A quick recap of news events of the week locally, regionally, nationally and internationally – and passings of note
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
E-scooters and e-bikes banned from sidewalks and parks in Barrington
Beginning this week, on the Mt. Hope Bridge, on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, both lanes will be open simultaneously for just 8 hours out of 24, from 5 to 9 a.m. and from 3 to 7 p.m.
No more electronic learning days in Tiverton as School Committee votes unanimously to return to old-fashioned snow days where missed time is made up at the end of the year, if needed
Sakonnet Bridge lighting malfunctioning with replacement parts no longer available (WPRI)
Shawn Oliver, MA Republican candidate for lieutenant governor drops out after arrest for DUI
Two Providence cemetery caretakers hospitalized after two attackers slashed them across the face at Grace Church Cemetery near Broad Street and Elmwood Avenue.
215 couples honored for lasting marriages at mass at Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul
Rhode Island Breakers unveiled by UFL in Pawtucket at Centreville Bank Stadium
In Fairfield NY, a Muslim school was bought and approved for 90 students – they have now exceeded for a total of 313, never notifying the city
Federal appeals court upheld a district judge’s dismissal of a lawsuit challenging the decision to deport Rasha Alawieh, an assistant professor of medicine at Brown – she can apply agan in 5 years
Carter Alan, the longtime host on Boston’s 100.7 WZLX, will retire after a 47
Helena Foulkes calls for Liz Perik, Chair of the RI Democratic Committee to resign after husband Michael Perik was indicted on a 24-count racketeering and fraud case involving theft of $20 million from the now-defunct Eastern Gateway Community College. Perik resigned on Tuesday. Other charges in the past involving her husband’s companies. New chair appointed
New bar opening in Providence – The Alibi Room
Tiverton considering a 1-year pause in large data centers
Resident physicians and fellows employed by Brown University Health/Rhode Island Hospital overwhelmingly ratified their first union contract; 95% approvingg
Stop & Shop is back up and running on all platforms after their long cyberattack
WBUR ED Margaret Low to leave after 7 years
Encore casino in Boston has 22% loss in revenue
Lou Umberto’s restaurant to open 2nd location in Edgewood – keeping original in Knightsville
Larome Myrick, head of RI Training School, said to have a side business as a consulting group in juvenile
The Edgartown Police Department swore in a new patrol officer who speaks Portuguese. Officer Miguel Jarillo, 23, an Oak Bluffs resident, is the 2nd officer fluent in Portuguese
ICE Boston arrests 82 illegal aliens during 3-day operation in Massachusetts – including those facing charges ranging from assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, indecent assault, and battery on a child under 14, possession of child sexual abuse material, extortion by threat of injury, strangulation or suffocation, driving under the influence, and larceny.
Craig Mello ’82, 45 years after graduating from Brown, and a Nobel Prize winner, will return to Brown in the Giuliani RNA Center, in the Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry which works to “advance RNA science through fundamental discovery, technology development and translational impact that accelerates life-changing health solutions, (Brown Daily Herald)
Brown Univ. fine tuning security by placing officers at strategic locations rather than have them “roaming” – and integrating data and technology. Clements said, “I just want to reassure the campus community that our commitment in keeping the campus safe hasn’t changed, but how we deliver it continuously is always evolving.” (Brown Daily Herald)
Brown Univ. waives $80 non refundable application fee for Providence public high school students
North Kingstown residents suing asphalt company for obnoxioius odors
Amazon to hire 1,000 for the holiday season in RI
Assumption College to name Larry Lucchino Institute for the Study of Sports after Larry Lucchino, former PawSox CEO
State Rep. Jenni A. Furtado, East Providence to replace Liz Beretta-Perik as RI Dem. Party chairperson
Central Falls teacher wins a surprise $25,000 national award. Briana Jones, who teaches special education and culinary career education at Central Falls High School, became the first recipient on the 2026–27 Milken Educator Awards
Cranston has put new bids out to winterize and provide a cover for the Budlong Pool. The company that oversaw the subcontractors who built the pool is now out of business – but the warranty is with another entity so the city is covered
Joe’s Pizza took first place in the nontraditional thin New Haven-style category at the Great American Pizza Challenge
New lawsuit directly accuses former Bishop Louis Gelineau, who died in 2024 of sexual abuse of an altar boy at St. Luke’s Church in Barrington around 1983–84
8 hour meeting of Providence School Board to remove the Supt. of schools ends with a rescheduled vote for Nov. 18
COSTCO announced by Smithfield legislator Tassoni, gubernatorial candidate Foulkes, and RI Democratic Party as coming to Smithfield in 2028 at intersection of Rt. 116 and 7 – local officials explain zoning and approvals are the next step. Unclear if gas station, usually a requirement, as well as liqour store, is planned. Cranston Mayor says he remains hopeful a COSTCO will still come to Cranston.
3rd Beach Middletown – city council rejects making it a nude beach
Brown U sports teams will receive “one warning before probation” if they allow a RISD student to participate on a Brown team
Providence School Board votes TO merge Young Woods Elementary School with Roger Williams Middle School, as well as Anthony Carnevale Elementary School with DelSesto Middle Sch
Mass General Brigham will have layoffs coming
A skunk and a raccoon found in Providence with rabies
Secretary of State’s Spooky State House will be held on Thursday, October 29, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., kids of all ages and their families are invited to go trick-or-treating in the State Offices, partake in some crafts and activities. Costumes are encouraged, and admission is free. Bring canned or non‑perishable donations for the RI Food Bank to be entered into a raffle.
Gov. Francis Inn in Warwick – land to be auctioned – unclear if business will stay
Franklin Park Zoo announces death of 17 year old Lion, Dinari, of kidney failure
Edesia in North Kingstown expands facility making emergency food for children such as PlumpyNut, with a $137M donation by Bezos family (mother of Jeff Bezos)
RI postal worker accused of stealing guns and valuables from packages at Corliss facility. Aubrey Dante, 54, of Burrillville, faces 26 charges
Peak foliage in New England this weekend is in – Rhode Island
___
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
Pope Leo was discharged last Saturday and lead the prayers on Sunday from the Vatican – but has canceled one trip for late in October
“Val” on Dancing with the Stars made a comment regarding Wil Smith’s slap incident – and was suspended for a week from competition
Former President Obama endorses candidate for Gov, Helena Foulkes
Explosion at a military base in Canada when a gas line was hit during a training exercise – with at least 4 fatalities and many serious injuries
PARIS: Riots, lootings, burnings in Paris and surrounding areas continue and intensify, including burning of Limoges hall with priceless art. No longer a peaceful demonstration of unhappy students, with infiltrated demonstrators. Pres. Macron seen at a Celine Dion concert 20 minutes outside Paris. Riots now in Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse. In Milan, Rome, Turin, Bologna, Naples, Genoa, Florence, and Venice. In Madrid and Barcelona. Other European countries. Some 1,500 shops and retailers damaged in French protests, costing millions. At least 2,400 arrested. Many tourist features, museums, etc. remain closed.
22 yo dies when jumping off the Arc de Triomphe in Paris
Both Democrats and Republicans are pulling away from their parties due to concerns about rhetoric, economics, immigration, security and safety
NOAA predicting no super cold in New England or throughout US
Reports of migrant robbery crews on mopeds in search of jewelry wreak havoc in NYC
Consumers are expected to spend record amounts this holiday season – well over 1 Trillion $ – however! They will be selectively shopping, looking for the best deals, passing up splurges, etc.
Women’s Health Bill signed to expand research into women’s health issues and creating a task force – initiative led by First Lady Melania Trump
Catholic priest in Ecuador died while saying mass after a massive crucifix came off the wall hitting him squarely – just as he was talking about how everyone will be dead one day and the importance of giving your life to God
CNN’s Christianne Amanpour to separate from the station
Airman plunges to his death while rappelling during a college football game ceremony
Man arrested for detailing how he was going to kill the President at his stop in Kansas
Selena Gomez opens up about how vaping changed her voice forever
Hoda Kotb, 62, and Joel Schiffman, 68, are engaged – again. They were engaged before, living together until 2022 when he left when their 2 adopted daughters were aged 4 and 2 – they are now 9 and 7. Announcement made live on The Today Show.
New federal fraud whistleblower incentive program that he says will pay Americans, including journalists, a 1% commission for reporting fraud and corruption involving taxpayer dollars.
Christina Applegate misdiagnosed with MS – more than 20% of diagnoses are incorrect
30 new Trader Joe’s opening – closest to RI is in Quincy, MA
FBI, HSI and multi-agency operation raided a senior center in Flushing, Queens, removing evidence boxes filled with material
Elon Musk reveals that an ex-Tesla employee who assaulted a woman for stepping on his prayer rug went on to kill three students in Austin.
UK approves new gas field – Jackdaw
UK inflation up 3.5% for September, driven by higher energy costs (3.4% expected)
Only 11% of people choose to replace rather than repair appliances
Helen Haines, independent MP in Australia was attacked with a vehicle in Australia and has now had both her legs amputated – noted increased violence directed at Australian lawmakers
Florida banning private schools connected to recognized terrorist groups in foreign countries from receiving education vouchers
The second-hand selling app, Vinted, in France has seen a huge uptick in sales of stolen items from recent unrest and has taken steps to remove them from the app
Apple commits to spending $100M or more with American companies
Germany puts increased sanctions on Russia, saying they are not a reputable supplier of energy
US farmers will be given $8 Billion in fuel relief
At least one family has hired up to 4 law firms to investigate details of the Oregon school shooting, including gun purchase, warnings that may have been present, and school
Jay-Z decides he will pick HIMSELF to entertain at half time Super Bowl
Amazon to hire 300,000 around US for holiday season
New Mexico attorney general sues Epstein associates to block distribution of $105M funds – claiming attorney and accountant were both involved in procurement of under age girls
Zelenskyy says he is willing to freeze current front battle lines to end war.
74 yo American teacher, Stephen Hubbard, freed from Russia after 4 years – Pres. Trump and Steve Witkoff asked Russia’s Putin personally to release him
Several Brush Buddies toothpaste, mostly for children, have been recalled
Kissimmee, FL Mayor arrested for COVID funds fraud approx. $50K
Chemical tank leak and near explosion in Ohio forces evacuations of
A judge orders Meta to pay $25 billion for misleading consumers about their data privacy.
US govt launched https://Moms.gov—a first-of-its-kind, one-stop resource connecting expectant moms and families with information and support for their health, well-being, and growing family.
Six Bristol County residents charged in alleged marriage-fraud operation. Federal prosecutors announced charges against five Fall River residents and one from Attleboro. They allege the operation arranged hundreds of sham marriages over more than a decade, charging approximately $38,000–$40,000 each and generating over $6 million.
Chiricahua, in Arizona, becomes newest National Park
Ban on horse carriages passes in NYC
iPod launched 25 years ago replacing in prominence the Sony Walkman and cassette players
Earthquake in Tibet, China – at least 14 dead
Glenn Close who is 79, had hip replacement surgery
Two FBI agents charged with lying before Congress over Hunter Biden’s laptop
Iwo Jima statue damaged (one figure beheaded) by attack by illegal immigrant
U.S. Supreme Court allowed New Hampshire officials to reject student IDs as a valid form of identification when voters cast their ballots in next month’s midterm election
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders unionize for better pay
Next weekend, change clocks to ‘fall back’ at 2 am Sunday, Nov. 1st – spring forward will come March 14th, 2027
AirBNB to no longer give list of chores “renters” must complete
NFL game Steelers/Saints 20 minutes outside Paris is on high alert for demonstrations as more are expected this weekend
A Ukraine city, Oleshky, has secured a cease fire assisted by 1st Lady Melania Trump to evacuate elderly and bring in supplies
Tunnels are the new method of trafficking drugs from Mexico to the US, with arrest being made
Alaska election involves 2 candidates running for Senate with the same name – Dan Sullivan. One candidate has never voted before, or run for office, and is being supported by Act Blue. If this candidate wins, the election will come under scrutiny for fraudulent means
KFC replacing Pepsi with Coke
Stevie Wonder sues ex-fiancee for eviction who has lived with him for 40 years
New foldable Apple phone had record sales with near sellouts yesterday – average price $2400, depending on memory
___
PASSINGS
Ron Duguay, 69, former NHL star and partner of Sarah Palin, died of 4th stage colon cancer
Kyle Kennedy, 42, granddaughter of Bobby Kennedy, after a severe spinal cord injury in 2020
Tom Skerritt, 93, actor known for many roles – Top Gun etc
The post In the News… Quick recap of the week ending October 23, 2026 appeared first on RINewsToday.
