This Just In: Crime in the city; and does the 'Superman Building' have a future?

Also, coronavirus cases continue to rise. [providencejournal.com]( This Just In Wednesday, August 4 [police]( [Crime in the city; and does the 'Superman Building' have a future?]( Also, coronavirus cases continue to rise. Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal. I was almost ready to turn my sprinklers on for the first time this summer, but with [3 inches of rain]( maybe on the way tonight, I guess I won't. Crime in the state's capital city is once again leading the news today, following the latest disturbing report of violence in Providence. Police say a 35-year-old woman [was dragged out of her vehicle and beaten]( by a group of men on ATVs and dirt bikes last night, shortly after she had honked at them for failing to move through green light. Coming on the heels of [a violent weekend]( the incident prompted City Council President John Igliozzi to say he will call an emergency meeting for next week, and to embrace Gov. Dan McKee's offer to have state police troopers help patrol the city. The Rhode Island Department of Health today reported 302 additional coronavirus cases, to go along with 9,871 negative tests, for a 3.0% positive rate. Of the 302 cases, 262 were people who tested positive for the first time on Tuesday, which is the most in a single day since late April. There were three additional COVID-related deaths, bringing the total to 2,743. The number of COVID-positive patients in Rhode Island hospitals ticked up to 38 from the 37 reported yesterday. Suburban communities are seeing the fastest growth in new coronavirus cases, [according to the latest data]( released by the Department of Health. While Governor McKee is vowing to "[stay the course]( with his vaccine-centric strategy for combatting the virus, one of his likely 2022 primary challengers, Treasurer Seth Magaziner, [will require all his staff members to mask up]( regardless of vaccine status. Appearing in public today for a ceremonial bill-signing, McKee would not rule out the possibility that the iconic 'Superman Building' [might have to be torn down]( The husband of a Rhode Island state representative [has been sentenced to four years in prison]( on credit-card and identity-theft charges. The deputy chief of the Rhode Island Airport Police, who was fired in November, looked to be getting her job back. [Not so fast]( it turns out. Ever notice yourself driving too fast over the Pell Bridge? Turns out [you're not alone]( 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