HOT

John A. Pagliarini

The Republican from Tiverton is poised to become the next state senator after amassing a 70 vote lead after election night over James Seveney, an establishment backed Democrat, pending the counting of approximately 200 mail ballots. Pagliarini, a well-respected lawyer, ran on a platform of opposing tolls, and should bring a fresh, independent voice to the state senate.

HOT

Truck Toll Opponents

Pagliarini's victory in Senate District 11 should serve as one focus group for the rest of the state as a referendum on how the public feels about the implementation of truck tolls throughout Rhode Island. In sum, they didn't like it. Further, a group of about 100 or so Rhode Islanders rallied at the statehouse earlier this week in opposition to new tolls.

HOT

Keith Oliveira 

The President of the Providence School Board has resigned in protest, alleging micro management by the Elorza administration. Oliveira was already reportedly in danger of losing his presidency to upstart statehouse lobbyist Nicholas Hemond, but the President decided to go out in a blaze of glory, speaking his mind and defending the important issue of the independence of the Providence School Board, instead of going quietly into the sunset.

HOT

Buddy Cianci

The iconic former two-time mayor of the capital city is engaged to be married to his girlfriend, former sports reporter Tara Marie Haywood. Congrats to the former mayor who is showing us that it's never too late to find true love.

HOT

Rhode Island Special Olympics

Thousands of individuals took the Polar Bear Plunge at Roger Wheeler State Beach in Narragansett, Rhode Island on New Year's Day. The event marked the 40th year raising money for the great cause, which has raised more than $2.5 million for the Special Olympics Rhode Island over the 4 decades.

HOT

Nicholas Hemond

The resignation of Providence School Board President paves the way for the Providence lawyer and statehouse lobbyist to take control of the Providence School Board. Hemond has built an impressive list of statehouse clients, and now that he's set to take control of the school board, the young lawyer has cemented himself as one of the state's biggest political movers and shakers.

NOT

Michelle Smith, Associated Press

In 2014 she plagiarized GoLocal’s investigation about plagiarism – you would think that after the Associated Press had to correct her work and credit GoLocal’s reporting she would learn the lesson. But, this week after Kate Nagle unveiled the concerns by Benefit Street area residents about special treatment for a carport -- who turned out to be Patriot’s Danny Amendola -- it happened again. Amazingly, the AP’s Smith was able to replicate all the journalism in less than a day pawning off Kate’s work as her own. 

Photo courtesy of Linkedin

NOT

Jorge Elorza

The mayor has come under fire from multiple sources this week. First, Elorza was accused of interfering with the Providence school board and making decisions that were based upon political considerations instead of the best interests of the students. Then, Elorza was criticized by the Rhode Island Progressive Democrats (who endorsed him for Mayor), for his support of special tax breaks for developers after saying he opposed such deals while running for mayor.

NOT

Providence East Siders

The City of Providence has a $13 million cumulative deficit with the city pension fund in shambles, the fire department is in chaos, and the school board President has just resigned in protest. While those serious problems are just the tip of the iceberg, what's really got the East Siders of Providence all riled up is the fact that Patriots star wide receiver Danny Amendola has a carport at his house. Let's get our priorities in order folks.

NOT

Gina Raimondo

It's difficult not to view Republican John Pagliarni's victory in state senate district as a blow to Raimondo's toll proposal. Give credit to Pagliarini, who sensed the antipathy towards Raimondo's toll plan, at least in his district, and capitalized on it by making his opposition to the plan a central tenet of his campaign. Raimondo backed Pagliarini's Democratic opponent, and the loss signifies a rebuke to her plan.

NOT

Brady Sullivan

The New England developer with properties throughout New England is currently the subject of a lead contamination lawsuit at Mill West in Manchester, NH. Correspondingly, a petition has been sent to the EPA with over 20,000 signatures that asks agency to monitor all of the developer’s properties throughout the country. The developer's subcontractor in question at the New Hampshire property reportedly did the same kind of work at the Tourister Mill in Warren.

NOT

St. George's

The Rhode Island state police say the investigation into sexual assault allegations at St. George's is expanding, despite the fact that it's unclear how many individuals are under investigation at this point. Earlier this week, the state's Episcopal Bishop apologized for the abuse that took place there. Meanwhile, three of the victims called for an independent investigation at a press conference in Boston. These are dark times for the picturesque Middletown Prep School.

NOT

New England Patriots

After losing 4 out of the last 6 weeks, topped off by a disappointing loss to the lowly Miami Dolphins that cost them them the number 1 seed in the playoffs, the once invincible looking Patriots are now looking vulnerable. Fortunately for New England fans, Tom Brady's arm is still working for them and against everybody else, and that means their superbowl dreams are still realistic. But what was once a certainty is now just a hope.