This Just In: Who's in and who's out in the race for Congress
Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal, and like a lot of other folks I'm still buzzing over that tremendous weekend of football that we just had.
As if watching the Bills and Chiefs go back and forth on Sunday wasn't entertaining enough, local Twitter was blowing up around the same time with news, rumors and outright speculation concerning the race to succeed Jim Langevin in Congress. While only a handful of Democrats and Republicans have said they're definitely in the race, the list of rumored candidates seems unending. Political reporter Katherine Gregg has the latest on who's in, who's out and who's at least dangling their toes in the water.
Meanwhile, Langevin's planned departure from Capitol Hill has the Republican Party salivating over the prospect of picking up a seat in a deep-blue state.
It's billed as the American version of "Downton Abbey," and quite a bit of it was filmed right here in Rhode Island, during two stints in February and May 2021. "The Gilded Age" debuts tonight on HBO and HBO Max. About 10% to 20% of the story is set in Newport, and scenes that are supposed to take place elsewhere (specifically New York City; Doylestown, Pennsylvania; and Dansville, New York) were actually shot in the City-By-The-Sea. An old mansion in Warwick also gets a turn in the spotlight. Paul Parker has checked out all nine episodes of the first season and put together this guide of what Rhode Islanders viewers will and won't see, and what they might not quite recognize.
The Rhode Island Department of Health reported 13 more coronavirus-related deaths and 5,852 additional cases of COVID-19 over the last three days, along with 32,088 negative tests, for a 15.4% positive rate. There were 452 COVID-positive patients in Rhode Island hospitals at last count, down from 505 reported Friday. Rhode Island has reported an average of 2,752 new cases a day over the last seven days, down 41% from a week ago.
Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott is in her last week as state health director, but she'll work as a consultant to the state for three months beginning March 1. During those three months, the state will pay her almost as much as she would have made in a full year as health director.
Inspectors with the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services found more than 50 "deficiencies" at the state-run Eleanor Slater Hospital, according to excerpts of a report that were obtained by The Journal.
There's no such thing as happy hour in Rhode Island, but should that change? Since the 1980s, the state has outlawed drink specials at bars and it remains one of a handful that maintains such a ban today. Calls are now increasing – some of them from candidates for governor – to lift the ban, in the name of helping struggling restaurants and bars. But some establishment owners don't actually think it's a good idea.
The Providence Journal has its new veterans columnist. He is Frank Lennon, a decorated Green Beret who served in Vietnam and is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. His first column focuses on his own family's quest to find the unmarked grave of his grandfather, who fought in the Spanish-American War.
I feel like we've been saying this a lot lately, but we're keeping an eye on a storm that could bring snow, gusty winds and coastal flooding to our region this coming weekend. It's got a long way to go to get here – the storm in question is currently in Alaska.
Former Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia is seeking to delay his date for reporting to federal prison for a third time, citing coronavirus risks.
Pawtucket police are investigating a fatal shooting outside a cigar bar early this morning.
Finally, Ed Cooley passed Dave Gavitt as the second-winningest coach in Providence College history with yesterday's win over Butler. If you didn't see the game, you've got to check out this perfectly executed alley-oop from Jared Bynum to Nate Watson.
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: Who's in and who's out in the race for Congress
