Speaker Shekarchi rules out potential congressional run

 

Speaker K. Joseph Skekarchi has issued the following statement on speculation regarding him potentially running for Congress:

 

“Although I am humbled that Congressman Langevin and many others have mentioned me as a potential Congressional candidate, I love serving as Speaker and representing my Warwick constituents at the State House. I have no intention of seeking the Congressional seat this year. We have done great work in the past year bringing people together to address important issues facing our state, including affordable housing, pay equity, climate change, health care, and so many others. These are unprecedented times as we face a pandemic recovery involving the investment of billions of federal dollars, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with my colleagues in the House and Senate, and the Governor, to move our state forward.

“Fortunately, we have a number of strong potential candidates within the Democratic Party who will continue the excellent work established by Congressman Langevin.” 

 

Former President Trump's hush money criminal trial resumes this morning. The prosecutors yesterday introduced the case to the jury, accusing the former President of falsifying business records to cover up payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2016 over an affair. Trump's defense says there was no such scheme, and accused Daniels of trying to cash in on the allegations.        The State Department says Israel's response to the October 7th attack by Hamas has resulted in a "severe humanitarian crisis." In its 2023 Human Rights report on Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, the State Department said Israel has killed or injured more than 77-thousand Palestinians, or about three-percent of Gaza's population. The report also noted what it describes as "credible reports" of significant human rights issues including arbitrary or unlawful killings       The owner of the New England Patriots is pulling his donations to Columbia University as pro-Palestinian protests continue. Robert Kraft issued a statement through his organization, the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism. He called the protests "virulent hate" and said he's no longer confident that Columbia can protect its students and staff.       The case of an Arizona rancher accused of killing a migrant on his property is being declared a mistrial. George Kelly was charged in the shooting death of a Mexican man, who was crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in the Nogales area illegally in 2023. Kelly says he fired off warning shots to protect his family and property.       Five people, including at least two children are dead under mysterious circumstances in Oklahoma City. Police say they were notified Monday morning and responded to a house, in which all five people were found with injuries consistent of homicide.       A milestone for high-speed rail in Southern California took place Monday. Construction began on 218-miles of track that will connect Rancho Cucamonga to Las Vegas. Passengers will travel in fully-electric trains owned by Brightline. The company says they'll top 186-miles-an-hour.