In the news… update for Dec. 18, 2022

RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY

Rising to the Challenge is a program in Boston seeking to reduce homelessness for those 18-24. $5Million was invested and in 3 years the homeless numbers have fallen 44%.

In Dedham, MA, the town decided not to put up a Christmas tree at the local public library because it was “insensitive” – now residents are battling in town with trees going up on residences’ property.

Billy Joel & Stevie Nicks will perform at Gillette in 2023.

Fenway will once again host winter hockey

Turtle Health, a Boston-based startup, will do fertility testing, ultrasounds by telehealth, etc. in the home – they have a partnership with the Mayo Clinic.  https://www.turtlehealth.com/ – virtual visits are HSA/FSA eligible

Encore Casino in Boston is first facility to be granted college and professional sport betting program

Providence will add another 60 “flock cameras” to their 25 operating throughout the city

At ABC6, 3 meteorologists Tim Studebaker, Jeff Desnoyers, and Chelsea Priest have left – Kelly Bates now assumes lead meteorologist role – 2 reporters have also recently left

At WPRI, several on air anchors have recently left

$28M allocated to renovating Franklin Park in MA – expected to take years to complete

3 schools will close in Providence – Lauro, Feinstein and Gilbert Stuart with plans to build new or renovate like-new over 10 schools – teacher unions are upset at the process of how this selection happened.

RI will launch a new $1.5M electricity rate relief expected to impact 39,000+ customers

The Green Line has opened again in Boston

The Cranston Chamber of Commerce was shuttered 3 years ago – and several attempts to re-establish it have failed as well as efforts to determine what happened

A cannabis shop has closed in MA, where there are 14 retail outlets within driving distance from each other – heralding a warning to others

In January, driver’s education courses in MA will include a primer on the perils of driving under the influence of marijuana

TODAY, RI bans large-capacity gun magazines – owners are asked to turn them in, destroy them, or have them modified. While enacted, there are attempts to overturn this decision in court.

Froma Harrop, columnist, wrote about homeless and right to take people gravely in need off the streets – “homeless mentally ill people should be taken off the streets, forcibly if necessary.”

Boston will invest $9M in filling empty storefronts

Judge will not stop the mayor of NYC from picking up the homeless who are a danger to themselves or others

Mass & Cass development in Boston – stabbing involving a delivery person in the area

James Lindstrom, working with the state of RI to contact, one on one, the homeless at the RI State House and elsewhere to encourage them to accept emergency housing and come in off the streets – of the 14 he engaged with, 4 accepted shelter.

RI court upheld the eviction notice to those encamped homeless at the RI State House. By Saturday morning they had all left and clean-up crews were clearing the area and power-washing it. 7 of those left, estimated to be 10-12, accepted shelter offers from the state.

Lynn Sullivan is the new Exec. Editor of the Providence Journal – she is regional – running 4 papers and will split her time between Newport and Providence offices.

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NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

As Title 42, a pandemic immigration regulation is set to expire, thousands of immigrants are flooding across the southern border causing a humanitarian disaster in cities on the border.

San Francisco guaranteed income program for pregnant Black women to expand across California

Moderna is showing progress with its melanoma vaccine

Research is showing that lumpectomy is a viable option to full mastectomy in many cases of breast cancer.

67 journalists and/or their staff were killed in 2022 according to the Int’l Federation of Journalists

CEO of Random House stepped down over merger deal fail

In Philadelphia, courts have ordered the box covering the Columbus statue to be removed

NYC residents urged to wear masks through the holiday season due to uptake in COVID

Approx. 1,225 NYC police officers have resigned this year, before reaching five years of service, moving to smaller towns where the cost of living and housing are less

The Eggo Co. was ordered to pay an $85,000 fine for a toxic gas release from its waffle factory in San Jose

FTX founder Bankman arrested in Bahamas to be extradited to US in February.

Cost of heating estimated to be 63% higher than last year

The Gov. of Oregon commuted all 17 people on death row

Goldman Sachs planning to terminate five hundreds more employees

Weber grills will go public under the name WEBR

The Respect for Marriage Act was signed into law in DC this week

Fusion power announced this week – expected to pave the way for advancements in national defense and the future of clean power, with the possibility of providing clean energy to all within a decade

Mars Rover captured a dust devil mini tornado on the planet

New Zealand about to pass a lifetime ban on cigarettes – none can be sold to anyone born before Jan. 1, 2009

It has been 10 years since the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary in CT

United Airlines to buy 100 new planes

Taco Bell says Gen Z’ers far prefer chicken to beef

In Rome, a Christmas tree is powered by volunteers riding stationary bicycles 24/7 to draw attention to the need to control impacts on the environment

US govt has reopened covid.ri.gov again where everyone can order 4 free test packets for COVID

Washington Post announces layoffs in 2023

Twitter suspended several national journalists and others for doxxing (disclosing Elon Musk’s personal location in real time) – then he reinstated them and reinforced the rules

LA Mayor has declared a state of emergency regarding the city’s homeless population – many have criticized efforts that have happened without addressing drug addiction – one idea Mayor has is to secure a plot of land to relocate them

Joseph Kennedy III is expected to serve as Ambassador to Ireland

Sharon Osbourne was taken ill shooting a television show and taken to a hospital, but later released.

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PASSINGS

Georgia Holt, 96, Cher’s mother

Mike Leach, 63, Mississippi State football coach

Billie Moore, 79, first US Olympic Basketball Coach

Paul Silas, 79, Celtics star player/coach

Twitch, 40, of suicide, known for his role on Ellen DeGeneress Show