In the news….summary on January 15, 2023

RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY

Masking is now mandatory in some areas and recommended in others at Rhode Island College as they return to school – as Providence, Kent, and Newport County are now at high risk.

The Rhode Island Political Cooperative announced that Matthew A. Brown stepped down as co-chair and board member as of Dec. 31. His departure leaves the two other co-chairs, Jeanine Calkin and Jennifer Rourke

A CODAC mobile van treating drug users has been told to leave the parking lot in Woonsocket where it has extended its stay – they are looking for a new place to relocate

Point in Time count of homeless set for Rhode Island in 2 weeks

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) announced that the Photo ID Office located inside the Kennedy Plaza Intermodal Transportation Center, will reopen on Tuesday, January 17, 2023.  The Photo ID Office, where passengers can process their reduced fare bus pass applications, will be open Monday through Friday from 8am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm.

A large cargo terminal is planned for TF Green International Airport, allowing expanded service with FedEx and UPS

Thieves are taking copper wire from RI construction sites

Fall River is recruiting young people to shovel snow this winter for those who can’t

Jan. 8-21, there are over 50 restaurants participating in RI Restaurant Week.

2 Catholic parishes will merge – Saint Madeleine Sophie Parish into Saint Catherine of Siena Parish effective January 24, 2023. They are about 5 miles about in the Tiverton area.

9 marijuana dispensaries opened in Connecticut on Jan. 10^th

Cliff Walk suffers more damage from last storm and Newport is looking at full repairs

Gary’s Handy Lunch is closing permanently in Newport

RI is issuing an RFP for a new transit center will serve as RIPTA’s central bus depot, with Kennedy Plaza serving a reduced number of routes. Initially serving three million transit users annually, and considering anticipated growth, the transit center will feature a state-of-the-art temperature-controlled passenger arrival and seating area, and amenities including multi-modal accommodations for bicyclists. RIPTA is also weighing the creation of a public meeting space with an open-air terrace, as well as other amenities to serve the community at large. In contrast to the current sprawling footprint of Kennedy Plaza, spread out across an urban park, the Transit Center will provide a single organized location. The center plans on offering affordable living as well as retail space.

Hotels and motels interested in selling their properties are welcome to call Mr. Partridge, CEO of The Warm Center in southern RI.

A new ACI may be in the plan for upcoming administration with the building well over 100 years old

The MLK bronze statue in Boston Commons was unveiled – to mixed reviews on its design

13 people in the northern RI area of Woonsocket are said to have died who were homelessness

RI State of the State will be given on Jan. 17^th

Providence Mayor Smiley seeks public’s input as a new Police Chief is recruited

Ana Walshe, of Cohasset, MA, mother of 3 under the age of 6, missing and presumed murdered by her husband, continues to be investigated and her husband is arrested

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NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

Pres. Biden made his first visit to the border. Gov. Abbott met him there and gave him a letter with 5 “demands” to fix immigration in his state. During his visit he did not meet with migrants or view the areas where they are coming into the US.

More homeless villages are being banned and removed in cities across the US

COVID treatments: Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir was first recommended by WHO in April 2022. WHO strongly recommends its use in mild or moderate COVID-19 patients who are at high-risk of hospitalization. WHO also reviewed the evidence on two other medicines, sotrovimab and casirivimab-imdevimab, and maintains strong recommendations against their use for treating COVID-19. These monoclonal antibody medicines lack or have diminished activity against the current circulating virus variants. There are currently 6 proven treatment options for patients with COVID-19, three that prevent hospitalization in high-risk persons and three that save lives in those with severe or critical disease. Except for corticosteroids, access to other drugs remains unsatisfactory globally.

Disney has ordered its employees back to the office at least 4 days a week

Goldman Sachs to lay off 3m200 employees

YETI Airlines crashed in Nepal, killing at least 35 yesterday, with over 70 onboard

Classified documents were found in 2-3 of President Biden’s private offices and garage and turned over to the Archives. A special prosecutor was appointed and an investigation is underway.

More classified documents were found in Pres. Biden’s residence on Thursday, as announced on Saturday.

Univ. of So. California removed the word “field” from its wording citing racial connotations

Banning the use of the word “Latinx” in Arkansas government was an initiative of new Gov. Huckabee Sanders

California braces for treacherous weather – a “parade of cyclones”, floods, sinkholes and mudslides – there is concern about infrastructure underground such as their internet connections

90% of people in China’s Henan province infected with COVID-19: Official https://cna.asia/3Gsyfu5

GOP creates a House panel to probe the DOJ and other federal agencies

Even though COVID risk has been rising, the post-holiday bump of COVID, flu, and RSV did not happen.

England is going to ban single-use plastic “serving ware” and plates, cups and containers, even though use of cardboard has “forever toxins” in it – and it’s questionable if it will make a difference

Zelenskyy wants to address the UN

Damar Hamlin, who suffered a sudden cardiac arrest on the Football field will use his GoFundMe to help children – with an original goal of $2,000 it is now at over $8 million.

A nationwide shutdown of the airline system for several hours impacted over 10,000 flights as the FAA reported a Notice to Air Mission software – and its backup system – now being blamed on a “corrupted file”. At this time, they say there was no cyberattack, but it was one worker’s error.

Pentagon has done away with mandatory Covid vaccinations, though still recommends them

Universal will open a theme park in a suburb of Dallas, Texas for children.

Jamie Lee Curtis had to bow out of some awards ceremonies due to having COVID

Unpaid student lunch debt is swamping school budgets around the country

Nurses strike in NY over

CPSC now says it won’t ban gas stoves but may restrict emissions

Bed Bath & Beyond set to close 60+ stores on top of 50+ already closed – including one in nearby Seekonk

More earthquakes – at least 45 – kill 6 and cause devastation in Alabama and southeast

One person in Maine won the over $1.35 billion Lottery prize – in Maine they do not have to disclose winners – ticket was sold in Lebanon, ME

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PASSINGS

Russell Banks, 82, author

Jeff Beck, 78, rock star

Diamond, 51, (Lynette Hardaway) of Diamond & Silk

James Hagen, 85, president of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce for over 20 years

Joe Hardy, 100, founder of 84 Lumber on his birthday

Robbie Knievel, 60, son of legendary stuntman Evel Knievel, of pancreatic cancer

Leila Mahoney, 81, RI GOP leader

Lisa Marie Pressley, 51, of a heart attack

Adam Rich, best known for his role as Nicholas Bradford on the popular TV series Eight Is Enough, died at age 54

Father Raymond Tetrault, 88, activist priest known for conducting the mass in Spanish