Daily Briefing: Take 3 minutes to get your day started

Today we introduce some changes to the Daily Briefing. Advertisement [eNewspaper]( | [Crosswords]( | [Horoscopes]( [Read in browser]( The Daily Briefing YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP Tue Jan 16 2024 Will Richmond | Managing Editor Communities & R.I. [@Will_Richmond]( Good morning, I'm Will Richmond and this is the Daily Briefing. Before getting into the top stories I wanted to let Daily Briefing readers know that the look of this newsletter is changing a little bit. The truth is the staff at the Providence Journal produces a lot of great work on a daily basis and I want this newsletter to reflect that better. In the past, I've generally focused on one story at the top, while five additional stories are highlighted at the bottom. Now we'll highlight more stories at the top, add what I think people will find to be a fun feature and the Worth a Read section will focus more on national and regional headlines of interest. As always I welcome your feedback, so feel free to email me at [frichmond@gannett.com]( and let me know what you think. Let's get your day started. • The images of Rhode Island inundated with flood waters the past few weeks have been startling. Now imagine living in those areas. As weather bringing torrential downpours and flooding seemingly becomes more constant, life in those areas is becoming more difficult and some are finding relief through programs that purchase homes in flood-prone areas. Of course that means giving up the place you call home. [The Journal's Alex Kuffner has more on this issue.]( [Ducks paddle in the flood waters encroaching on a cottage on Abbott Street in the Luther's Corner neighborhood of East Providence after Tuesday's rainstorm.] Ducks paddle in the flood waters encroaching on a cottage on Abbott Street in the Luther's Corner neighborhood of East Providence after Tuesday's rainstorm. David DelPoio/The Providence Journal • If you missed his column on Sunday, The Journal's Mark Patinkin has departed for Israel. While initially traveling with a mission group from the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, Mark will be independently exploring the war-torn country in an effort to tell stories live from the ground. Here in his own words are his hopes for the trip. "See [where a war that has disrupted the world began](. "See the inside of Gaza with the Israeli army, if I’m able. "See those with family members still held hostage in hell. "See the Palestinian side on the West Bank. "And, if possible, see, or at least hear, what life is like for Gazans under siege." [Read more about his trip and expect to see Mark's columns from the ground later this week.]( • Gov. Dan McKee will deliver his "State of the State" address tonight. He sat down with The Journal's Katherine Gregg and Patrick Anderson to preview the speech. [Among the highlights, according to the governor: a plan for raising Rhode Islanders' incomes and personal wealth.]( • The fire that destroyed the Harborside Inn on Block Island captured much of the state's attention this past summer. Now those staying at the hotel that unfortunate night are finding themselves captured between insurers who won't cover losses. [The Journal's Katie Mulvaney talks with guests who are looking for answers.]( • Where can you find Rhode Island's best french fries? I know one of my favorites is the Rathskeller down in Charlestown – which made the list. Thanks to the help of Journal readers, [here are seven favorites across the state.]( WORTH A READ 🗳️ [Iowa Caucus replay]( Donald Trump defeats his Republican rivals in pivotal race 💰 A middle-aged Millionaires' Row: [Average US 50-something now has net worth over $1M]( 🎣 A group of [herring fishermen may put a hook]( the Biden administration's power ⚾ A Somerset, Mass., high school graduate is settling in [as Cleveland Guardians bench coach]( RHODY RANKS Every day we receive emails ranking Rhode Island. While the work behind the ranks may be dubious, they can be fun. Each day I'll share where Rhody Ranks from one of the latest emails. Research, conducted by real estate website [New Jersey Real Estate Network, determined that]( Island saw the fifth biggest jump in house prices across 2023 in the U.S. with a jump of 7.1% – a 114% rise compared to the average. [TODAY'S WEATHER]( ❄️ A little snow in the morning, up to 1", breezy in the afternoon; icy mix in the afternoon; slippery conditions may lead to travel disruptions. Highs in the low 30s. TOP STORIES [The art of social change at RISD Museum's MLK Day event]( [Beau McCall's "Button Vest: Caramel Crayons" is one of 12 works highlighted for Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the Rhode Island School of Design Museum.]( RISD honors the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with pieces chosen from its museum collection, in advance of a Wednesday night panel discussion. [READ MORE]( Advertisement [Exit numbers will be changed on Route 295, starting Nov. 27, in a transition expected to take two weeks. [The Providence Journal, file / Kris Craig]]( [Parts of I-295 will be closed for bridge work, starting Jan. 16]( Work to replace the Providence Street Bridge in West Warwick will require intermittent overnight closures of parts of the highway between Jan. 16-25. [READ MORE]( [A black-and-white photomechanical postcard of Pike's Peak in Little Compton, estimated to date between 1945 and 1962.]( ['As good as local stories get': How Little Compton's Pike's Peak was named]( “Why is a random small flat patch of land at the edge of Little Compton's town commons known as Pike’s Peak?” [READ MORE]( [Dec 2, 2023; Providence, Rhode Island, USA; Providence Friars head coach Kim English reacts to the signing of the national anthem before a game against the Rhode Island Rams at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports]( [Providence basketball lands another front-court commit]( Bonke, a 7-2 center, has been playing at Eastern Arizona University [READ MORE]( [Marta Martínez leads a tour of Providence's Broad Street for the cast of "La Broa'," a Trinity Repertory Company adaptation of her oral histories of the street's Latino community.]( [New play 'La Broa' celebrates Latino culture of Providence's Broad St.]( The play, which premieres Jan. 18, is based on Marta Martinez's oral histories relaying 60 years of Providence’s Latino immigrant experience. [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 ➔]( SUBSCRIBE TODAY Our Reporting. Your Stories. Full access to subscriber-only content on all devices. Share bonus subscription with a family member or friend. 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