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In The News – summary for December 30, 2023
A quick summary of the week’s news – locally, regionally, nationally, internationally – and passings of note.
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
Attendance at Roman Catholic Mass is up
Catholic school enrollment is up with 30-50% non-Catholics
Healthcare workers assaulted at local hospitals – 2 at Miriam, 1 at Rhode Island Hospital
The Hobbit House at The Preserve, in Rhode Island, made USA Today’s “10 New Travel Trends…”
RIPTA’s “Ride Free Central Falls” pilot program, which has been in effect since March 2022, will end on December 31, 2023.
4 overdoses behind a Westerly bar on Saturday night – Clydesdale Bar
Dusk, on Harris Ave in Providence, to close as their building will be sold.
Henry’s Christmas Tree Farm to close after this year.
A new Boston Holocaust Museum will open on Tremont Street in 2026
Nantucket’s only car dealership, Don Allen Ford, is now part of the Penske automotive empire, being bought by summer resident & billionaire Roger Penske’s company for $12.34M in cash.
The Millrace District Development is located in Woonsocket’s National Historic Register Island Place District and community space, will be developed with approximately 70 apartments, while more than 7,000 square feet will be used for residential circulation, property management, and resident space.
Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank has closed on a $26,000,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan, with $3.9 million in principal forgiveness (e.g. a grant), to finance water main infrastructure upgrades in the City of East Providence.
Temple Beth El in Fall River is selling their building – their congregation is not large enough anymore to maintain the 95-year old building
State Rep. Bob Phillips will run for Mayor of Woonsocket
The Bristol to Providence free ferry service begun on December 21, had a one-week ridership of 1,464 passengers. The ferry SHUTTLE will not run on some days and the ferry will not run on Monday, Jan 1st – check schedule to be certain of changes.
Newport seeking police job applicants until 2/20
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NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
Kim Jong Un launching his own brand of light beer – “good for athletics”
Pres. Biden has issued a sweeping pardon to all U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents in possession of marijuana for their personal use and those convicted of similar federal crimes. It does not apply to individuals who have been jailed for selling the drug, or other marijuana offenses such as driving under the influence of an illegal substance.
Charlie Sheen was attacked in his home by a neighbor woman who lived upstairs from him in his complex
Evidence coming out that both the Army and Maine officials knew the shooter in Lewiston was dangerous
Greek tourism is offering off-hours private tours of monuments for a steep fee
First class postage will go up to 68 cents on 1/21
Ozempic maker to build mega factory in Denmark
Mark Cuban to sell majority control in the Mavericks
California offers health insurance to all undocumented immigrants, first state to do so
Two teen girls aged 14 and 16 were stabbed inside Grand Central Terminal’s dining concourse on Christmas
California’s Pizza Hut chain has eliminated all driver delivery jobs, due to the increase in minimum wage to $20/hour
California law requiring gender-neutral toy aisles goes into effect Jan. 1
New Year’s Eve record expected to exceed 4,492 in Las Vegas for weddings because of the date – 123, 123 – or 12/31/23
Iran is known to be doubling its uranium supply
Massive caravan heading to the Mexican/US border (35K crossed over Christmas weekend) – court dates are being given out for 7-8 years away
Several high profile people have been victims of “swatting” – from celebrities to politicians – swatting is when a call is made to the police that a serious crime is in process at the person’s house.
NYC passed an emergency rule requiring charter buses from the border to provide 36 hours notice of their arrival, only between certain hours, and to only drop off at a particular location they are directed to.
Michigan Supreme Court rejected an attempt to remove Donald Trump from ballot. Colorado Supreme Court did rule he could be removed – issue will now go before the nation’s Supreme Court.
Seattle cleared away its BLM garden, begun during the rioting and occupation of a part of the city – it had grown into a homeless encampment and refuge for rats and drug use and sale.
Maine Sect. of State banned Donald Trump from primary ballot – it will be challenged in court.
Journalists identify only 3.4% as Republican.
The Chinese “weather balloon” used US internet provider to communicate with Beijing while it flew over the country.
Tech giants slashing DEI programs. Already down over 45% in jobs. Academia lagging in realizing wrong way to go.
4.8 million popular BlendJets are being recalled for mechanical problems.
Xiaomi, a Chinese EV company vows to compete with Tesla
Russia hit Ukraine with the largest air attacks since war began.
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PASSINGS
Gaston Glock, 94 , inventor of the Glock firearm
Eileen Rao, co-founder of Mr. Lemon in RI
Kamar de Los Reyes, 56, of cancer – soap actor on One Life to Live, voice actor, owned video game franchise
Tommmy Smothers, 86, of the Smothers Brothers, of cancer