This Just In: RI legislative leaders pledge 'gun reform,' but what will that look like?

And a Cranston man's family wonders why he was buried before they learned about his death. [providencejournal.com]( This Just In Tuesday, May 31 [A view from the gallery of the Rhode Island House Chamber. This year's agenda includes a power struggle over who gets to award R.I.'s first recreational marijuana licenses, the redrawing of legislative districts and gun-control legislation.]( [RI legislative leaders pledge 'gun reform,' but what will that look...]( And a Cranston man's family wonders why he was buried before they learned about his death. Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal, and I hope you had a lovely Memorial Day weekend. Yesterday was a hot one, but if you went for a bike ride, that would have been appropriate: on yesterday's date in 1880, the United States' first bicycle association, [the League of American Wheelmen]( formed in Newport. The group is now known as the League of American Bicyclists. Just a week ago, it seemed unlikely that significant changes were in store for Rhode Island gun laws. But following horrific massacres at a Texas elementary school and a Buffalo supermarket, the leaders of both chambers in the General Assembly have now pledged to pass "[meaningful gun reform]( in the closing weeks of the legislative session. Will that include an assault weapons ban, or a crackdown on high-capacity magazines, or something else? It remains to be seen. And Gov. Dan McKee announced that the state [is prepared to provide districts up to $500,000 for security upgrades]( while asking each superintendent to complete a walkthrough of all buildings and report back by the end of next week. In its first coronavirus data report since Friday, the Rhode Island Department of Health reported two COVID-related deaths and 1,515 additional cases of COVID-19 over the last four days, along with 13,160 negative tests, for a 10.3% positive rate. There were 79 COVID-positive patients in Rhode Island hospitals at last count, down from 81 reported Friday, with fewer than five in intensive care. Rhode Island has reported an average of 498 new cases a day over the last seven days, down 32% from a week ago and down 40% from two weeks ago – that decline may be somewhat exaggerated, however, since holidays typically see fewer test results reported than usual. William Swanton died in a Cranston Housing Authority property on Jan. 1. His siblings, daughters, and ex-wife – with whom he had remained in contact – all live in Rhode Island. So why was it that no one in his family learned about Swanton's death until a month and a half later, after Swanton had already been buried in an unmarked grave? Noble Brigham [tried to get answers for this story]( The cost of building a pro soccer stadium along the banks of the Seekonk River in Pawtucket [has risen to $124 million]( and the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation is discussing [the developer's request for additional financial help]( which could include more taxpayer support. The McKee administration is asking lawmakers to set aside money to provide [sign-on bonuses]( for people willing to work as nurses or nursing assistants at the state hospital, Veterans Home or prison, as well as "mentoring" bonuses for current employees who can help these new workers get acclimated to the job. Meanwhile, several hundred licensed home daycare workers in the state – who provide care for children from low-income families that receive government subsidies – [are asking for raises]( and for their work to be taken seriously. [This week's Political Scene column]( examined why McKee's poll numbers are lagging despite low unemployment and a huge budget surplus. Amy Russo [profiled the Woonsocket teen]( whose idea for transforming communities of color won a $1-million investment from the Papitto Opportunity Connection's Transform Rhode Island Scholarship. And Mark Patinkin profiled [the longest-serving professor in the history of the Rhode Island School of Design]( who is finally retiring after 64 years. Four people, at least three of whom were from Rhode Island, [died yesterday in a single-car crash]( in eastern Connecticut. And a Westerly man [is facing multiple charges]( after the police say he crashed into five motorcycles, sending eight people to hospitals in Massachusetts. I wasn't loving the 8:40 starting times for the last Celtics playoff series, but now that they've made the NBA Finals, [it'll be even worse]( And closer to home, high-school sports playoff season kicks into full throttle this week. If you'd like to check out a game, [here's your guide]( Have a great weekend. 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