This Just In: Henri, reste loin, s'il vous plaît

Also, PVD Fest is a no-go due to COVID. [providencejournal.com]( This Just In Friday, August 20 [This 11 a.m. graphic from the National Hurricane Center shows the probable path of Henri, estimated arrival times and strength. Still a tropical storm Friday morning, Henri is expected to strengthen to a hurricane before weakening and again becoming a tropical storm.]( [Henri, reste loin, s'il vous plaît]( Also, PVD Fest is a no-go due to COVID. Good afternoon and welcome to this Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal, and I'm surveying my yard to see which items are not properly secured, hoping that the trees aren't among them. What seemed theoretical yesterday afternoon seems very real now: Tropical Storm Henri [appears to be heading our way]( and could be the first hurricane to make landfall in New England since Bob 30 years ago. It's expected to make get arrive Sunday evening, possibly near Westerly. Gov Dan McKee will be holding a news conference at 4 p.m. with the latest updates, which we'll have for you at [providencejournal.com]( One way to stay informed about the storm is to [download our news app](. Even if you don't do it for storm coverage, do it, because it's the fancy J looks real good on your phone. At least it was a nice day on the water last weekend for the Fools' Rules Regatta in Jamestown. Amy Russo checked it out for [her latest New to RI column]( The Rhode Island Department of Health reported one coronavirus-related death and 355 additional cases, along with 10,771 negative tests, for a 3.2% positive rate. There were 98 COVID-positive patients in Rhode Island hospitals at last count, with 17 in intensive care, up from 95 reported yesterday. The state has reported an average of 303 new cases a day over the last seven days, up 20% from a week ago and up 43% from two weeks ago — however, the seven-day new-case average has dropped modestly in each of the last two days. The delta wave has claimed a big cultural casualty: PVDFest, which had been rescheduled from June to September, [has now been called off entirely]( although there will still be some smaller outdoor happenings. The state continues to search for a permanent superintendent to run the Providence schools, but the process will not be rushed. Today we learned that interim Supt. Javier Montañez [will lead the district]( for the entirety of the coming school year. Fefa's Market, Rhode Island's first bodega, is a widely celebrated part of Rhode Island history, but it was torn down years ago. Marta Martinez, head of Rhode Island Latino Arts, [wants to make sure it never gets forgotten](. Rhode Island's second Market Basket grocery store opened today. And [it's in Johnston]( which means that the bakery is taking on some stiff cannoli competition. I wasn't expecting much from my favorite football team last night, but I didn't think they'd make Cam Newton [look like he was an All-Pro]( again, either. Bill Koch writes that [this is a crucial season]( for the URI men's basketball program. This week's Walking RI feature is [a former cattle farm in Smithfield]( If you're out looking to stock up for the hurricane, you might want to pick up a book. Helpfully, Jon Land is out today with his [picks for must-read thrillers]( Finally, Newport might be in the eye of the storm Sunday (or maybe not), but Saturday you can enjoy the beautiful city by taking part in [the 10-Spot Ride](. But tickets are limited. Welp, tonight and tomorrow should be lovely, and let's hope we all do OK after that. Have a safe weekend and remember: If you enjoy This Just In, [encourage someone you know to sign up]( – then recharge your phone battery. [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