This Just In: COVID makes a comeback at the ACI; the Providence Preservation Society's new mission

Also, the good news and the bad news about this week's lunar eclipse [providencejournal.com]( This Just In Wednesday, November 17 [A cell block at the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston. If Rhode Island counted inmates at their non-ACI addresses in the upcoming redistricting, Cranston would lose 2.15% of its population, Providence would gain 0.39%, Woonsocket would gain 0.36% and Central Falls would gain 0.31%.]( [COVID makes a comeback at the ACI; the Providence Preservation...]( Also, the good news and the bad news about this week's lunar eclipse Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal, and I just signed up to get my booster on Saturday; it will give me added protection and an excuse to sit around watching football all day Sunday.  The Rhode Island Department of Health today reported one coronavirus-related death and 477 additional cases of COVID-19, along with 12,408 negative tests, for a 3.7% positive rate. There were 107 COVID-positive patients in Rhode Island hospitals at last count, up from 106 reported yesterday, with 19 in intensive care. Rhode Island has reported an average of 395 new cases a day over the last seven days, up 39% from a week ago and up 75% from two weeks ago. Last year at this time, the state was averaging 819 cases a day, and there were 348 COVID-positive hospital patients. The recent increase in cases statewide has impacted the Adult Correctional Institutions, where 69 people being held at the Intake Service Center [were actively infected as of Monday afternoon]( Meanwhile, at Pilgrim High School in Warwick, the Department of Health was testing students and staff [to get a sense of the scale of an outbreak]( that is being traced to the homecoming dance early this month – an event where the school principal and a large number of students were filmed indoors, unmasked. Back ACI, it is the center of a hot political debate over "prison gerrymandering" – the process of creating legislative districts based on population estimates that count all incarcerated people as residents of Cranston. The debate has highlighted some good news, though: the number of people incarcerated at the ACI in the most recent census [was 32% lower than it was 10 years ago]( The Providence Preservation Society has joined the list of institutions seeking to build a more inclusive future. A new strategic plan for the organization [aims to engage communities away from College Hill]( where the preservation society has focused its efforts for decades. A committee convened by the Rhode Island Foundation has released its findings [on what should happen if a Lifespan-Care New England merger is approved]( without taking a position on whether it should be. [An hours-long standoff]( in Bristol early this morning, which followed a report of a domestic-violence situation and a gunshot, forced the partial evacuation of an apartment building and delayed the start of the day at three schools. Here's the good news: Early Friday morning, [we're in for the longest lunar eclipse in nearly 600 years](. Here's the bad news: It's probably going to rain. So I guess we just hope for better luck in 2621. Looking for a Thanksgiving side dish with a distinctly Rhode Island flair? [Try Oysters Rockefeller Rolls]( created by Renee Murby of Johnston, which won second place in a magazine's national contest. The URI Rams will host Boston College at 6 o'clock tonight, and they'll be playing with a heavy heart. Ryan Preston, who played for the Rams from 2017 to 2019, [died in a car crash in Bahrain]( where he was playing professionally. If you're planning on attending any of the high-school football Super Bowls at Cranston Stadium, [here are some names that you need to know]( Finally, think you've had a full day today? [Check out what Blackstone Valley Prep senior Lucy Noris did on Saturday]( 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