🌱RI Gets Green Light To Go Green + Providence Police Do Good

Rise and shine, Providence! Let's get you started this Friday with everything you need to know going on today in town.

First, today's weather:

A little afternoon rain. High: 62 Low: 46.

Here are the top five stories in Providence today:

1. In an effort to help the Ocean State get a little greener, The Narragansett Bay Estuary Program (NBEP) has awarded $650,000 in Grants for Green Project Planning. The program, which is hosted at Roger William's University, has awarded the grants to support green-infrastructure and capacity-building projects for municipalities, local organizations, and universities across Rhode Island and Massachusetts. (GoLocalProv)
2. Donnie Palumber of the Providence Police Department took it upon himself, after watching a story on NBC 10 News about families learning to navigate and manage their child’s special education, to help one struggling family out personally. He gathered gift cards from restaurants and events from across the city and introduced the family to members of the department. He even set up a very special meet and greet for 19-year-old Charlie Steenbergen and 6-year-old K-9-in-training EDOX. Steenbergen, a huge animal lover, has autism and neurofibromatosis. (Turn to 10)
3. Learn what really went down before and after the famed burning of the HMS Gaspee as
   the Rhode Island State Archives commemorates the 250th anniversary of the historic event with a new exhibit. The exhibit includes several cases of documents that chronicle events before and after the burning that shed more light on what the iconic schooner ship was doing in Narragansett Bay. (Turn to 10)
4. A man was shot in the leg at approximately 2:30 a.m. Thursday, at the on-ramp from Thurbers Avenue to I-95 south. Police responded to the incident, and the man was taken to the hospital and will reportedly be O. K., however, police reportedly said the victim offered no further information about the shooting. (WPRI.com)
5. On Wednesday, the Rhode Island Supreme Court upheld the state’s Reproductive Privacy Act, which was signed into law in 2019 by Gov. Gina Raimondo with the intent to protect abortion rights in case the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. The decision to uphold this act came on the heels of a draft of a Supreme Court opinion to overturn Roe v. Wade leaked. According to an article by WPRI.com, the R.I. Supreme Court rejected the challenge brought by Catholics for Life and others, arguing the state constitution prohibited making a law confirming the right to an abortion. (WPRI.com)

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Today in Providence:

• REMINDER: Newsletter Content Due - Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless (12:00 AM)
• Discovery Tykes - Roger Williams Park Conservancy (10:00 AM)
• Open Paint + Amateur Photography Day at RWPBC (10:00 AM)
• Discovery Tykes - Providence City Hall (10:00 AM)
• Food Truck Fridays - Roger Williams Park Conservancy (5:00 PM)
• First Friday Concert - Music Mansion (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Providence Police Department: "Congratulations to PPD Officers Ferreras, Palmer, Figueroa and Detective Cavanaugh who participated in the Providence Marathon on May 1st! Special thanks to Officer Grimes who biked alongside the officers." (Facebook)
• Providence College: "Congratulations to the 57 inaugural members of Providence College's chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa Society! Click through for a full list of the students, photo and video of the installation ceremony, and more." (Facebook)
• Rhode Island Athletics: "Show Her You Care This Mother's Day! Purchase any season package for @rhodyfootball, @rhodymbb, or @rhodywbb and get a special gift for your mom." (Instagram)
• Providence Animal Rescue League: "Hello! My name is Zeus and I am ready for my forever home. I am a young husky boy that has a lot of energy. I love to run around and play with my people but sometimes I can play a little rough. I need someone who understands a husky." (Facebook)
• Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management: "We're Hiring! DEM Seeking Lifeguards, Park Rangers, Facilities Attendants and More to Staff State Beaches and Parks PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is announcing that it is actively recruiting." (Facebook)
• Rhode Island Historical Society: "The RIHS is hiring for multiple positions in different areas! If you want to make history come alive for others and care about engaging with the community, one of these roles might be perfect for you! Check out our postings here." (Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday off right. I'll see you around!

— Karena Garrity

About me: I am a URI graduate and I have been a community reporter for the better part of the past 20 years. I love Providence and I am honored to be a part of Patch.com. You can reach me at; karena.garrity@patch.com.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Providence Daily? Contact me at karena.garrity@patch.com