Daily Briefing: A Quonset-based company is closer to changing coastal travel

ALSO: Is Macy's in the Providence Place mall closing? It depends on who you ask. ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ Advertisement [eNewspaper]( | [Crosswords]( | [Horoscopes]( [Read in browser]( The Daily Briefing YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP Wed Jul 31 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. In a state bordered by water on many of its sides, we are fortunate to have different ways to get around the coast. Of course, you can drive. Ferries will take from Providence to Newport or out to Block Island. Those with the means could even hop on a plane in some cases. The people at Regent Craft will tell you there's a way that's missing from among the options. Could seagliders be the answer? The Quonset-based startup is trying to transform coastal travel and The Journal's Patrick Anderson recently got a taste of what it would be like flying a digital seaglider around Narragansett Bay in the company's simulator. [Regent Craft CEO Billy Thalheimer, sitting in a simulator, explains how the seaglider's low-altitude flight works.] Regent Craft CEO Billy Thalheimer, sitting in a simulator, explains how the seaglider's low-altitude flight works, with a safe takeoff and landing spot on the water available at all times. David DelPoio/The Providence Journal Beyond the simulated experience, what has company officials excited for the seaglider's prospects? [Here's what Patrick found out.]( • As California ordered state agencies to clear homeless encampments, Cranston weighed an ordinance prohibiting shelters on city land. But city residents are arguing against the measure. [The Journal's Katie Mulvaney reports on what's being proposed and why city leaders want to see it approved.]( • There's something about a favorite restaurant closing. The loss of a dish that can't be replicated elsewhere. The friendliness of staff you've connected with. Maybe they make your drink just the way you like it. Unfortunately restaurants closing are part of the business and we've lost a number of them across Rhode Island already in 2024. [Journal food and dining editor Gail Ciampa rounds up some of the places that have gone out business, what's replaced them in some cases and others that have made changes.]( And there is some hope on the horizon, especially for cat lovers, [as Gail reports that a cat cafe is planning to open in Providence.]( • Is Macy's in the Providence Place mall closing? It depends on who you ask. [The Journal's Wheeler Cowperthwaite has the responses from those involved.]( • Today's the last day to vote in Round 1 of our bracket competition to determine Rhode Island's favorite summer event. [Polls are open until 9 p.m. and if you've already voted, no problem, cast another ballot before it's too late.]( More from The Providence Journal [Find the latest obituaries here.]( [Subscribers can read the eNewspaper here.]( WORTH A READ 🗳️ Whitmer and Cooper out, [a handful of potential VPs remain for Harris]( to choose from 🤸🏾‍♀️ [Simone Biles' redemption and Paris Olympic gold medal]( was for herself, U.S. teammates 🚨 [New Hampshire sports officials now protected by law]( from assault, threats 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 has revealed the U.S. states with the highest percentage of residents trying to quit smoking – Rhode Island ranking as the eighth most committed to quitting smoking. The study, conducted by vape manufacturer [Yocan Vaporizer]( utilized the most recent smoking cessation data from the American Lung Association. It examined the percentage of adult cigarette smokers who, in an effort to quit, abstained from smoking for at least one day or more in 2022, uncovering the states most dedicated to quitting smoking. [TODAY'S WEATHER]( 🌦️ Variable cloudiness with a couple of showers and a thunderstorm; very humid. Highs in the low 80s. TOP STORIES [Mass. lawyer charged with smuggling drugs into Wyatt facility]( [Massachusetts lawyer Theresa DiJoseph entering the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility.]( Authorities say Theresa DiJoseph brought 10 pages of drug-soaked paper into the Central Falls detention center. [READ MORE]( Advertisement [Sandy Point Beach in the Sandy Point neighborhood of Portsmouth.]( [RI recommends closing 6 bayside beaches. Here's where.]( The Health Department monitors water quality at swimming beaches through Labor Day weekend. [READ MORE]( [Kevin Colantonio, 34, accused of trying to set fire to Shiloh Gospel Temple in North Providence, now faces charges of assaulting federal correctional officers.]( [RI man accused of burning Black church charged with throwing feces at officers]( Kevin Colantonio is charged with hurling a cup of feces and bodily fluids at officers at Wyatt. [READ MORE]( [South County Hospital in South Kingstown.]( [South County Health announces hematology oncology hirings]( The initial resignations were announced in late June. [READ MORE]( [The Rhode Island State House. If a majority votes "yes" on Question 1 in November, it would set in motion two more elections – first, to elect delegates to a state Constitutional Convention, and second, to approve or reject the constitutional amendments eventually proposed by those delegates.]( [Each side makes its case, for and against, RI Constitutional Convention]( If a majority of Rhode Islanders vote 'yes' in November, it will set in motion a multi-year process. [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. Share bonus subscription with a family member or friend. The universal eNewspaper, the digital version of our print paper, plus bonus monthly magazines and hundreds of local papers. Original reporting of our hometown teams, from high school sports to the pros. 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