News

By AP

Providence, R.I. – Rhode Island Republicans have endorsed John Robitaille for governor and a slate of other candidates after getting a pep talk from national GOP Chairman Michael Steele about the party's chances in the heavily Democratic state.

Steele told the crowd Wednesday the state party is well-positioned to make gains in the General Assembly, something state party Chairman Giovanni Cicione has made a
key strategy for November.

By AP

Providence, R.I. – A racket and shirt Nicolas Mahut used for his record-setting match at Wimbledon will go on display at the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

The Frenchman tells The Associated Press that he will donate the artifacts when he goes to the Newport, R.I., museum for next week's Hall of Fame Championships.

Hall spokeswoman Anne Marie McLaughlin says there will be a presentation on Saturday, before the draw party for the only professional grass-court tournament in North America.

By AP

Providence, R.I. – Three Providence police officers arrested in a drug-dealing investigation have made a brief court appearance.

A judge entered not guilty pleas yesterday for the three officers. He ordered Officer Robert Hamlin and Detective Joseph Colanduono to remain held without bail. Sgt. Stephen Gonsalves was released on $10,000 personal recognizance.

The three officers were arrested in March as part of a state police drug investigation that has resulted in the indictment of 24 people.

By Bob Seay and Alex Nunes

Providence, R.I. – It was 1970 when photographer Salvatore Mancini and a friend packed up their jeep with cameras, film, and developing equipment and set out on an extended trip across the U.S. Their mission: to visit the sites of the iconic landscape photographs they studied in school.

"So it was the Appalachians, Grand Canyon, New Mexico, Big Sur, Olympic peninsula, and it really was a pilgrimage," Mancini says.

Providence, R.I. – Salvatore Mancini and his cameras- have traveled to India, Cambodia, his native Italy and a host of locations in between. In black and white, he's captured ancient rock drawings, a man washing the feet of a giant Buddha statue, and a boy with a rat perched on his shoulder in India. It's a career that brought the Cranston-based photographer numerous recognitions, including Italy's prestigious Bolaffi award and a local Pell Award.

South County, RI – Parenting can be a remarkable challenge, even on the good days. And when a child has special needs, our parenting mettle and skills are really put to a test. Anne Davidson Babineau knows this all too well, and her experiences have shaped her beliefs about the possibility of hope.

This I Believe Archives

By AP

Providence, R.I. – Rhode Islanders offered their opinions yesterday on the 15 proposals for selling medical marijuana in the ocean state.

At the health department hearing some gave testimonials for their favorite applications, others worried about security. Ted Marony was one of several patients who couldn't believe the prices listed in many of the applications.

"I'm on a fixed income," he said. "You want to charge 500 dollars an ounce? That's ridiculous. I thought we were going to get some relief. This isn't any relief."

By AP

Providence, R.I. – Gov. Don Carcieri has signed into law legislation that streamlines business regulations designed to make it easier to do business in Rhode Island.

The legislation speeds up the process for certain steps some businesses must take in order to operate in Rhode Island. It allows state agencies to review some business permits at the same time and expedites the process for approving fire alarm, smoke detection and carbon monoxide plans.

It also allows the state to guarantee loans to help companies
get credit to expand.

By AP

Providence, R.I. – A civil liberties group is suing the Rhode Island Department of Health over the creation of a centralized database of patient health records.

The lawsuit was filed yesterday by the state affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union and says the health department has failed to create rules to protect a patient's privacy rights.

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.