Hello everyone, 

 

As many of you know, Governor Raimondo has been selected to serve as Commerce Secretary in the Biden Administration. I want to congratulate her and thank her for her leadership and service to our state. 

 

As the transition begins, I want Rhode Islanders to know that we’re all going to work together. We will be laser-focused on the COVID-19 response and vaccine rollout, and we will come out of this crisis stronger than we went in. 

 

This is a critically important time for our state and nation. 

 

Our frontline health care workers – our nurses, doctors, and hospital staff – are giving their all to save lives and fight against this virus. Thousands of families are working hard to make ends meet. Small businesses are being challenged like they have never been challenged before – and I will do everything I can to help them survive and prosper. Parents are concerned about their children’s education and our heroic teachers are doing incredible work overcoming unprecedented obstacles. And everyone is wondering when will a vaccine finally reach them. 

 

As a lifelong Rhode Islander – a former mayor, small business owner, and state official – I want you to know that our transition process will be seamless, particularly when it comes to the pandemic response and vaccine rollout.

 

I’m communicating with our health officials and have spoken to Speaker Shekarchi and Senate President Ruggerio. As I have in the past, I will continue to work with all our municipal leaders to ensure their voices are heard at the state level. 

 

We’re going to be a government that listens and works with our partners in all 39 cities and towns. Because we all have the same goal – to build a stronger future for the people of the State of Rhode Island. 

 

I look forward to working together to earn your trust – and confidence – in the days and months ahead.

 

In 2021, let’s stay positive and test negative. Thank you very much.

Former President Trump is back in a New York City court for his criminal hush money trial. Former longtime assistant Rhona Graff is now on the stand. Trump faces felony charges of falsifying business records to cover up payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet about an alleged affair.       Former President Trump says he's ready to debate President Biden as soon as tonight. In a social media post, Trump suggested the two debate "anywhere, anytime, anyplace" including out side the New York courthouse where the former president is on trial. The invitation comes after President Biden said he would debate Trump during an interview with radio host Howard Stern.        Hundreds of people across the U.S. have been arrested since protests erupted over the war in Gaza. Anti-Israel protests have sprung up across the country since the NYPD arrested over 100 demonstrators at Columbia University on April 18th. The New York Times says over 400 protesters have been arrested for refusing to disperse as tent cities pop up on more college campuses.        The U.S. is sending Ukraine its largest military aid package to date. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced a package worth six-billion-dollars today that will include munitions for Patriot missile defense systems. Austin thanked Congress for passing a massive foreign aid package that will help make it possible for Ukraine to fight off Russia's invasion.        It's a tripleheader in the NBA Playoffs tonight. In the first game, the Indiana Pacers will host the Milwaukee Bucks with their series tied at one game apiece. That game will be followed by the Los Angeles Clippers taking on the Mavericks in Dallas. That series is also tied at one-one. In the last game of the night, the Phoenix Suns will look to avoid going down three-games-to-none when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves.       Aaron Sorkin is writing a sequel to "The Social Network." Speaking at "The Town" podcast, the Oscar-winning writer talked about how Facebook has evolved in influencing democracy since his 2010 film. When pressed about why he blames the Meta-owned social media platform for the 2021 Capitol riots, he said "you're going to need to buy a movie ticket." The Social Network movie chronicled Mark Zuckerberg's journey as co-founder of Facebook.