🌱 $2 Million For RI Nonprofits + Bah Running For Congress

Good morning, Providence! Here's everything you need to know to get this Monday started off right.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 33 Low: 26.

Here are the top three stories today in Providence:

1. Federal funding totaling $2 million is now available to help Rhode Island food and shelter nonprofits this winter. On Friday, Sen. Jack Reed announced the new Emergency Food and Shelter Program funding with the United Way of Rhode Island. Providence County will be allotted about $1.25 million with the rest to be distributed across the state. (Milford Mirror)
2. Omar Bah, 42, the founder of the Refugee Dream Center has announced he plans to run for congress. Bah is the first Democrat to formally announce that they are running for Rhode Island’s 2nd Congressional District. He would be Rhode Island’s first African American U.S. Congressman. (WJAR)
3. The leader of Rhode Island's Hells Angels chapter, Joseph Lancia, 30, is set to serve five years in prison. Lancia was charged in a 2019 shooting involving a former prospective club member. The state dismissed charges in exchange for Lancia's nolo contendere plea to felony assault and carrying a gun without a license. (The Providence Journal)

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Today in Providence:

• ESL Class: Intermediate/Intermedio - Providence Community Library (10:00 AM)
• Birding in the Collections - Museum of Natural History and Planetarium (10:00 AM)
• Providence Talks Playgroup - Providence Community Library (11:00 AM)
• Resume Help - Providence Community Library (1:00 PM)
• PVD Young Makers - Providence Community Library (3:30 PM)
• Afterschool Movie - Providence Community Library (3:30 PM)
• Arts and Crafts for Kids - Providence Community Library (4:00 PM)
• Virtual ITALIAN: Beginner - Providence Community Library (5:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Congratulations to Officer Daniel J. Famiglietti on his retirement from the Providence Police Department after 35 years of service to the City, 32 of which have been within the Mounted Command Unit. (Facebook)
• Aaron LaVigne, star of Jesus Christ Superstar, spoke with The Providence Journal about his role as Jesus. Check out his interview. (Facebook)
• Providence College Art Department faculty Judd Schiffman and his partner Athena Witscher just unveiled their collaborative ceramic installation commissioned by The Steel Yard. (Instagram)

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Events:

• Divorce and Your Home – Vesta's N. Attleboro, MA / Providence, RI Hub (January 26)
• Virtual Info Session About Career Training (January 26)
• Youth and High School Rugby Camp! (February 22)
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You're officially in the loop for today! See you all tomorrow morning for your next update.

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a born and raised Rhode Islander. She works as a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners, and is a graduate of The University of Rhode Island, where she earned a degree in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, hiking, or photographing her neighborhood as a street photographer.