RI National Merit Scholars + Banning Underage Marriage

Rise and shine, 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 Rhode Island's college-sponsored National Merit Scholars, a bill to ban underage marriages in Rhode Island, and the Rhode Island General Assembly's approval of a 20-year extension of the lottery contract between the state and IGT and Bally's Corporation. We also include information about the Rhode Island Senate's approval of a bill that would require health insurance providers to cover all treatments related to COVID-19 and the state's first drive-through COVID-19 vaccination clinic.

First, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy, with a chance of isolated showers and thunderstorms throughout the day. Temps: High of 69° & low of 62°.

Here are the top five stories in Woonsocket today:

1. Seven high school seniors in Rhode Island have been awarded college-sponsored National Merit Scholarships. Across the country, over 3,100 students earned the scholarships, which range from $500 to $2,000 for up to four years of undergraduate study. (Patch)

2. State lawmakers approved a bill to ban underage marriages in Rhode Island. The bill now heads to Gov. Dan McKee's desk for a signature. (Patch)

3. The Rhode Island General Assembly has approved a 20-year extension of the lottery contract between the state and IGT and Bally's Corporation, the operators of the Twin River Casino in Lincoln and Tiverton Casino Hotel. (Patch)

4. The Rhode Island Senate approved a bill that would require health insurance providers to cover all treatments related to COVID-19 while Rhode Island's emergency order is in effect. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives. (Patch)

5. The Town of Smithfield, in partnership with the state and Fidelity Investments, will host Rhode Island's first-ever public drive-through vaccination clinic on Saturday, June 5 from 9 a.m. to noon. The clinic will be located at the Fidelity Investments parking garage at 100 Salem Street.

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.

You're all caught up on what's happening today in Woonsocket. We'll see you in your inbox tomorrow. 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 Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. I am passionate about music and the arts, creative writing and literature, and topics of social and political justice.