PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - From the governor’s final State of the State address to an unexplained increase in overdose deaths, here are five things to know in Rhode Island:
CHAFEE’S FINAL STATE OF THE STATE
Gov. Lincoln Chafee called for greater spending on education, much-needed bridge repairs and a sizable investment in the arts in his final State of the State address. The Democrat’s speech to the General Assembly came as he unveiled an $8.5 billion budget proposal that eliminates a $150 million deficit while increasing spending on schools and leaving tax rates unchanged. The proposal will be taken up by state lawmakers, who are expected to make big changes before approving a budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
SPIKE IN FATAL OVERDOSES
Health officials are urging those with substance abuse problems to get treatment after 22 accidental overdose deaths in the first two weeks of January, twice the normal rate. Health Department Director Michael Fine says many of the deaths were from drugs sold illegally and no single reason has been identified to explain the spike. Those who died included men and women between 20 and 62, and the drugs included cocaine, heroin, benzodiazepines, methamphetamine and oxycodone.
CONVICTED EX-MAYOR ORDERED BACK TO COURT
A federal judge has ordered former Central Falls Mayor Charles Moreau back to a Rhode Island court Jan. 29. Moreau is less than halfway through a two-year sentence after pleading guilty to a federal corruption charge. He admitted accepting a furnace and home renovations from a businessman who received a lucrative city contract. The judge’s order doesn’t explain why Moreau must appear, but an appeals court decision last year in a similar but unrelated case found that the charge to which Moreau pleaded guilty - corruptly accepting a gratuity by an official receiving federal funds - is not a crime.
A CASKET MIX-UP
A Warwick woman who discovered the wrong body in her mother’s casket says DNA tests will be performed to determine if her mother was accidentally cremated in Canada. Lisa Kondvar and her family found someone else’s body in Margaret Porkka’s casket last month at a New Jersey funeral home. The 82-year-old had died unexpectedly during a trip to St. Maarten. The family suspects Porkka’s body was confused with that of a Canadian woman who also died on the island and that it was sent to Canada and cremated. Porkka’s hairbrush and toothbrush have been sent for DNA testing.
38 STUDIOS SETTLEMENT TALKS
An attorney for the Rhode Island economic development agency suing over its failed investment in former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling’s video game company says he’s had settlement discussions in the case and the General Assembly should pass a new bill designed to encourage out-of-court resolutions. Lawyer Max Wistow described “general discussions” about settling the 38 Studios lawsuit but wouldn’t say with which defendants. The bill would shield any party that settles from a lawsuit filed by a co-defendant over damages that co-defendant is ultimately found liable for.
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