In the news… summary for Aug. 12, 2023

RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY

Shake Shack has opened in Garden City, Cranston

Gina Raimondo’s official portrait at the RI State House will be revealed this Thursday, Aug. 17th

Two white male business owners are suing the state of Massachusetts alleging that a new grant program is not open to them, amounting to racial discrimination – the program is ony open to women and minority business owners

Nantucket most expensive beach destination in the world

RI cutting the incentives available to residents looking to buy electric bicycles or vehicles.

Cranston police officer charged with domestic assault has all charges dropped

RI Board of Elections voted to recertify every signature in Sabina Matos nomination papers.

There was an E1 tornado in Mattapoisett. 90 mph winds.

The RI based Refugee Dream Center is being investigated by the RI DOJ for financial improprieties

PVDFest grand marshalls will be Helen Baskerville-Dukes, who runs the Mount Hope Community Center and Gonzalo Cuervo, now chief of staff to state Treasurer James Diossa.

A well-known former Hope High School basketball coach, David Nyblom, has had a domestic assault charge against him dropped.

Tidewater Landing project moves forward with success in raising funds, source of funds not announced.

All Massachusetts and Maine school students will get free lunch

New baby sloth born at RWPZ

Native American Indian statues would be installed in public parks in the state, per local effort of Indigenous advocates

Suit has been filed against the Block Island Ferry, et al, in the brawl last year, by a group of passengers on the ferry

Woonsocket has installed arm rests on park benches – designed to prevent people from sleeping on them – last year a man was found frozen to death, laying on a park bench

Buses now will connect Amtrak riders with New Bedford, Worcester and Providence

RIPTA R-Line bus between South Providence and Pawtucket, set to expire Aug. 31, will be extended through the end of September.

The Rhode Island Board of Elections will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, August 15th at 9:30am to present results from review of Sabina Matos signatures in her run for CD1.  The meeting is open to the public at 2000 Plainfield Pike in Cranston and online at: https://www.youtube.com/@boardofelections9481/streams. 

CD1 candidate, Aaron Regunberg announces he is endorsed by Jane Fonda – then calls a press conference to address the reaction

“Ride Free Central Falls” pilot program with RIPTA is being extended through the end of 2023 – free rides from Central Falls when using a Wave smart card or mobile app.

Smithfield Little League going to the World Series

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NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

ZOOM requiring all employees who live within 50 miles of an office to return at least 2 days a week

Annheuser Busch (Bud Light) owner says his ancestors would roll over in their grave at the decision to promote Bud Light the way they did – believes sexuality is a private matter. Company laying off nearly 400 workers.

Putin has banned 5G Towers in Russia over their effects on human health. Already installed 5G Towers are being torn down.

Possible assassination attempt on President Zelenskyy. Suspect detained.

FBI raided the home of and killed a Utah man for threats made to kill the President

A monument is being proposed for the Grand Canyon

Tyson closing 4 processing plants

Amazon will offer schools grants to fight cyberattacks

Campbell’s is buying the Rao’s sauce/soup/food brand, owned by Sovos

Protera, electric bus company, is going bankrupt – the US Energy Sect. has major holdings in the company. 

Anheuser-Busch will sell 8 of their beer brands Shock Top, Square Mile Cider Company, Blue Point Brewing Company, Breckenridge Brewery, 10 Barrel Brewing Company, Widmer Brothers Brewing, Redhook Brewery and Hiball Energy. The brands will be sold to Canadian company, Tilray for $85M.

Robert DeNiro’s grandson’s cause of death confirmed as overdose of opioids, fentanyl

Haiti releases American nurse and child that had been taken

Howard Univ. president, Phylicia Rashad will leave that position

US to send $200M more to Ukraine

53+ died in Maui fires – buildings, boats, infrastructure, burned to the ground

SCOTUS blocks Sackler family from bankruptcy that would have protected family members

Virgin Galactic Air takes its first “tourists” to the edge of space

Big fashion acquisitions continue as Tapestry, the parent company of Coach, is buying the owner of fashion brands including Michael Kors, Versace and Jimmy Choo, Capri Holdings.

Sam Bankman-Fried’s bail revoked and he was arrested Friday, after finding probable cause that the indicted founder of the bankrupt FTX cryptocurrency exchange tampered with witnesses at least twice.

USDOJ appoints David Weiss as special counsel in Hunter Biden case – Weiss has been involved in the case and held responsible by many for letting the statute of limitations run out on several charges.

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PASSINGS

John Barrett, 66, celebrity hairstylist

William Friedkin, 87, Movie Director

Brien Hien, owner of The Living Room, Providence, for many years

John Holmes, Jr., 74, former head of the RIGOP