Daily Briefing: Forget the NFL Draft. These are the players to watch.

ALSO: What's killing raptors in RI? ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ Advertisement [eNewspaper]( | [Crosswords]( | [Horoscopes]( [Read in browser]( The Daily Briefing YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP Thu Apr 25 2024 Will Richmond | Managing Editor Communities & R.I. [@Will_Richmond]( Good morning, I'm Will Richmond at [The Providence Journal]( and this is the Daily Briefing. As a New England Patriots fan, tonight's [NFL Draft]( is a position that we haven't been in for more than two decades. With a top three pick in their pockets, the team's future is ready to take a significant step. Personally, my head says take the top QB, with Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye topping my list. My heart says trade back, reap more picks and fill more positions, likely at wide receiver and offensive tackle. Despite having an awful season is what led the Patriots to the pick, it's not that bad of a situation to be in. While most football fan eyes will be on the draft and the players that will be picked, there are some other players gaining attention here in Rhode Island. [Girls flag football Jumella Thornton Central Falls.jpg] Jumella Thornton from Central Falls catches a pass during Gridiron Girls flag football camp at Johnston High School. Camp coach Terrell Patterson runs the drill. David DelPoio/Providence Journal The Journal's Eric Rueb reports on the growing presence of girls flag football programs. Currently sanctioned in nine states there is talk about adding the sport to Rhode Island schools and already one district is getting a head start, while others are getting ready to jump in. [How soon could it happen? Check out Eric's story to learn more.]( • For the third time in the past year a state environmental officer was called to handle an injured bird, most recently a bald eagle. What's causing the birds to become ill? [The Journal's Paul Parker talked with environmental experts to learn what's happening and what can be changed.]( • The dire state of psychiatric care for teenage girls in crisis in Rhode Island is laid bare in two recent state Supreme Court rulings. [The Journal's Katie Mulvaney reports the pair of cases that detail the plights of two teenagers with intense mental-health struggles in need of residential treatment amid the COVID pandemic.]( • Keep your eyes on the skies because the Eta Aquarids meteor shower has started. [Here's when it peaks.]( • [Time is running out to cast your vote for this week's Providence Journal Student of the Week](. Polls close at noon today. More from The Providence Journal [Find the latest obituaries here.]( [Subscribers can read the eNewspaper here.]( WORTH A READ 📱 Biden signs $95 billion Ukraine, Israel aid bill [that includes TikTok sell-or-ban law]( 🌕 [NASA is giving the moon its own time zone.]( Why the clock is ticking. 🐬 [Eleven dolphins trapped in mud off Cape Cod.]( Rescuers worked for hours to save them. 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. A survey by [Test Prep Insight]( involving 3,000 parents, has brought to light a growing trend towards 'authoritarian parenting.' The data indicates a shift to stricter parenting, with 40% of Rhode Island parents reporting a tightening grip on their children's academic life, driven by an anxiety to navigate them towards future job security. [TODAY'S WEATHER]( ☀️ Abundant sunshine. Highs in the upper 50s. TOP STORIES [Pro-Palestine protest encampment sets up at Brown. What to know.]( [A pro-Palestine encampment was set up at Brown University's main green on Wednesday morning. About 75 students were participating as of the start of the protest.]( Students have been warned of potential disciplinary action. But as of Wednesday morning, no arrests had occurred. [READ MORE]( Advertisement [Amid a whirlwind of media attention, Mayor Vincent A. Cianci Jr., center, and his lawyer, Richard M. Egbert, arrive at U.S. District Court for the start of jury selection in the Operation Plunder Dome corruption trial. Providence Journal photographers Mary Murphy, left foreground, and Kathy Borchers, far right, and Journal columnist M. Charles Bakst, right, are among the group.]( [A who's who in Operation Plunder Dome: From Cianci to Freitas]( Operation Plunder Dome involved quite a cast of colorful characters. Here's our guide to who's who, 25 years later. [READ MORE]( [A white mute swan swims along the banks of Trustom Pond. ]( [DEM investigating after swan shot with arrow in Johnston]( The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management is investigating after a mute swan with an arrow in its back was spotted in Oak Swamp Pond. [READ MORE]( [West Warwick Wizards starting pitcher Emma Pinault goes into her wind-up.]( [West Warwick softball toppled previously unbeaten Johnston]( West Warwick made its case to be included on the short list of Division II title contenders with dramatic comeback. [READ MORE]( [Feb 27, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New England Patriots director of scouting Eliot Wolf during the NFL Scouting Combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports]( [NFL Draft could lead to a path back to the Patriot Way]( This is a crucial time for the Patriots to focus on the future of the franchise and it starts with the NFL Draft. [READ MORE]( Advertisement Vote with Confidence This 7-day newsletter course will help you be an informed voter before Nov. 5. [SIGN UP NOW]( SUBSCRIBE TODAY Our Reporting. Your Stories. Full access to subscriber-only content on all devices. Share bonus subscription with a family member or friend. The universal eNewspaper, the digital version of our print paper, plus bonus monthly magazines and hundreds of local papers. Original reporting of our hometown teams, from high school sports to the pros. 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