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In The News… summary for January 13, 2023
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
ADUs – Speaker Shekarchi says he will pass ADU legislation, even though Senate President Ruggerio does not support it – he will then hope to negotiate.
Rep. Joseph M. McNamara has introduced legislation that would require Warwick representation on the Rhode Island Airport Corporation Board of Directors.
7 Massachusetts communities can limit new construction permits to non-fossil-fuel construction or renovation – uses like heating and cooling. They are: Aquinnha, Brookline, Cambridge, Concord, Lincoln, and Lexington. Arlington and Newton have conditional acceptance.
CT teacher suing the school system for being “shamed” during a required “Privilege Training”. Teacher claimed he was “white-shamed”.
Bristol Town Beach will complete a “performance stage” to be open this summer on the beach
TF Green Airport will build a sound wall to protect its neighbors from increased sound
Wes’ Rib House reopens
Clean Ocean Access, a nonprofit organization whose goal is to create a clean, healthy and accessible ocean for everyone, has decided to dissolve the organization on its 10th anniversary due to a lack of necessary infrastructure to continue serving the community.
MA Gov proposes cutting $375M from state budget as tax income falls short of projections. Nonprofit groups and city/town proposals are being targeted for elimination or cutting by as much as half.
Anti-Israel group held a die-in at Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse’s Providence office
Topher Hamblett appointed Executive Director of Save The Bay
WEEI & Audacy declare bankruptcy
City of Providence has appointed John Arzoomanian as Director of Public Property
U.S. SBA Business Recovery Center will stay open in East Providence through at least January 26, 2024. The extension will allow businesses impacted by the Washington Bridge construction additional time to take advantage of the low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans and receive support throughout their application
RI Judge Melissa DuBose recommended for federal judgeship – she would be first LGBTQ woman of color in that position
RI State Ethics Commission dismissed any claims against Speaker Shekarchi
January 18-22, hearings will be held in Boston court for the clients of the prostitution ring “owners” arrested in Cambridge weeks ago. While names will not be published, unless individuals are said to have enough evidence against them to prosecute, the hearings will be open to the public.
Doctors at Salem Hospital will form a union
URI announced that RI elected officials and candidates running for office are no longer eligible to receive honorary degrees under a policy change recently approved by the university’s Board of Trustees.
MA illegals can be eligible for state financial aid, by going to a special website because you must be a US citizen to file a FAFSA form.
RI Dept. of Education says they are bracing for cuts across the board now that COVID dollars are over.
RIDE has a hiring freeze in place, just months after a major recruitment drive
Route 146 will have some lane closures on Saturday night
RIDOT says Route 195 bridge reconstruction may take more than 3 months
$200K given by Sen. Jack Reed through the federal govt for swim lessons for black, brown and low income children at the Y in Providence, through Stages of Freedom
J. R. Vinagro Corp has purchased the Cardi Corporation
3 buildings at Newport’s beach will need to be demolished, saved or rebuilt
Full report on the bad conditions at St. Mary’s Home for Children now posted on the Office of Child Advocate
Jerod Mayo named as Coach of the New England Patriots, as Bill Belichick leaves – he is a former player and linebackers coach – first black coach in Patriots history
Pallet Shelter Community is planned for a small plot of land off Victor St., in Providence, to house approximately 45 people – it will be run by House of Hope and is budgeted for $3.3 million
State of Maine building apartment buildings for migrants with 2-year free rent.
Friday night, Johnston ordered the evacuation of 8 homes in the flood zone because officials will no longer be able to reach them – the mayor is working on a federal buyout of their homes and then to turn the area into wetlands.
Jhamal Gonsalves’ family received an $11 Million settlement from the city of Providence – he is the young moped driver who crashed into a wall during a slow police chase – he will probably not walk again.
Affordable housing unit approved for Central Falls – over 55 units expected
Governor’s State of the State set for Tues, January 16th
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NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
BlackRock plans to lay off 600 employees – about 3 percent of global workforce
St. Croix Avis, 180 year old newspaper in St. Croix closes due to competition from digital media
As mortgage rates fall, construction of single family homes increases
Starbucks says it will double number of stores in India
Nigel Lythgoe stepping down as a judge on “So You Think You Can Dance” following the filing of two sexual assault lawsuits on top of Paula Abdul’s.
Defense Sect Lloyd Austin was in the ICU for days with no notice to the president, or his superiors or staff for days.This follows hospitalization Jan. 1st after a recent elective medical procedure/surgery.
Tiger Woods splits with Nike after 27 years
Sara Sidner, CNN reporter, reveals she has stage 3 breast cancer – is in chemo treatment and will then have radiation and a double mastectomy.
A Portland, OR teacher found the window that blew off an Alaskan plane – the NTSB will now investigate as all planes of this design – Max 9 Jets – are grounded.
Early reports that United Airlines has found at least 5 plug doors with loose bolts during the inspection of a Boeing 737 Max 9 plane
South Korea bans eating of dog meat.
Oscar Mayer is hiring full time for Weiner-mobile drivers
An Ecuador television station was overrun by militants during a live broadcast – after some time police broke in and arrested them
Bullfighting returns to Mexico City after a ban since 2022
Moonshots from NASA are delayed for at least 2 more years due to safety concerns
Chris Christie suspends his campaign – leaves scathing message of non-support for Donald Trump
Pete Carroll out as coach of Seattle Seahawks
Hunter Biden made a surprise appearance at the Congressional Oversight Committee, complete with camera crews (he is filming a documentary), and then stormed out again
15 states have decided not to accept SNAP during the summer months – impacting 8 million children – only Vermont is included in the 15 in the New England area
Portugal is grappling with a housing crisis so severe that young people are being forced out of the country. With some of the lowest salaries yet highest rent and house prices in the European Union, Portuguese youth are also seen to be quitting school and working full time to enable a roof over their head.
eBay will pay a $3 million fine to resolve criminal charges over a harassment campaign waged by employees who sent live spiders, cockroaches and other disturbing items to the home of a Natick, Massachusetts couple.
The tunnel system discovered in the Hasidic NY community have destabilized the buildings’ structure and now evacuations are being enforced.
After over 150 attacks on US ships and other countries’ vessels trying to maneuver in the middle east, the UK, US, and 4 or 5 other countries attacked the Houthis in Yemen – Yemen vows its revenge
3/4 of the United States under serious winter storm and cold warnings this weekend
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PASSINGS
Adan Canto, 42, actor, of cancer
Cindy Morgan, 69, actor, known for her role in Caddyshack
James Sunshine, 99, long time writer, editor, Providence Journal
Margaret E. Tormey, 77, long time advocate on behalf of developmentally disabled children, and other special needs