A day of sorrow in RI
A day of sorrow in RI
Good morning, I'm Will Richmond at The Providence Journal and this is the Daily Briefing.
The news Wednesday night that a commercial airline and BlackHawk helicopter had collided, ending up in the Potomac River, was stunning. The images of first responders racing to the scene, but at the time, there was still hope in the unknown.
By Thursday morning, hope turned into sorrow as the reality of the situation became clearer and here in Rhode Island it meant we had lost two of our own.
From all accounts, Spencer Lane was a young man with a bright future. Expectations included participating in the Olympic games and his family described him as "a force of nature."
His mother, Christine "exuded creativity throughout her life."
Here in Rhode Island, we share the joy and pain of those across the state. Our small stature makes it easier to feel connected to everyone in the state even if we don't know them.
Thursday was one of those days we shared in the pain. The Journal's Paul Parker captured the emotion as he spoke with a family friend and gathered the responses of local skating clubs, remembering the mother and son.
• Rhode Island has a recycling problem and East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva is determined to get his constituents to start dealing with it. The Journal's Nish Kohli found out how he intends to do it.
• A young shark, whose species is normally found in southern waters, is raising questions for researchers after its discovery off Charlestown in September of 2024. Just what was a spinner shark doing in Rhode Island waters? The Journal's Jack Perry reports on why researchers want to know the answer.
• The fallout from the abrupt resignation earlier this week of the security chief at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport continued Thursday with a union vote of "no confidence" in the airport management accused, by the departed security chief, of "incompetence." The Journal's Katherine Gregg has the latest on what's happening at the airport.
• It's time to give Rhode Island a seat at the big boy table. Columnist John Rooke writes that the hiring of Rhody's own Liam Coen as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars is the latest sign of the state's impact on professional sports.
More from The Providence Journal
Find the latest obituaries here.
Subscribers can read the eNewspaper here.
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RHODY RANKS
Every day we receive emails ranking Rhode Island. While the work behind the ranks may be dubious, they can be fun. Each day I'll share where Rhody Ranks from one of the latest emails.
New data has revealed the most expensive state for college graduates to own a car and rent a one-bedroom apartment.
The research was conducted by 0-60 Specs. It analyzed average annual gas expenses, full coverage insurance costs, the average new car price, and the average monthly rent in each state to determine the total cost of renting and driving. While Alaska was rated as the most expensive, Rhode Island was placed 45th in the nation.
🌧️ Not as cold with periods of rain. Highs in the low 40s.
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