This Just In: Our 22 to watch in 2022
Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal. It's Dec. 16, and I'm working outdoors, in Rhode Island. Quite the times we're living in.
We're now two weeks away from the end of 2021, so rather than look back (this year wasn't as good as we may have hoped anyway), we at The Journal are looking forward, to some people who we think might make news in 2022. For symmetry's sake, we picked 22 of them. They include artists, athletes, scientists, activists, and more. We hope you enjoy reading about our 22 to watch in 2022.
The Rhode Island Department of Health reported seven more coronavirus-related deaths and 1,197 additional cases of COVID-19, along with 17,673 negative tests, for a 6.3% positive rate. There were 252 COVID-positive patients in Rhode Island hospitals at last count, down from 261 reported yesterday, with 38 in intensive care. Rhode Island has reported an average of 1,068 new cases a day over the last seven days, up 17% from a week ago.
Gov. Dan McKee's mask mandate goes into effect in Rhode Island on Monday, but there remain unanswered questions, including: what penalties might there be for businesses that do not enforce the rules?
A week ago, Jim Hummel revealed how hundreds of drivers had been improperly charged for driving through the gantries that are supposed to only toll tractor-trailers. Now, several drivers say getting refunds has proved to be more of a headache than it's worth, and they question why the state did not publicize the issue when it had known about it for months.
In response to a public-records request from The Journal, the Coventry police released their report on a crash involving the state's nonemergency medical transportation service, which resulted in the death of a 77-year-old dialysis patient. The report states that the woman who died was not belted into her wheelchair when the van she was riding in crossed into the opposite lane and struck a second vehicle head-on. The driver, Dauda Elegushi, who was driving for a subcontractor of Medical Transportation Management, is facing multiple charges including DUI.
Police departments across Rhode Island, and the nation, increased security at schools today in response to a rash of vague threats that have been circulating on social media.
A plan to convert a lot with a vacant building, which was the site of a homicide in 2020, into an upscale five-story apartment building has provided divisive in the Wanskuck neighborhood of Providence.
Usually our Sunday paper has one hiking column, Walking RI by John Kostrzewa. This week's is a great one, where John retraces the steps of Henry David Thoreau from the philosopher's only visit to Providence, in 1854. This week we also have a second hiking feature – actually it's Amy Russo's latest New to RI column, and instead of following in the footsteps of Thoreau, she followed in the hoof prints of a goat.
Rob Duguay has his picks for five great albums by local acts from the past year.
Finally, tomorrow is a huge sports day around these parts:
-Providence College opens its Big East season by traveling just across the border to take on nationally ranked UConn – and a certain former URI coach – at 5 p.m. A win might just get the Friars into the Top 25.
-That ought to end in plenty of time for the kickoff of the Patriots game at the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts are a tough opponent, and rookie star Kwity Paye, from Hendricken, has had the matchup with the Patriots circled on his calendar for a long time.
Have a great weekend. And remember, if you enjoy This Just In, please encourage a friend to sign up.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: This Just In: Our 22 to watch in 2022
