This Just In: They work in the same building, but they're a galaxy apart

Also, a sinister vanity plate theft. [providencejournal.com]( This Just In Monday, April 11 [The Rhode Island State House]( [They work in the same building, but they're a galaxy apart]( Also, a sinister vanity plate theft. Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal. Today is National Pet Day, but since I don't have one, I think I'll just get a special treat for myself. We all know that national politics have become more polarized, and to a certain extent the phenomenon has played out on the local level as well. [In this week's Political Scene column]( Katherine Gregg spotlights two representatives who have garnered the spotlight for very different reasons. First, there is Rep. Patricia Morgan , the West Warwick Republican who has sponsored legislation to limit what is taught or said in Rhode Island schools about America's racial history. Then, there is Rep. Meghan Kallman, the Pawtucket Democrat who sees the State House as a real-life testing ground for ideas she teaches to create a more "inclusive and just" world. Municipal leaders are already in court fighting a law passed in 2019 that indefinitely extends the provisions of expired contracts for teacher unions. Now, some lawmakers [are looking to pass a similar law]( for police and firefighter unions.  New COVID cases continue growing in Rhode Island but – at least for now – hospitalizations continue falling. The Rhode Island Department of Health reported two coronavirus-related deaths and 812 additional cases of COVID-19 over the last three days, along with 9,490 negative tests, for a 7.9% positive rate. The two deaths both occurred on Friday, and were the first confirmed COVID-related deaths in the month of April so far. There were 42 COVID-positive patients in Rhode Island hospitals at last count, down from 50 reported Friday, with five in intensive care. That's the fewest since July 26. Rhode Island has reported an average of 312 new cases a day over the last seven days, up 55% from a week ago and up 94% from two weeks ago. Rhode Island's obsession with license plates has taken a sinister twist: [Someone has stolen the SAUGY 1 license plate]( that belongs to the Cranston-based makers of the famous Saugy franks. Still stung by their loss of the PawSox, Pawtucket city officials are pinning their hopes for a comeback to a large degree on a new pro soccer stadium. But before any structural work has even started on the stadium, it's become clear that the project [will cost more than originally thought]( Judge Judy Sheindlin [wants to officiate at her grandson's wedding]( at the Weekapaug Inn in Westerly, but first the celebrity judge will need a blessing from the Rhode Island General Assembly. East Greenwich High School [has fired two varsity volleyball coaches]( and banned them from working in the district again following a sexual-harassment investigation. The pilot of a plane that arrived at T.F. Green Rhode Island International Airport early this morning [reported being struck by a laser]( And finally, one of the coolest stories of the first weekend in major league baseball took place Friday night in Southern California, when former Classical High School star Jeremy Peña [nearly hit for the cycle]( in just his second big-league game. (And that's why he was one of [our 22 to watch in 2022!]( 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