This Just In: The 'pause' is done, and so is the Cranston Costco

Also, Raymond "Beaver" Tempest sues the people who helped put him in prison. [providencejournal.com]( This Just In Friday, December 18 [A Costco may be built in Cranston if plans to redevelop Mulligan's Island mini golf and several other nearby properties proceed.]( [This Just In: The 'pause' is done, and so is the Cranston Costco]( Also, Raymond "Beaver" Tempest sues the people who helped put him in prison. Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal. We're just one week until Christmas and two weeks until the start of the new year, and the "news elves" remain very busy. The state Department of Health today [reported 23 coronavirus deaths and 522 additional cases]( with fewer patients in hospitals. With state testing sites closed Thursday, it wasn't surprising to see fewer new cases, but the more encouraging number was the positivity rate. For the first time in nearly a month, less than 5% of the tests done yesterday were positive. Gov. Gina Raimondo, making her first public appearance since the end of her weeklong quarantine, announced that the "pause" she had ordered on the state's economy [would end]( Monday. Raimondo also announced that the state has given nursing homes approval to serve as "caregivers" for their loved ones. Members of the Health Department's vaccine subcommittee met early this morning and said the news that Rhode Island will be getting significantly less of the Pfizer vaccine next week than originally expected [was "a huge hit"]( to the state's plans. She's been described as a "rock star" by peers in the public health world. Dr. Megan Ranney is not only on the front lines of fighting the pandemic in the emergency room, she's made it a mission to [battle the spread of misinformation]( Raymond "Beaver" Tempest, who served 23 years in prison for a murder that he says he did not commit, [is suing]( the former Woonsocket police chief, a former sergeant and the city itself for allegedly depriving him of the right to a fair trial. Tempest, who was freed in 2017 when a federal judge found prosecutors had violated Tempest's due-process rights, alleges that he was "framed" by investigators who suppressed evidence that might have supported his innocence. For the first time in four years, retired state employees [are set to see an increase]( in pension benefits next year. Meanwhile, taxpayer contributions to those pensions will also be going up.  Municipalities have won a round in their battle against a state law that automatically extends the provisions of expired contracts. A Superior Court judge ruled that a legal challenge to the law by cities and towns [can proceed]( denying a state bid to dismiss the case. A plan to build a Costco at the current site of Mulligan's Island in Cranston is dead, as the developer [has pulled the plan]( in the face of persistent opposition. The URI Rams are set to start conference play tonight, when [they host Davidson]( at the Ryan Center. You can catch the game at 7 o'clock on ESPNU; we'll have pregame and postgame news on our sports page. Have a great weekend. And remember, if you enjoy This Just In, please [encourage a friend to sign up]( [Discover more with our newsletters: Get the latest headlines, things to do and more in your inbox. Sign up here.]( [click here]( Problem viewing email? [View in browser]( [Unsubscribe]( • [Manage Newsletters]( • [Terms of Service]( • [Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights]( • [Privacy Notice]( • [Do Not Sell My Info/Cookie Policy]( • [Feedback]( © 2020 75 Fountain St. , Providence, RI 02902