This Just In: Langevin on abortion rights, and a key ruling in bitter Block Island dispute

Also, Central Falls unveils rebranding effort. [providencejournal.com]( This Just In Thursday, September 9 [Rep. Jim Langevin]( [Langevin on abortion rights, and a key ruling in bitter Block Island...]( Also, Central Falls unveils rebranding effort. Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal, and as an Eagles fan, I'm excited about seeing Tom Brady dismantle the Cowboys in the NFL opener tonight. U.S. Congressman Jim Langevin, who has described himself as an opponent of abortion while maintaining a mixed voting record on the issue, [announced today in a Providence Journal op-ed]( that he will support the Women's Health Protection Act, which would codify the Roe v. Wade decision into federal law. Langevin cited a new law in Texas that bans abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy, and what he described as the increasing likelihood that the Supreme Court will take the "extraordinary step" of overturning Roe. "Today, it is clear that radicalism has overtaken nuance," the congressman wrote. "Faced with the reality that Roe might no longer be the law of the land in a few months, I have come to the conclusion that I cannot support a reality where extremist state legislators can dictate women’s medical decisions. At the end of the day, we have to put our trust in women." Langevin's support is crucial to the bill's prospects of passing the House, where Democrats have just an eight-vote edge over Republicans. HIs announcement drew scorn from the Roman Catholic bishop of Providence, Thomas Tobin, who said: "Jim Langevin claims to be a 'practicing Catholic,' but practicing Catholics do not promote the legalization of abortion which the Church clearly teaches is an 'abominable crime.'" In other news: A Superior Court judge has ruled that a mediated settlement that would allow the expansion of Champlin's Marina on Block Island [was properly reached]( although opponents of the project were not a part of the mediation process. However the ruling, which Attorney General Peter Neronha strongly criticized, is not the quite the final stage of this 18-year battle. Providence Police Chief Hugh T. Clements Jr. says he thinks the title of the department's newly named major, who does not have prior police experience, [needs to change]( The city of Central Falls [has unveiled a rebranding campaign]( financed by private donors, that aims to promote the city's diversity and move past its old financial struggles. [A new medical director]( been named for the Eleanor Slater Hospital, and it's a familiar name: Dr. Elinore McCance-Katz, who held the same position for about two years before leaving for a job in the Trump administration. (She resigned that position following the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.) The Rhode Island Department of Health reported five coronavirus-related deaths and 371 additional cases of COVID-19, to go along with 19,080 negative tests, for a 1.9% positive rate. There were 130 COVID-positive patients in Rhode Island hospitals at last count, down from 148 reported yesterday, with 19 in intensive care. Rhode Island has reported an average of 295 new cases a day over the last seven days, down 1% from a week ago and up 6% from two weeks ago. Several members of Gov. Dan McKee's Overdose Prevention and Intervention task force [staged a walkout]( at the group's Wednesday meeting over a loss of funding for addiction-treatment and harm-reduction programs. The McKee administration says the cuts are not from the state, but result from a loss of federal funding. Federal prosecutors [are objecting to a judge's plan]( to refer a man who torched a Providence police cruiser last year to a program that is an alternative to prison. Flying witches will be moving into the historic Cranston Street Armory, which will be [the site of filming for the Disney movie "Hocus Pocus 2."Â]( Finally, I agree with Elizabeth Beisel: Today would have been a lousy day [to swim to Block Island]( Have a great night – unless you happen to be a Cowboys fan. 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