WQRI News– The 88 Second Update

By LORIN RICHARDSON

Please broadcast the update below. Click play below the text. Thanks.

PARTLY CLOUDY AND 55 DEGREES IN SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND TODAY. THE COMPLETE FORECAST COMING UP…

RHODE ISLAND IN DEPTH…

THE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN YOUTH AND FAMILIES GIVES GOV. DON CARCIERI A PUBLIC APOLOGY… THIS AFTER PATRICIA MARTINIEZ ACCUSED THE GOVERNOR OF SPREADING RACIAL HATE WITH HIS EXECUTIVE ORDER TIGHTENING ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION LAW. SHE NOW SAYS SHE BACKS THE GOVERNOR ON THE ISSUE.

LAWMAKERS CONSIDERING A PROPOSAL THAT WOULD EXPAND THE STATE’S MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM. NONPROFIT BUSINESSES WOULD BE ABLE TO SELL THE DRUG TO SERIOUSLY ILL PATIENTS. THE STATE PERMITS CHRONICALLY ILL PATIENTS TO USE THE DRUG BUT DOESN’T SPELL OUT HOW THEY CAN BUY IT.

FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE H. W. BUSH WILL GIVE THE COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS AT BRYANT UNIVERSITY MAY 17. THE UNIVERSITY IN SMITHFIELD WILL ALSO AWARD MR. BUSH AN HONORARY DEGREE.

GEN. DAVID PETRAEUS FACING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE IRAQ WAR FROM THE THREE BIG PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES IN WASHINGTON TUESDAY. PETRAEUS SAYS HE PLANS TO STOP US TROOP WITHDRAWALS IN JULY… FIVE YEARS INTO THE WAR.

CHILD WELFARE ADVOCATES CLAIMING THAT TEXAS POLYGAMIST COMPOUND RAIDED EARLIER THIS WEEK WAS RIFE WITH SEXUAL ABUSE. OFFICIALS JUST REMOVED ABOUT 400 GIRLS FROM THE COMPOUND. THE LEADER OF THE POLYGAMIST SECT…WARREN JEFFS… WAS CAPTURED BY AUTHORITIES LAST YEAR WHILE ON THE RUN.

THE ENERGY DEPARTMENT SAYING GAS PRICES COULD CLIMB AS HIGH AS $4 A GALLON THIS SUMMER.

PRESIDENT BUSH SHEDDING TEARS TUESDAY AS HE PRESENTED THE MEDAL OF HONOR TO THE FAMILY OF NAVY OFFICER MICHAEL MONSOOR. HE WAS KILLED IN IRAQ IN 2006 WHEN HE JUMPED ON A GRENADE TO SAVE HIS COMRADES.

QRI SPORTS

ROGER WILLIAMS BASEBALL OVER JOHNSON AND WHALES… 9-6.

WOMEN’S LACROSSE LOSES TO ENDICOTT COLLEGE, 7-17.

BOSTON RED SOX CAME OUT SWINGING IN THEIR HOME-OPENER TUESDAY. THEY BEAT DETROIT 5-0. FORMER PLAYER BILL BUCKNER THREW OUT THE FIRST PITCH. SOX PLAY DETROIT AGAIN TONIGHT.

CLOSER TO HOME… THE PAWSOX BEAT THE IRON PIGS TUESDAY, 4-1. THE TEAMS FACE OFF AGAIN TONIGHT.

QRI FORECAST

SUN POKES THROUGH BEHIND SOME CLOUDS TODAY WITH THE HIGH NEAR 55. PLEASANT INTO THIS EVENING. TEMPS HOVER AROUND 40.

LOOKS GOOD AGAIN TOMORROW. CLOUDS IN THE MORNING MAKE WAY FOR SUN AND THE HIGH NEAR 60. IT’S HEATING UP.

Listen Now:

 Standard Podcasts [2:23m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player | Hits (199)

By DEE DEQUATTRO

WQRI NEWS

Iraq is thrust back into the spotlight of U.S. politics today as The three presidential candidates will have the opportunity to question General Patreaus on his stance on the war in Iraq.  When Patraus appears before the Senate committees each Senator will have a chance to question General Patreaus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker.

Bob Dylan received a special music citation during the Pulitzer prize ceremony last night. Dylan recognized his impact on American music over the year and gladly accepted his citation.

The Olympics are coming to the U.S. today. The torch is being carried across the golden gate bridge today en route to China. This is following the flame being distinguished by protestors in London and Paris. Here in the U.S. protestors have hung flags calling for a free Tibet.

Over 7 years later, more remains from the 9/11 attacks have been discover. The remains of one man were discovered in a road that was initially paved over and over 400 other bones have been discovered underneath the road which is known as haul road. 

The Roger Williams University Men’s Tennis team won its second straight match yesterday with a 7-2 victory over Wentworth Institute of Technology. 

The Woman’s softball team lost it’s first game to UMASS Dartmouth 7-6 but they came back yesterday defeating UMASS with a whooping victory of 9-1. 

And now for the weather, it looks like spring is here, it will be Sunny with a high of 53 degrees, some clouds this morning but never fear, they will give away to sunny skies. So enjoy some fun in the Sun!

By Ana Malone-Oliver

WQRI News

 47 degrees and windy out in Southern New England today…the complete weather forecast in a moment.

Charlton Heston, the Oscar winner who portrayed Moses and other heroic figures on film in the ’50s and ’60s and later championed conservative values as head of the National Rifle Association, died at his home Saturday night. He was 84. 

A man who received a heart transplant 12 years ago and later married the donor’s widow died the same way the donor did, authorities said: of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.  No foul play was suspected in 69-year-old Sonny Graham’s death at his Georgia home, investigators said. He was found Tuesday in a utility building in his backyard with a single shotgun wound to the throat. 

Authorities who removed 219 women and children from a polygamist compound were struggling Sunday to determine whether they had the 16-year-old girl whose report of an underage marriage led them to raid the sprawling rural property.  State troopers armed with a search warrant raided the compound on Friday to look for evidence of a marriage between the girl, who allegedly had a baby at 15, and a 50-year-old man. Under Texas law, girls younger than 16 cannot marry, even with parental approval.  

New Bedford police have arrested one person in connection with a triple stabbing in Fairhaven Friday night, says Fairhaven Police Chief Gary Souza.  Carmelo Lopez, 24, was arrested without incident Sunday morning at his New Bedford home on a warrant charging him with Assault With Intent to Murder. Lopez will be arraigned Monday morning in New Bedford District Court. Chief Souza believes that further arrests are likely.

WQRI SPORTS

In Roger Williams Hawks news… Baseball victories 7-0 and 6-2 over Nichols College Sunday afternoon.

Men’s Lacrosse defeats The Commonwealth Coast Conference rival on Saturday, 6-5.

And Women’s Lacrosse defeats New England College Saturday, 17-6. 

And in WQRI Weather

Cloudy and windy today with temperatures about 45 degrees.  Tonight, except more windy conditions with lows near 35.  Tomorrow partly cloudy, highs in the low 50s and lows in the mid 30s.  And Wednesday, a mix of sun and clouds, high in the mid 50s, lows in the low 40s. More news on the hour. 

News today brought to you by Ana-Malone Oliver in the WQRI News Center

45 degrees and rain all day today. The complete weekend forecast in a moment.

Gov. Don Carcieri takes his executive order aimed at curbing illegal immigration to a national audience. He appeared on CNN’s Lou Dobbs Tonight Thursday, saying it’s crystal-clear illegal immigration is taking a toll on the state. The executive order requires state agencies and vendors to verify the status of all employees.

Not everyone’s happy about it… a group of protestors flooding the State House Thursday, chanting in Spanish. They were asked to leave by Capitol police when things apparently got out of hand.

Rhode Island one of several states considering releasing prisoners early to save money. The list includes drug addicts, thieves and violent criminals. The plan would save less than 1 million dollars in Rhode Island. No word on how many prisoners would be released.

More on news we brought you earlier this week. Roger Williams Public Safety Director J. David Smith saying his last day will be April 11. He’s leaving to head the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency later this month. He’s been at the university less than a year.

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia will visit the Roger Williams School of Law this Monday for a q and a with law students. The public can watch the event on closed-circuit TV in the lae school from 2 to 3 p.m.

WQRI SPORTS

Roger Williams women’s tennis loses 9-0 at Brandeis.

Baseball plays Wheaton College and softball at Wellesley College, 3:30 today.

PawSox open the season strong against the Indianapolis Indians… 3-0.

They face off again tonight.

Red Sox play the Blue Jays in Toronto tonight.

Celtics face the Bobcats tomorrow.

WQRI FORECAST

Rain continues through the night but temps remain in the 40s.

More rain Saturday with the high near 50

Clearing up Sunday with partly cloudy skies, 50 degrees again.

Listen Now:

 Standard Podcasts [1:57m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player | Hits (196)

By LORIN RICHARDSON 

WQRI NEWS

Like talking on your cell phone? Now you can move to Cuba. President Raul Castro has legalized cell phone usage, as well as granting access to tourist hotels, and allowing DVD players and personal computers. The government seems to be turning around.

Obama wants Gore to join his political campaign. I will make a commitment that Al Gore will be at the table and play a central part in us figuring out how we solve this [climate change] problem,”  

Esar Met, 21, admitted to killing a seven year old girl in her Salt Lake City, Utah apartment. Her body was found on Tuesday, and her family is one of 500 refuges in the Salt Lake City area.  

Tuesday Google and Virgin announced that they were going to colonize the Red Planet because, as the press release states, “Earth has issues, and it’s time humanity got started on a Plan B.” And.. they played an April Fool’s joke on the entire country.  

At Roger Williams, a Variety Show will be held this Friday and Saturday night at the barn named “Happy Hour: A Double Shot”. It will feature improvisation, singing, acting, dancing, and comedy.

Please broadcast the update below. Thanks! 

Sunny today with the temperature near 50. The complete forecast in a moment.

He’s been at Roger Williams University less than a year, but Public Safety Director J. David Smith is already on his way out… Gov. Don Carcieri appointing the former Westerly police chief the head of the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency. He starts April 21. You might remember Brendan Doherty, Roger Williams’ last public safety director, was appointed chief of the state police last year. More information on Smith’s new job and what his departure means for security at Roger Williams coming up and a full report in the next edition of The Hawk’s Herald, the campus paper, on stands Thursday.

A jury continues deliberations today in the trial of seven Narragansett Indians accused of scuffling with police in a 2003 raid on their tribal smoke shop in Charlestown. The jury went at it Tuesday for about four hours with no verdict. At question is whether the Narraganssetts resisted arrest.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying the U.S. should skip the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics this year, criticizing the Chinese government on human rights.

A group of third-graders plot to attack their teacher, bringing a knife, handcuffs and duct tape to school, planning to knock her unconscious with a paperweight. Another student foiled the plot. The students are too young to be charged with anything.

WQRI SPORTS

April Fool’s Day wasn’t very funny for Roger Williams softball Tuesday. They lost 1-5 against Endicott College.

Baseball plays Rhode Island College 3:30 today.

At the same time

Women’s lacrosse at Regis College

Men’s lacrosse against Mass Maritime

And tennis, against Salve Regina University.

Red Sox beat Oakland Athletics Tuesday, 2-1.

See if they recreate the magic this afternoon. Game time 3:30.

Celtics over the Chicago Bulls, 106-92 Tuesday.

They face the Indiana Pacers tonight.

WQRI WEATHER

Sunny and pleasant all day long… a welcome relief from yesterday’s rain. High around 50.

Clear tonight, low 25.

Looks good Thursday, too. Sunny and 55.

Rain moves back in for a two-day stint Friday.

Listen Now:

 Standard Podcasts [2:23m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player | Hits (207)

Get skeeved out about putting your mouth on someone else’s mouth during CPR? Or maybe turned on? Well too bad, The American Heart association said yesterday that hands only cpr works! So don’t worry you will never have to put your mouth to your fat bosses lips but remember you won’t be pressing your lips to that hot beach babe either. Experts hope these new finding will make cpr trained bystanders more likely to jump in during emergencies. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson’s resigned yesterday. President Bush saw Jackson off with a warm good bye while democrats celebrated his departure.  Jackson, after seven years, resigned because he was under criminal investigation for cronyism and favoritism. Democratic Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said that she thinks President Bush should skip the Olympic opener in China. She made the announcement this morning on Good Morning America. Pelosi said that by not appearing Bush would be protesting the Human Right Violations continually made but China however Pelosi does not think U.S. athletes should boycott the Olympic games. Presdient Bush publically promised the Ukraine that he will fight for them to join NATO. He said he will not allow Russia to veto the induction of a former Soviet State into NATO. Speed learningwill be held from7 to 9 in the hawks hangout. The event is hosted by the career center and will hold great pointers on how to perform for an interview and how to get your resume up to par. Mens baseball Pitcher dan roberge threw the first ever perfect game in RWU history on Sunday. Roberge threw to the minimum 25 hitters and has been named common wealth coast conference pitcher of the week. Congrats!

46 degrees and cloudy out in Southern New England today…the complete weekend forecast in a moment.

Dith Pran, the Cambodian-born journalist whose harrowing tale of enslavement and eventual escape from that country’s murderous Khmer Rouge revolutionaries in 1979 became the subject of the award-winning film “The Killing Fields,” died Sunday. He was 65.

A man was convicted Friday of swindling nearly three dozen people with a tale about a broken-down lobster truck that he said he needed money to fix. He collected sums ranging from $25 to $2,500 after concocting the story. He has been charged guilty of 30 of the 31 counts against him, all felony or misdemeanor counts of obtaining money under false pretenses.

Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on Sunday ordered his fighters off the streets nationwide and called on the government to stop raids against his followers and free them from prison. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki issued a statement calling the order “a step in the right direction” towards resolving six days of violence sparked by operations against al-Sadr’s backers in the oil-rich southern city of Basra. The Iraqi government later said it would lift a Baghdad curfew on Monday morning. A vehicle ban will stay in place in three Shiite militia strongholds in the capital.

From the Sydney Opera House to Rome’s Colosseum to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, floodlit icons of civilization went dark Saturday for Earth Hour, a worldwide campaign to highlight the threat of climate change. The environmental group WWF urged governments, businesses and households to turn back to candle power for at least 60 minutes starting at 8 p.m. wherever they were. Even internet search engine Google lent its support to Earth Hour by blackening its normally white home page and challenging visitors: “We’ve turned the lights out. Now it’s your turn.”

WQRI SPORTS

In Roger Williams Hawks news…

Baseball team remains perfect in The Commonwealth Coast Conference, thanks in part to the first perfect game in Roger Williams University history. The Hawks swept the Sunday afternoon doubleheader against Wentworth Institute of Technology by the scores 1-0 and 5-3.

Women’s lacrosse team moved to 6-1 overall and 3-0 in The Commonwealth Coast Conference with its 9-6 victory Saturday over the visiting Golden Bears of Western New England College.

Men’s lacrosse team dropped a tight game to No. 13 Western New England College Saturday, falling to the visitors, 13-9.

Softball had its three-game winning streak snapped as Western New England College swept the Saturday afternoon Commonwealth Coast Conference doubleheader by the scores 5-3 and 8-4.

And in WQRI Weather

Today PM rain with high 48 low 45. Tomorrow wind and slight showers expected high 60 low 40. And Wednesday mostly sunny and windy high 48 low 32.

FRIDAY, MARCH 28… With YOUR WQRI 88 SECOND UPDATE I’M PHIL DEVITT.

40 degrees and rainy in southern New England today… the complete weekend forecast in a moment.

Governor Don Carcieri signs an executive order to curb illegal immigration in Rhode Island. The measure forces state agencies to verify the legal status of all employees. It also requires local law enforcement to work with US Immigration and Customs. Carcieri says the feds haven’t taken any action against a growing number of illegal immigrants.

A Rhode Island House panel approves legislation allowing 24-hour gambling at Rhode Island’s two slot parlors on weekends and holidays. Twin River and Newport Grand would also be allowed to stay open until 3 a.m. weekdays. Supporters say the move could rejuvenate the state’s economy. Critics say gambling isn’t the only way. The bill goes before the General Assembly for full approval next week. One man in custody today in connection with a series of random highway shootings this week in Virginia. 19-year old Slade Woodson charged with a separate shooting at a credit union and home also in Virginia.

North Korea test-launching several short range missiles today, a move sparked by the North’s anger over tougher policies adopted by the new South Korean president.

Singulair and suicide….the Food and Drug Administration says there might be a link between the allergy drug and suicidal behavior. The FDA says it’s looking at a handful of reports that show a connection.

If you’re planning a trip to Canada or Mexico, you won’t need a passport for another year. The Department of Homeland Security says travelers won’t need the proper documentation until June 2009.

QRI SPORTSRoger Williams Hawks…

Listen Now:

 Standard Podcasts [1:54m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player | Hits (205)