Providence Journal top stories: BLM RI Trump endorsement … – The Providence Journal
Here are some of The Providence Journal’s most-read stories for the week of Nov. 26, supported by your subscriptions.
Here are the week’s top reads on providencejournal.com:
A man once affiliated with the local Black Lives Matter RI group has gained national media attention for his endorsement of Donald Trump in the upcoming presidential race, but local advocates are calling into question his credentials.
This week, headlines circulated from national media proclaiming that Mark Fisher, a “leader” of BLM RI, had thrown his support behind Trump.
But while the national news media described Fisher as a “leader” of Black Lives Matter and “co-founder” of Black Lives Matter RI, the group’s current head, Gary Dantzler, disputes those claims, saying Fisher only worked as an advocate.
A long succession of Rhode Island governors have doled out low-numbered license plates as favors to supporters, family members and well-connected insiders – or used them for political horse-trading.
So shouldn’t the public be able to find out who’s getting those coveted status symbols?
The Providence Journal thinks so. Gov. Dan McKee’s administration disagrees. And Attorney General Peter Neronha’s office sided with the governor on this one.
That’s one of two license-plate related developments that Political Scene covered this week.
In 2017, Smithfield police searched Joseph Ricci’s property, seized dozens of marijuana plants and charged him with possession with intent to distribute.
In requesting a search warrant, police swore under oath that they had a confidential informant who told them Ricci, a medical marijuana patient legally allowed to possess marijuana plants, was selling part of his grow.
Weeks later, the state attorney general’s office moved to seize Ricci’s property through civil forfeiture, contending it had been used to violate state drug laws.
But did Smithfield police fabricate having a confidential informant to establish probable cause for the search?
Wake up your Sunday with comfort food, a Mimosa and good conversation. Meet up with friends and catch up over coffee with benes, crostini boards or French toast. Or do you prefer a cocktail with a burger, salad or that great uniter of breakfast and lunch, chicken and waffles?
Who among us doesn’t love a nice, weekend brunch?
The Journal’s Gail Ciampa serves up six places that are continuing Providence’s strong brunch tradition and offers recommendations on the dishes and drinks you’re got to try.