President Ruggerio's Statement on the Passing of Former Lt. Gov. Thomas DiLuglio

 

STATE HOUSE – Senate President Dominick Ruggerio today issued the following statement regarding the passing of former Lt. Gov. Thomas DiLuglio:

 

“Working for Thomas DiLuglio during his term as Lieutenant Governor was the start of my journey in public life. He was a good man who cared deeply about Rhode Island, and in addition to his diverse and impressive list of professional achievements, he gave back to his community and our state in so many ways. I am forever grateful for the opportunity he gave me, and I send my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and loved ones.”

Stock prices are going down again on Wall Street. It comes as President Trump says he will put more tariffs in place, this time against alcohol products from the European Union. The Dow Jones Industrial Average has been down nearly 700 points at times today. The Nasdaq has been down over 500 points and the S&P 500 has been down over one-and-half-percent.        Russian President Putin is agreeing "in principle" with a plan to stop the fighting in Ukraine. During a press briefing today he said the proposal needs to "lead to an enduring peace and should remove the root causes of this crisis." This as U.S. officials traveled to Moscow today to discuss a possible ceasefire with Russian officials. Earlier this week, Ukraine said it would agree to a U.S.-backed 30-day ceasefire plan if Russia did as well.        The Trump administration is being ordered to "immediately" reinstate some fired federal employees. A federal judge found the firing of probationary employees from six agencies last month to be unlawful. He said the Office of Personnel Management and its acting director did not have the authority to issue the directive to fire the workers. The agencies include the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Interior and Treasury.        The White House is withdrawing the nomination for President Trump's pick for CDC Director. According to a senior administration official, former Florida congressman Dave Weldon will no longer attempt to be confirmed as the next head of the CDC. It came just hours before Weldon was set to testify before a Senate committee at his confirmation hearing. It's unclear why the nomination was withdrawn.        Anti-Israel protestors who stormed Trump Tower in New York City today are gone from the building after being hauled away on buses. The Deputy Mayor of Public Safety says officers loaded the arrested protesters onto MTA buses and they will be booked. Around 100 people reportedly entered the lobby of Trump Tower, calling for the release of pro-Palestinian activist and former Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil after he was arrested last weekend.        The Players Championship is underway in Florida. This week's PGA Tour event is taking place at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, southeast of Jacksonville. Last year's winner was world number one Scottie Scheffler and he's back in the field again this year. Russel Henley won last week's Arnold Palmer Invitational and is playing this week as well.