In the news… update for Oct. 15, 2022

RHODE ISLAND & NEARBY

On the former I-195 land, a 212,000 square foot, 7-story building will house a new public health lab for the State of Rhode Island.

The new Woonsocket Education Center opens – CVS Health, CCRI, RIC and New England Tech are all holding classes at new center

Unexpected death of a teacher at Sowams School in Barrington

4 URI students were arrested after a ruckus party of 400 was held

Citizens Bank says it will no longer assess nonsufficient funds fees (NSF)

Gov. McKee underwent a medical procedure for a urinary problem and is reported to be doing well, resuming activities on Tuesday

Dr. Michael Wagner of Tufts Medical Center in Boston will take over as Care New England’s new president and CEO in December

BankRI headquarters will move out of the Turks Head building and build a building off Wickenden Street, in I-195 land designed for “meds and eds” – downtown developers upset to have another major building with a major vacancy.

In Boston, The Roadway hotel has been purchased and turned into affordable housing where people pay 30% of their income.

In Dorchester, the Pine Street Inn purchased the Dorchester Comfort Inn for 100 permanent “supportive units”.

In Worcester, the “Roundhouse and the Envision Hotel in Jamaica Plan were used to place Mass & Cass homeless. Hotels are also being used in western and central MA.

In RI, Josh Saal, housing czar has said that no plans are being discussed to use the NYLO hotel this year.

The Prudential Center observatory will open again in 2023.

RI license plants won’t be released now until at least June of 2024

Newport County has moved into a moderate risk category for COVID – the rest of RI is LOW risk.

Maura Healey said if elected governor she would pardon state convictions for marijuana possession, following Pres. Biden’s action.

The Goat Islander in Newport was bought by the Davidson Hospitality Group and will change its name to the Newport Harbor Island Resort.

Prov. City Council member Goncalves wants to eliminate national background checks for local college students who volunteer in Providence schools

Providence Place Mall seeks to change its tax plan as it struggles financially

Providence Newport Ferry has ended for the season.

The Seekonk Showcase will be converted to condos with 240 units and 60 affordable units. 

Todd Martin, CEO of Newport Tennis Hall of Fame is retiring

Brett Smiley, mayor-elect of Providence has assembled a transition committee – https://smileytransition.com/

Brown endowment falls to $6.5 billion after -4.6% return on investment

Governor McKee announced a request for proposals for the offshore wind procurement has been released by the State’s primary utility company, Rhode Island Energy, for up to 1,000 megawatts of new offshore wind capacity. 

The result of 4 investigations in Providence had authorities arrest several individuals 12 kilograms of “purple” fentanyl, 2 kilograms of cocaine, $230K, 2 cars and 6 guns. Police note that deals are now dying fentanyl purple and other colors to mark their “brand”.

The RI Supreme Court has denied Champlin Marina’s efforts to expand.

Environmental groups in Boston want Harvard’s boat dock to the Charles open to the public.

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NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

Social Security Raise will be 8.7%

Student loan debt relief website is open in BETA form and applications can begin now

Australia is experiencing disasterous flooding.

COVID has increased 5-fold in the UK

Planned Parenthood and a physician with a mobile vasectomy clinic will do sixty vasectomies over three days in and outside Planned Parenthood clinics in St. Louis, Springfield and Joplin to uninsured patients during the first week of November amid what the clinics say is a surge in demand for the procedure. This program is designed to expand in other locations.

Immigrants on the Cape after being in Martha’s Vineyard have left for locations not known

Blake Shelton will leave The Voice as a judge.

NYC Mayor declared state of emergency over illegal immigrants coming into the city

A National Guardsman took his own life at the Mexican border

$1.27M is the fine given to Kim Kardashian for not claiming income she was paid to promote crypto business on her Instagram account

Peloton signed an agreement with the 5,400 Hilton Hotel chain to provide equipment

There are now more EV stations than gas stations in the US

China has blocked Google translate

France, to “save energy” will lower thermostats, work from home, and each night the Eiffel Tower were go darker earlier

Dennis Eckersley retired

Uvalde has suspended its entire police department

A rare, pink diamond sold in Hong Kong for $49.9 million

GoodWill, a 120-year-old nonprofit organization launched GoodwillFinds, a newly incorporated shopping venture that is selling 100,000 donated items online and expanding Goodwill’s internet presence

BQ1 COVID variant is on an uptick in US – with New Jersey & Pennsylvania more impacted as well as nursing home infections.

National Gallery in London experienced vandalism of the Van Gosh “Sunflowers” painting when climate change activists defaced it by tossing soup on the painting and then gluing themselves to the walls.

Pres. Biden made a video birthday greeting to – Joy Behar – on her 80^th birthday saying she was “warm and humorous”

Kroger has merged with Albertson’s and also owns Shaws and Stop & Shop – a mega grocery  store group

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PASSINGS

Robbie Coltrane, an actor in Harry Potter

Chris DiPaola, 49, of WBLQ Radio in RI, died suddenly

Angela Lansbury, 96

Loretta Lynn, 90,

Bernard McGuirk, 64, national radio talk show host