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In the News… quick recap of news of the week ending May 8, 2026
A quick summary of news in Rhode Island, regionally, national and international – and passings of note.
RHODE ISLAND & REGION
Proclamation Ale Company in Warwick to close
Brown University Health must turn over patient and administrative records related to gender-affirming care for minors to the U.S. Department of Justice, a federal judge ruled.
The RI State Police will offer physical fitness training for those interested in a job in law enforcement, once a week, starting May 9th through July.
2 RI National Guard units have been “readied” for active service – one, with less than 20 members may be deployed to Middle East area – approximately 130 to Africa
Retired R.I. State Police Major Kenneth Buonaiuto appointed by the Bishop to lead Diocese of Providence Safe Environments Program
Holy Apostles Church in western Cranston had 435 new families join and 196 people baptized over the past three years.
B101 will carry Red Sox games
Route 10 has reopened with repairs in place
Media reports that RIDOT has been asked by federal authorities for all documents related to the dismantling and disposal of concrete, etc. on the Washington Bridge
Hampshire College announces a 2 week plan to bail out the college by raising $10M
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont just signed a bill into law that bans ICE from wearing masks – which will not be enforceable
Smith College investigated by feds after admitting transgender students to female dorms and sports teams
Barge carrying wooden beams half-sinks off Bonnet Shores – rescued though some beams have to be recovered
The Insurance Division at the Department of Business Regulation announces the approval of a 2.5% average reduction in overall workers’ compensation loss costs—a change that could lower insurance premiums for businesses across Rhode Island while maintaining strong protections for workers.
3 RI breweries were closed recently – Proclamation Ale in W. Kingstown ,Ravenous Brewing in Providence and Crafted Hope in EG
Cranston School janitor at Garden City School found passed out with drug issues, fentanyl and cocaine found on him – 2nd janitor at that school arrested under similar conditions
Massachusetts state trooper hit by a wrong way driver in Lynnfield has died
Massachusetts bill says homeowners aged 60+ can “work off” $2,000 of their property tax bill by working up to 133.5 volunteer hours
800,000 gallons of untreated sewage sludge into the Narragansett Bay – people being warned not to go near it – said to be from a broken pipe
Historic Milk Can real estate in Smithfield up for sale for $7.5M
21 or older after 8pm at the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament in Fall River
Speaker of the House Shekarchi resigning – will seek Supreme Court position – Rep. Christopher Blazejewski, House majority leader voted in unanimously as Speaker – Dean of RWU law school has filed a complaint with the RI Ethics Commission questioning going from the Speaker position direct to the court
Aspen Aerogels is on track to restart operations at its East Providence facility as soon as May 12, more than a month after an April 8 explosion
Staff members at Ocean State Media are seeking to unionize
Haley Gervino named executive director of R.I. Coalition Against Gun Violence
CVS accepting WIC payments for baby formula
RI installing 102 new EV charging stations and more than 200 charging in Providence, Pawtucket, Barrington, Smithfield, West Greenwich, North Smithfield, North Kingstown, Woonsocket, Cranston, Johnston, East Providence, Cumberland, Middletown, Warwick, Westerly, North Scituate, Burrillville, and South Kingstown at a cost of $24M in federal/state funds
Fidelity will hold a hiring event – albeit while laying off over 1,000
Rollers Sport Bar and Grill to open on Aborn St, Providence
Kung Fu Tea on Thayer St closes suddenly
RI Rep Julia Casimiro (D) of North Kingstown will not run for re-election and says she is moving to So. Carolina
Yawgoo closes its summer water park program, directing resources to other areas – will open Dec. 2026
Hantavirus suspected person in Netherlands tests negative. 3 UK nationals test positive. Ship will anchor off the coast of the Canary Islands
Juiced Fuel, the app-based mobile fuel delivery service that brings gas directly to customers, is proud to announce its expansion into Rhode Island. With this launch, residents and businesses across the Ocean State will now be able to skip the gas station and have fuel delivered directly to their vehicles at home, work, or wherever they are parked.
US Sen. Collins long diagnosed with essential tremor and benign tumor
Groundbreaking for New Harborside Inn on Block Island
The Symphony stop on the Boston “T” will close for 3 years and repairs
Brown U Health wants ½ million from state to keep open the Newport Birthing Center
Joe Paolino, one of the new owners of Prov. Place Mall says that having people feel safe will be the key to the mall’s success – he will work to have a Providence Police substation there
City of Providence employee, Luis Luna Jr., arrested for carrying a firearm without a license
Pawtucket making progress at stadium area development – apartments, businesses, riverwalk planned
Central Falls budget and report to be delivered Monday, under the theme of “Small City, Big Projects,” at 5:30pm by Mayor Maria Rivera
Interstate All Battery Center of Warwick has opened at 1119 Post Road
Dr. Holly Hageman new Superintendent of Barrington Public Schools – came from CT
Rhode Island Black Heritage Society recognizes 50 years in RI
Track 15 in downtown Providence offering free Friay night concert series starting 5/22
Rep. Seth Magaziner announced his office has a new policy to prohibit staff including himself from participating in prediction markets or wagering related to political, legislative, regulatory, geopolitical, or other outcomes connected to information learned in an official capacity. Applies to platforms such as Polymarket and Kalshi.
New Speaker Blazejewski replaces chief of staff for the office (Ray Simone) with Chief Legal Counsel to the Majority Leader of the Rhode Island House of Representatives Danica Dayian Iacoi (per media reports)
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NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
United States may be taking control of Cuba almost immediately
On July 1, Medicare patients will be covered for weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, Zepbound, and Wegovy, for $50 a month.
BBC reports Starlinks have been smuggled into Iran to help citizens connect to the outside world – Iran charges those involved with espionage if caught
In Europe flights are merging to save jet fuel
Cherie DeVaux becomes 1st female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby
Shakira entertains 2 million in Copacabana, Rio free concert
Pope Leo is soliciting wealthy US Catholics to give to his Papal Foundation
Saudi Arabia fully restored East-West oil pipeline, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz and pumping 7,000,000 barrels per day. Saudi Arabia says it needs no more strait of Hormuz.
May 12-14 President Trump will go to China for 2 days of meetings
Rudy Giuliani in critical but stable condition in a Florida hospital with pneumonia – said to be off intubation now and moved out of ICU
Portugal enacted stricter citizenship rules as its foreign-born population reached a record 1.5 million—roughly 15% of pop.—straining housing & public services. The law extends the required residency for citizenship from 5 to 10 years for most foreigners
US orders all US citizens to leave Iraq
A plan in Utah to move 1,400 homeless to the outskirts of town and provide mandatory treatment for mental health, substance use, etc. is halted out of concern it appeared to be a detention camp
Presidential Fitness Test Awards restored by EO
The FIFA World Cup has 104 games over 39 days
UnitedHealthcare to cut prior authorization for 30% of services.
Dolly Parton recorded a video message for her fans that she is healing and has been struggling with kidney stones and perhaps some other things – canceled Vegas launch to take more time
8 people now infected with Hantavirus – 2 with the Andes strain which is person to person transmittable – patients being airlifted off to the Netherlands
Explosion in a China fireworks plant injures many, kills 26
Coinbase lays off 14% of staff, as AI changes work processes
New York lawmakers looking to ban the pizza dough additive potassium bromate, that helps dough rise and gives pizza its texture, due to health concerns. Potassium bromate is linked to risk of cancer kidney damage hearing loss, thyroid issues, gastrointestinal irritation, reproductive abnormalities, and potential neurobehavioral changes.
FBI raided office of Virginia Senate President Pro Tem L. Louise Lucas in Portsmouth, Virginia. 10 locations in area raided tied to a major “corruption “investigation, with agents executing multiple search warrants approved by a federal judge — including at Lucas’ office and a neighboring cannabis dispensary. Lucas, 82, is a close ally of Governor Abigail Spanberger
Mayor Giuilani said to be making a rapid recovery – out of ICU, recuperating in hospital
28 cruise ship crew members — some working for Disney Cruise Line — arrested in large child sexual exploitation investigation tied to cruise ships docking in San Diego. Accused of involvement in the possession, receipt, viewing, transportation, or distribution of child sexual abuse material. Visas revoked and deportations begin.
Karoline Levitt, press sect for White House, announced the birth of their baby, Viviana, or Vivi on May 1st
US to revoke passports for those who owe $100K+ in child support
Pres. Trump will deliver address at Coast Guard Academy in CT May 20th
Presidential motorcade drove on the emptied, being renovated Reflecting Pool to review the work and greet the workers, giving them a commemorative coin
Sect. of State gave the Pope a crystal football and the Pope gave Rubio a pen made out of olive wood, being a sign of peace
FIFA has noted the tripled price of best available tickets to the World Cup final, making $32,970 seats available for July 19 match at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey
CDC announces 115 people have been sickened in a norovirus outbreak aboard a Caribbean Princess cruise.
US Jobs Report: Latest report much stronger than expected, adding about 115,000 jobs in April — roughly double many economists’ forecasts of around 55-67,000 new jobs. Unemployment rate steady at 4.3%, more resilient than predicted.
Denver Airport Frontier Jet reports hitting person on runway – aborts takeoff – then suffers engine fire – no others injured
Russia and Ukraine 3 day ceasefire – 1,000 per side prisoner release
Virginia Supreme Court rules recent redistricting unconstitutional, sending other states into reconsideration
FIFA World Cup prices under more and more scrutiny as they soar. Yet – 80% of US hoteliers in 11 cup cities say bookings are tracking below expectations
Kelly Clarkson to return to The Voice
First of UFO data being released
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PASSINGS
Shelly Miles, 57, ex-wife and caretaker of Scott Adams (Dilbert) who died in January
Ted Turner, 87, Renaissance man and entrepreneur – founder of CNN – Lewy Body Dementia