This Just In: 'Energized' RI GOP, and a truly last-minute candidate

Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal, and can you believe the year is almost halfway over? (Some people think that'll happen at the end of the day today, but the math says it's really at noon Saturday.) Today is June 30; on this date in 1987, Rhode Island adopted the quahog as the official state shell.

It's been a long time since anyone would use the word "energized" to describe the Rhode Island Republican Party. But it seemed to fit last night, as party members gathered at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet to dole out primary endorsements. The hardest part of that job was done for them ahead of time, when Robert Lancia dropped out of the race for the 2nd Congressional District, clearing the way for former Cranston Mayor Allan Fung, who appears to have a realistic shot at turning the district red. Fung and the GOP candidate for governor, Ashley Kalus, projected confidence last night, while declining to wade into controversial topics. (By contrast, Allen Waters, the longshot candidate for the 1st Congressional District, dove right in.) And in what might be a measure of grassroots enthusiasm, more than 80 Republican candidates – one of the highest totals in recent memory – have declared their intent to run for the General Assembly.

While the road to the November general election ballot is clear for Fung, the Democrats vying for the 2nd Congressional District seat remain a crowded bunch. But state Treasurer Seth Magaziner received a significant boost today with the endorsement of the outgoing incumbent, Rep. Jim Langevin. None of Magaziner's party rivals, however, seemed to agree with Langevin's suggestion that they pull out of the fight.

At 2:30 yesterday afternoon, former state police Maj. and North Providence Police Chief David Tikoian was not thinking about running for office. About an hour later, he had filed the paperwork to do just that.

The Rhode Island Department of Health reported no coronavirus-related deaths and 398 additional cases of COVID-19, along with 3,663 negative tests, for a 9.8% positive rate. There were 54 COVID-positive patients in Rhode Island hospitals at last count, down from 63 reported yesterday, with fewer than five in intensive care. Rhode Island has reported an average of 276 new cases a day over the last seven days, up 4% from a week ago and down 12% from two weeks ago.

As I pointed out in yesterday's newsletter, COVID cases appear to be trending up again in Rhode Island, but the last remaining state-run testing sites will close at the end of the day. A Health Department spokesman says it's another example of the state moving toward managing COVID as an endemic disease.

Nearly 4,000 heart transplants were performed in the United States last year, a record. But for the 3,502 people on the waiting list, it was a year of disappointment. One of them is Thomas Hardiman of Foster, who can only wait and hope for a lifesaving transplant.

The state police chiefs' association has released a checklist of recommendations to help schools protect themselves from a potential active shooter situation.

Three men have pleaded guilty and been sentenced to prison in connection with a shooting last year in Washington Park that sent eight people to hospitals.

Mark Patinkin has the story of how a Providence police officer's quiet act of kindness was recently captured on Facebook.

Last year Ben Tuff swam 19 miles from Block Island to Jamestown, to raise money for cancer. Turns out that was just a warmup.

Today is the third picture-perfect day in a row, but some unsettled weather is on the way for the holiday weekend. Will it interfere with fireworks displays and parades?

And finally, July is a great month to see live music. Check out Rob Duguay's list of five shows in Providence not to be missed.

Have a great night. 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: 'Energized' RI GOP, and a truly last-minute candidate