Daily Briefing: Could pay what you can work for utility bills?

ALSO: A Jamestown neighborhood is running dry ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ Advertisement [eNewspaper]( | [Crosswords]( | [Horoscopes]( [Read in browser]( The Daily Briefing YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP Thu May 30 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. We all know the pain that comes when the gas and/or electric bill show up in the mail. It seems no matter how diligent you may be at setting the thermostat or turning off lights it's always higher than you expected. Not to mention what feels like headlines declaring utility providers seeking record high increases becoming more common. And while many of us can pay our bills that's not the case for everyone, no matter how vigilant they may be about their use. Could a new approach offer some relief? [Smart meters] Rhode Island Energy is set to replace existing electric meters with smart meters made by Swiss company Landis+Gyr. Rhode Island Energy The Journal's Alex Kuffner reports that advocates have joined with environmental groups and others to urge lawmakers to reduce gas and electric rates for low income Rhode Islanders through a system of paying only what they can afford for their utility bills. [How would the program work? Alex explains.]( • In an order sprinkled with references to the heartwarming movie classic "Rudy," U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith determined that the Rhode Island Interscholastic League must waive its rule limiting high school athletes from competing more than eight consecutive semesters to reasonably accommodate a student’s disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act. [The Journal's Katie Mulvaney reports on the ruling.]( • Residents of a Jamestown neighborhood said they have had to all but abandon their homes as a problem continues to grow worse. [The latest from Jim Hummel explains what's happening.]( • Out of sight for more than a month, 75-year-old Senate President Dominick Ruggerio had hoped to return to his powerful, front-and-center perch in the Senate chamber this week. But that is not happening. [The Journal's Katherine Gregg has the latest as Ruggerio battles cancer.]( • If you missed the Northern Lights earlier this month you may get another chance. [Why the spectacular show could be returning.]( More from The Providence Journal [Find the latest obituaries here.]( [Subscribers can read the eNewspaper here.]( WORTH A READ 📰 [Trump hush money trial jury deliberations begin]( when we might we get a verdict 🐼 Panda lover news: [2 more giant pandas are coming to the National Zoo in 2024]( 🚨 Massachusetts's '[Bad Breath Rapist' arrested after 16 years on the run]( 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 study from[Teach Simple]( reveals the states with the highest and lowest median university earnings. Massachusetts has the highest median earnings, with graduates from its institutions earning $65,319 annually. Rhode Island ranks second, with graduates earning a median of $64,818 [TODAY'S WEATHER]( 🌦️ Times of clouds and sun with a couple of showers; cooler. Highs in the low 60s. TOP STORIES [House OKs felony status for threats against school employees]( [Voting and call buttons in the Rhode Island House chamber.]( It started with bills to clamp down on chronic student absences and threats against school employees. It's now split union leaders and progressives. [READ MORE]( Advertisement [Cranston City Hall.]( [Cranston City Council debates meaning of ‘official conduct’]( Aniece Germain’s departure from the Cranston City Council left people asking, what counts as “official conduct”? Now the council is debating its meaning. [READ MORE]( [Dr. Howard Schulman speaks at a health care summit at the State House on Tuesday, May 28.]( [Will bills address RI's health care problems? A doctor isn't convinced]( A who’s who of health care providers and policymakers gathered Tuesday to discuss the challenges facing health care in Rhode Island and find solutions [READ MORE]( [Landen Priesing, Lincoln boys lacrosse]( [Results and recaps from Wednesday's RIIL playoff games around Rhode Island]( Wednesday was a huge day of high school sports playoff action and there's only one place where you can read about all the games. HINT - it's right here. [READ MORE]( [Celebrity Television Chef and former Rangers player, Gordon Ramsay pictured during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Rangers FC and Celtic FC at Ibrox Stadium on April 07, 2024, in Glasgow, Scotland.]( [Gordon Ramsay posts photo on a famous RI beach]( Gordon Ramsay has a restaurant just over the border at Foxwoods. [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. 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