Daily Briefing: Rhode Island has a long history with submarines

ALSO: Westerly teachers are caught in a financial mess ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ Advertisement [eNewspaper]( | [Crosswords]( | [Horoscopes]( [Read in browser]( The Daily Briefing YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP Fri Apr 12 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. As one of the original colonies, it's not unusual to learn about firsts in the nation taking place here in Rhode Island. For instance, Rhode Island is home to Touro Synagogue, which was built in 1763 making it the oldest in the country and the aptly named First Baptist Church established by Roger Williams in 1638. Yesterday I learned about another Rhode Island first thanks to The Journal's Paul Parker. The first submarine modern submarine obtained by the Navy was commissioned in Newport. It also turns out that Thursday was the 124th anniversary of the occasion. [Eb Westerly 06 27759937] Sean Oaks trains as a pipe fitter for Electric Boat at the Westerly Education Center, Westerly in 2017. The center trains workers in pipe fitting jobs for Electric Boat, which are in demand now and will be in the future. Steve Szydlowski, The Providence Journal Since then Rhode Island has played a significant role in developing the country's submarine force. [Paul reports on the success of a Middletown-based initiative that is playing a big part in the country's submarine building industry.]( • If you've traveled along 295 lately you've probably noticed the sprawling Amazon distribution center on the west side of the highway. That's not the only sign that the facility is moving closer to operating. [The Journal's Wheeler Cowperthwaite reports that Amazon has started to post ads for manager positions at its sprawling new warehouse complex in Johnston]( as the Johnston Town Council approved a reduction in tax payments at its meeting on Monday. • Teachers in Westerly are finding themselves caught up in a financial mess that has led to lost healthcare coverage, errors on tax forms, late retirement plan payments and altered personal information. The town says it's a problem that's been fixed, but educators say that isn't the case. [The Journal's Amy Russo reports on what's causing the problem and the fight still ongoing between the two sides.]( • There are many inspiring stories that come out of the Boston Marathon every year, but if you're looking for one with a Rhode Island angle, Journal sports reporter Jacob Rousseau has one for you. [This year members of the Gilbert family from Narragansett will run together to bring recognition to the battle against diabetes.]( They also raised a lot of money along the way to help. • Rhode Island residents can once again get free trees as part of a program to save energy and lower utility bills. [The Journal's Jack Perry tells you how.]( More from The Providence Journal [Find the latest obituaries here.]( [Subscribers can read the eNewspaper here.]( WORTH A READ 🚢 [How many ships hit bridges, lose power every year?]( Data shows jarring numbers on the rise. 🚙 [OJ Simpson's Bronco chase riveted America.]( The memory is haunting, even after his death. 🏃🏽 The 2024 Boston Marathon is Monday. [Here's how to watch it on TV and stream it]( 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. A new study by [AgeCalculator.com]( reveals that October is Rhode Island's most common conception month. The study analyzed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data on the number of live births for all US states in each month of 2022 and, assuming nine months between conception and birth, highlighted the corresponding conception month, crowning the most popular. October takes first place with 886 children born in July, nine months later. November follows October as the second most common conception month, with 880 conceptions leading to as many births in August [TODAY'S WEATHER]( ☔ Considerable clouds and windy with periods of rain and a thunderstorm, then a leftover shower. Highs in the low 60s TOP STORIES [Scott Avedisian resigns as RIPTA CEO after hit-and-run. What we know.]( [RIPTA CEO Scott Avedisian.]( The meeting comes two weeks after police say Avedisian reportedly caused a three-car crash in a McDonald's drive-thru and fled the scene. [READ MORE]( Advertisement [A Narcan nasal spray, which can reverse the effects of opioids.]( [How RI's cities and towns are spending their opioid settlement money]( So far, about $10.6 million has been given to cities and towns from the settlements. Here's how it's being spent. [READ MORE]( [Water lines are installed in a neighborhood in Burrillville in 2019 after its drinking water was contaminated with PFAS from firefighting foam.]( [Why more RI drinking water systems will need to filter out 'forever chemicals']( New federal rules on PFAS, the "forever chemicals" that have contaminated drinking water supplies, will require action from more water systems. [READ MORE]( [One Neighborhood Builders CEO Jennifer Hawkins shows a rendering of the Center City affordable apartments that her nonprofit hopes to build on Taunton Avenue in East Providence.]( [Why East Providence's mayor, City Council are at odds over a housing project]( 'I don't know how anyone with a heart can vote against that,' said Mayor Bob DaSilva. [READ MORE]( [Booth Pond is located in lowlands between big-box stores and apartments on one side and a granite ridge on the other.]( [Discover this magnet for rare dragonflies and other wildlife]( This nature preserve wedged between big-box stores and parking lots hosts a wide variety of wildlife, including an endangered species of dragonfly. [READ MORE]( Advertisement Vote with Confidence This 7-day newsletter course will help you be an informed voter before Nov. 5. [SIGN UP NOW]( SUBSCRIBE TODAY Our Reporting. Your Stories. Full access to subscriber-only content on all devices. 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