This Just In: Summer dining, roller disco, and painting Mattiello

Also, Deflategate still won't go away. [providencejournal.com]( This Just In Wednesday, May 26 [No one will take away 2021 summer joy, not even a hungry seagull. But you better protect your food there at Champlin’s Seafood Deck at Point Judith.]( [Summer dining, roller disco, and painting Mattiello]( Also, Deflategate still won't go away. Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal. It sure does feel like summer today, and if you're looking for something to get you in the mood, Gail Ciampa delivers by picking [21 can't-miss food and drink adventures]( for the summer of 2021. (If you're not quite like me, you may also be looking forward to [roller-disco nights]( at the BankNewport City Center in downtown Providence.) The state Department of Health today reported one coronavirus-related death and 78 additional cases of COVID-19, along with 8,554 negative tests, for a 0.9% positive rate. There were 70 COVID-positive patients in Rhode Island hospitals at last count, on Monday, up from 67 reported yesterday. Fifteen were in intensive care; 11 were on ventilators. If you use the latest Census count for the Rhode Island population, 47.6% of all Rhode Islanders are fully vaccinated, and 56.6% are at least partially vaccinated. The Health Department, which cites an earlier Census estimate of the state's population, [says that more than half of Rhode Island's residents are now fully vaccinated]( A familiar face [was spotted inside the State House]( recently: former Speaker Nicholas Mattiello. He was there to pose for a series of photos that will be used to create his official portrait, at a cost of $22,000. Speaking of the State House, actual lawmaking will be done there once again, [starting next week](. Current House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi has announced plans to move the House back to the Capitol from Veterans Memorial Auditorium. To prepare for the reps' return, workers today were removing $166,000 worth of plexiglass barriers that were installed last year when legislators convened briefly to finish their pandemic-interrupted 2020 session. The Senate, meanwhile, is staying put at Rhode Island College. State prosecutors say a South Kingstown woman [committed a hate crime]( last year when she allegedly unleashed a racist tirade at a Black family from East Providence who had gone to eat at the Coast Guard House in Narragansett. Christine Longo's trial began today in District Court. Her defense? "Offensive and hateful speech is protected" by the First Amendment. Not too many Rhode Islanders are required to wear masks outdoors any longer. One group that still must do so: youth and scholastic sports athletes, despite evidence that the risks of outdoor transmission are extremely low. [Some are starting to lose their patience with the situation](  The removal of mask mandates isn't good news for everyone. Nearly 500 workers with Honeywell in Smithfield [are being laid off]( because of plunging demand for N95 masks that are manufactured there. Facing opposition from fishermen, the state Coastal Resources Management Council [punted on a key approval]( for the South Fork Wind Farm. Spygate: It's the story that just won't go away. The latest twist? Future president and then-Patriots fan Donald Trump [allegedly tried to convince]( Republican Sen. Arlen Spector to drop his plan to pursue an investigation of the videotaping controversy. The claims, which were denied by a spokesman for Trump, are made in a story by ESPN, the Worldwide Leader in Deflategate coverage. Have a great night. And remember, if you enjoy This Just In, please [encourage a friend to sign up](. I think my mom just did today: Hi Mom! [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