This Just In: 250 years since the Gaspee sunk, and 100 since the Biltmore opened
Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal, and the weather doesn't get too much closer to perfection than what we have today. PVDFest starts in less than two hours. And here's more good news, if you want to see low gas prices, I can help you with that. Just check out this photo gallery!
On this date 250 years ago, what had already been a lousy night for William Dudingston turned into an even worse morning. "Piratical rascals" fresh from a Providence tavern descended upon the customs ship that he had already run aground off Warwick, and burned the vessel to the water line, with one of the brutes shooting him for good measure. Tomorrow morning, Rhode Islanders be commemorating Dudingston's misfortune as they do every year with a parade and a road race in Pawtuxet Village. But how much do you know about what really happened to the HMS Gaspee? If you read this excellent story by Paul Edward Parker, you'll be able to impress all your friends.
While we celebrate the demise of the Gaspee, we're also celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of the Biltmore hotel in downtown Providence – now officially known as the Graduate. The grand old hotel not only has a lot of history, it figures in a lot of ghost stories, which Amy Russo investigates in her latest column.
It's going to be a raucous evening at the State House, as the full House of Representatives votes on three gun-control bills over the vocal opposition of pro-gun Rhode Islanders. And there may well be drama. Already, supporters of a proposed ban on high-capacity magazines are warning of an eleventh-hour effort to weaken the bill.
The Celtics were not on last night, which means most of you were probably sleeping when the House Finance Committee approved its budget for the fiscal year that begins in less than a month. Patrick Anderson has the highlights of the $13.6-billion plan.
While debates over guns and the budget will always generate disagreements, there was nothing but praise last night when the Senate Judiciary Committee held a confirmation hearing for state police Col. Darnell Weaver, who is nominated to head the state Department of Public Safety.
The Rhode Island Department of Health reported six coronavirus-related deaths and 414 additional cases of COVID-19, along with 5,188 negative tests, for a 7.4% positive rate. There were 86 COVID-positive patients in Rhode Island hospitals at last count, down from 88 reported yesterday, with five in intensive care. Rhode Island has reported an average of 373 new cases a day over the last seven days, down 21% from a week ago and down 38% from two weeks ago.
While COVID cases, positivity rates and hospitalizations have been dropping in Rhode Island for the past couple weeks, two new, highly contagious subvariants of the virus are becoming more prevalent in our region. Health-care reporter G. Wayne Miller tells you what you need to know about BA.4 and BA.5.
Residents of Bonnet Shores in Narragansett proclaimed victory after a judge ruled on their lawsuit against the local Fire District in a voting-rights case, but the sides can't agree on what that ruling really means.
This week's Walking RI destination is on the Coventry-Scituate line, and John Kostrzewa reports that it will give you plenty to think about.
You had to go to London for the queen's Platinum Jubilee, but Ringo Starr is in Providence this weekend, and that's as close to royalty as you get around here. (We did burn the Gaspee after all.)
Tonight is Game 4 of the NBA Finals, as the Celtics look to take a commanding three games to one lead. The Warriors, though, can look to the not-too-far-off history for proof that they can bounce back from the hole they're currently in.
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: 250 years since the Gaspee sunk, and 100 since the Biltmore opened
