Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - December 11, 2020
Analysis
Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - December 11, 2020
Making the list this week - we are #1 in the world, Gracie's bankruptcy, and a new high court.
Now, we are expanding the list, the political perspectives, and we are going to a GoLocal team approach while encouraging readers to suggest nominees for who is "HOT" and who is "NOT."
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Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - December 11, 2020
HOT
Federal Trade Commission
Okay, maybe a little late.
The Federal Trade Commission on Wednesday announced it suing Facebook, alleging that the company is illegally maintaining its personal social networking monopoly through a years-long course of anticompetitive conduct.
Following a lengthy investigation in cooperation with a coalition of attorneys general of 46 states, including Rhode Island - along with the District of Columbia, and Guam, the complaint alleges that Facebook has engaged in a systematic strategy—including its 2012 acquisition of up-and-coming rival Instagram, its 2014 acquisition of the mobile messaging app WhatsApp, and the imposition of anticompetitive conditions on software developers—to eliminate threats to its monopoly.
"This course of conduct harms competition, leaves consumers with few choices for personal social networking, and deprives advertisers of the benefits of competition," said FTC.
HOT
First Minority to Supreme Court
More than a little late -- say a hundred or two hundred or three hundred years late, but Rhode Island is poised to have its first person of color on the high court.
Her resume speaks volumes.
Congratulations to Melissa Long.
She would not have been named without the activism of Anastasia Williams, Harold Metts, Joe Almeida, James Sheehan, Jim Vincent, Raymond Two Hawks Watson and many others.
HOT
Fane Tower
Rhode Island Superior Court Judge Brian Stern issued a 22-page ruling on Tuesday that clears the way for the proposed 46-story residential tower with the city of Providence, pending an appeal to the Rhode Island Supreme Court.
The project was first proposed in 2016 as a three-tower project. It has been a battle between the administration of Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza as well as the Providence Preservation Society against developer Jason Fane and the building trade unions.
The project as now proposed would cost an estimated $300 million and would be the most expensive private development in the City of Providence since the development of Providence Place Mall.
HOT
Tennis Hall of Fame Launches “Breaking the Barriers” Digital Exhibit Focused on Blacks in the Game
There are good digital exhibits and bad ones. This is one is super cool.
The International Tennis Hall of Fame has launched a new digital museum exhibit that offers a comprehensive look at the history of Black tennis in America.
Breaking The Barriers: The ATA and Black Tennis Pioneers features a multimedia timeline spanning more than 120 years of Black tennis history, as well as a concurrent timeline of African American history overall. The exhibit chronicles the struggles and evolution of Black tennis, and the lives and careers of Black tennis champions from the early 1900s through today.
HOT
Linden Place
Linden Place Mansion in Bristol is celebrating the season with fun and festive outdoor events this coming weekend.
Programming includes several eclectic concerts, an artisan fair and a family day at the 200-year-old mansion.
Mask wearing and social distancing are required to make events safe and fun for all -- and reservations are required for most events as space is very limited.
For more information, contact the Linden Place office at 401-253-0390 or [email protected] or visit www.lindenplace.org
NOT
Being #1 -- For All the Wrong Reasons
Rhode Island has the highest infection rate of coronavirus per capita in the world, according to the analysis of one of the country's top scientists.
NOT
State Blocks Release of Public Records
A GoLocal request for copies of the communications between the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) regarding the removal of contaminated soil a the 6/10 RI DOT project is being blocked by state attorneys.
GoLocal unveiled in September that contaminated material was dumped in an Olneyville neighborhood adjacent to homes and businesses and that material was spread throughout neighborhoods as part of the project -- a project that is costing taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.
For months RIDOT, Director Peter Alviti denied the material was contaminated and has refused to answer repeated questions.
GoLocal's investigation has now sparked both federal and state investigations. The Department of Justice has issued subpoenas and has empaneled a grand jury and Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha has an ongoing investigation. And, State court has issued at least one search warrant tied to the investigation at another RIDOT project
NOT
Gracie's Bankruptcy
Another great Providence has been devastated by the economic impact of the coronavirus.
Gracie's says it plans to reopen in 2021 -- as do other Providence establishments that are shutting down for the remainder of the year.
