This Just In: Brady never ceases to amaze; AG responds to Block Island dispute

Also, a native Rhode Islander lands a role in an NBC sitcom. [providencejournal.com]( This Just In Monday, February 8 [Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski (87), left, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrate together after the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano) ORG XMIT: NYOTK]( [This Just In: Brady never ceases to amaze; AG responds to Block...]( Also, a native Rhode Islander lands a role in an NBC sitcom. Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal, and like many people today I'm feeling in awe of Tom Brady. Our pro football writer Mark Daniels says that last night's Super Bowl victory [may have been the most impressive of the 43-year-old quarterback's long career](. Mark Patinkin says it's a reminder for all of us to [persevere through the setbacks and never give up](. And of course, a lot of us would love to know [what Bill Belichick was thinking last night]( The state Department of Health [reported 24 coronavirus-related deaths and 1,213 additional cases of COVID-19 since Friday](. New cases, hospitalizations and test positivity all continued to decline, and for the first time the state reports that the number of vaccine doses administered is higher than the state's total number of confirmed cases. Attorney General Peter Neronha is reacting to [Jim Hummel's piece in The Journal]( about a controversial marina expansion on Block Island. Neronha [has filed a motion with the Supreme Court seeking to intervene in the case]( saying it "appeared that the normal regulatory process had been bypassed." Citing recent stories in The Journal and on WPRI, the state Republican Party is calling on Providence mayoral candidate Brett Smiley [to resign as the state's director of administration](. WPRI reported that Smiley's campaign finance report listed contributions from owners of companies that contract with the state through Smiley's department, and The Journal reported that Smiley had met with a political operative in the law office of a member of the state Ethics Commission, prompting her to resign from the commission. Very little legislating took place in Rhode Island in 2020, but if you think that meant less money would have been spent on lobbying, [you'd be wrong]( A Superior Court judge has ruled that Rhode Island's "Good Samaritan law," which shields those who report an overdose from being charged with drug crimes, [does not apply to charges involving guns]( "Young Rock," an NBC sitcom about the life of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, debuts in just about a week, and it's got a Rhode Island connection. Barrington native Brett Azar [plays the famed 1980s pro wrestler]( The Iron Sheik.  I hope you enjoyed the snow on Sunday, because [there's more where that came from]( Finally, the NFL season may be over, but we're getting closer to the possible start of high-school football in Rhode Island. Practices can begin on Feb. 22 for fall sports teams whose seasons were delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. But when, and if, games will take place [is another question]( Have a great night. 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]( © 2021 75 Fountain St. , Providence, RI 02902