Flo Jonic

Lawyers for the defunct 38 Studios video game company were back in court Wednesday, asking a judge to dismiss a lawsuit brought against them by the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation. The suit alleges that executives of the defunct Curt Schilling enterprise deliberately misled state officials about the financial viability of the company to gain a $75 million state-backed loan.

It’s hard not to be moved by the plight of Moore, Oklahoma which was hit by a catastrophic tornado Monday.  Hundreds of buildings were flattened and at least 24 people, including nine children, were killed.

Experts say New England is less likely to be hit by a tornado than anywhere else east of the Rocky Mountains.  New England averages eight tornadoes a year, but they tend to be weak events – on the scale of EF0 or EF1.  The storm that hit Moore, Oklahoma has been categorized an EF5.

You think it’s tough finding a job in Rhode Island if you’re an adult, try being someone just starting out.  A new report shows the youth unemployment rate in Rhode Island is nearly twice the adult rate.

The unemployment rate in Rhode Island is 8.8 percent. But for people aged 16 to 24, it’s 17 percent. That, according to the youth advocacy group “Young Invincibles,” which based its conclusions on data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

State Education Commissioner Deborah Gist is responding to teachers who say she has an overbearing management style and is disconnected from the rank and file.  At a meeting Monday night, more than 500 teachers demanded that Gist’s contract not be renewed when it expires next month.

Gist said she welcomes the feedback of teachers and hopes that in the years to come management and staff can avoid acrimony and focus on what’s best for students.

The leader of a prominent Republican gay rights group is coming to Rhode Island Tuesday.

Gregory Angelo, director of the Log Cabin Republicans, will speak to a meeting of the Rhody Young Republicans.

Angelo says he’ll praise Rhode Island Republicans for backing same sex marriage legislation.

A Rhode Island state trooper who went to the aid of victims of the Boston Marathon bombings is speaking out publicly about his experience for the first time.  The trooper rejects any suggestion that he’s a hero.

Trooper Roupen Bastajian has participated in five marathons. But the April 15th Boston Marathon was the first one he completed running all the way. He decided to compete because it was the 117th running of the Boston Marathon and 117 is his badge number.

Rhode Island’s two teacher unions are hosting a forum Monday to collect information to present to the state Board of Education.  Teacher evaluations and state Education Commissioner Deborah Gist are expected to be targeted for criticism.

Last week, two dozen business organizations endorsed state Education Commissioner Deborah Gist and urged the state Board of Education to renew her contract.  Some of the teachers under her command, however, do not share their enthusiasm. Frank Flynn, president of the Rhode Island Federation of

Rhode Island is teeming with freshly minted college graduates this morning. Over the weekend, commencement ceremonies were held at all three public colleges, as well as Johnson &Wales, Roger Williams University, Bryant University, Salve Regina University and Providence College.

At Rhode Island College a flash mob formed at the end of the ceremony.  Graduates from the music, theater and dance departments led the crowd of 1,400 in a special rendition of “I’ve had the Time of My Life.”

The state Board of Education is scheduled to vote this week on a proposal to arm campus police at the state’s three public colleges.   Under the proposed rule, campus presidents would have the authority to decide whether armed security is necessary on their campuses.

Newport residents threw a big welcome home party Sunday for Heather Abbott.  She’s the 38-year-old woman who lost the lower part of her left leg in the Boston Marathon bombings.  A veritable who’s who of Rhode Island’s political establishment was on hand to praise her courage and spunk.

The Preservation Society of Newport County donated the use of Rosecliff Mansion for Heather Abbott’s welcome home party.   When she arrived on crutches, wearing a form-fitting royal blue sleeveless dress, she received a round of applause.