This Just In: National Grid's windfall; COVID's toll on Alzheimer's community

Also, federal authorities announce arrests in unemployment fraud probe. [providencejournal.com]( This Just In Thursday, April 8 [Workers load 20 miles of cable onto an installation vessel at Quonset Business Park as part of the Deepwater Wind project in 2016.]( [This Just In: National Grid's windfall; COVID's toll on Alzheimer's...]( Also, federal authorities announce arrests in unemployment fraud probe. Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In on a gorgeous spring day in Rhode Island. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal. When Rhode Island policymakers put the state on a path to hosting the first offshore wind farm in the country, off Block Island, they knew the power would be expensive. It was a price they were willing to pay to jump-start a new clean energy industry. What they didn't expect was that National Grid would pocket millions in excess profits from a surcharge on Rhode Island energy bills. The amount that the utility is making [has infuriated some state regulators]( and raised questions about whether National Grid is breaking state law. Last month [The Journal reported]( that Rhode Island College had laid off 13 teachers who serve visually impaired students across the state. While state officials insisted that students would not lose services, the reaction from many families was anguished. Now Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green says she will try to convince the General Assembly [to fund the positions]( We all know that the coronavirus crisis has not hit everyone equally. Some of those who have suffered the most are those living with advance dementia, as well as their loved ones. Wayne Miller has [the heartbreaking story]( of a North Providence couple whose lifelong love story was disrupted by Alzheimer's disease, before coronavirus stole their chance to say goodbye. Gov. Dan McKee said that high-school proms and graduations, and 4th of July parades "[will happen this year]( in Rhode Island thanks to the progress of the state's vaccination campaign. But this confident statement was tempered with a warning, from Health Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott , that the coronavirus remains widespread across Rhode Island, and that new infections frequently involve the more contagious and lethal B117 variant. The number of COVID-positive patients in Rhode Island hospitals is up nearly 30% from two weeks ago, and younger patients are helping [drive that trend]( The federal government waived its standardized testing requirements for public schools last year, but the requirement is back this spring. But for Rhode Island parents who have kept their students on distance learning, the idea of reporting to school to take the RICAS exam [is a nonstarter]( The U.S. Attorney's office announced the arrest of 15 Rhode Islanders [on charges of unemployment fraud](. The 15 are accused of filing bogus claims in 11 different states. A young man from Warren who is accused of murdering a Barrington chiropractor in 2018 [is suing his former therapist]( saying negligent care in the weeks leading up to the killing caused him to have a psychiatric episode. Julian Edelman has been a popular and reliable New England Patriot for more than a decade, but his age and knee problem make his future with the team [murky at best](. Gary Bimonte, who turned New Haven's landmark Frank Pepe's pizzeria into a regional powerhouse, [has died]( Finally, get ready beer lovers: Narragansett's new brewery is about to open by the India Point waterfront. Gail Ciampa [has a sneak peek]( Have a great night. And remember, if you enjoy This Just In, please [encourage a friend to sign up]( [Discover more with our newsletters: Get the latest headlines, things to do and more in your inbox. Sign up here.]( [click here]( Problem viewing email? [View in browser]( [Unsubscribe]( • [Manage Newsletters]( • [Terms of Service]( • [Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights]( • [Privacy Notice]( • [Do Not Sell My Info/Cookie Policy]( • [Feedback]( © 2021 75 Fountain St. , Providence, RI 02902