WQRI News– The 88 Second Update

WQRI News time is: ______ With your 88 Second Update, I’m ___________ 

New England in the grips of a bitter cold today. Heavy, Arctic-like winds will continue to pummel the area until late this afternoon, some gusts up to 45 miles per hour. The chill will continue tonight with temperatures in the single digits in some places. The weather is affecting people across the Northeast and Plains. Blinding snow caused a 68-car pileup in Pennsylvania, killing one, and ice shut down entire interstates in Wisconsin.

Governor Don Carcieri proposing a $17 million cut in Rhode Island’s higher-education budget, which could spell bad news for the state’s public college students. The cuts could raise tuition, slash the scholarship budget and require college staff to work six days without pay. The proposal would affect Rhode Island College, University of Rhode Island and the Community College of Rhode Island. Roger Williams University is privately owned.

The Pentagon charging six Guantanamo Bay detainees in the 9/11 attacks. The Defense Department announcing today that military leaders will seek the death penalty. Among those at the base is Khalid Sheik Mohammed, alleged mastermind of the 2001 attack in New York, Washington DC and Pennsylvania that killed nearly 3,000 Americans.

“Jaws” actor Roy Scheider has died. He passed away Sunday at an Arkansas hospital at age 75.The two-time Oscar nominee was best known for his role as Police Chief Martin Brody in the “Jaws” films. The hospital has not released a cause of death.

Amy Winehouse cleaned house at the Grammys Sunday night, taking home five awards, including Best Record for “Rehab,” which she performed from London via satellite. Winehouse, also up for album of the year, lost to jazz artist Herbie Hancock. It was the second time a jazz artist has won the prize in the show’s 50-year history. Kanye West, Carrie Underwood and the Foo Fighters were also big winners. The night also brought out some of music’s biggest performers, including Tina Turner, Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard.