Rhode Island has received nearly 427,000 suspected fraudulent unemployment claims during the coronavirus pandemic, of which more than 56,000 have been confirmed to be phony, the state Department of Labor and Training said Friday.
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Local News
Rhode Island pays out millions in fake unemployment claims
State paying more than $1M weekly for Gillette, Fenway sites
Massachusetts is paying a total of more than $1 million per week to the for-profit startup that is running coronavirus mass vaccination sites at Fenway Park and Gillette Stadium, according to state records.
Field hospital, with few patients, could close within weeks
The field hospital set up at the DCU Center in Worcester could close within the next couple of weeks, but would remain ready to reopen again should it be needed, Worcester’s city manager says.
Concerns raised about discharges at state-run hospital
Disability rights organizations as well as public officials are raising concerns about Rhode Island’s efforts to reduce the patient population at a state-run medical facility that treats residents with long-term medical and psychiatric needs.
Despite high infection rate, Providence vaccination rate low
Providence has had among the highest coronavirus infection and hospitalization rates in Rhode Island throughout the coronavirus pandemic, yet it currently has one of the lowest vaccination rates among all cities and towns in the state.
National News
Trump acquitted: Senate votes 57-43 at impeachment trial
The vote was 57-43, short of the two-thirds needed for conviction. Seven Republicans broke from their party to find Trump guilty.
Fight over witnesses could delay Trump trial conclusion
The last-minute fight over witnesses followed Friday night revelations from a Republican House lawmaker about a heated phone call on the day of the riot between Trump and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy that Democrats say establishes Trump’s indifference to the violence.
Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s founder, will step down as CEO
Amazon said Tuesday that Jeff Bezos is stepping down as CEO later this year, a role he’s had since he founded the company nearly 30 years ago.
Biden sworn in as 46th President of the United States
Joe Biden became the 46th President of the United States on Wednesday, declaring that “democracy has prevailed.” He swore the oath of office to take the helm of a deeply divided nation and inheriting a confluence of crises arguably greater than any faced by his predecessors.
Trump pardons ex-strategist Steve Bannon, dozens of others
The last-minute clemency, announced after midnight on Wednesday, follows separate waves of pardons over the past month for Trump associates convicted in the FBI’s Russia investigation as well as for the father of his son-in-law.
Arts + Lifestyle
Alex Trebek, long-running ‘Jeopardy!’ host, dies at 80
“Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek died Sunday after battling pancreatic cancer for nearly two years. He was 80.
Guitar rock god Eddie Van Halen dies of cancer at 65
Eddie Van Halen, the guitar virtuoso whose blinding speed, control and innovation propelled his band Van Halen into one of hard rock’s biggest groups has died. He was 65.
Raimondo: Phase 4 of reopening plan not imminent soon
There are no immediate plans to further ease restrictions intended to help control the spread of the coronavirus in Rhode Island, Gov. Gina Raimondo said.
Silkroad’s new face: Grammy-winning artist Rhiannon Giddens
Silkroad, the acclaimed international musical collective with a social conscience, has a new face — and a fresh sense of purpose.
Gamm’s Assassins Is High-Caliber Musical Theater
Assassins runs through March 29 at The Gamm Theatre, 1245 Jefferson Blvd., Warwick, RI. Tickets may be obtained at the box office, online at gammtheatre.org or by calling 401-723-4266.
