Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

Taking the news pulse of Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, by Providence Journal and projo.com staff, from 7 to 7, every business day

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The first 25 words

Today's latest news at a glance


Free concert and fireworks Monday in Westerly

6:38 PM Fri, Jul 03, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Maria Armental    Email

WESTERLY, R.I. -- The celebrations continue Monday in Westerly, with a free concert and even more fireworks. The night will start with the first concert......



Update: Bank-robbery suspect, shot at by police, held

5:55 PM Fri, Jul 03, 2009 | | Comments (2)
By Kate Bramson    Email

By Maria Armental and Kate Bramson Journal Staff Writers PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A bank-robbery suspect accused of trying to run down a Rhode Island State......



Health insurers withdraw rate increase request in R.I.

4:29 PM Fri, Jul 03, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Peter Lord    Email

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The state's three commercial health plans withdrew requests Friday for double digit rate increases for next winter, a move that state Health......



R.I. forced to borrow again to cover unemployment

4:27 PM Fri, Jul 03, 2009 | | Comments (1)
By C. Eugene Emery Jr.    Email

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Once again, the well of money to pay basic state unemployment insurance claims is running low and Rhode Island is going to......



R.I. issues notice to more than 100 online retailers

4:23 PM Fri, Jul 03, 2009 | | Comments (5)
By Neil Downing    Email

The Rhode Island Division of Taxation has sent notices to more than 100 online retailers, letting them know about the state's new law that could......



Bristol puts on holiday best on day before parade / Photos

bristol2.jpg 4:17 PM Fri, Jul 03, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Pamela Reinsel Cotter    Email

Projo.com photos / Maria Caporizzo The whole town of Bristol is abuzz in preparation for tomorrow's big Fourth of July parade. Above, folks sit......



Weather update: Severe thunderstorm warning shifts

3:42 PM Fri, Jul 03, 2009 | | Write a comment
By News staff    Email

Updated at 3:41 p.m.: At 331 PM EDT National Weather Service Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm with the potential to produce wind gusts......



Air Force recruiter, accused of selling drugs, denied bail

3:08 PM Fri, Jul 03, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Talia Buford    Email

WARWICK, R.I. -- After a three-day hearing, the Air National Guard recruiter accused of selling drugs out of the recruiting station was denied bail in......



Update: Scarborough and Camp Fuller beaches reopen

2:30 PM Fri, Jul 03, 2009 | | Comments (1)
By Kate Bramson    Email

By Donita Naylor Journal staff writer Health officials expect most Rhode Island beaches to be open for holiday swimming on Saturday, but conditions can change......



Irish potato famine fungus strain hits R.I. crops

2:19 PM Fri, Jul 03, 2009 | | Comments (1)
By Thomas J. Morgan    Email

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A strain of the fungus that caused the Irish potato famine of the 1840s is on the loose in Rhode Island and......



Send us your Newport folk memories

2:01 PM Fri, Jul 03, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Rick Massimo    Email

The first folk festival in Newport was 50 years ago this summer, and we're looking for stories from longtime attendees for possible inclusion in a......



Weather alert: Thunderstorm popping up over Warwick

1:55 PM Fri, Jul 03, 2009 | | Write a comment
By News staff    Email

Brace yourself -- they're headed this way again. From the National Weather Service: Special Weather Statement Statement as of 1:32 PM EDT on July 3,......



Leaking men's room makes for a swampy State House

1:53 PM Fri, Jul 03, 2009 | | Comments (1)
By Pamela Reinsel Cotter    Email

By Cynthia Needham Journal staff writer The flood of legislation never materialized from the State House this week, but the water did. From the men's......



Ocean Explorium opens full-time in New Bedford, Mass.

1:20 PM Fri, Jul 03, 2009 | | Comments (1)
By Alan Rosenberg    Email

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (AP) - New Bedford is celebrating more than just Independence Day as the city welcomes the full-time opening of the Ocean Explorium.......



DEM: No trace so far of mosquito-borne diseases in R.I.

12:47 PM Fri, Jul 03, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Thomas J. Morgan    Email

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The state Department of Environmental Management announced Friday that test results from traps set statewide during the week of June 22 gave......



Find a fireworks show, or two, near you this weekend

12:35 PM Fri, Jul 03, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Jack Perry    Email

Financial problems recently forced three Rhode Island communities to cancel their Fourth of July fireworks, but the shows go on in several cities and towns.......



Michael Jackson tribute Saturday in East Providence

12:25 PM Fri, Jul 03, 2009 | | Comments (1)
By Thomas J. Morgan    Email

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A memorial tribute to Michael Jackson is to be held Saturday at the Cape Verdean Progressive Center, 329 Grosvenor Ave. The......



Update: Kingston fireman died of head injuries

lepage.jpg 11:23 AM Fri, Jul 03, 2009 | | Comments (1)
By Jack Perry    Email

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. -- As relatives and friends readied themselves for this afternoon's wake for longtime Kingston volunteer firefighter Allan "Pickles" LePage, the state......



Most federal offices are closed Friday for the Fourth

7:51 AM Fri, Jul 03, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Kate Bramson    Email

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - There's a little confusion on Smith Hill about when the state will officially celebrate Independence Day. July 4, as most of us......



Another chance of thunderstorms Friday, better weekend

7:18 AM Fri, Jul 03, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Jack Perry    Email

The wild weather could continue Friday, with a chance of showers and thunderstorms that could produce small hail, heavy rain and frequent lightning, according to......



Friday's Providence Journal front page

ri_pj_20090703.jpg 7:16 AM Fri, Jul 03, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Jack Perry    Email

Friday's Providence Journal front page reports that Fidelity Investments plans to add 500 new jobs in Rhode Island. Spectators have enjoyed the Fourth of......



Today in history: Fatal plane crash in Newport

6:00 AM Fri, Jul 03, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Thomas J. Morgan    Email

A year ago today: Two people are dead and a third severely injured after a fiery plane crash at Newport State Airport. The single-engine Piper......



The Judds reunite at Mohegan Sun

10:20 PM Thu, Jul 02, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Rick Massimo    Email

BY RICK MASSIMO Journal Pop Music Writer UNCASVILLE, Conn. -- There was a lot of talk about miracles Thursday night at the Arena at the......



Small plane crash-lands safely at Green Airport

plane_land.jpg 9:29 PM Thu, Jul 02, 2009 | | Comments (3)
By Donita Naylor    Email

Providence Journal photo / Ruben W. Perez Firefighters and police officials surround a small plane that landed on its belly Thursday night at T.F.......



Small plane crash-lands at Green Airport; none injured

9:11 PM Thu, Jul 02, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Donita Naylor    Email

WARWICK, R.I. -- A small aircraft made a belly landing at T.F. Green Airport on Thursday night, a Warwick Fire Department dispatcher has confirmed. Initial......