This Just In: Searching for higher ground in Warren; a lawsuit over wine

Also, high hopes for Bryant's Bulldogs [providencejournal.com]( This Just In Thursday, November 4 [A car plows through flooding on Child Street at the corner of Redmond Street on Sept. 1, when the remnants of Hurricane Ida dropped 6.3 inches of rain on Warren in just a few hours.]( [Searching for higher ground in Warren; a lawsuit over wine]( Also, high hopes for Bryant's Bulldogs Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal. Today is Nov. 4; poet Hannah Weiner was born in Providence on this day in 1928. Warren is a special place in Rhode Island – a rare example of a largely working-class waterfront community that has in recent years become home to artists and ambitious chefs. But for about a tenth of the town's residents, the future is very tenuous. That's because in an era of rising seas, a neighborhood near Belcher Cove before too long is likely to be underwater forever. Now, in an ambitious attempt to avert a slow-motion catastrophe and preserve the town's tax base, planners have proposed a "managed retreat" in which the hundreds of people who live in the neighborhood would be moved to another part of town. Take the time to read [Alex Kuffner's report, "Higher Ground."]( For a glimpse of the future, head to any coastal area between 8:30 and 9:20 on any of the next three mornings, when so-called king tides roll into Rhode Island. One environmental group [is looking for photos of the event]( In a related story, Alex and Gannett's Hadley Barndollar report on the emotional distress that many many teenagers and young adults [are coping with]( the future of the planet. The Rhode Island Department of Health today reported no new coronavirus-related deaths, and 321 additional cases of COVID-19, along with 15,037 negative tests, for a 2.1% positive rate. There were 106 COVID-positive patients in Rhode Island hospitals at last count, up from 100 reported yesterday, with 12 in intensive care. Rhode Island has reported an average of 234 new cases a day over the last seven days, up 20% from a week ago and down 4% from two weeks ago. Today was the first day in Rhode Island that coronavirus vaccines were widely available for children 5 to 11 years old. Our health-care reporter G. Wayne Miller went to the Sockanosset Cross Road site in Cranston and [met a family with a set of twins]( who are looking forward to the freedoms that will come from vaccination. When will Rhode Island start spending its $1.1 billion in aid from the American Rescue Plan Act? [We might get an answer soon after Thanksgiving](. Emphasis on "might." A retired military officer and a tax lawyer [are suing to challenge state laws]( that restrict out-of-state vineyards from shipping directly to Rhode Island consumers. That's an issue I've often wined about. (See what I did there?) The Senate Judiciary Committee [has approved President Joe Biden's choice]( to be U.S. Attorney in Rhode Island. Meanwhile, federal prosecutors in Boston [have decided not to seek the death penalty]( for a Providence man accused of kidnapping and murdering a woman who had been celebrating her 23rd birthday. [Speed cameras are rolling]( in school zones in East Providence, but until January, speeders will get only warnings in the mail. With Veterans Day approaching, Gerry Goldstein [writes about the rich meaning]( behind the gesture of leaving pocket change on the gravestones of those who served. The Bryant Bulldogs men's basketball team came close to making the NCAA Tournament for the first time last season. [Hopes are high that they can get there this season]( and a homegrown player from Pawtucket could help make the difference. Finally, here's an ambitious challenge: [beers at 21 taprooms and brewpubs to check out before the year ends]( 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