RI to oppose mass deportation; how Trump turned Johnston around; health tips

Here are some of The Providence Journal’s most-read stories for the week of Nov. 10, powered by your subscriptions.

Maybe you are one of those people who didn’t just complete their studies holiday shopping but also wrapped all their gifts, planned their cookie trays and wrote out their Christmas cards. (You know who you are.) If not, check out our story how Rhode Island’s retailers and artisans are preparing for the grocery sprint that begins as soon as the Thanksgiving leftovers are put away in the refrigerator. Many shops and craft markets say they offer personalized service and special “memory experiences” that simply can’t be duplicated online.
Looking for a couple unique rhode island food gifts for the foodies in your life? Food editor Gail Ciampa has plenty of delicious suggestions, from cheese to chocolate to beer.
And if you’re bursting with pride about your outdoor Christmas decorations, tell us about it and check out The Providence Journal’s Rhode Island Holiday Lights map. It will go live on November 24, just in time for Thanksgiving weekend, and will be updated throughout the season.
Stay up to date with everything action in colleges and high schools And news about the Patriots bee providencejournal.com/sport.

Being here the best reading of the week on providencejournal.com:

PROVIDENCE – The governor and mayor of Rhode Island’s largest city are making that clear City and state police will not support the “mass deportation” of undocumented immigrants that newly elected President Donald Trump promised during his campaign.

In a statement over the weekend, a spokeswoman for Gov. Dan McKee said that while the Rhode Island State Police “work with (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) on the lawful detention of violent criminals, they are not immigration officers and will not spend money on the lawful detention of violent criminals. time and resources to support mass deportation efforts.”

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley, through a spokesperson, reiterated that position, adding, “Providence remains committed to being a safe and welcoming city for all neighbors of all immigration status.”

Read on to learn more about their views, and a look back at how Rhode Island responded to a similar push for immigrant detention during the first Trump administration.

Immigration: Governor, Mayor of Providence: RI will not support federal ‘mass deportation’ efforts

Rhode Island is hardly a battleground, but columnist Mark Patinkin says he didn’t have to go to Pennsylvania or Michigan to understand it why the Democrats lost the working class.

The same thing is happening here in communities like Johnstonhistorically a democratic stronghold. But that changed in 2016 when Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton with 54% in Johnston and four years later received 53% to Joe Biden’s 44%. This year, Trump did even better there, with 58% compared to Kamala Harris’s 39.

For insights, Mark spoke with Democratic Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr.who said he was demoralized by the way the election turned out, not because Trump won, but because how badly his party has lost touch with its base.

Read the full column for Polisena’s thoughts on how his party can turn this tide.

Mark Patinkin: How has Trump turned around places like Johnston? Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr. counts the roads

PROVIDENCE – Green Line Apothecary is leaving the pharmacy business and plans to close its stores so that the owners can concentrate on other business ventureslike their ice cream line.

The company was founded in Wakefield in 2016 and later opened a second location in Providence, becoming a popular alternative to corporate giants like CVS and Walgreens. It was a smaller, more personal alternative to the chains and also offered an old-fashioned soda fountain with ice cream floats and egg creams.

What does this mean for customers? And what do the owners plan to do now? Read the full story to find out.

Company: Green Line Apothecary is closing its pharmacy operations. Here’s what comes next for them.

As the high school sports season comes to a close in the fall with championships and Super Bowls, we spoke with Michael Lunney, executive director of the Rhode Island Interscholastic League, to find out what’s next for high school sports in the state and how RIIL is continually adapting.

Lunney answers questions about the RPI (Rating Percentage Index), recent changes to the Super Bowl format and new sports on the horizon for high school programs, among other topics.

The RPI sparked an off-field battle in court last Friday, just hours before the Division III playoffs were set to begin. Mount Hope fought for a higher position based on a perceived error in the RPI, but a district court judge declined to issue a temporary restraining order. Mount Hope’s season ended Friday night with a 29-19 loss to Rogers.

Sport: What’s next for high school sports in RI? 5 questions with RIIL head Michael Lunney

Coughing, sneezing, runny noses, sore throat, sinus infections.

Doctors in Rhode Island are seeing more patients with these symptoms, and the situation isn’t likely to improve with the holidays and flu season approaching, but doctors say there are steps Rhode Islanders can take to prevent illnesses like colds, flu and COVID-19 and also keep those around them safe.

Find out what’s circulating, when cold and flu season is likely to peak, and how to get free vaccinations if you can’t afford them.

Public health: The disease season has begun and is likely to worsen during the holidays. How to stay healthy.

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