This Just In: Flu season off to a severe start; poll finds solid support for McKee
Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal. It's hard to believe but true: One week from today will be all turkey, all the the time. Meanwhile, I'm back to working outside today, maybe for the last time of 2021.
The Rhode Island Department of Health today reported one more coronavirus-related death and 545 additional cases of COVID-19, along with 15,930 negative tests, for a 3.3% positive rate. There were 107 COVID-positive patents in Rhode Island hospitals at last count, the same number reported yesterday, with 21 in intensive care.
Coronavirus is not the only health threat facing Rhode Islanders as we enter the cold time of year. The flu season, which never really got started last year, is off to a surprisingly severe start.
The state's unemployment rate increased unexpectedly in October, and the Department of Labor and Training said a drop in government employment was the biggest factor.
Seth Magaziner and Matt Brown both say that special-interest money should be kept out of the 2022 governor's race, but they're exchanging sharp words over the nature of the problem and how to fix it.
Meanwhile, most Rhode Islanders approve of the performance of the current governor, Dan McKee, according to a new poll. It's something that his predecessor was rarely able to say.
All former Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia wants for Christmas is to stay out of prison for another month.
Linda Borg visited Anthony Carnevale Elementary School, one of the few schools in Providence that saw improvement on the most recent round of RICAS testing, to find out what is working there.
Members of a national health-care advocacy group protested today outside CVS headquarters in Woonsocket over what they say is the drugstore chain's role in creating "pharmacy deserts." The protest happened on the same day that CVS announced plans to close 900 stores over the next three years.
The future of a regional agreement to cut emissions from cars and trucks is in doubt after Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont announced that he would not pursue it next year, leaving only Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Washington, D.C.
It's always fun when national food shows come to Rhode Island, and this week Casey Webb of "Man v. Food" was in Newport to try the "Go Bananas French Toast Challenge." On the same day, "The Drew Barrymore Show" broadcast an episode in which Rhode Island chef Roscoe Gay won first prize in a cooking challenge he didn't even realize that he was going to be competing in.
The URI women's basketball team hasn't had much success at all against PC over the years, but now it's the Rams who seem to be on the ascent, and they demonstrated that with a 66-53 win over the Friars last night at Alumni Hall. Meanwhile, the URI men made it a perfect night for the state university by taking care of Boston College at the Ryan Center.
Tonight at 8:20, the surging Patriots go for five wins in a row when they face the Falcons down in Atlanta. If you want to know how New England has turned its season around, the defense is a good place to start.
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: Flu season off to a severe start; poll finds solid support for McKee
