RI's best breakfasts; Olivia Culpo wedding; politicians' education: Top stories this week

Here are some of The Providence Journal's most-read stories for the week of Oct. 22, supported by your subscriptions.

• Spring fever puts people in the mood for romance, but autumn awakens a different kind of passion in those who are mad about mushrooms. The Journal's Tom Mooney, an outdoorsman who enjoys foraging for wild food, talks with people who stalk the woods in fall, some to study mushrooms for their scientific value, others on the hunt for a tasty side dish. Meet the Johnston man whose wife is a little jealous of his devotion to "signorinas" (aka hen of the woods mushrooms), including the 62-pounder that made him famous in foraging circles.

• With Election Day coming up on Nov. 7, 1st Congressional District candidates Gabe Amo and Gerry Leonard Jr. answer a Journal questionnaire on key topics such as aid to Israel, proposed term limits for Supreme Court justices, and the future of Social Security and Medicaid.

• Halloween is Tuesday. Get in the spirit by doing a little baking, checking out some haunted attractions and spooky spots around Rhode Island, and curling up with some popcorn and this excellent list of ghost movies. (It includes my lifelong favorite: the 1944 classic "The Uninvited," starring Ray Milland and Ruth Hussey.)

• For news on high school and college sports, and a preview of the Patriots' Week 8 rematch with the Dolphins, go to providencejournal.com/sports.

• Did you keep up with the week's events? Take our news quiz.

Here are the week's top reads on providencejournal.com:

Best breakfast spot in Rhode Island? Here are 7 reader picks for a great morning

You know what they say about breakfast being the most important meal of the day. And when time permits, it's nice go out for a proper sit-down meal. But where?

The Providence Journal narrowed down the contenders and then asked readers to vote for their favorite. Here are the top seven reader picks.

Dining: Best breakfast spot in Rhode Island? Here are 7 reader picks for a great morning

RI politicians say they went to URI, CCRI and JWU. Did they really graduate? We checked.

There's a long-standing joke that Rhode Island politicians all seem to follow the same well-trodden path to the State House: La Salle Academy, Providence College, Suffolk University Law School.

But in fact, there's a surprisingly wide range of educational diversity to be found in the General Assembly, where Brown University Ph.D.s and a Rhodes scholar serve alongside legislators who hold only high school diplomas.

Inspired by a Detroit Free Press investigation that uncovered multiple false claims by members of the Michigan Legislature, Political Scene contacted more than 60 colleges and universities in an attempt to verify that each lawmaker actually earned the diplomas that they purport to have received.

Political Scene: RI politicians say they went to URI, CCRI and JWU. Did they really graduate?

It's a RI wedding: Olivia Culpo and Christian McCaffrey plan to tie the knot in Lil' Rhody

After spending "a really long time" trying to decide on a wedding venue, former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo decided to return to her roots in Rhode Island for the big day.

On TikTok, the 2012 Miss Rhode Island shared that she was back in the Ocean State to see her as yet undisclosed wedding venue in person. The reality star is engaged to NFL running back Christian McCaffrey.

It's hardly a surprise that Culpo, who lives in Los Angeles now, decided to come home for her wedding. The couple celebrated their engagement in Rhode Island in July, she owns multiple restaurants in the state, she talks about her love of Little Rhody frequently in her reality show "The Culpo Sisters," and her parents live here.

Celebrities: It's a RI wedding: Olivia Culpo and Christian McCaffrey plan to tie the knot in Lil' Rhody

McKee staffer's pro-Palestine social media posts may put him in governor's crosshairs

The social media postings of a pro-Palestine staffer in Gov. Dan McKee's office have put him in the crosshairs of the state's adamantly pro-Israel governor.

In his posts, Miguel Sanchez, the Providence councilman who doubles as an "associate" in McKee's Constituent Affairs office, trumpeted his participation in last Saturday's rally in Providence by hundreds of pro-Palestine activists, who demanded an "end to the occupation." He also blamed the United States for "actively aiding in a genocide."

McKee's office did not initially respond, but the governor issued this statement on Monday:

“Let me be very clear — I unequivocally condemn the despicable acts of war and terror perpetrated by Hamas against the people of Israel."

Politics: McKee staffer's pro-Palestine social media posts may put him in governor's crosshairs

MA Gov. Healey called RI 'whatever.' McKee gave her a Taylor Swift-themed clapback.

Look what she made us do.

At an Attleboro, Massachusetts, press conference about affordable housing, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey called Rhode Island "whatever" when answering a question about people from the Bay State moving just over the border for cheaper home prices.

"Some of you bop over to Rhode Island," she said, somewhat dismissively. "It's nice to visit. You can shop there. You can go have a meal. You can gamble. Whatever."

And while we could just shake it off, Gov. Dan McKee took to the social media site X to defend Rhode Island's reputation, with a post that slyly evoked the cover of Taylor Swift's new album, "1989 (Taylor's Version)."

Politics: MA Gov. Healey called RI 'whatever.' McKee gave her a Taylor Swift-themed clapback.

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This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence Journal top stories: Best breakfasts; Olivia Culpo wedding