17 Charged In 'Operation Rhode Runner' Bust | Patch PM

Hi Rhode Island, it's Friday, Sept. 17. Here's a look at what's been happening around the Ocean State today.

• A new bill, signed into law this week, will offer financial compensation to people who are deemed to have been wrongfully imprisoned in Rhode Island.
• Comedy legend Stephen Colbert is coming to Rhode Island next month, but anyone wanting to see him in person will be required to mask up and show proof of vaccination.
• It's Constitution Day, so Patch took a look at civics education laws across the country. New this year, Rhode Island students must show proof of civics proficiency before graduating.

Scroll down for more on those and other stories Patch has been covering around Rhode Island today.

Today's top story

17 people were arrested in Rhode Island this week in a massive drug bust nicknamed "Operation Rhode Runner." The bust netted more than three kilos of cocaine, 750 grams of fentanyl and 500 grams of crack cocaine, according to prosecutors.

Read the full story here.

Friday's other top headlines

• Gov. McKee Signs Bill To Compensate RI's Wrongfully Imprisoned: Under the new law, those wrongfully imprisoned will get $50,000 for each year served in a Rhode Island correctional facility.
• Civics Classes: How Well Rhode Island Teaches The Constitution: The annual Annenberg Constitution Day Civics Survey sheds light on the state of civics education. Here’s what Rhode Island schools require.
• Stephen Colbert Coming To URI Next Month: All attendees 12 and up will be required to show proof of vaccination at the entrance, no exceptions. Masks will also be required.