Woonsocket Radio News Room

 

Rep. McEntee’s bill extending outdoor dining at restaurants passes House

 

            STATE HOUSE – The House of Representatives today passed Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee’s (D-Dist. 33, South Kingstown, Narragansett) bill which extends the law that allows restaurants to continue approved outdoor dining.

            “The Take It Outside campaign helped so many of our restaurants get through the uncertainty and financial hardships of the pandemic and it has been embraced and enjoyed by the public immensely.  Now that the program has proven to be very successful, it makes sense to keep allowing this type of dining experience, especially since our local small businesses invested so much money to take advantage of the opportunity.  This bill will further enhance our world-renown culinary community for our residents and visitors alike while also supporting our incredible restaurants and eateries,” said Representative McEntee.

            The legislation (2023-H 5264A) would extend the moratorium imposed on the enforcement of statutes, regulations or ordinances by municipalities or state agencies regarding food service establishment alterations or modifications made in order to comply with the emergency declaration(s) issued as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic to February 15, 2024.  The previous moratorium was scheduled to end on April 1, 2023.

            “I am also working on legislation that will facilitate a permanent solution for restaurants that have invested in the take it outside dining program. I am consulting with all stakeholders such as the League of Cities and Towns, the Hospitality Association and our restaurant owners to come up with a permanent solution that addresses everyone’s concerns,” added Representative McEntee.

The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration where Sen. Alana M. DiMario (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown, New Shoreham) has introduced similar legislation (2023-S 0300).

 

Israel and Hamas have resumed fighting now that a seven-day truce is over. The Israeli military announced today that it has resumed combat in the Gaza Strip, claiming Hamas violated the truce and fired a rocket toward Israeli territory. Israeli airstrikes have been reported in Gaza City, and drones have been reported over southern Gaza. During the truce, Hamas released 80 hostages in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Israel Thursday calling for the truce to be extended, but after their meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said they swore to "eliminate Hamas" and that nothing will prevent that from happening.       Police are on the scene of an incident where a protester reportedly set themselves on fire ouside of the Israeli Consulate building in Atlanta. Officials say the protester suffered severe injuries and is now in critical condition. A building security guard also suffered minor burns while attempting to stop the self-immolation. Police described the incident as an "extreme act of political protest." The investigation is ongoing.        A federal appeals court is rejecting Donald Trump's bid to dismiss civil lawsuits seeking to hold him accountable for the U.S. Capitol riot. The three-judge panel denied Trump's argument he's immune to civil claims because he was president at the time. The former president is facing lawsuits from Democratic lawmakers and U.S. Capitol police officers who say Trump is responsible for the violence by his supporters during the riot aimed at overturning the 2020 election.        A federal appeals court is upholding a ruling that demands Texas remove a series of buoys in the Rio Grande. The floating buoys cover about a-thousand feet of water and are separated by large blades with serrated edges. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said the buoys were necessary to stop people from illegally crossing the border, although some opponents said they were a threat to human life. On Friday, a court ruled the buoys violate navigable waterway laws, and must be removed.        Olympic gold medalist swimmer Klete Keller is being sentenced for his role in the U.S. Capitol riot. On Friday, Keller was sentenced to three-years probation after taking a deal and pleading guilty to a federal charge of obstruction. Prosecutors argued his probation sentence would "send a message to the public you can do this and not get punished." Keller told the court he he takes full responsibility, saying he's "profoundly embarrassed" of his actions that day.        Actor Macaulay Culkin is getting his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Culkin, best known for his role as Kevin McCallister in the "Home Alone" films, attended the Hollywood ceremony on Friday. He thanked his family and said his fiancee Brenda Song and two sons are his "three favorite people." His co-star from Home Alone, Catherine O'Hara, also attended, and gushed over his "perfect performance" when they worked together.        

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