This Just In: Back to school, and governor's chief of staff resigns

Also, nursing homes concerned about fallout from vaccine mandate [providencejournal.com]( This Just In Monday, August 30 [Anthony Silva has been Dan McKee's chief of staff in both the governor's and the lieutenant governor's offices.]( [Back to school, and governor's chief of staff resigns]( Also, nursing homes concerned about fallout from vaccine mandate Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal. Today's the first day of school for some Rhode Island students, and I wish them luck for a great year that is closer to normal than last year. This morning, Linda Borg [caught up with some students and families in Cumberland]( as they prepared, "excited but nervous," to get started. Gov. Dan McKee's chief of staff, Anthony Silva, [has resigned]( as questions continue to swirl about whether he used his political influence to get permission to develop a wetlands property in Cumberland. McKee's office said Silva's situation, which is the subject of a continuing investigation by the attorney general's office and the state police, had become a distraction. Silva's replacement, Antonio Afonso Jr., is a fellow Cumberland resident who had a role in the legal wrangling surrounding the 38 Studios affair. In case you missed it over the weekend, [here is Antonia Noori Farzan's profile]( of Anthony Silva. The Rhode Island Department of Health reported five more coronavirus-related deaths and 624 additional cases over the last three days, along with 24,937 negative tests, for a 2.4% positive rate. There were 119 COVID-positive patients in Rhode Island hospitals at last count, down from 127 reported three days ago. The state has reported an average of 285 new cases a day over the last seven days, down 2% from a week ago and up 13% from two weeks ago. Rhode Island nursing homes are fearful of [losing potentially hundreds of workers]( when a new state mandate requiring them to be fully vaccinated goes into effect on Oct. 1. The executive director of a group that represents 13 nursing homes in the state says they are in "panic mode." Meanwhile, a group of between 50 to 70 people protesting vaccine mandates attempted unsuccessfully [to force their way into the State House]( on Monday afternoon. After two homicides within less than an hour of each other on Saturday morning, [Providence has had as many homicides]( through eight months of this year as it had in all of 2020.  The redrawing of Rhode Island's political map in the wake of the 2020 Census results is likely to leave some General Assembly incumbents more vulnerable, and others more secure. Patrick Anderson [explores the possibilities]( in this week's Political Scene column. He entered basic training four days before the Sept. 11 terror attacks, and went on to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan. After he returned home, Sgt. Adam DeCiccio worked to help veterans cope with PTSD until he tragically lost his life last year. DeCiccio's family and friends are holding [a public celebration of his life]( on Sept. 11 of this year. Red Cross volunteers from Rhode Island and Connecticut [are assisting in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida]( on the Gulf Coast. Finally, the Patriots are finished playing exhibition games and it seems clear that Cam Newton [will in fact be the opening-day starting quarterback](. [Some key questions still remain]( 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