This Just In: A violent morning in Providence

Also, the debate over school masks isn't over yet. [providencejournal.com]( This Just In Thursday, February 10 [Jason Lopes, of Providence, took video Thursday morning when police exchanged heavy gunfire with a man on Denison Street in the Charles neighborhood.]( [A violent morning in Providence]( Also, the debate over school masks isn't over yet. Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal. When you're getting deep into your 40s, staying up late isn't what it used to be, but it was still great to check out Waxahatchee at the Columbus Theatre last night. Here's what's happening today. Providence's public safety commissioner says he's never seen anything like the terrifying scene this morning in the Charles neighborhood, when officers [traded hundreds of rounds of automatic gunfire]( with a 61-year-old man who had barricaded himself inside a house after reportedly assaulting two family members. The man is now dead, but the circumstances remain unclear. The standoff occurred just hours after a woman was [shot and killed]( in the Valley neighborhood; police are asking for the public's help locating the suspect. The Rhode Island Department of Health reported six more coronavirus-related deaths and 619 additional cases of COVID-19, along with 11,555 negative tests, for a 5.1% positive rate. There were 259 COVID-positive patients in Rhode Island hospitals at last count, down from 279 reported yesterday. Rhode Island has reported an average of 613 new COVID cases a day over the last seven days, down 43% from a week ago and down 72% from two weeks ago. If Gov. Dan McKee's plan to wind down the state mask mandate for schools on March 4 is to go forward, he first needs the General Assembly to extend his emergency powers. But some [would rather not do that]( and most of the state's outnumbered Republicans are pushing to lift the school mask requirement immediately. Environmental advocates were happy that McKee's budget created a dedicated funding stream for the Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council, but they're not pleased that [the money will be siphoned]( from a popular program that helps people make their homes more energy-efficient. Just a week after the Providence Diocese suspended a Smithfield priest [who had been the subject of sexual-assault allegations in the past]( a lawmaker is pushing to make it easier for victims to sue institutions [that enable predatory behavior]( A South Kingstown police sergeant is suing the town, alleging that [he was threatened at gunpoint]( by a former lieutenant he'd accused of sexually harassing a dispatcher. One of Rhode Island's signature music festivals may be gone forever. Chuck Wentworth, the force behind the Rhythm and Roots Festivals since the late 1990s, [is calling it quits]( due to health concerns. Here's [Mark Patinkin's tribute]( to former Journal sports editor Art Martone, who passed away early yesterday, as I noted in this newsletter. More than a year after Rep. Joseph McNamara deemed Rhode Island the "[calamari comeback state]( the PBS show "Roadfood" will air an episode [dedicated to our state and its squid](. And McNamara gets to relive his viral moment. Finally, if you're looking for a local connection to cheer for on Super Bowl Sunday, Mark Daniels is here to introduce you to [the Rams' Michael Hoecht]( who played college ball at Brown. (But I'm still rooting for the Bengals.) 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]( © 2022 75 Fountain St., Providence, RI 02902