BREAKING: Massive police presence in North Dighton outside suspected classified document leakers home. We can see what appears to be a tactical team Dow the street. We’re being kept about a half mile away
My heart hurts today. My deepest condolences to everyone at
@NBC10
. Jim was a true friend who was generous with his time and advice to young reporters everywhere. I will miss him deeply.
Sad news to report this morning. Our friend and mentor, Jim Taricani, has passed away. Few reporters have had an impact on investigative reporting like Jim. Dogged, tough, smart. Rest in peace.
@NBC10
When my kids want something, they routinely create a powerpoint presentation on the topic. I just watched a 9-page presentation from my son on why he should get a crested gecko as a pet. The answer is no, but it was well-researched.
NEW: Sources tell me suspect was seen carrying the missing women into the apartment building on video surveillance then later leaves with two suitcases. The woman is not seen leaving the building and was not found inside the apartment.
It was a moving turnout at the memorial service for Bill Rappleye, who died in January. My gratitude to Rapp’s family who organized this opportunity to pay tribute to a tenacious journalist and friend.
Union president for correctional officers at WV prison where mobster Whitey Bulger was transferred to confirms there was a homicide there this morning. We are working details.
BREAKING: Pawtucket Police Officer Daniel Dolan has been charged with four felony counts including felony assault and discharging a firearm when committing a crime of violence in relation to the West Greenwich shooting last week.
Today’s news prompted me to dig out dad’s story on Nixon’s taxes. The Journal ran it on the front page below an electric rate hike story, the Evening Bulletin on page 17.
OK, rare rant from me here. People: It's 2021, learn Zoom. Make sure your camera is OFF in your settings when you join a meeting. Covering the Correia trial one person appeared shirtless, another as a virtual astronaut ape. It also disrupts the trial with people coming & going.
BREAKING: Outgoing Providence Police Col. Hugh Clements has been tapped by the Biden Administration to run the Dept. of Justice "COPS" program, a federal agency that focuses on community policing at the nation's local, state and tribal police departments.
Nine years ago today,
@wpri12
hired a kid named
@tednesi
. While he's still considered probationary, it may just work out. Though his hair used to be much darker.
50 years ago this month a reporter with the Projo's Newport Bureau dropped a bomb, uncovering then-President Richard Nixon had dramatically underpaid his taxes. The next year Jack White would be awarded the Pulitzer Prize, and elicit Nixon's famous "I'm not a crook" response.
In other news, my daughter got my son Legos from
@Target
for his birthday and when he opened the box, the pieces had been replaced with pieces of wood. There’s a special place in hell for the person who did this
Dad loved this state and devoted his life to covering the market accurately, fairly and doggedly. I can say with confidence he is absolutely thrilled to be inducted with Danielle. The entire family is honored that dad was chosen. He was quite simply, the best.
NEW: Legendary investigative reporter Jack White and longtime
@wpri12
anchor
@dnorth50
have just been announced as 2023 RI TV and Radio Hall of Fame inductees
In Jack's honor, I dug through our archives - here's RI notables discussing him after his death
The good
@wpri12
engineering folks dug up this awesome device. It was used to alter the voice of informants or mobsters for TV interviews back in the day. It's labeled appropriately.
Proud to announce the Target 12 team just won a regional Edward R. Murrow Award for "hard news" reporting. Here is the winning report, we obtained the confession tape of RI serial killer Craig Price:
Members of the
@RIHouseGOP
are pushing back at the COVID mandates going into effect today, saying the governor needed to seek the General Assembly's approval. They are submitting legislation to overturn McKee's order.
My favorite thing about Rhode Map today is both "Junior" Patriarca, and former mob investigator/State Police Col. Brendan Doherty donated to the Speaker. It's what the late, great Bill Reynolds would call "a full Rhode Island."
An emotional moment this afternoon as Patrolman Frank Moody retires from the Providence Police Department after 43 incredible years.
More coming soon on
@wpri12
@ProvidenceRIPD
Very proud of my nephew Pfc. Jack White, who graduated today from U.S. Army training at Fort Benning - Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 58th Infantry. (The proud dad you see with him is my oldest brother, John.) Congratulations Jack!
UPDATE: A spokesperson for the governor's office is declining to immediately release the letter from the feds about the Washington Bridge investigation
Unclear if that is because it's Friday night, or if gov's office will try to withhold it longer-term
This is my first time out to dinner since the start of this mess.
@dewolftavern
is utilizing their dockside tent, normally reserved for functions, to accommodate distance-dining. The views of Bristol Harbor don’t stink.
WATCH: Check out this great tribute piece for my father's induction last night into the RI Radio & TV Hall of Fame by
@tednesi
and
@johnnyvillella
. It's not easy to tell Jack White's story in a little over two minutes... but they did my dad proud.
A lot of people don't know this. Jack White , was sent a $10 Thousand dollar reward check from the IRS , for proving Nixon cheated on his income tax returns, He never cashed the check. We were best friends. Any success I had was from what I learned from Jack.
BREAKING: Early this morning Providence Police arrested the woman who they say jumped on the police cruiser Friday night as the violence began. That vehicle was eventually ignited. Sarah Taylor, 21, of Warwick will be arraigned later today.
Retired
@CentralFallsPD
Detective Rudy LeGenza has passed away. He and my late uncle, Mike White, were partners and busted a major drug ring there. This picture from a Rolling Stone profile of them. Mike and Rudy, back together again.
#OTD
August 12, 1975, eight men robbed the Hudson Fur Storage building in Providence in what is now known as the Bonded Vault Heist, among the biggest in United States history. The vault was the unofficial bank of the Patriarca family.
#OnThisDay
#RhodeIsland
#History
NEW: RI is getting some of the masks the Patriots jet picked up. RI emergency officials are picking 100,000 up in Foxboro today, per
@RIStatePolice
Col. James Manni
I liked this moment from the Bristol parade today. Naval (cadets, I believe?) marching by. Then stop and shake hands with onlookers wishing them all a Happy Fourth.
I sat down with Gov. Raimondo this morning. Among many questions, I asked her about the president suggesting the country delay the elections. Her response: "He's insane." "He's losing his mind."
Full interview soon. (photo by
@JohnnyVillella
)
How Rhode Island is this? Campaigning at Atwood Grill, Democrat
@JoyFoxRI
runs into Republican
@AllanFungRI
- who might be her opponent for the 2nd District seat (he says he has nothing to announce yet on his plans)
NEW:
@SenJackReed
has been tapped as one of nine Senate Democrats to help write an emergency stabilization package. The deadline for a plan is midnight tonight.
This is the truck of masks being handed off to Connecticut State Police by a
@RIStatePolice
escort. (photo by RISP) RI is getting 100,000 masks according to Col. James Manni
On this special day, I want to mark the sixth anniversary of the greatest best man speech of all time. You’re welcome
@KimKalunian
and
@TedNesi
. (Happy anniversary you crazy kids! ♥️)
Two gangsters share a birthday today, James "Whitey" Bulger and
@DanMcGowan
. One of them is ruthless, the other was on the lam for 16 years. Happy birthday Dan!
A very happy [redacted]th birthday to my pal and debate sidekick
@tednesi
!
(portions have been withheld under RIGL § 38-2-2(4)(A)(I)(a)(b) "individually identifiable records")
TARGET 12: The day the Washington Bridge problem was discovered, a RIDOT engineer acknowledged it might not be new
"this area is more exposed due to current construction"
RIDOT demanded $300 from
@wpri12
to obtain these emails (w/
@TedNesi
@Eli_Sherman
)
“The mayor said, ‘I’m not going to support somebody who is working against me,’ and that as long as Rory’s with the paper he’s not going to advertise..." Great piece from
@AmandaMilkovits
We're getting this question a lot. Even though RI results show Trump up by 54% with 88% of precincts reporting (as of now), that is ONLY in-person votes cast today. Does not yet include early in-person or mail ballots.
A side note: I learned a verdict was coming down because I was in line getting coffee behind the judge presiding over the trial. She was notified of a verdict and told me. Timing is everything.
Big
@nytimes
investigation into Pres. Trump's taxes cites dad's 1973 Nixon report: "In 1973, The Providence Journal reported that, after a charitable deduction for donating his presidential papers, Richard M. Nixon had paid $792.81 in 1970 on income of about $200,000." (1/2)
A rare opportunity to get
@johnnyvillella
on the other side of the lens: the trophies came in the mail. Proud to work with him and
@Eli_Sherman
, and thank you to
@wpri12
for allowing us to continue the important work of investigative journalism.
A HUGE Happy Birthday to
@TimWhiteRI
, who is celebrating a milestone today. I'd like to tell you he's turning 30, but he always stresses our commitment to the truth!
What can I say about this guy? My partner in news, Best Man at my wedding, a beacon of integrity - nobody better.
Here’s a letter signed by Alexander Hamilton, seeking money for the revolutionary war at the R.I. Archives.
@RISecState
wants these in a building safe to display (they’re locked away now). Fans of the musical will appreciate he signed it “your obedient servant.”
I just took the expanded I-195 WB over the Washington Bridge. No traffic and felt like an improvement. You’ll grip the steering wheel a bit tighter, but everyone just needs to take it easy. Real test comes Monday, of course.
Just interviewed victim in drive-thru hit-and-run case against Scott Avedisian. Two people say he appeared intoxicated. Avedisian was charged with misdemeanor leaving the scene, not DUI. I have asked
@AGNeronha
's office if they are reviewing the evidence. Latest: 4p on
@wpri12
Happy birthday to the unrelenting professional
@JohnnyVillella
! I’ll hang with you in the back of an unmarked van outside a major breaking news scene any day
Proud to work with
@JohnnyVillella
and
@Eli_Sherman
- our report that led to the Fall River police chief stepping down won the New England Emmy for investigative reporting. Here is the original report:
#NEEmmy
I love how Ted makes it sound like he made a huge sacrifice for you. Trust me, he'd read the entire RI budget doc even if he wasn't a political reporter.
BREAKING:
@SenJackReed
and
@SenWhitehouse
pick
@JudgeDuBose
of RI District Court to be the next federal judge in Rhode Island. The pick goes to the president and needs approval by the U.S. Senate.