Daily Briefing: The complicated debate over RI's nursing homes

ALSO: Something big is coming to Charlestown's Ninigret Park. ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ Advertisement [eNewspaper]( | [Crosswords]( | [Horoscopes]( [Read in browser]( The Daily Briefing YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP Mon Apr 1 2024 Will Richmond | Managing Editor Communities & R.I. [@Will_Richmond]( Good morning, I'm Will Richmond at [The Providence Journal]( and this is the Daily Briefing. The scene inside nursing homes is one you may have witnessed firsthand. For me, I saw it when my dad was placed in one and a visit would include watching nurses and staff providing care, while always on the move, and this was before Covid and the additional problems that have occurred since. Rhode Island lawmakers are currently weighing several nursing home-related bills and recently heard a contrasting perspective from those who have first-hand experience with the indignities and safety risks that can result from perennial understaffing and cost-cutting measures. Is there a need for minimum staffing regulations? A heartbreaking story from Rep. Brandon Potter helps explain why. On the other hand, such regulations have the potential to drive up costs and many nursing home owners say they are already struggling. [The Journal's Antonia Farzan reports on the complicated debate that doesn't appear to have a simple answer.]( • Something big is coming to Charlestown's Ninigret Park. Two giant trolls by Danish artist Thomas Dambo will be unveiled this spring in what South County Tourism Council CEO Louise Bishop hopes will be the start of a statewide troll trail that will draw visitors from all over. [Coastal Maine Botanical Garden - _RØSKVA_ Boothbay, Maine USA.jpg] Roskva is one of five trolls at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. Courtesy of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens And, [as The Journal's Jack Perry reports, it could be the start of a growing movement across the state.]( • Maybe you don't use TikTok, but it's more than likely someone you know does with 170 million U.S. users on the app. While it may seem like another form of entertainment, there are concerns about its Chinese ownership and the risk of the Chinese government's aggressive propaganda strategy. Enough so that the U.S. House of Representatives recently voted to require the company be sold to an owner outside of that country. But how do Rhode Island's senators feel about such a move? [In this week's Political Scene, The Journal's Patrick Anderson finds out and reports on the possible implications.]( • If you've been to Stop & Shop the past couple of years you've probably run into Marty roaming the aisles. Maybe you've even been to a restaurant employing the assistance of a robot to serve food. Are libraries the next place to find them? [The Journal's Jack Perry finds out what's happening in Barrington.]( • With a couple of great nominees, this week's Student of the Week poll isn't an easy choice. [Cast your ballot here.]( More from The Providence Journal [Find the latest obituaries here.]( [Subscribers can read the eNewspaper here.]( WORTH A READ 🌞 [Still need some solar eclipse glasses before April 8?]( Here's where you might find some 🎶 [The 10 best 'Jolene' covers]( from Beyoncé's new song to the White Stripes and Miley Cyrus 🏃‍♀️ [Why does the Boston Marathon start in Hopkinton?]( The king and queen of England play a role RHODY RANKS Every day we receive emails ranking Rhode Island. While the work behind the ranks may be dubious, they can be fun. Each day I'll share where Rhody Ranks from one of the latest emails. The global outplacement and career development experts at [Careerminds.com]( surveyed 3,000 professionals considering a career switch, to ascertain which cities in the U.S. have the most appeal for their next chapter. In Rhode Island, the top choice is Cranston, placing 31st out of 100 cities. [TODAY'S WEATHER]( ⛅ Mostly cloudy. Highs in the low 50s. 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