Week's top stories: Winter fun indoors; restaurant on Yelp list; Laffey runs for president

Journal Staff
·4 min read

Here's a look at some of The Providence Journal's most-read stories for the week of Jan. 29, as well as some other news we've been covering, supported by your subscriptions.

One person's clutter is another's treasure, whether it's a bag of buttons, used furniture or a package of half-eaten cheese. Rhode Islanders who've discovered the global "Buy Nothing" movement are giving and receiving all that and much more through thriving neighborhood exchanges on Facebook, and friendly competition is part of the fun. Amy Russo shares tips on how to join up and score all kinds of free stuff.

The state dismissed charges accusing Kimberly Mawson of killing her 19-month-old daughter Jade in December 2002, but that doesn’t mean prosecutors believe she is innocent of fatally injuring the toddler. That’s why prosecutors are objecting to Mawson’s bid to be compensated for the two years and 190 days she served behind bars for what she argues was her wrongful conviction. Katie Mulvaney explores Mawson's push to receive $133,527 in compensation and fees, and the state's reasons for fighting it.

The Ponaganset High School wrestling team is favored to win both state and New England championships. Now they've picked up a national ranking. If you think all that success has turned their heads, think again, says Journal sportswriter Eric Rueb.

And John Kostrzewa's popular Walking Rhode Island column returns this week with a walk through Tucker Woods Preserve in Charlestown.

Keep up with college and high school sports with scores, game highlights and profiles of the Providence Journal All-Star teams at providencejournal.com/sports.

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

20 fun things to do in RI this winter when you don't want to go outside

The koi pond nestled into tropical vegetation is a favorite stop – especially for children – at the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center.
The koi pond nestled into tropical vegetation is a favorite stop – especially for children – at the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center.

It’s cold. The skies have been gray. So maybe you’ve hit the feeling where you want to leave the house, but you don’t want to go outside.

Luckily, there are plenty of indoor activities you can do in Rhode Island — places you can take the kids to burn off some energy, or enjoy some warmth and look at some green plants, or learn something new.

Entertainment: 20 fun things to do in RI this winter when you don't want to go outside

RI restaurant makes Yelp's list of 'top 100 places to visit in 2023'

Avocado toast, smoothies and bowls are favorites at Root, the vegan eatery in Newport that just made a national Yelp list for places to visit in 2023.
Avocado toast, smoothies and bowls are favorites at Root, the vegan eatery in Newport that just made a national Yelp list for places to visit in 2023.

When Yelp named the Top 100 Places to Eat in 2023 late last month, one Rhode Island restaurant was on the list. Root, a vegan restaurant in Newport, checked in at No. 59 on the list. It was only one of five restaurants in New England included among the 100.

It's not the first time Root has made a Yelp list. Learn about the owners' recipe for success.

Dining: RI restaurant makes Yelp's list of 'top 100 places to visit in 2023'

Former Cranston Mayor Laffey begins a new chapter: Running for president

Former Cranston Mayor Steve Laffey is jumping back into the political ring as a Republican candidate for president.

Laffey, who moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, more than a decade ago after an ill-fated run for the U.S. Senate in Rhode Island, formally announced his presidential candidacy via video on Thursday morning.

His immediate goal: to make it to the New Hampshire GOP debate stage to make sure the other candidates talk about the Social Security crisis that he says is no longer looming, but here.

Politics: Former Cranston Mayor Laffey begins a new chapter: Running for president

Who are the top 30 taxpayers in the city of Providence?

The Providence skyline at night.
The Providence skyline at night.

A lot of places where people sleep — from hotels and apartment buildings to hospitals and assisted-living facilities — are among the 30 top real estate taxpayers in the city, according to a list compiled by the city's tax collector's office for The Providence Journal.

But office buildings, utility company facilities and some shopping venues also made the list, which was sorted by the amount of taxes paid by a single parcel.

Municipal government: Who are the top taxpayers in the city of Providence? Take a look at the top 30

A new assault weapon ban will be introduced this session. Will it finally pass?

Legislation to ban assault weapons will once again be debated by Rhode Island lawmakers.
Legislation to ban assault weapons will once again be debated by Rhode Island lawmakers.

"Think about the places you frequent: Your grocery store, your children’s schools, your places of worship, your favorite club/dance hall, your workplace, your local movie theater, your own front porch.

"Frequenting these places should NOT be a death sentence for you and your loved ones," Sydney Montstream-Quas, chairwoman of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence board, said Tuesday at a packed State House event for advocates to celebrate the reintroduction of a proposed assault weapons ban.

Gov. Dan McKee has called passage of the bill one of his top goals this session. But it remains to be seen if the long-debated ban will become law this year despite fierce opposition by gun-rights advocates.

Politics: A new assault weapon ban will be introduced this session. Will it finally pass?

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This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence Journal top stories: Winter fun in RI; Laffey for president