Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - October 9, 2020

HOT

First Responders and Dr. Nicole Alexander Scott 

Rhode Island Health Director, Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, and the state's first responders will be honored at an awards ceremony at noon on November 10 by Family Service of Rhode Island.

This award is in recognition of their efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic in Rhode Island. 

REGISTER HERE

“I'm so grateful to our first responders working tirelessly on the front lines of the pandemic, especially Dr. Alexander-Scott," said FSRI’s CEO Margaret Holland McDuff "They have truly gone above and beyond in their service to the community."

All proceeds from this event support Family Service of RI’s efforts to combat COVID through initiatives like Be Safe RI, which has helped provide more than 25,000 Rhode Islanders since March 2020 with masks, cleaning supplies, and food.

HOT

Congressman Cicilline's Subcommittee Report on Big Tech

U.S. Congressman David Cicilline, Chair of the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Antitrust, issued a scathing report on the anticompetitive business models of America's four largest tech giants -- Apple, Facebook, Google, and Amazon.

Now, it needs to take action. Reports sit of shelves, will this translate to regulatory or legislative action?

“To put it simply, companies that once were scrappy, underdog startups that challenged the status quo have become the kinds of monopolies we last saw in the era of oil barons and railroad tycoons," said Cicilline in his subcommittee's 450-page report.

Cicilline writes in the report, “Although these four corporations differ in important ways, studying their business practices has revealed common problems. First, each platform now serves as a gatekeeper over a key channel of distribution. By controlling access to markets, these giants can pick winners and losers throughout our economy. They not only wield tremendous power, but they also abuse it by charging exorbitant fees, imposing oppressive contract terms, and extracting valuable data from the people and businesses that rely on them. Second, each platform uses its gatekeeper position to maintain its market power."

HOT

Viola Davis

Central Falls native Viola Davis has cracked the top-ten list of highest-paid actresses — in the world. 

Forbes reported their new list this week, noting “with few movies premiering, TV and streaming are where the Benjamins are.”

Coming in at number ten, Forbes pins Davis’ 2020 earnings at $15.5 million.

"Davis makes the list for the first time thanks to seven-figure checks from her roles as Annalise Keating on How to Get Away with Murder and Ma Rainey in Netflix’s film adaption of the August Wilson play Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom," writes Forbes. 

Read more here.

HOT

Amnesia Is Apparently Quite Hot

Some of Rhode Island's top leaders, including Speaker of the House Nick Mattiello, his chief of Staff Leo Skenyon and lobbyist Matt Jerzyk all had difficult times remembering what happened in 2016.

"I don't recall," seemed to be the mantra in Ken County Court House during the corruption charge against political consultant Jeff Britt.

HOT

Former Vice President Joe Biden - Hot by Default

Biden's hotness derives not from any strategic move or compelling public policy initiative, but simple by running against Donald Trump, who may have had the worst two weeks in American politics.

Biden beware, however -- four years ago on Columbus Day weekend, the Billy Bush video came out and Trump survived that and won the election.

HOT

T.F. Green Flights to Winter Getaways

T.F. Green Airport has announced fall and winter route updates -- including more service to Florida. 

There will be expanded service to several Florida destinations including Fort Lauderdale and Orlando including the launch of new JetBlue service to Tampa and Fort Myers plus the resumption of West Palm Beach on October 1.

In addition, a new route to Miami on Frontier Airlines has been announced to begin on December 17. 

Earlier this year, Green finished second in the 2020 “USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice” travel award contest for “Best Small Airport” in the country.

See Flights HERE

NOT

Coronavirus v. Patriots

Bill Belichick is a miracle worker, but he is 0-1 v. the coronavirus.

With Stephon Gilmore now out with COVID and no word on when Cam Newton returns, it looks like the virus could go 2-0 against the Pats.

NOT

Coronavirus Cases Are Dramatically Increasing in Rhode Island

Nearly all of the numbers are going in the wrong direction and it is just the beginning of October. 

It is time for Rhode Islanders to mask-up to save jobs, businesses and everyone's physical and mental health.

PHOTO: Lilly M.

NOT

Hoyer. Brian Hoyer. 

Steny Hoyer might have played better than Brian Hoyer.