This Just In: Divisions in North Kingstown; inside the Providence pension emergency

Also, the urgent need for blood donations. [providencejournal.com]( This Just In Monday, May 9 [North Kingstown High School]( [Divisions in North Kingstown; inside the Providence pension emergency]( Also, the urgent need for blood donations. Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal. Are you tired of the wind yet? Today is May 9; two years ago, Gov. Gina Raimondo's COVID-related stay-at-home order was lifted as the state entered "phase one" of Raimondo's reopening plan. It's been a difficult year for parents and teachers in North Kingstown, which is widely considered one of the best school districts in Rhode Island. It began with the revelations surrounding the "fat testing" program run by former varsity basketball coach Aaron Thomas, which eventually led to the resignations of the superintendent and assistant superintendent. Now three additional school employees are on leave as a result of new allegations. Education reporter Linda Borg writes that [the fallout has divided the town]( with some demanding sweeping changes in school leadership, while others question the motives of the schools' fiercest critics. Is the City of Providence seeking legislative go-ahead to paper over decades of over-the-top pension giveaways — with $515 million in borrowing — without the same level of reform that the state implemented a decade ago? In [this week's Political Scene column]( Katherine Gregg and Amy Russo take a close look at the pension crisis in Providence, and why advocates say a massive borrowing plan may be the only option for solving it. Led by state historian laureate Patrick Conley, some real-estate investors are pushing legislators to [ban remote participation]( in municipal tax sales. They're pitching it as a way to keep out-of-state hedge funds away in favor of local actors with more pure motives; detractors say it would be a giveaway to a small group of insiders. Mark Patinkin set out to write a column about actress Viola Davis and ended up writing one about Davis's sister. Find out why he thinks she is [an equally important role model]( The Rhode Island Department of Health reported two coronavirus-related deaths and 1,679 additional cases of COVID-19 over the last three days, along with 16,608 negative tests, for a 9.2% positive rate. There were 78 COVID-positive patients in Rhode Island hospitals at last count, down from 85 reported Friday, with fewer than five in intensive care. Rhode Island has reported an average of 673 new cases a day over the last seven days, up 30% from a week ago and up 89% from two weeks ago. The Rhode Island Blood Center has once again [declared a blood emergency]( with supplies running critically low. More than a month after naming Javier Montañez the permanent superintendent of the Providence public schools, state education officials released [details of Montañez's contract]( Three Rhode Islanders lost their lives in crashes in Massachusetts over the weekend: [a father and son from Providence]( and a Smithfield woman who police say was hit by a car that was [traveling the wrong way]( on Route 495. The Town of Bristol opened a locked safe that had been forgotten about for decades in the basement of an old elementary school, and the event [turned into quite the spectacle]( In today's Veterans Voice column, Frank Lennon writes about a Rhode Island National Guard unit that is on its way to [an important overseas deployment]( Brown University's men's lacrosse team [is NCAA Tournament-bound]( and the Bears will be hosting a coach who knows his way around College Hill. And finally, it's not exactly a must-win game for the Celtics tonight, but it's pretty close, as they face the Milwaukee Bucks in Game Four of their Eastern Conference semifinal series. The game is at 7:30 on TNT. Celtics head coach Ime Udoka didn't exactly make any friends with the officiating crew with [his remarks after Game Three on Saturday]( 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