Subscribe!
In the News… quick recap of the week ending May 1, 2026
Get caught up on news and happenings of the week – here is RI and regional issues, national and int’l and deaths of note:
RHODE ISLAND & REGION
Carpionato Corp. involved in suits over control within the company and trust involvement
Spring House Restaurant opened at TF Green Airport
Little Joe, a 30-year old gorilla at Franklin Park will be leaving to go to another zoo and hopefully start a family
Boston MedFlight expands to New Hampshire
2nd case of Measles reported by a person who traveled outside of the country
Valley Breeze writer, Sofia Barr, has left the paper
Red Sox fired manager Alex Cora, hitting coach Peter Fatse, third-base coach Kyle Hudson, bench coach Rámon Vázquez, assistant hitting coach Dillon Lawson and Major League hitting strategy coach Joe Cronin.
Shooter (Cole Allen)’s brother reported to New London Police that his brother had written a manifesto saying negative things about Pres, administration and anti-Christian rhetoric. Had attended No Kings rally. He also had purchased his guns in CA. Checked into the hotel the day before. Came to DC by train via Chicago from LA.
James Lombardi named Chief of Staff for RI Dept. of Administration
$26.2 million Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan for Providence Water to continue its ongoing efforts to remove lead service lines at no cost to property owners.
Thundermist Health Center names Gaines chief medical officer
Leominster, MA is offering a free cup of coffee for reporting a pothole
More than 1,000 jobs have gone from the advertising field in MA (BosGlobe)
Decof, Mega & Quinn, a Providence law firm, suing Brown University on behalf of injured parties in the Brown shooting incident – “failure to protect”.
WEEI new afternoon show, “Rich and Ken With Ted Johnson” with Rich Shertenlieb and Patriots linebacker Ted Johnson and Ken Laird
Brandeis applications up 40% as curriculum now added teaching “real-world” topics
Tailgating is on again at the FIFA World Cup at Gillette
Bay State Health & Mercy Health Hospitals to merge in MA
Providence to open PVD Fan Zone in grassy field across from the Providence Place Mall for FIFA World Cup – to open with jumbotron and food, entertainment, from June 11 through July 19 – can accommodate 1-7,000 people. Some pre-scheduled events will coincide – RI Pride Fest, Waterfire, America’s 250th, July 4th – bars showing games can stay open until 3am
World Cup games at Gillette – June 13 (Haiti v Scotland) – June 16 (Iraq v Norway) – June 19 (Scotland v Morocco) – June 23 (England v Ghana) – June 26 (Norway v France) – June 29, July 9, (Finalist matches) –
5 indicted in death of Central Falls woman in 2025 – charged with 1st degree murder and kidnapping
Smokey Bones Restaurant in Warwick closes
Campanella’s opens where Cafe Itri used to be – closes Oaklawn Ave. location
Cranston budget: City says Police/Fire OT is why the budget is so overspent. Cranston PD says the city’s former finance director shorted the department’s last suggestion by $200,000 to $300,000.
Johnston issues layoffs to 79 teachers/staff – about half will bump their way to other positions. Rest will be let go and more to come as well as school closings/materials redistribution
7-story Brown Health parking garage planned for Dudley St, next to APC building getting community opposition.
The Corner Bistro in Scituate, RI closed
Pan-a-Day will close in Providence
Former Rep. Barney Frank, MA, has entered hospice care in Maine
Marisol Rivera named Child Advocate in MA
Rare, 2-colored lobster donated to Cape Cod aquarium
Providence Place Mall sold to group with Joe Paolino called the Pyramid Group
Charles Calenda remains as top US attorney in RI – no new replacement, he continues as 1st Assistant U.S. Attorney
Rob Gronkowski to be inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame, voted in by “fans”
Michael Weatherly announced for RI Comic Con – from NCIS
RI Gen’l Treasurer announces an increase to $80 million was approved unanimously by the State Investment Commission for the Community Deposit Program for 1st time home buyers. 60 homes already purchased under beginning of this program
Johnson & Wales commencement speakers: Aby Alexander, founder, president and CEO of BroadSat Technologies for grad program and Johan Grahn, Senior Vice President and Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Raymond James Investment Management, will deliver the undergraduate commencement address
Expansion of RIPTA Flex On Demand Service to Northern Aquidneck Island
Nomination of Maria Ferro Deaton and Joanna M. Achille to the Rhode Island Superior Court.
Hotel Viking in Newport reopens this weekend
Key Bridge in Maryland terminates contract because of high estimates of next phase of re-construction
Hampshire College will sell its property to pay off $25M in debt
Fidelity orders full time workers in Boston market back into the office
Northeastern – Hilary Duff commencement speaker
Maine’s Janet Mills dropped out of her run for Senate
Brightstar Lottery, RI’s lottery equipment supplier, will remain at its downtown Providence headquarters through at least 2036 after signing a new lease with building owner FM
RI Anime Con will be held at the Convention Center in Providence June 6 & 7
Boston Mayor Wu Proposes 27% Cut to Arts Funding in Boston
Bob Burke story on national news that the Gaspee was the start of the truth birthplace of the American Revolution – sent cease and desist letter to MA to recognize RI’s role on May 4, 1776.
Proclamation Ale Company in Warwick to close
Brown University Health must turn over patient and administrative records related to gender-affirming care for minors to the U.S. Department of Justice, a federal judge ruled.
The RI State Police will offer physical fitness training for those interested in a job in law enforcement, once a week, starting May 9th through July.
2 RI National Guard units have been “readied” for active service – one, with less than 20 members may be deployed to Middle East area – approximately 130 to Africa
___
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
Museum of Art in Philly will bring in statue of Rocky for exhibition, eventually to return to the top of the steps – statue is on loan from Sylvester Stallone
Millionaire big-game hunter, Ernie Dosio, 75, has been killed after being trampled by elephants while on a hunting expedition
Nuclear chief Andrew Hugg for Dept. of War terminated for sharing classified info
Reflecting Pool in DC being resurfaced a deep blue color – Lafayette Park’s double colored water water fountains are now working again
David Hasselhoff recovering from knee/hip replacement
Rep. Omar’s winery shut down for good after several scandals, including accounting errors, not paying staff, etc.
400 men set to be ordained as Catholic priests – average age 33 years old
Proposal to change “English” language to “American” language
Woman who went viral in 2022 for her $47 wedding dress, dies at 32 during childbirth – Kiara Brokenbrough, the Los Angeles bride
Iran communicated its key “red lines” to the US via Pakistani mediators. Preserving its nuclear program capabilities – having control over Strait of Hormuz – as their non-negotiable positions.
Aldi eliminating 44 additional ingredients from its private-label products—including select artificial preservatives, colors, flavors, and sweeteners—expanding its list from 13 to 57.
Julian Assange in an interview says the reason he has never released “dirt” on President Trump is “There is no dirt to release on Donald Trump.” He is probably the most squeaky clean individual in Washington.
1st Lady Melania Trump on Jimmy Kimmel’s hateful speech and the responsibility of ABC to rein in the spreading of this hate speech, especially in light of the Correspondents dinner event.
Federal officials relooking at high profile public events involving the President and other cabinet level officials
Nathan Chasing Horse, actor, sentenced to life for sexual assault of Indigenous girls and women
SCOTUS looking at multiple cases regarding RoundUp
North Dakota lawmaker Rep. Liz Conmy killed in plane crash
2,600 steak and lobster meals from Correspondents Dinner frozen and donated to women’s shelters for abused women and children
On May 1st, L.L. Bean went “off the grid”, wiping their social media clean for a day – encouraging other businesses to do this
Weather official says of hurricane season, “Southern New England, including Providence, is also significantly overdue…the typical return interval is about 17 to 20 years, but the last direct hurricane landfall there was Hurricane Bob in 1991. That is more than three decades ago.”
Former FBI chief James Comey indicted for beach sign indicating death to the President
Some want to rename ICE – to – NICE
UAE leaves OPEC
Melania Trump’s gown at the white tie dinner for K/Q of England was a Dior Haute Couture
King Charles gave Pres. Trump a gold bell from the HMS Trump, from the 4th Submarine Squadron in Australia that played a critical role during the war in the Pacific
Ex-NBA player, Damon Jones, pleads guilty to gambling, betting on sports – first to do so
Soldier who was part of capturing Venezuela’s Mondura bet on Polymarket that he would be captured – and won $400K
Commemorative passports will be issued with President Trump’s image and signature for the 250th
Chromebooks, which came into use during COVID in schools, may be going away in favor of traditional devices/paper and pencils
A ChatBot called “Talking Buddy” checks on seniors who have not been active on their cell phones in a period of time – has been credited with saving lives as it dispatches medical aid
Georgetown will have several commencement speakers – Tom Brady and John Kerry are two
Bluepoint Wind and Golden State Wind will give up their turbine leases and be reimbursed for them, and reinvest in fossil fuels
FBI released analysis of Brown shooter – showing that he had planned his actions over several years
Penn State will shutter approximately 50 of its programs
NYC Mayor Mamdani has declared a budget crisis saying after 4 mos in office “we cannot close this deficit with savings alone”, calling upon state of NY to “reset” the city with funds
A new beehive is at the White House – and it is a replica of the White House – producing honey which is being bottled
Steak ‘N Shake “Chief MAHA Officer” says the chain will switch to grass fed and finished beef starting June 1 – also going seed oil free – nationwide
ABC studios around US are removing Jimmy Fallon promos, per “Cuomo”
President Trump says he will be declassifying and releasing UFO files IMMINENTLY
Fox News Media VP, Jason Hermes terminated for overheard comments about budgeting
LIV Golf has funding cut off by Saudi Arabia – founded to compete with PGA – some feel it is doubtful they can hold onto their golfers – PGA is making it difficult to return. Or – LIV could merge with PGA.
Maryland’s plan to rebuild the Key Bridge hit a major setback as key construction contract canceled after proposals “far exceeded” state estimates.
US House passes Fetterman bill that would allow SNAP to cover hot rotisserie chicken
Chicago public schools transported students to anti-Trump rally on May Day – in Chicago 40% of students are chronically absent
Pres. signed an EO establishing retirement accounts with matches for people who work for companies that do not have retirement plans
House passed a bipartisan agreement to fund the Department of Homeland Security, excluding ICE and Border Patrol, to end the months-long shutdown of the Department.
Dr. Nicole Saphier nominated for Surgeon General of the United States, replacing former nominee, Dr. Casey Means. Saphier is Director of Breast Imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth – public health expert.
Social Security will raise the full retirement age to 67 for everyone born after 1960.
US will remove all tariffs on whiskey (after King’s visit)
Medicare as of 1/27 will cover weight loss drugs at a cap of $50/mo, per Pres. announcement
Pope Leo appoints 3 Bishops – 2 in Washington state and 1 in Virginia who are openly anti-Trump in their actions and writings
Spirit Airlines has shut down its operations “permanently“. 15,000 people without jobs. Numerous passengers stranded. All flights canceled. Customer service systems offline. Website changed to SpiritRestructuring from SpiritAir
Camp Mystic will not open this year – camp where several young girls were killed in sudden river floods
___
PASSINGS
Liz Bonis, 57, national syndicated health reporter, of colon cancer
Dylan Carter, 24, “The Voice” star – of car accident in South Carolina.
David Allan Coe, 86, country singer-songwriter who wrote the working-class anthem “Take This Job and Shove It″
Mariclare Costello, 90, actress best known for The Waltons
Nedra Talley Ross, 80, last surviving Ronette