Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - November 15, 2024
Analysis
Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - November 15, 2024
We have expanded the list, and we are going to a GoLocal team approach while encouraging readers to suggest nominees for who is "HOT" and who is "NOT."
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST
Over the past 14-plus years, more than 7,000 have been tagged as HOT or NOT.
Email GoLocal by midday on Thursday about anyone you think should be tapped as "HOT" or "NOT." Email us HERE.
Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - November 15, 2024
HOT
The Guardian Drops "X" - GoLocal Did Years Ago
The Guardian announced this week:
We wanted to let readers know that we will no longer post on any official Guardian editorial accounts on the social media site X (formerly Twitter). We think that the benefits of being on X are now outweighed by the negatives and that resources could be better used promoting our journalism elsewhere.
This is something we have been considering for a while given the often disturbing content promoted or found on the platform, including far-right conspiracy theories and racism. The US presidential election campaign served only to underline what we have considered for a long time: that X is a toxic media platform and that its owner, Elon Musk, has been able to use its influence to shape political discourse.
X users will still be able to share our articles, and the nature of live news reporting means we will still occasionally embed content from X within our article pages.
HOT
A Sweet Local Love Story
This week's must-read is GoLocal News Editor Kate Nagle's profile of a great Rhode Island love story.
Nagle writes:
There has been a major merger between two carrier services in Providence.
And it is not of the business kind.
It is a love story between the United States Postal Service and UPS - Brown meets red, white, and blue.
North Providence native Jessica Martin, a carrier with USPS, and UPS driver Cory Thibault, originally of West Warwick, began crossing paths on their routes on the East Side.
A lot.
What began as simple hellos and small talk soon turned into something more, and on October 26, after three years of dating, the two got engaged at Colt State Park.
Naturally, in typical Rhode Island fashion, it was one of the worst-kept secrets on the streets.
“There are a bunch of East Side residents who think it’s just adorable,” laughed Thibault. “Over the years, I’d stop at Jess’ truck and say hi…and then people started to put it together.”
This week, GoLocal spoke with Martin and Thibault about the merger - and their recent acquisition, a chocolate lab named “Choco.”
HOT
Helping a Swan Back Home in Riverside
On Monday, East Providence Animal Control - and some bystanders - helped escort a swan back to Willett Pond in Riverside.
Bill Hurley with McShortagee’s Market captured the sweet video.
“He was a big guy,” said Hurley of the swan, who was directed away from the busy road - and back to natural habitat.
According to Hurley, animal control said it was “the third one this week.”
“They thought he might be injured,” said Hurley, of Monday’s swan. “But he walked cleanly, and swam off.”
HOT
Called It Like He Sees It - Give Honesty a Little Credit
The coach of St. Raphael’s Boys’ Football Team went to social media this week, where he blasted Moses Brown over canceling this year’s Thanksgiving game.
St. Ray’s Michael Sassi last Friday issued a scathing assessment of the actions by Moses Brown's athletic administration's behavior.
“I have been getting a lot of questions about [the] Thanksgiving Day Football Game. Here are the facts. We noticed in September that Moses Brown had not put our Thanksgiving Day Game on their calendar (it was supposed to be their home game this year). I reached out to their Athletic Director and he told me they were working on it,” said Sassi, who was the Rhode Island football coach of the year in 2022.
Moses Brown is a private prep school located in Proividence's East Side. St. Raphael is a Catholic school located in Pawtucket.
“Our A.D. heard from Moses Brown a week later and was told they couldn’t secure a field…so we said we could host. The Assistant A.D. from MB also stated they are not into Thanksgiving Day Game and could we play the Friday before, if both teams were eliminated from the playoffs at that point…again, we agreed. Then last Monday we were informed by their Assistant A.D. that they had too many injuries and could not play our game. They still played a game last week and are competing in the Division 2 playoffs this weekend,” wrote Sassi.
NOT
Federal Hill and City of Providence's Response
Shooting,
Stabbing,
Robbery,
Repeat.
Shooting,
Stabbing,
Robbery,
Repeat.
Shooting,
Stabbing,
Robbery,
Repeat.
NOT
It’s Time to Start Thinking About Repurposing Providence Place Mall
Providence Place Mall, now in receivership, is not HOT, but GoLocal columnist Bob McMahon has a smart look at how to repurpose the property.
NOT
Matt Gaetz' Appointment
Both Democrats and Republicans have made their share of terrible appointments over the years.
However, Trump's appointment of Gaetz may be the worst in modern history.
NOT
More Slashing at Projo
The Providence Journal’s printing production facility in the city will be closing in 2025.
The impact will reportedly mean the loss of 136 jobs and the newspaper's printing will move to New Jersey.
According to the Providence Journal, the publication’s owner, Gannett, confirmed the development on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (DLT) posted that Gannett has submitted the federally required WARN letter regarding the layoffs.
According to the filing, the layoffs will be effective March 10, 2025.
