Daily Briefing: It started with a return of pews

ALSO: You don't have to travel far if you miss snow. Advertisement [eNewspaper]( | [Crosswords]( | [Horoscopes]( [Read in browser]( [Read in browser]( The Daily Briefing YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP Wed Jun 14 2023 Will Richmond | Managing Editor Communities & R.I. [@Will_Richmond]( Good morning, I'm Will Richmond at The Providence Journal and this is the Daily Briefing. In South Providence a place where people of varying backgrounds came together as "one family and celebrated big celebrations together" existed for decades. Lately, that has changed. The Journal's Antonia Farzan has the story of St. Micheal the Archangel Catholic Church, a place that some parishioners considered a progressive, inclusive parish that served as a hub for activism. [1A SECONDARY - 02 St. Michael] A sign at St. Michael's that once said “Welcome” in more than a dozen languages now promotes pregnancy services. David DelPoio/The Providence Journal But since 2020 and the installation of a new priest, attendance, especially among white parishioners has dwindled. Some of the ex-parishioners Antonia talked with say St. Michael's has become like any other Catholic church, losing its progressive essence. What makes them feel that way and how does the Providence Diocese respond? [Check out Antonia's story to find out.]( If you enjoy the Daily Briefing check out our other newsletters including Gail's Food Feed. [Sign up today.]( WORTH A READ ⛽ Americans struggling with a two-year inflation run-up [continue to get some relief]( from two of the biggest drivers – at the gas pump and in grocery stores. ⛰️ New Hampshire’s Mount Washington, famed for its weather extremes, [recorded the snowiest June in 91 years]( of record-keeping over the weekend. 📰 ICYMI: [Many birds that breed in or migrate through Rhode Island are on the decline]( even common ones. [Today's Weather]( Periods of clouds and sunshine with a couple of thundershowers late in the afternoon; locally damaging winds and hail can occur. Highs in the mid-70s. TOP STORIES [For subscribers] [Cannabis Control Commission members finally seated after Senate approval]( [A marijuana plant.]( For growers and retailers facing competition from Massachusetts, the formation of the commission can't come soon enough [READ MORE]( Advertisement [Epilepsy center gets $30K grant]( [For subscribers] [Administrators top list of highest paid Woonsocket Schools employees]( Two teachers made it into the list of top 10 highest paid employees in the Woonsocket Education Department in FY 2022. [READ MORE]( [Published Caption: House lawmakers abandoned the State House, above, on Wednesday, heading across the street to Veterans Memorial Auditorium for better social distancing in which to review and pass the state budget for the fiscal year that began July 1. [The Providence Journal / David DelPoio] Original Caption: House lawmakers abandoned the State House, above, on Wednesday, heading across the street to Veterans Memorial Auditorium for better social distancing in which to review and pass the state budget for the fiscal year that began July 1.]( [For subscribers] [Where key issues stand as the General Assembly winds down this week]( See which bills have cleared both chambers, which haven't, and which have been scheduled for a vote and could pass in the coming days. [READ MORE]( [Gemma Vodka is a new lower-alcohol spirit, distilled by Industrious Spirits Company with local quartz.]( [For subscribers] [Rocks charged by full moon help create Gemma Vodka]( The new spirit has candied lemon on the nose. [READ MORE]( [A solar farm off Seven Mile Road in Cranston.]( [Bill to protect RI's core forests from solar projects moves forward]( From 2018 to this past March, 1,178 acres of trees were razed to make way for solar projects. This bill hopes to protect RI's 'core' forests. [READ MORE]( Advertisement Sign up for the news you want Exclusive newsletters are part of your subscription, don’t miss out! We’re always working to add benefits for subscribers like you. [SEE ALL NEWSLETTERS ➔]( [SEE ALL NEWSLETTERS ➔]( SUBSCRIBE TODAY Our Reporting. Your Stories. Full access to subscriber-only content on all devices. Share bonus subscription with a family member or friend. The universal eNewspaper, the digital version of our print paper, plus bonus monthly magazines and hundreds of local papers. Original reporting of our hometown teams, from high school sports to the pros. [SUBSCRIBE TODAY]( [SUBSCRIBE TODAY]( Follow Us 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](