RI Health Care Vaccine Mandate + Nirva LaFortune Mayoral Run

Happy Saturday, Providence! Here's everything happening today in town.

Are you a local business owner or marketer in Providence? Our premium local sponsorships will keep you at the top of inboxes around town every morning. Contact us here for the lowdown.

First, today's weather:

Possible light rain overnight. High: 71 Low: 62.

Here are the top stories in Providence today:

1. With only four fire personnel unvaccinated out of 110, East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva is not concerned over potential staffing shortages caused by Rhode Island’s vaccine mandate for health care workers. The Oct. 1 vaccine mandate, which directly affects firefighters since most are required to be EMT certified, is at the center of a temporary injunction filed by the R.I. State Association of Firefighters. However, the East Providence department isn’t experiencing any staffing shortages related to the vaccine and has applied for a $7.3 million federal grant that would allow them to hire an additional 24 firefighters. (WPRI.com)
2. Providence City Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune is expected to announce her run for Mayor of Providence on Sunday. LaFortune will be holding a campaign announcement at the Southside Cultural Center on Broad Street. She has been an advocate for affordable housing, a strong opponent of the Fane Tower, and an advocate for improving the quality of the Providence schools. (GoLocalProv)
3. Police are investigating a shooting that left a man hospitalized after being shot in both arms while driving home at 200 Union Ave. in Providence. (WPRI.com)
4. The C-pod unit in Rhode Island Hospital's emergency department was shut down on Thursday due to a nursing shortage. (WJAR)
5. Rhode Islanders can connect with local artists, creators, chefs, and more at the Dean Marketplace, returning to the Dean Hotel on Fountain Street this afternoon from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. (Rhode Island Monthly)

Today in Providence:

• Feria del Libro - Providence Community Library (9:00 AM)
• Free Family Mini Photo Sessions - 60 Congdon Street (9:00 AM)
• Tree Planting to Celebrate the Life of Mr. Abelardo Hernández - Woonsasquatucket River Watershed Council (10:00 AM)
• FirstWorks Live Music Concert Series - Roger Williams Park (12:00 PM)
• Stone Soup Concert - Music Mansion (7:00 PM)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Feast & Fettle — The #1 ranked meal delivery service in Rhode Island. (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Paint Pottery! (September 25)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (September 30 and October 1)
• Add your event

Announcements:

• Local Author's Book Release "Escaping Her Past" (Details)
• Add your announcement

You're officially in the loop for today! See you all Monday morning for another update. If you're loving these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to follow along. You can send them this link to subscribe. Have a great weekend!

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a born and raised Rhode Islander. She works as a freelance copywriter for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and as an assistant producer for a live-lit storytelling show in Chicago. She holds a degree in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies from The University of Rhode Island. In her free time, you can find her traveling, hiking, or photographing her neighborhood as a street photographer.