Daily Briefing: What Washington Bridge emails are revealing

ALSO: Meet Rhode Island's top high school wrestler. ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ Advertisement [eNewspaper]( | [Crosswords]( | [Horoscopes]( [Read in browser]( The Daily Briefing YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP Thu Feb 1 2024 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. The release of 236 pages of emails is beginning to shed light on what happened in the days before and following the closure of the westbound lanes on the Washington Bridge. It also meant taking some time to absorb all of the information – along with figuring out what may not have been included in the release. After The Journal's Katherine Gregg and Patrick Anderson [gave a first review Tuesday night,]( they were joined by Wheeler Cowperthwaite, Antonia Farzan and Paul Parker to further review the emails and share that information with you, our readers. Here's a look at what you'll find today. [Patrick has a timeline of everything that happened]( from Friday, Dec. 8, when the problem was observed by an engineer through Jan. 28. Antonia takes[a look at the "young engineer" who first spotted the problem]( and the company – VHB – that is working on the bridge. [Washington Bridge under construction-6.jpg] The work site of Washington Bridge westbound, as cars head into Providence on temporary lane. David DelPoio For those of you who have to travel over the Washington Bridge, [Wheeler dug through information provided by RIDOT to figure out the best times to cross the span.]( • What's it like to live near the St. Mary's Home for Children? Neighbors told The Journal's Tom Mooney about yelling and screaming coming through the trees, the constant presence of first responders and even a time when a child ended up in a backyard pool during a Fourth of July party. While taking these issues seriously, North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi said those concerns won't be enough to stop the building of a 12-bed addition at the facility, [but offered a message for those living nearby.]( • It may come as a surprise that one of the best high school wrestlers in the country hails from Scituate. Gabriel Bouyssou has won state titles at 132, 138 and 144 pounds and is now eyeing a championship at 150 pounds. He took silver at the under-17 2023 Pan-Am Championship in Mexico City last June and is headed to Cornell University to continue his career. [03_Bouyssou_01302024.JPG] Scituate wrestler and team captain, Gabriel Bouyssou, watches teammates compete in a recent match at home. Kris Craig, The Providence Journal How did Bouyssou achieve such glory? The Journal's Jake Rousseau caught up with Boysseau to find out. • Have you been watching TikTok videos from Costco shoppers highlighting the latest products and deals to hit the shelves in the hopes of preparing for Rhode Island to finally get one of the membership club shopping centers? [If so, I hate to be the bearer of bad news.]( • Quick. Off the top of your head, how many famous, living, Rhode Islanders can you think of? We're not talking about the vacation homeowners, but celebrities that were born here or spend a lot of time in the Ocean State. [Now check out this list of 50 famous Rhode Islanders and see how you did.]( WORTH A READ 💰 [Fed holds interest rates steady]( hints March rate cut is unlikely despite easing inflation 🧸 [Elmo asks the internet 'How are you doing?']( Turns out, they’re not doing great. 🦔 [Famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil will give his prediction Friday]( What will he say? RHODY RANKS I'm pretty sure most of us will disagree with this one. Where are the best pizzerias in the U.S.? According to a recent study by [Pizzello.com]( to determine which towns and cities across America have the best pizzas you won't find any communities from Rhode Island until number 195 when Pawtucket makes the list. The only other R.I. location to earn distinction is Providence coming in at number 238. Topping the list is New York City followed by Tulsa, Oklahoma. 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