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Time of India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Jayson Tatum Injury Update: Boston Celtics Star Makes Encouraging Public Appearance Amid Achilles Recovery
Jayson Tatum in action (Image via Getty Images) In one of his first public outings since undergoing surgery for a ruptured Achilles, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum was seen walking unaided in Providence, Rhode Island. The 2024 NBA champion visited the Manton Heights neighborhood Thursday morning, moving without a walking boot or crutches - a clear sign of progress in his long road to recovery. Jayson Tatum , who suffered the injury in late May, appeared upbeat and positive during the event. Despite the physical limitations that come with such a serious injury, he was all smiles as he joined head coach Joe Mazzulla - a Rhode Island native - in helping break ground on a new early education center scheduled to open in 2026. The pair were met by a lively crowd of fans, including children and media members, all eager to see their franchise player. Boston Celtics Leadership Praises Jayson Tatum's Progress Boston Celtics President Rich Gotham was also present and offered an optimistic update on Jayson Tatum's rehab. While acknowledging that there is still a long way to go, Gotham emphasized the positive strides the 27-year-old has made since his surgery. 'He's gone from walking around in a boot and just kind of wiggling his toes as a rehab to, as you see him today, he's walking around a little more freely,' Gotham told reporters. 'That's obviously very encouraging to all of us at the Celtics. He's such a special guy, such a special player, but also a special person.' (H/t: ClutchPoints) Gotham added that small milestones - like Tatum walking around the practice facility without a boot - are significant morale boosters for the team and staff. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo 'So, we're just all in his court, rooting for him to get back,' he said. 'It's a grueling process, but seeing him out at something like this and giving back to the community - that means a lot.' A Rare Setback for the Celtic's Star Jayson Tatum has been a cornerstone of the Celtics' success over the last six seasons. He's led the team in scoring each year while earning six consecutive All-Star selections. Tatum has played in 585 regular season games across eight years, averaging 34.5 minutes per game - rarely missing time. That reliability makes this Achilles injury an especially tough blow. For someone who's played basketball nearly non-stop since childhood, facing extended time away from the court is unfamiliar territory. Community Support and Team Backing during Tatum's Recovery Thursday's event was more than a symbolic community gesture - it served as a reminder of the broad support Jayson Tatum has behind him. The local Rhode Islanders cheered him on enthusiastically, especially the children of Manton Heights who excitedly counted down the moments until they got to meet their hero. While the Celtics' training facility provides a more subdued atmosphere for Jayson Tatum's recovery, the energy in Providence highlighted just how important he is to fans - and how much he's missed. Without Tatum, the Celtics are unlikely to reach the 60-win benchmark for a third straight season. Exactly how the team adjusts in his absence remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: from Celtics Nation to the front office to the kids in Providence, everyone is counting down the seconds until their star returns. Also read: Warriors' Seth Curry Opens Up About Draymond Green's Jab That Made Things Awkward With Stephen Curry And based on Thursday's appearance, that return is inching closer. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Boston Globe
3 days ago
- Business
- Boston Globe
R.I. unemployment rises again as state's economy shows ‘concerning trends,' RIPEC briefing says
'On the macro scale, we were at historic low unemployment levels when it started to climb,' Justine Oliva, director of policy and research at RIPEC, said in an interview on Wednesday. 'We were at levels that we hadn't seen since 1988 prior to that. And we were also at that time seeing not only an increase in the unemployment rate, but an increase in employment for the first few quarters. Get Rhode Map A weekday briefing from veteran Rhode Island reporters, focused on the things that matter most in the Ocean State. Enter Email Sign Up 'That trend has stopped,' she added. Advertisement Two years ago, unemployment in the state was at 2.7 percent – its lowest in decades, according to Oliva. Ongoing labor shortages had left employers struggling to fill jobs. 'It's increased a pretty large amount over that course of time, at the same time that more people are leaving the labor force,' Oliva said. According to the quarterly briefing, the number of employed Rhode Islanders dipped again last quarter, dropping to 559,000 from approximately 562,000 during the first three months of 2025. The state's labor force participation rate also fell, for the fourth consecutive quarter, to 63.7 percent. Advertisement Notably, the number of Rhode Island-based jobs – or 'non-farm employment' – remained steady from quarter to quarter, at around 515,000 jobs. 'Rhode Island's economy held steady in Q2 2025, with non-farm employment remaining near historic highs and consumer demand showing modest growth,' Edinaldo Tebaldi, professor of economics and vice president of strategy at Bryant University said in a statement. 'However, several concerning trends are emerging,' Tebaldi added. 'The indicators presented in this briefing suggest that, despite surface-level stability, the state's economic momentum is weakening.' Michael DiBiase, president and CEO of RIPEC, said in a statement that overall, the data reflects 'growing headwinds for Rhode Island's economy and merit attention from Rhode Island policymakers and businesses.' 'While some sectors continue to add jobs and net sales tax receipts indicate some growth in consumer demand, the broader trend in employment and labor force participation suggests that we are entering a period of increased uncertainty,' DiBiase said. Christopher Gavin can be reached at
Boston Globe
4 days ago
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Federal judge rules that Rhode Island's gun permit system does not violate 2nd Amendment
According to the statute, local officials are required to issue concealed-carry permits to anyone who meets the specific criteria outlined in the statute. However, it also allows the attorney general's office to issue open-carry permits 'upon a proper showing of need.' Unlike municipalities, the attorney general is not required to issue such permits. Advertisement The plaintiffs, largely led by Michael O'Neil, a lobbyist for the Rhode Island 2nd Amendment Coalition and a firearm instructor, said in their initial complaint that the attorney general's office denied all seven of their applications in 2021 for an 'unrestricted' firearm permit, allowing both open and concealed carry. Court documents show that the attorney general's office denied their permits because all of them had been granted 'restricted' permits, which only allowed concealed carry. Get Rhode Map A weekday briefing from veteran Rhode Island reporters, focused on the things that matter most in the Ocean State. Enter Email Sign Up Smith said in his ruling that unrestricted permits 'are a privilege and there is no constitutionally protected liberty interest in obtaining one.' The plaintiffs had hoped for a similar ruling handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022, where the justices Advertisement Similar to Rhode Island, New York's law had required residents to show an actual need to carry a concealed handgun in public for self-defense. Yet, notably, Smith said in his ruling that the high court's 2022 ruling did not declare that the Second Amendment 'requires open carry,' but even if it did, Rhode Island's law 'is within the Nation's historical tradition of regulation.' Frank Saccoccio, the attorney representing the gun owners, said in an email Monday that they did not believe Smith's decision was in line with the 2022 SCOTUS decision and would be appealing. Timothy Rondeau, a spokesperson for the attorney general's office, said the decision reaffirmed 'the constitutionality of Rhode Island's permitting system for the public carry of handguns.' 'The Attorney General will continue to vigorously defend Rhode Island's gun violence prevention laws to ensure the public safety of all Rhode Islanders,' he said.
Boston Globe
4 days ago
- Politics
- Boston Globe
‘A complete gutting:' RIPTA riders, advocates slam cuts proposed to bridge $10m budget gap
The bus ferries them to a Stop & Shop store, including one woman who Picillo said depends on the bus because she was unable to replace her car when it broke down. 'She has no way to go to the grocery store, and that route is getting canceled all together,' Picillo said. 'We can't walk to it.' Related : Advertisement The Flex 301 bus is one of 16 routes RIPTA is now considering eliminating, as it weighs Get Rhode Map A weekday briefing from veteran Rhode Island reporters, focused on the things that matter most in the Ocean State. Enter Email Sign Up Ahead of a RIPTA board vote on the proposed rollbacks set for Thursday, riders and transit advocates are pleading for last-minute solutions they hope can stave off cuts to services they said Rhode Islanders depend on to get to school, work, and medical appointments, and to navigate everyday life. Bus service between Newport's northern end and First Beach, between the University of Rhode Island's Kingston campus and the Block Island Ferry, and three routes that serve the Community College of Rhode Island's campuses in Newport, Warwick, and Lincoln are among those up for elimination. Five Park and Ride Routes, connecting far corners of the state — including Pascoag, North Smithfield, Westerly, and Narragansett — with Providence, also may be nixed. Advertisement Other changes include reductions in trip frequency or numbers of trips on 30 routes, elimination of all weekend service on nine routes, elimination of some weekend service on eight routes, and the cancellation of some entire segments on six routes, RIPTA said. 'It's wild,' said Liza Burkin, board president of the Providence Streets Coalition. 'It's supposed to be the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority. It's going to be the Providence County and Greater Newport Transit Authority … It's a complete gutting of the system, and the worst part is that it will trigger a downward spiral.' In Pawtucket, the cuts and reductions would affect about 44 percent of the city's bus services, according to state Senator Meghan E. Kallman, a Democrat representing Pawtucket and Providence. 'Without that bus service, people are not going to be able to get to work, people are not going to be able to get to school,' Kallman said in an interview. 'But specifically, if you can't get to work, you can't pay your rent, and if you can't pay your rent or your mortgage, then you need to move, right? This is the kind of stuff that sucks the life blood out of working class communities. This is insane.' At a public hearing on the proposal in Providence on Monday, Jessica Null, senior director of philanthropy and external affairs for Thundermist Health Center, said it already takes patients and staff who rely on public transit more than an hour along several routes to make it to appointments and to work at its locations in Providence, Woonsocket, West Warwick, and South County, Null said. Advertisement 'One employee shared, 'I currently spend two to three hours a day on the bus. This will not only add time to my daily commute, but by cutting weekend service, I will have no way to get to work on weekend shifts, which are required,'' Null added. Angelina Stabile, legislative director and affiliate treasurer for the National Federation of the Blind of Rhode Island, said the proposed cuts 'are devastating.' 'They are crippling, and they will destroy the freedom and independence of blind people, disabled people, and all peoples who take public transportation,' Stabile said. At 'We are literally encouraging folks…to use public transportation to get to and from the beach,' Kennedy said. 'Likewise, the YMCA of Newport County is interested in expanding its footprint and its services — not condensing them.' Meanwhile, students and staff at the University of Rhode Island told RIPTA officials at Advertisement Scott Schnur, a Wakefield resident and a URI employee, said one of his students told him she is now looking for a new lease less than a month before the start of the school year as a result of the anticipated bus changes. 'We recognize the concerns of members of our community and will be engaging directly with RIPTA leadership to discuss these concerns,' Dawn Bergantino, a URI spokesperson, wrote in an email on Tuesday. 'Reliable transit is critical for our students, faculty, and staff, as they pursue their academic, professional, and personal goals.' Asked about possible route cuts impacting CCRI, Amy Kempe, CCRI's chief of staff, wrote in an email that 'access to reliable public transportation is critical to our students' success' and that CCRI is 'working with RIPTA to minimize disruptions to our community.' Late last week, RIPTA formally released its long-awaited 'Closing the RIPTA deficit responsibly means identifying both efficiencies and new RIPTA-generated revenue streams,' Olivia DaRocha, a spokesperson for McKee, wrote in an email on Tuesday. 'That means addressing the high-cost, low-performing routes identified in the study, while preserving service on higher-performing routes.' DaRocha wrote that drawing additional federal funding 'for eligible expenses' and 'modernizing the fare policy, with options that include fare increases, zone-based fares, and monthly passes,' could be options to enhance revenue, among others. 'Long-term stability will only come when RIPTA right-sizes operations and grows its revenue,' DaRocha added. Advertisement Still, many riders and advocates blame McKee and lawmakers for the potential cuts. McKee left the agency with a Hannah Galan, who opened Pothos Plant Shop with her husband, Homer Johnsen, in Providence's Fox Point last year, said Monday she has frequently called McKee's office about the RIPTA proposal, which would cut weekend service to the bus stop near her store on its busiest days. The potential loss of business is 'immeasurable,' Galan said. 'There's no way to measure it,' Galan said. 'And I mean, it's not even just impacting us, it's going to impact every small business on the street.' Christopher Gavin can be reached at
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Roger Williams, Our Lady of Fatima hospitals sale to move forward. Here's why
PROVIDENCE – Attorney General Peter Neronha announced Thursday, July 31 an amended decision to facilitate the sale of Roger Williams Medical Center and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital. The decision – the second amended in the sale process – reduces the cash-on-hand requirement for the Centurion Foundation, a Georgia-based nonprofit, from $80 million to $45 million for closing the deal. The reduction of cash-on-hand, explained Neronha at a press conference, was due to Centurion having difficulties selling bonds to raise funds for the purchase of the hospitals. But the amended decision also requires Centurion and CharterCARE to secure an additional $35 million within 90 days, bringing the funds back to $80 million. Neronha said the parties have given him assurances on their ability to raise funds post-sale that, in his judgment, could be relied on. The attorney general also said he secured the remaining $50 million – from an original $80 million in an escrow account – to create a hospital fund as part of the transaction. Additional conditions have also been attached to the sale, among them: A requirement for the parties to spend at least $50 million on capital expenses at the hospitals within three years of the transaction A requirement for the parties to not contest the attorney general's right to file a petition for the appointment of a receiver in case of insolvency The detainment of a consultant, at the expense of the parties, to report on the financial and operation state of the hospitals 'While this is a complicated process, our goal is simple: make sure our safety net hospitals are in the best position possible to serve our communities for as long as possible,' Neronha said in a written statement following the press event. Neronha explained that the hospitals were not yet entirely out of danger but that progress has been made: the hospitals are staying provisionally open, are shifting from for-profit to nonprofit and the attorney general's office will have levers to pull in case of an insolvency. 'I don't want to stand here and gaslight Rhode Islanders and make them believer, or have them believe, that all the problems have been solved. They haven't,' Neronha said at the July 31 press conference. 'But we have made some steps forward.' The attorney general added that Rhode Island's chronic low reimbursement rates from public and private insurance need to be addressed to treat the health system's ailments. 'Until we make a Rhode Island patient mean the same financially as a Massachusetts or a Connecticut patient, our hospital systems and our providers and our workers are always going to be at a state of disadvantage,' Neronha said. The anticipated closing date for the sale – pending approval by a bankruptcy court in Texas – is sometime in late August or mid-September. The full amended decision is available here. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Roger Williams, Our Lady of Fatima hospital sales moving forward Solve the daily Crossword
