RI House Approves $13.1 Billion Budget + Great White Shark

Happy weekend, Woonsocket!

Welcome to the Woonsocket Patch Daily — the quickest way to get caught up on the biggest news and events happening in town.

In today's Daily, we share the latest news about a the RI House approving a $13.1 billion state budget, an 883-pound great white shark detected in Rhode Island waters, and a text message phishing scam targeting residents. We also include information about the RI Senate approving two bills to prevent and address human trafficking and the RI House approving a bill establishing a statewide program for police body cameras.

First, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy, with a chance of showers in the morning. Temps: High of 83° and low of 68°.

Here are the top five stories in Woonsocket today:

1. The Rhode Island House of Representatives has approved a $13.1 billion state budget for the 2022 fiscal year. The bill, which passed on a 64-10 party-line vote, includes funding for affordable housing initiatives, a 30 percent benefit increase for low-income families, and $15 million for body cameras for police officers. (Patch)

2. An 883-pound great white shark that was tracked off the coast of New Jersey last week is now in Rhode Island waters. The shark, named Freya, was detected in the Ocean State on Thursday. (Patch)

3. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is warning residents of a text message phishing scam fraudulently asking victims to click on a link to validate information for a license waiver. According to RIDOT, this is not legitimate and anyone who receives this message via text message or email should delete it immediately. (Patch)

4. The Rhode Island Senate approved two bills aimed at preventing and addressing human trafficking. The bills would allow wiretaps for human trafficking investigations, require hotels to post notices about reporting human trafficking, and allow investigators to apply for a court order for intercepting communication in human trafficking cases. (Patch)

5. The Rhode Island House of Representatives approved a bill establishing a statewide program for police body cameras. The bill ensures that regulations for camera use will be established through a formal, public rule-making process. (Patch)

Happenings and Events in Woonsocket

• The Museum of Work & Culture is open for visitors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets can be reserved online here.
• Kats Dance Centre & Performing Arts is presenting “A DREAM – 40 Years in the Making" at Stadium Theatre at 5 p.m. To purchase tickets, click here.

You're all caught up on what's happening today in Woonsocket. We'll see you in your inbox Tuesday. Have a great day!

-Annie

About me: I grew up in Central Massachusetts and graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Harvard University. I have lived, worked, and studied in Boston for the last five years and cover stories in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. I am passionate about music and the arts, creative writing and literature, and topics of social and political justice.