Daily Briefing: Where the books have no name

ALSO: Human composting returns to the State House. ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ Advertisement [eNewspaper]( | [Crosswords]( | [Horoscopes]( [Read in browser]( The Daily Briefing YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP Mon Feb 19 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. Narragansett finally has its new library. For years as I've driven down to Narragansett to visit my mother-in-law I saw the signs popping up along roadsides calling on residents to save the library. I won't get deep into the debate over building the new library, but I can safely say it probably took a lot longer for it to happen than anyone expected. Now it's open in the Pier Marketplace where the Belmont Market used to be and as books are being cracked open, controversy is being put to rest. At least that's what everyone hoped. [03_Library_02152024.JPG] URI student Avi Kothari studies in an upper level reading room at the new Narragansett library on February 15, 2024. Kris Craig/The Providence Journal [Instead, as The Journal's Antonia Farzan reports, a new question has been raised – Just who should the library be named after?]( • If you've driven over the Washington Bridge over the past decade-plus you know there's been a lot of work on the span. A lot of work also means a lot of companies involved in doing the work. That also means there's a good chance that at least some of those companies have made donations to candidates running for office, or those already in. With the Washington Bridge on many Rhode Islander's minds right now, [The Journal's Patrick Anderson dug into campaign finance records to see just how many donations have come from the companies involved in bridge work and who received those funds.]( • After some tweaking from last year's version, a bill that would allow human composting in the state is back before lawmakers. Sure, the concept may sound a little gross, but there is a purpose for it and Portsmouth Rep. Rep. Michelle McGaw, is spearheading the legislation to permit the practice that turns human remains, over a relatively short period of time, into nutrient-rich soil. [Read more on the bill from the Journal's Wheeler Cowperthwaite.]( • We've all got our hobbies and for some it could be going to the movies, but what if your hobby was being in the movies? For a Warwick couple, taking on background roles has become a new passion with credits in "Succession," "The Gilded Age" and "Good Burger 2" among others. Why do they do it? [The Journal's Paul Parker found out.]( • It's not my cup of tea, but I know for some "The Bachelor" is appointment viewing. But I didn't realize how intense some fans are. Take for instance one that drove from Denver, Colorado to South Kingstown to visit Audrey's Coffee House, owned by former "Bachelor" star Jared Haibon, and his wife, former "Bachelor" contestant Ashley Iaconetti. With a Rhode Islander recently appearing on the show, [The Journal's Katie Landeck visited the coffee shop and lounge in the South County Commons to learn more.]( WORTH A READ 💻 Real products, fake endorsements: [Why experts say AI-generated ads will get tougher to spot]( 👨‍💼 [What is Presidents Day and how is it celebrated?]( What to know about the federal holiday 🐂 Let's get ready to Worcester Rumble — [Professional Bull Riders tour comes to DCU Center]( 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. A [survey conducted by CardRates.com]( found a 'stress tipping point' has emerged as a key concern among Americans grappling with personal financial pressures. The term captures a critical threshold where the accumulation of financial obligations leads to overwhelming stress levels, threatening people's mental well-being. "The survey engaged with 3,000 respondents across the nation who are managing ongoing financial commitments. It uncovered that over half of Rhode Islanders (56%) are on edge about nearing a 'stress tipping point,' a state where the burden of their financial responsibilities surpasses their ability to cope effectively, potentially causing severe psychological distress. This equates to a staggering 371,290 adults in the Ocean State. This compares to a national average of 65%." TODAY'S WEATHER ☀️ Plenty of sunshine. Highs in the upper 30s. TOP STORIES [The toughest place to weather a snowstorm? Try living on a houseboat]( [Stacy Rae Seminick poses near a snowman she built on the dock next to the houseboat she lives on at the Providence Marina.]( Stacy is among the diehards who sleep aboard a houseboat in the Providence Marina every night. Even in the snow. [READ MORE]( Advertisement [Men of the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment moving through fog to a new position, near Bastogne, Belgium, December 1944.]( [For RI Rep. Patricia Morgan, military devotion grows from family history]( Rep. Patricia Morgan's family legacy is a poignant journey shaped by military service and unwavering advocacy for veterans. [READ MORE]( [Michael Charles DeGrandpre and Richard Alan Pezzillo Jr. hold their newborn son Charles Vincent DeGrandpre Pezzillo in their Warwick, Rhode Island, home on Dec. 22, 2023. Their baby came into the world thanks to a surrogate mom, Rockland teacher Rachel Mack of Middleboro.]( [Middleboro teacher gives 'magical' gift by becoming a surrogate mother to RI couple]( "Rachel gave us the biggest gift of the holiday season. It takes a special person to do something like this for someone else," Richard Pezzillo said. [READ MORE]( [A stone in a wall on Rumstick Road heading toward Rumstick Point shows two stereotypical images of Native Americans around a barrel of rum.]( [Is rum involved? How did Rumstick Neck in Barrington get its name?]( Could the origin be Native American or Norse? Does it involve rum? [READ MORE]( [Mounties coach Matt Merten settles his Mount Saint Charles hockey team down as players take a knee in the locker room for a pre-game prayer. The team was playing its last home game as members of the RI interscholastic league against Bishop Hendricken on Saturday evening.]( [End of an era for legendary Mount St. Charles hockey program]( As it fights for survival, the program — a founding member of the RIIL and winner of 46 state championships — will depart for the prep school ranks. [READ MORE]( Advertisement Vote with Confidence This 7-day newsletter course will help you be an informed voter before Nov. 5. [SIGN UP NOW]( SUBSCRIBE TODAY Our Reporting. Your Stories. 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