s memoir is set to be published on October 8th
Pagers exploded in Lebanon, among Hezbollah operatives. Approx. 2,750 were injured and several killed. A day later walkie-talkies and some cell phones also exploded. While Israel has not claimed responsibility, the IDF was assumed to be responsible in a new era of cyberwarfare.
An initial report on the crash of the ship into the Baltimore, MD bridge says the ship was unseaworthy and unsafe and the company put profits over safety.
P. Diddy put on suicide watch in prison, after being denied bail twice.
North Korea executes its own government leaders over poor performance, as it continues to close embassies and offices around the world
CDC will issue free COVID tests again by October 1st – keep checking here: https://aspr.hhs.gov/covid-19/test/Pages/default.aspx to order yours
Georgia’s election board passed a controversial measure requiring local precincts to conduct hand counts for the November election and confirm the figures match machine counts before certifying election results. This could delay results by many hours.
Chechen warload accuses Elon Musk of disabling his cybertruck
FDA approved self-administered flu block vaccine – a nasal spray – should be available for next year’s flu season
Italian PM Meloni said anyone entering the country without authority will be immediately deported
If port strike happens, supply chains will be impacted, as well as holiday shopping – some are saying to start shopping early
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PASSINGS
Michaela DePrince, 29, ballerina with alopecia, from Sierra Leone, danced with Boston Ballet, no cause released
Tito Jackson, 70, of Jackson Five, brother of Michael Jackson
Mary McFadden, 85 fashion designer