This Just In: Tributes to Ukraine; a head-scratching phone call

Also, 'Friartown Fuel' helps elevate PC back into the Top 10. [providencejournal.com]( This Just In Monday, February 28 [Blue and yellow light reflected off the Rhode Island State House Sunday night in a show of solidarity with Ukraine.]( [Tributes to Ukraine; a head-scratching phone call]( Also, 'Friartown Fuel' helps elevate PC back into the Top 10. Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal, and I'm back after spending a week in sunny Florida. While it was great to escape the cold for a while and spend some quality time with my wife and kids, the tragedy unfolding in Ukraine was not far from my mind. Clearly, I'm not alone there. The Rhode Island State House [was bathed in the blue and gold]( of the Ukrainian flag last night, and state Treasurer Seth Magaziner is calling for [liquidating Russia-linked investments]( from the state pension fund. Later today, in East Providence, a Ukrainian flag will be raised outside City Hall in tribute to those defending their country. If, however, you're considering giving up vodka to protest Vladimir Putin's invasion, [you might want to consider a more effective form of protest]( The Rhode Island Department of Health reported six coronavirus-related deaths and 416 additional cases of COVID-19 over the last three days, along with 11,180 negative tests, for a 3.6% positive rate. There were 119 COVID-positive patients in Rhode Island hospitals at last count, down from 142 reported Friday, with nine in intensive care. Rhode Island has reported an average of 187 new cases a day over the last seven days, down 28% from a week ago and down 60% from two weeks ago. In [an 80-minute phone interview]( with The Providence Journal, the man in Scotland who has been identified as fugitive Nicholas Alahverdian insisted that he was actually a public relations professional named Arthur Knight , and asserted that authorities around the world have secretly arrested three other people on suspicion that they are in fact the con man Alahverdian. Four of the five Democratic candidates for governor [appeared in an online forum]( sponsored by the Rhode Island Democratic Women's Caucus (Gov. Dan McKee, who said he had a scheduling conflict, was the exception). While the candidates showed no differences on many key issues, former CVS executive Helena Foulkes on a few occasions stopped short of endorsing ideas favored by the others. The Rhode Island Bar Association and the Rhode Island Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers [is pushing back]( after Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza and Public Safety Commissioner Steven Paré publicly called out a judge over her decisions to allow two men accused of murder to await trial on home confinement. It was quite the week for the Providence College Friars. First, there was a triple-overtime win over Xavier. Then, [a blowout of Creighton]( to secure the Friars' first-ever Big East regular-season title. Today, [they're back in the AP Top 10, at No. 9]( in the country ( [and No. 8]( in USA TODAY's Ferris Mowers coaches poll). Columnist Mark Patinkin shined a spotlight on some unsung heroes behind PC's success: the cooking staff that prepares "[Friartown Fuel]( after practice and on game days. In an unrelated story, if everyone who says he or she is a candidate for the Second Congressional District seat actually ends up on a September primary ballot, [you'd have enough candidates to play a five-on-five basketball game](. But I think the Friars would probably destroy either team. Finally, and sticking with the hoops theme: It was a great day for public schools on Sunday in the high-school division championship games. [Classical stunned previously unbeaten La Salle]( in the Division I boys title game. And [North Kingstown trounced Bay View]( for the girls Division I crown. 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]( © 2022 75 Fountain St., Providence, RI 02902