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Governor Raimondo calls up the National Guard as Providence cleans up after a night of destruction

The governor also is considering imposing a curfew. Meanwhile, some of 65 people arrested for looting and vandalism were arraigned as business owners spent the day assessing the damage and cleaning up.

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THE CORONAVIRUS
IN RHODE ISLAND

Today's cases: 101
Today's deaths: 12

Total cases: 15,112
Total deaths: 732

Hospitalizations: 188
In ICU: 48

Policies
Stay-home order lifted
Masks in public
Gatherings of 15
Stores, indoor dining, close-contact businesses, houses of worship, gyms, child care centers, youth sports open with limits
All state beaches and parks open
More workers allowed in offices

RHODE MAP
After a chaotic night, this is what downtown Providence looked like this morning
Here's a series of photos taken around the city early this morning, showing the damage done by demonstrators overnight.

Demonstrators converge in Providence overnight, looting stores and setting a police car on fire; 65 arrested
Dozens of demonstrators turned out in downtown Providence overnight, breaking into the Providence Place Mall, setting a police car on fire, and looting stores in the shadow of City Hall.

EDUCATION
Hundreds of Rhode Island teachers face layoffs as districts grapple with the coronavirus fallout
The state-mandated deadline to issue layoff notices to teachers was Monday, and at least 489 educators from 17 districts have been told that their jobs may be cut.

Providence high school students disappointed in plans for ‘virtual’ graduations

In a petition and letters, the students are asking why school leaders won't consider a variety of possible ceremonies as other districts have done.

Raimondo announces fewer COVID-19 cases; rejects Trump’s advice to ‘dominate’ Floyd protesters

The president urged governors to be tough and use "domination" as a tactic against protesters, but Raimondo said state and local officials should "ratchet down the violence and ratchet up listening and sincerity.”

Rhode Island governor says Floyd’s death represents a ‘call for action’ to combat racism

Raimondo condemned the vandalism to the State House, but said most of Saturday's protesters were peaceful and their "outrage needs to be heard.”

More Recent Stories

After closing off from the mainland, Block Island prepares to reopen

When the coronavirus spread through Rhode Island three months ago, Block Island sealed itself off to protect its residents from illness. Now it’s poised to reopen to outsiders with a mixture of hope and trepidation.

RHODE MAP

The dos and don’ts for Phase 2 of Rhode Island’s reopening

State officials were still issuing new guidance for reopening as late as Saturday, so you can expect some confusion this week.

INNOVATORS Q&A

A Providence nonprofit helps refugees emphasize hope over fear

“Refugees have vast experience in the kind of hope and survival that the rest of us are learning right now," says the executive director of Beautiful Day.

PROTEST

Thousands protest in Providence over death of George Floyd

About 2,000 people held a peaceful rally in Providence to protest the death of George Floyd, a Black man allegedly killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis.

SPORTS

Dinner on the diamond at McCoy Stadium tastes bittersweet

It's easy to savor a meal on the field where Dustin Pedroia played, but the imminent departure of the PawSox to Worcester is still hard to swallow.

R.I.'s Phase 2 starts Monday as new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations fall

Gyms, restaurants, barber shops, and hairdressers can reopen Monday under new rules and restrictions. Houses of worship can open Saturday at 25 percent capacity. Twin River Casino will open June 8 by invitation only, requiring masks and social distancing. But there are still no visitors allowed at nursing homes or assisted living facilities.

RHODE MAP

Doctor McDonald prescribes resilience

It’s worth taking a moment to appreciate the personal stories and bits of empathy and wisdom that Dr. James McDonald, medical director for the Rhode Island Department of Health, offered at Thursday’s daily coronavirus news conference.

Let the games begin: R.I. set to begin youth sports and open casinos in June

The governor said she knows the pandemic has been “really hard” on the state’s youth, who have missed out on graduations and proms, ballgames and recitals. But, she said, ”I want you to know that summer is going to be good."

Media to R.I. governor: Stop delaying records requests

Seven Rhode Island media and open government groups called on Governor Gina M. Raimondo Thursday to stop giving public entities 20 extra days to respond to records requests, saying it was infringing on the public’s right to know.

RHODE MAP

The clash between the pandemic and public finances in Rhode Island

Perhaps there’s no more fitting image for a panel discussion on public finances and the pandemic than The Clash “Out of Control” poster that was visible over Paul Dion’s shoulder during Wednesday’s Zoom conference.

With new rules, Rhode Islanders are getting ready to return to the gym next week

Governor Gina Raimondo said Rhode Island will be ahead of neighboring states if it goes ahead with its plan to reopen gyms, restaurants, churches, barber shops, and hairdressers next week under new rules and restrictions.