This Just In: Friars march on, and a family fights for justice

Also, Dr. Jha heads to Washington. [providencejournal.com]( This Just In Thursday, March 17 [Mar 17, 2022; Buffalo, NY, USA; Providence Friars head coach Ed Cooley reacts in the first half against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits during the first round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports]( [Friars march on, and a family fights for justice]( Also, Dr. Jha heads to Washington. Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of the Providence Journal. Happy St. Patrick's Day. The celebration can truly start for Providence College fans, now that the Friars have won their opening-round NCAA Tournament game. It wasn't easy, but the Friars knocked off South Dakota State this afternoon in Buffalo, 66-57, in large part by shutting down the Jackrabbits' high-powered offense. PC's next game will be Saturday against either Iowa or Richmond. We'll have coverage throughout the afternoon and evening on providencejournal.com. Bryant's dream season came to an end last night, [with a loss]( in a play-in game against Wright State. The family of Olivia Passaretti was already familiar with tragedy, but what happened just after midnight on New Year's Day was unthinkable. When 17-year-old Olivia died in a crash on Route 95 with a car whose driver fled the scene, it robbed the family, and the world, of a teenager who was just coming into her own in many ways. More than two months after she died, Olivia's room is largely as she left it, and her family is demanding that the man accused of causing her death [be charged with murder]( The Rhode Island Department of Health reported two more coronavirus-related deaths and 243 additional cases of COVID-19, along with 7,881 negative tests, for a 3.0% positive rate. There were 67 COVID-positive patients in Rhode Island hospitals at last count, down from 77 reported yesterday, with six in intensive care. Rhode Island has reported an average of 176 new cases a day over the last seven days, up 21% from a week ago and down 8% from two weeks ago. The seven-day average has increased four straight days. Dr. Ashish Jha, the dean of the Brown University School of Public Health who has gained a national reputation over the last two years for his pandemic guidance, [is headed to Washington](. Dr. Jha, who has been featured in a regular Providence Journal podcast, will President Joe Biden's COVID-response coordinator. A North Providence doctor, who had his license suspended for a time last year amid allegations that he knowingly exposed patients to the coronavirus, [is now the subject of a complaint by the U.S. Department of Labor](. Dr. Anthony Farina is now accused of firing an employee after she complained that a COVID-positive coworker was placing her at risk. The letter Z, frequently painted on Russian tanks, has come to symbolize support for Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. So when a tanker ship appeared in Narragansett Bay with a Z prominently painted on its smokestack, many local people wondered if it had Russian connections. The Journal's Paul Edward Parker [found the answer]( The director of the Emergency Management Agency in Charlestown [is facing criticism]( after he threw cold water on the idea of bringing food trucks to local events, because that might bring "people from Providence" into town. As frustration mounts with the pace of change in the state-run Providence schools, the School Board last night heard [anguished testimony on persistent dysfunction]( Two of Rhode Island's biggest economic-development incentive programs actually [cost the government more than they have brought back in future tax payments]( according to a new report from the Department of Revenue. The executive director of a local nonprofit organization that aims to prevent youth suicide [has been charged with indecent solicitation of a child]( Finally, Saturday is St. Joseph's Day, so while Ed Cooley works on his game plan for that day, the rest of us will be working on our zeppole plans. [Here are 12 bakeries that make great ones]( 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