This Just In: A worldwide celebration of an RI veteran's birthday

Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal. Today is May 18, which is the anniversary of two interesting milestones in Rhode Island's battle with the coronavirus. Two years ago today, restaurants were allowed to reopen for in-person dining for the first time in more than two months, serving customers outdoors only. And last year on this date, the state dropped the indoor mask mandate that had been in effect at that point for more than a year, for vaccinated Rhode Islanders only.

Will mask mandates be making a comeback? Not too many people in Rhode Island seem to be talking about that right now but cases are more than five times higher here than they were in early March. Today was the first time in nearly a month that the seven-day new case average declined – very slightly. The Department of Health reported two coronavirus-related deaths and 966 additional cases of COVID-19, along with 9,498 negative tests, for a 9.2% positive rate. There were 104 COVID-positive patients in Rhode Island hospitals at last count, up from 102 reported yesterday, with six in intensive care. Rhode Island has reported an average of 820 new cases a day, a slight decrease from where the average stood yesterday but up 10% from a week ago and up 46% from two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, a CDC investigation of mysterious cases of hepatitis in young children now includes one child in Rhode Island.

As we all know, the internet has the power to drive us apart, but also the power to bring us together. Victor Butler is a story about how it can bring us together. Butler is thought to be the oldest surviving Rhode Islander who served with the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. His granddaughter set out on a campaign to have people from across the country send Butler cards for his 100th birthday, which is this weekend. The response have been overwhelming.

When legislators cast votes on legalizing recreational marijuana in Rhode Island, they will also be voting on erasing records of some 27,000 past convictions for marijuana possession.

Is the Caprio political dynasty set to rise again? State House reporter Katherine Gregg writes that a comeback may be in the cards for Judge Frank Caprio's sons, Frank and David, who have each spent the past several years well out of the political limelight.

The first independent poll of the 2022 election in Rhode Island found incumbent Dan McKee and Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea in a statistical tie for the lead, with the biggest bloc of likely Democratic primary voters still undecided. Meanwhile, Treasurer Seth Magaziner was found to have a big early lead in the race for the state's open congressional seat.

Responding to an outcry, McKee has ordered RIPTA to reverse course on its decision to eliminate direct bus service to the South County beaches this summer, but don't let that stop you from reading Antonia Noori Farzan's excellent story explaining why the buses had been on the chopping block.

The stuff I'm saying on the sidelines of my kids' soccer games won't be the only hot air in Rhode Island this weekend.

That big building going up near Thurbers Avenue is ... wait for it ... a self-storage facility.

I read about Ed Cooley getting the key to the city and thought to myself, Ed Cooley didn't already have a key to the city?

If you're already thinking about what to have for lunch tomorrow, this Gail Ciampa story might be a good one to read. But if you're looking forward to watching the Celtics play tomorrow night, reading about last night's game might put you out of the mood entirely.

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: A worldwide celebration of an RI veteran's birthday