Woonsocket Radio News Room

Hello everyone, 

 

As many of you know, Governor Raimondo has been selected to serve as Commerce Secretary in the Biden Administration. I want to congratulate her and thank her for her leadership and service to our state. 

 

As the transition begins, I want Rhode Islanders to know that we’re all going to work together. We will be laser-focused on the COVID-19 response and vaccine rollout, and we will come out of this crisis stronger than we went in. 

 

This is a critically important time for our state and nation. 

 

Our frontline health care workers – our nurses, doctors, and hospital staff – are giving their all to save lives and fight against this virus. Thousands of families are working hard to make ends meet. Small businesses are being challenged like they have never been challenged before – and I will do everything I can to help them survive and prosper. Parents are concerned about their children’s education and our heroic teachers are doing incredible work overcoming unprecedented obstacles. And everyone is wondering when will a vaccine finally reach them. 

 

As a lifelong Rhode Islander – a former mayor, small business owner, and state official – I want you to know that our transition process will be seamless, particularly when it comes to the pandemic response and vaccine rollout.

 

I’m communicating with our health officials and have spoken to Speaker Shekarchi and Senate President Ruggerio. As I have in the past, I will continue to work with all our municipal leaders to ensure their voices are heard at the state level. 

 

We’re going to be a government that listens and works with our partners in all 39 cities and towns. Because we all have the same goal – to build a stronger future for the people of the State of Rhode Island. 

 

I look forward to working together to earn your trust – and confidence – in the days and months ahead.

 

In 2021, let’s stay positive and test negative. Thank you very much.

The Supreme Court will hear arguments today on former President Donald Trump's claim he has absolute immunity on charges of attempting to overturn the 2020 election. The outcome could determine whether Trump faces a federal trial this year on four felony counts brought by special counsel Jack Smith, which include conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and obstruction of an official proceeding.        The abortion issue was front and center in America on Wednesday. First, the U.S. Supreme Court heard a case is over whether Idaho's near-total abortion ban conflicts with a federal law requiring hospitals to provide patients emergency care. A decision is expected in June. Later in the day, Arizona's House of Representatives voted to repeal a Civil War-era abortion law that bans nearly all abortions, and the bill now heads to the state Senate.        The seven World Central Kitchen workers killed in Gaza will be honored this morning at Washington National Cathedral. The workers were killed in an Israeli airstrike on April 1st while bringing food aid to people in the war torn Palestinian territory.        The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is suing the Federal Trade Commission over its banning of noncompete agreements. The FTC voted Tuesday to block new noncompete agreements and require employers not to enforce current noncompetes, with an exception for senior executives. Business groups argue that these agreements are actually necessary to protect their intellectual property. They accuse the FTC of regulatory overreach.       A Beatles guitar that's been missing for over 50 years has been discovered in the attic of a British house. Julien's Auctions says the 12-string Hootenanny acoustic guitar is the same one John Lennon played on classics like "Norwegian Wood," and he can be seen playing the guitar in the movie "Help!" It will be going up for auction next month in New York City.        The road to the NBA Finals continued on Wednesday. The Miami Heat pulled off a 111-101 upset victory over the Boston Celtics in Game Two at TD Garden. Out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder crushed the New Orleans Pelicans 124-92 at the Paycom Center.        

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