Cormac McCarthy, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of novels such as "Blood Meridian," "No Country for Old Men" and "The Road," has passed away at the age of 89. Born in 1933 in Rhode Island, McCarthy was known for his exploration of the dark side of humanity and his vivid backdrop of the American West. His works have been adapted into several films, and he was the recipient of the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. He will be remembered as one of the most influential authors of his time.
Posts tagged as “Rhode Island”
Elmer Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the far-right Oath Keepers, was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison on Thursday for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Prior to his sentencing, Rhodes delivered a 20-minute-long diatribe in which he called himself a “political prisoner” and said his only crime was trying to stop politicians from “destroying” America. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta delivered a searing rebuke to Rhodes before handing down the longest sentence yet to any of the more than 400 people charged in connection with the attack.
Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the far-right group Oath Keepers, is set to be sentenced Thursday on felony counts related to the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol. Prosecutors have asked for a 25-year sentence, while Rhodes is asking for time served. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta will issue the sentence.
The Supreme Court has ruled that lawsuits brought by municipalities against major oil companies can move forward in state courts, allowing environmental advocates to hold the companies accountable for the effects of climate change. The ruling is a blow to the oil companies, who had been trying to avoid trials in state courts, and is a major setback for them. The outcome of the trials remains to be seen.
Sarah Jane Cavanaugh, a former social worker at a Rhode Island veterans' hospital, has been sentenced to nearly six years in federal prison for fraudulently posing as a decorated Marine Corps veteran with cancer and collecting nearly $300,000 in benefits, charitable contributions, and donations. She was exposed when a charity she applied to for funds became suspicious and started checking her background. Her sentence serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying the credentials of those claiming to be veterans, and of the consequences of fraudulently posing as a veteran.
Congressman David Cicilline, a Democrat from Rhode Island, announced on Tuesday that he will be leaving Congress early at the end of May to take on a new role as President and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve the people of Rhode Island’s First Congressional District, and will begin his new job on June 1, 2023. His early departure from Congress marks a rare resignation early in a session and will be replaced by a special election to be held in the coming months.
Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) announced his resignation from Congress on June 1 to become the president and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation, a philanthropic group that funds nonprofit organizations in the Ocean State. He has served as a House impeachment manager during former President Trump's second impeachment process and has been a vocal advocate for gun control. The Rhode Island Foundation is looking forward to Cicilline's leadership, as board chairperson, John J. Kelly, commented on his commitment to public service, deep roots in Rhode Island, and passion for the Foundation's mission.
A bipartisan group of 27 attorneys general from states across the country are urging the Supreme Court to restrict the reach of Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act. The Biden administration and prominent Republicans, such as Sens. Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley, are in agreement on this issue. The Supreme Court is set to hear two cases that could decide the future of the internet, and the attorneys general are hoping to influence the court’s decision.