Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - December 16, 2022

HOT

Top American Columnist Froma Harrop Latest Addition to GoLocal

Froma Harrop is one of the top columnists in the United States — now, she joins the collection of top-rated writers at GoLocal.

Harrop covers the waterfront of politics, economics and culture with an unconventional approach. She takes public policy quite seriously. Herself, less so.

“Harrop writes like no one else in American journalism as she harvests columns from high, low and middle-brow culture, politics, business and economics and other topics that come her way as a result of her intense curiosity and hard research," said Robert Whitcomb, GoLocal columnist and long-time editor of the editorial page for The Providence Journal. "She often identifies important developments that others in the media haven't recognized. She gracefully adjusts her voice as needed from the clinical to the comic to the tragic while keeping close at hand a keen sense of the absurd.”

Harrop is the recipient of numerous awards and honors. She has worked on the Reuters business desk, edited economics reports for The New York Times news service and served on the Providence Journal editorial board. She has written for such diverse publications as The New York Times, Harper’s Bazaar and Institutional Investor.

Harrop has been seen on MSNBC and PBS and heard on NPR and many other radio outlets. And she is currently a contributor to CNN Opinion.

She joins GoLocal’s cadre of regular opinion writers and contributors on news, politics, and business including Whitcomb, Rob Horowitz, Mac Owens, Jennifer Lawless, Raymond "Two Hawks" Watson, Mark Curtis, Dr. Ed Iannucilli, and Will Morgan.

Biggest News Story 

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and DOE’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announced on Wednesday the achievement of fusion ignition at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)—a major scientific breakthrough decades in the making that will pave the way for advancements in national defense and the future of clean power.

On December 5, a team at LLNL’s National Ignition Facility (NIF) conducted the first controlled fusion experiment in history to reach this milestone, also known as scientific energy breakeven, meaning it produced more energy from fusion than the laser energy used to drive it. This historic, first-of-its kind achievement will provide unprecedented capability to support NNSA’s Stockpile Stewardship Program and will provide invaluable insights into the prospects of clean fusion energy, which would be a game-changer for efforts to achieve President Biden’s goal of a net-zero carbon economy.

“This is a landmark achievement for the researchers and staff at the National Ignition Facility who have dedicated their careers to seeing fusion ignition become a reality, and this milestone will undoubtedly spark even more discovery,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to supporting our world-class scientists—like the team at NIF—whose work will help us solve humanity’s most complex and pressing problems, like providing clean power to combat climate change and maintaining a nuclear deterrent without nuclear testing.”

Read more here. 

HOT

New in Westerly

Michael Rose has the latest on the new gallery in Westerly:

Art spaces that bend definitions are an asset to the community. Beyond traditional galleries and institutional venues, other places in which to experience artworks add much to the cultural scene. In the heart of Westerly, painter Annie Wildey and photographer Michael Fanelli have joined forces to open a new space that blurs the line between gallery, studio, and something altogether new. Their venture, AiR Studio Gallery, is a laudable addition to the Rhode Island art community.

Located at 19-B Railroad Avenue in Westerly, AiR Studio Gallery is a bright space offering expertly painted seascapes by Wildey and contemporary photographs with an experimental edge by Fanelli. The name AiR comes from the term “artists in residence” and gives a peek into what the co-owners are aiming to do with the venue. With three rooms and an abundance of space, visitors will find the first exhibition brings together paintings, photographs, and prints in surprising and inventive ways. AiR will also be an active studio in which Wildey and Fanelli will make their work. Located just across the street from the Westerly Amtrak Station and the Arts Cooperative Gallery of Westerly, AiR promises to add something new to the community.

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HOT

Big Game Baker

Outgoing Governor of Massachusetts Charlie Baker is going to be the next President of the NCAA. 

"We are excited to welcome Governor Charlie Baker to the NCAA and eager for him to begin his work with our organization," NCAA Board of Governors chair Linda Livingstone said in a statement, reported CBS Boston. "Governor Baker has shown a remarkable ability to bridge divides and build bipartisan consensus, taking on complex challenges in innovative and effective ways. As a former student-athlete himself, husband to a former college gymnast, and father to two former college football players, Governor Baker is deeply committed to our student-athletes and enhancing their collegiate experience. These skills and perspective will be invaluable as we work with policymakers to build a sustainable model for the future of college athletics."

"I am honored to become the next president of the NCAA, an organization that impacts millions of families and countless communities across this country every day," Baker said in a statement. "The NCAA is confronting complex and significant challenges, but I am excited to get to work as the awesome opportunity college athletics provides to so many students is more than worth the challenge.  And for the fans that faithfully fill stadiums, stands and gyms from coast to coast, I am eager to ensure the competitions we all love to follow are there for generations to come. Over the coming months, I will begin working with student-athletes and NCAA members as we modernize college sports to suit today's world, while preserving its essential value."  

HOT

Dr. Ed's New Book

The downsizing process can be painful, but it also can be funny.

Read Dr. Ed's journey. He has a lot of practical advice to give; some humorous, some witty, some difficult, and some fun.

"Essays on the Art and Pain of Downsizing." Buy it HERE.

NOT

Twitter's Self Destruction

The New York Times reports:

"The accounts suspended included Ryan Mac of The New York Times; Drew Harwell of The Washington Post; Aaron Rupar, an independent journalist; Donie O’Sullivan of CNN; Matt Binder of Mashable; Tony Webster, an independent journalist; Micah Lee of The Intercept; and the political journalist Keith Olbermann. It was unclear what the suspensions had in common; each user’s Twitter page included a message that said it suspended account that “violated the Twitter rules.”

On Wednesday night, NBC reported the following:

“You doxx, you get suspended. End of story. That's it,” Musk said, explaining his latest policy to the group, before he left minutes after having joined the discussion.

Musk was referring to Twitter's latest rule change about accounts that track private jets, including one owned by Musk himself, which was put in place Wednesday.

NOT

More Cuts at WEEI 

Earlier this week, the station announced former Boston Red Sox infielder  — and Providence College graduate — Lou Merloni is out at WEEI. 

Now, it is veteran Mike Mutnansky.

He Tweeted on Tuesday night:

Some news - next week will be my final week at WEEI. 

Station management informed me last week they are not renewing my deal for 2023. 

Will briefly talk about it in the first hour of tonight’s show.

NOT

Fumbling and Bumbling

It is hard to have confidence in the Providence School Department after this week.

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