Today's Top Stories: U.S. woman wins Boston marathon for first time since 1985; How R.I. should deal with its crumbling schools; Jet fuel tax proposed to fund airport upgrades

[View email with images]( [The Providence Journal]( Desiree Linden becomes first U.S. woman to win Boston Marathon since '85 Updated at Mon, 16 Apr 2018 19:30:29 +0000 Six miles into Monday’s cold, wet and windy Boston Marathon, Desiree Linden thought about dropping out. But then she changed her mind and surged ahead. She broke the tape in 2:39:54 and became the first U.S. woman to win the Boston Marathon since Lisa Larsen-Weidenbach in 1985. [READ MORE]( Invest now in schools or pay heavy price, panel says | Video, Storify At the Publick Occurrences forum — sponsored by The Providence Journal, Rhode Island College and Leadership Rhode Island — nine panelists discuss the woeful conditions of Rhode Island's schools and the enormous expense projected to fix them. [READ MORE]( PASSAGES: Actor Harry Anderson, 65, a Newport native On TV's "Night Court," Anderson played Judge Harry T. Stone, a young jurist who professed his love for singer Mel Torme, actress Jean Harlow, magic tricks and his collection of art-deco ties. He also starred in the series “Dave’s World” and appeared on “Cheers” as con man Harry ‘The Hat’ Gittes. [READ MORE]( R.I. considers tax on jet fuel to pay for T.F. Green Airport upgrades T.F. Green Airport executives want a 7 percent tax on jet fuel to pay for new projects such as bolstering the tarmac to allow jumbo jets to use the airport. [READ MORE]( Middletown farm animals quarantined after visitors fall ill Simmons Farm must quarantine its animals while the state investigates whether its "pet and cuddle" events with goats sickened three people, the state says. [READ MORE]( Israel Fund at Brown draws protests from some students, faculty A new endowed fund to promote Israel-related programming at Brown University has been scrutinized by some students and faculty members, who are concerned the money will inject a political bias into the campus and its classrooms. [READ MORE]( 'Spring has not sprung,' and it's frustrating many Nurseries, landscapers can’t wait for the cold trend to end, but it’s expected to continue for the next six to 10 days, meteorologists say. [READ MORE]( Providence man accused of trying to steal cash register from store A Providence man was facing larceny and resisting arrest charges Monday after police said he tried stealing a cash register from a Honey Dew Donuts store on Hartford Avenue early Saturday morning. [READ MORE]( R.I. extends contract with vendor of problem-plagued UHIP computers The deal would allow Deloitte Consulting, which installed the problematic computer system in 2016, to continue working on the technology until spring 2019. [READ MORE]( Journal Opinion: Free speech applies to all It seems a good time to remind our lawmakers that they are elected to serve and listen to the public, regardless of whether they agree with the views being expressed, writes the Editorial Board in The Journal's Opinion Section. [READ MORE]( [providencejournal.com]( Connect with Us! [Facebook]( [Twitter]( Connect with Us! [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [WWW.PROVIDENCEJOURNAL.COM]( You are receiving this communication as a member of the The Providence Journal. The Providence Journal values your online privacy. For more information, view our [privacy policy]( now. Please do not reply to this message. [Manage Preferences]( | [Unsubscribe]( The Providence Journal 75 Fountain St Providence, RI 02902 © 2018 The Providence Journal. All rights reserved.