News

By Megan Hall

Providence, R.I. – OBGYN associates aren't the only Rhode Island doctors who have been implanting non FDA approved intrauterine devices or IUDs in Rhode Island patients. The state health department says a handful of other practices have admitted to doing the same thing.

By Ian Donnis

Providence, R.I. – Gubernatorial candidate Frank Caprio won the endorsement of the state Democratic Party last night.

On an 88 to 32 vote by state committee members, Caprio got the party endorsement over rival Democrat Patrick Lynch. He used his victory speech to take a veiled shot at independent candidate Lincoln Chafee, who has proposed a temporary increase in the state sales tax.

By Sarah Reynolds

Providence, R.I. – Commercial fishermen in the Northeast have been battling for decades with government regulators over the best way to restore fish populations. This year, the government has dramatically changed the fishing rules by placing a hard cap on the amount of fish that can be caught. To get access to a share of the catch, a fisherman can choose to work with an organized group of boats that each receives part of the quota.

Pawtucket, R.I. – Pawtucket police are charging a man in the death of his girlfriend.

Police say Armando Garcia will be charged with murder in Providence District Court on Monday.

The woman, identified as 30-year-old Brooke Verdoia, was found Saturday by relatives inside her Rufus Street home. Her missing car was also recovered.

Pawtucket Police Major Arthur Martins said Garcia and Verdoia were romantically involved. He would not describe the evidence that led police to pursue a murder charge against Garcia, who was being held on other charges in the case.

Providence, R.I. – A $4.3 million project to turn a former Providence ice cream plant into affordable apartments for former inmates trying to reintegrate into society is kicking off.

Mayor David Cicilline and Rhode Island prisons chief A.T. Wall are scheduled to attend Monday's groundbreaking ceremony on Plainfield Street.

The project is being developed by the nonprofit OpenDoors. The organization plans to move its offices into the building, which will include 19 apartments. It will also assist tenants by providing counseling and helping with job searches.

By Sarah Forman

Providence, R.I. – Rhode Islanders born in Puerto Rico will be able to use their current birth certificates to apply for licenses for a few more months while the Puerto Rican government switches to more secure forms of identification.

Puerto Rico will begin issuing new birth certificates on July 1 as part of a fraud-reduction initiative. But the current birth certificates will still be valid for official transactions until September 30, officials said after extending the original deadline by three months.

Providence, R.I. – Federal prosecutors say a new U.S. Supreme Court opinion on white-collar crime should not affect the corruption conviction of a former hospital executive.

A lawyer for Robert Urciuoli told a federal appeals court last week that the decision limiting the use of a federal statute that targets corruption and white-collar crime had ``significant bearing'' on his case. He asked for permission to file a new brief.

Providence, R.I. – Gas prices in Rhode Island have gone up for the second week in a row as travelers prepare for the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

AAA Southern New England says in its weekly survey Monday that self-serve regular unleaded is averaging $2.76 a gallon, or a penny more than last week.

That price is equal to the national average and seven cents above the average from the same time last year.

Providence, R.I. – Rhode Island health officials are urging people to stay out of the sun as temperatures in the state top 90 degrees.

The state health department issued a heat advisory on Monday, saying people should seek out air conditioning, drink fluids and wear light-colored clothing.

The National Weather Service is predicting a high of 92 degrees for Monday afternoon, with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Charlie Foley, a meteorologist with the service, says the record high for June 28 was 96 degrees in 1991.

By AP

Providence, R.I. – Rhode Island's political parties will meet to decide their picks for governor, Patrick Kennedy's House seat and other political offices.

Democrats hold their statewide convention Monday in Providence. Republicans meet Wednesday in Cranston.

Four Democrats are vying for Kennedy's congressional seat. Kennedy decided not to seek re-election.

They are Providence Mayor David Cicilline, former party Chairman Bill Lynch, state Rep. David Segal and businessman Anthony Gemma.