HOT

Nicholas Mattiello

If anyone out there doubts the credibility of the challenge that Mattiello will likely face from Republican Steve Frias in November, the fact that Mattiello brought on Patti Doyle, the widely respected public relations professional, to his campaign should show you that he certainly doesn’t.  (Frias will face a challenge in a Republican Primary from Shawna Lawton, though he will be favored in the race.)  Here’s the good news for Mattiello: he has seasoned and intelligent campaign staffers like Jeff Britt and Doyle who will put Mattiello in the best position to win.

HOT

Lisa Scorpio

The long-time community activist and recent Leadership Rhode Island alum is poised to take on embattled state representative John Carnevale in Providence House District 13. Scorpio is just one of many “progressive candidates” who have thrown their hats into the ring after delivering Bernie Sanders an impressive and unexpected victory in the Democratic Presidential Primary this year. Progressives like Scorpio certainly have momentum on their side this year.

HOT

Joe Walsh

The high priced Rhode Island lobbyist might cost a lot of money, but he certainly delivers. Walsh scored big time for the Providence Journal in this legislative session by convincing legislators to continue to keep an archaic law on the books that forces Rhode Island cities and towns to advertise their public meetings in newspapers to the tune of about $1 million—despite the ubiquity of the internet. Walsh also helped convince Governor Raimondo to veto a bill that would have allowed the Attorney General to prosecute the scoundrels that share pornographic images of their ex-girlfriends on the internet to shame them or to profit financially. The veto was supported by two of his big clients, the Motion Picture Association and the Rhode Island Press Association. 

HOT

Brian Goldner

The Civic 50 named Hasbro the most community minded company in the Consumer Discretionary Industry on Wednesday, which is a huge feather in the company’s cap, and basically reaffirms what most Rhode Islanders already knew—the company is an excellent corporate citizen. For instance, in In 2015, the company contributed $14 million in total philanthropic support to help more than $3 million children worldwide, including the donation of over 700,000 toys and games. A great deal of the credit should start at the top, so good for Goldner for making Hasbro set such a great example.

HOT

“Bleed For This”

The new movie, based on the inspiring boxing career of Rhode Island icon Vinny Pazienza, is slated to be released in late November of this year, and if it’s anywhere near as good as the trailer that was released this week, it will likely garner Oscar nominations. Like anyone else, “The Pazmanian Devil” is not without foibles, which I’m sure the movie will document, but his tenacity, toughness, and inspiring comeback after a disastrous car accident make him a cool protagonist for an amazing story.

HOT

Providence College Hockey

Friar hockey fans are in for a real treat next winter. On Saturday, January 7, 2017 as part of Frozen Fenway 2017, the Friars Men’s Hockey team will play their arch rivals, the Boston College Eagles. The two teams were co-champions of the Hockey East regular season last year. In three meetings last season, the teams split the first two games and tied the final meeting—so expect to see two evenly matched teams duking it out at Fenway next year.

NOT

Juan Pichardo

The state senator from Providence who also serves as the Chairman of the Providence Board of Licenses motioned for and then voted to reopen a Federal Hill Club called “The Vault Lounge”, a week after a there was a shooting outside of it. Pichardo is known for uttering that infamously Rhode Island phrase “do you know who I am?” outside of a closed hot wiener restaurant before barging into the joint several years ago and demanding service. Allowing a nightclub that’s had gun violence take place outside of it without suspending the license for a significant amount of time is another example of questionable judgement from the Senator.

NOT

David Cicilline

The building which houses the Federal Hill club “The Vault Lounge” was owned by Congressman David Cicilline until recently, and is currently owned by his brother, convicted felon John Cicilline. It’s ironic, that just a couple weeks ago the Rhode Island Congressman from District-1 was occupying the House Floor demanding action to prevent gun violence when just a few days later there would be gun violence at a building he recently owned and is currently owned by his brother.

NOT

Rhode Island GOP

The state Republican Party should be poised to capture scores of legislative seats this year given the new tolls enacted by the Democrats as well as several high profile ethical scandals surrounding state Democrats. Yet for some strange reason, the state’s Republicans haven’t been able to field a large field of candidates—despite two strong candidates facing off for the right to take on Speaker Nicholas Mattiello. Missed opportunities aren’t hot.

NOT

Fall River

The business website 24/7 Wall St recently ranked Fall River as the fifth worst city to live in America. The largest reason for the ranking is the fact that Fall River residents tend to make significantly less than other Massachusetts residents, but the prices of goods there aren’t low to offset that low income. I’m sure that’s all true and makes for tough living, but I personally know several Fall River residents, and they’re all good folks. If they’re a reasonable reflection of their community, it can’t be that bad.

NOT

Doreen Costa

The Republican state legislator from North Kingstown has decided against running for reelection and is instead seeking a seat on her town’s council. It’s a strange turn of events given how Costa has always been so outspoken, energetic, and ambitious (she was frequently rumored as harboring aspirations to run for Congress).

Rhode Island Bridges

About 15 percent of all of our bridges here in Rhode Island are structurally deficient, according to the latest TRIP report from AAA. That’s the highest percentage in the country, which is quite disconcerting. The state may not have needed to create new tolls to address this problem, but it’s clear something needs to be done to address this looming disaster.