In the news… for the week ending May 25, 2024

RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY

ProJo reporter, Amy Russo, is leaving the paper for an “unspecified” federal job

Overdose deaths in MA fell 10% in 2023, first time in 4 years

First United Methodist Church in North Attleboro closed Sunday, ending a ministry that dates back to the 1800s.

WGBH’s General Manager, Pam Johnston announced her resignation – station also warning of possible layoffs coming

The 988 suicide prevention system says it has assisted 33,000 Rhode Island calls

The Conjuring House is hiring tour guides and caretaker

US Senior Open to be held in June at Newport Country Club

William Tsonos to serve on the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation board. He has extensive banking experience.

Breeze Airways is offering 33% discount on some flights from some cities, including RI, beginning now until October.

Dr. Jerome Larkin confirmed as Director, RI Dept. of Health

Special Olympics to open May 31 to June 2^nd at URI

Tri-County Community Action Agency will no longer be offering the WIC program after May 31^st at their site in Johnston. Other locations in RI will.

Pawtucket School Department applications for the Mayor’s Scholarship Program from June 1st to July 1st, 2024. Contact Charles Carvalho, Chief Equity Officer at [email protected] 

GBH laying off over 30 staffers and “immediately” ends TV shows Greater Boston, Talking Politics and Basic Black

Allan Waters will challenge Gabe Amo for election

Rhode Island FC team president Brett Luy has left after 18 mos and is going to work for Fortuitous Partners, company building the stadium

Michelle A. Reddish, MS, MPH appointed the first administrator of the Rhode Island Cannabis Office

CVS looking for private equity partner(s) to expand Oak Street locations

Bat tested positive for rabies found on the ground at Roger Williams Park – if you had contact with any bat contact the RI Dept. of Health

Stephanie Beauté, RI congressional candidate in 2023 granted a restraining order against Gerard Catala, president of the NAACP.

The state has plans to open the Crescent Park Beach into a swiMMAble beach in 2026

Seasonal shellfish closing in RI – see RIDEM for specifics

RI DEM providing grants to agencies to pay for swimming lessons for disadvantaged RI children

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NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

Florida will light its buildings red, white & blue for Pride Month

Norfolk, MA will house hundreds of immigrants at the old Norfolk Prison, with full complement of staff, with children in local schools, etc.

Sean “Diddy” Combs video surface of him beating and dragging his girlfriend years ago in a hotel. Statute of limitations has expired for prosecution on this charge, yet the video can be used in any other charges from women brought forward. Combs settled with his girlfriend over the assault.

Hundreds of thousands in Texas began the week without power after severe storms, as very hot weather was also expected

Alice Stewart, of CNN, found dead outside her apartment

One of the Boeing whistleblowers, most recent to die, of 3, died of suicide

Paris has issued a stamp commemorating the baguette – it has a bakery scent when scratched

Congo coup defeated – live streamed on Facebook – 3 Americans were involved

Cargo ship in Baltimore freed and being towed away

Head of FDIC to step down, amidst 500+ harassment complaints – new leader to be appointed

Target says they will slash prices on thousands of items

AstraZeneca building plant in Singapore

Dell will produce computers with AI, that will be able to read History of our activities

Rudy Giuliani selling his own brand of coffee

Klaus Schwab will be stepping down as executive chairman of the World Economic Forum.

Norway, Spain & Ireland vote to recognize Palestine “because we believe in freedom and justice”, noting Palestine is not Hamas and reinforcing a 2-state solution is the only path to peace

US will release 1 million gallons of oil from Northeast reserves – to bring prices down

Pixar lays off 14% of its workforce, approx.175 people

Cracker Barrel says it will redo some of its offerings and image. saying it is “not as relevant” as it can be in its current form

European Space Agency plans nuclear-powered Martian rover that uses radioactive americium to stay warm

The daughter and son-in-law of Missouri Rep. Ben Baker, Natalie Lloyd, and her husband Davy, were attacked by gangs and killed while serving as missionaries in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

5 Americans have been arrested in Turks and Caicos and the US govt is working to have them released

There are now more marijuana users daily than alcohol users

Harvard will not allow 12 seniors to graduate due to their protest behavior

Bruxism, a medical condition where a person grinds, clenches, or gnashes their teeth together, affects about 33% of the US population.

Bark Air launched its first flight out of NYC – for dogs and Pets

Pres. Biden says he does not believe in unilateral recognition of Palestine

Nikki Haley says she will vote for Donald Trump in 2024 presidential race

9 female athletes got their own Barbie dolls

Justice Department sues Ticketmaster and owner Live Nation, alleging an illegal monopoly over live events in the U.S.

Pres. Trump held a rally in notoriously blue Bronx, appealing to minorities, and nearly 100K attended

Hurricane Season forecast is a serious, active one, with 4-7 serious hurricanes predicted for southern and lower southern coastal states

Legal Sea Foods offering a free bowl of chowder for active or retired military this weekend

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PASSINGS

Ivan Boesky, 87, stock trader convicted in trading scandal

Charlie Colin, 58, founding member of Train Band

Stanley Goldstein, 89, founder of CVS

Bruce Nordstrom, 90, founder of Nordstrom’s

Ebrahim Raisi, 63, president of Iran

Morgan Spurlock, 53, actor known for “Super Size Me”, complications of cancer

Alice Stewart, 58, of CNN commentator, due to a “medical emergency”