Woonsocket Radio News Room

Speaker Shekarchi statement on the resignation

of Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott

 

Below a statement from Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi on the resignation of Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott:

 

“Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott has led Rhode Island’s Department of Health through unimaginably trying times, and I am grateful for her thoughtful, pragmatic leadership. She has been a steadfast and trusted resource for all of us.

“While the pandemic is far from over, Dr. Alexander-Scott has set forth the framework to ensure that our state is on the path to recovery. I talked to her this morning and expressed my gratitude for her great work throughout the pandemic. I encouraged her to stay.

“In addition to her exceptional work during this crisis, Dr. Alexander-Scott has been steadfast in her advocacy to eliminate health disparities that disproportionally impact some of our communities.

“Dr. Alexander-Scott has led our state with compassion, confidence and dignity. She has been a calming influence, and Rhode Island is a healthier place because of her. I wish her the very best in her future endeavors.”

 

Former President Trump's criminal hush money trial is back in session today. Jurors are hearing testimony from former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker who has explained this week how he protected Trump from negative stories leading up to the 2016 presidential election while smearing Trump's opponents.       The Supreme Court is considering whether Donald Trump is immune from criminal prosecution for acts he took in office. The case before them today centered around Trump's federal election interference charges. Trump's attorney argued prosecuting a president for official acts "incompatible" with Constitution. The special counsel attorney argued the Constitution does not grant a president absolute immunity.        Severe weather is hitting parts of the Central U.S. today. Large hail, heavy downpours and isolated tornadoes are possible from the Texas Panhandle to southern Nebraska, with wind gusts reaching 85 miles per hour. Forecasters are warning of flash flooding from the heavy rain, and are telling residents across the Central Plains to stay alert for tornadoes.       Stocks are tanking after new economic data is showing a sharp slowdown in growth. Gross domestic product rose by one-point-six-percent in the first quarter, against expectations of two-point-four-percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average has been down more than 450 points at times in today's session. The Nasdaq has been down over 200 points at times as well.       The abortion issue was front and center on Wednesday. First, the U.S. Supreme Court heard a case 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. The same 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 Zurich Classic of New Orleans is underway. This week's PGA Tour event is taking place at TPC Lousiana in Avondale. This event marks the Tour's only team event with two rounds of four balls and then two rounds of foursomes.       

Old News Archives