Rhode Island at 2 a.m.
The breaking news staffer after 5 a.m .is Dave Collins. The New England news editor is Cara Rubinsky. To reach the AP bureau in Boston, call 617-357-8100 or 1-800-882-1407. To reach the photo department, call 617-357-8106. AP stories, along with the photos that accompany them, can also be obtained from http://www.apexchange.com. Reruns also are available from customer support at 877-836-9477.
TOP STORIES:
GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD
PROVIDENCE — In the absence of federal action, states from Rhode Island to Hawaii are looking at requiring food producers to label any products with genetically modified ingredients. Supporters say consumers have a right to know if they’re eating something that’s been genetically altered, but biotech and agricultural companies insist GMO food — which makes up as much as 75 percent of what Americans eat — is safe. Connecticut and Maine already require labels on GMO food — but the rules won’t take effect until other nearby states join in. In the meantime, opponents are hoping Congress blocks these state laws by making GMO labels voluntary. By David Klepper. SENT: 770 words.
LEGION OF CHRIST
PROVIDENCE — A late Yale University professor’s family should be allowed to sue the disgraced Roman Catholic order the Legion of Christ over a more than $1 million bequest, a federal magistrate judge in Rhode Island recommended. The retired mechanical engineering professor, James Boa-Teh Chu, was living in East Providence, R.I., before he died in 2009. His son, Paul Chu, sued in U.S. District Court in Providence in 2012, saying his father was coerced, defrauded and deceived into signing over many of his assets to the Legion. By Michelle R. Smith. SENT: 490 words.
SMOKING BAN-UNR
RENO, Nev. — The University of Nevada’s president is backing a push by a growing number of faculty, staff and students to make the Reno campus smoke- and tobacco-free in one of only five states, including Rhode Island, that currently have no such ban at any of their colleges or universities. SENT: 580 words.
BUSINESS:
EARNS-TEXTRON
PROVIDENCE — Textron said Wednesday that its fourth-quarter net income rose 13 percent, benefiting from higher revenue from its Cessna jet and Bell helicopter businesses and its industrial division. Textron Inc.’s shares gained $2.07, or 5.7 percent, to $38.17. SENT: 230 words.
IN BRIEF:
XGR-PLASTIC BAG BAN
PROVIDENCE — The group Environment Rhode Island is urging state lawmakers in the Ocean State to ban plastic shopping bags. The group delivered a petition to lawmakers Wednesday that has 10,000 signatures from supporters of a ban.
TRASH BARREL BODY
WARWICK — Warwick police say they have found a sledgehammer near where a jogger’s dead body was found in a trash barrel last year.
XGR-TAXI TAX
PROVIDENCE — A Rhode Island lawmaker is pushing to repeal a tax on cab fares the General Assembly passed two years ago.
BREAKERS WELCOME CENTER
NEWPORT — Newport officials are taking up an appeal of a ruling by the city’s Historic District Commission that rejected plans for a welcome center at The Breakers mansion.
TESTING WAIVER
PROVIDENCE — Providence officials are concerned that some urban students may be shut out of higher education because a new high school testing waiver doesn’t apply to students intending to go to the Community College of Rhode Island.
SPORTS:
WEDNESDAY’S GAMES:
BKN–CELTICS-WIZARDS
BKC–RHODE ISLAND-SAINT JOSEPH’S
BKN–CELTICS-RONDO
WASHINGTON — Rajon Rondo sat out the second half of a back-to-back Wednesday night for the Boston Celtics, who also expect to be without Avery Bradley for two weeks due to a sprained right ankle. By Joseph White. SENT: 270 words.
FBN–FALCONS-PIOLI
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons hired Scott Pioli as assistant general manager on Wednesday, reuniting him with GM Thomas Dimitroff. Pioli was director of player personnel for the New England Patriots from 2000-08, including six seasons with Dimitroff, who directed college scouting. He was the Kansas City Chiefs’ general manager for four years before leaving by mutual agreement in January 2013. SENT: 280 words.
FBN–PATRIOTS-ASSISTANTS
FOXBOROUGH — Dante Scarnecchia is retiring after spending 30 of the past 32 seasons as an assistant coach with the New England Patriots. Dave DeGuglielmo has been selected to succeed Scarnecchia as offensive line coach less than a week after being hired for that position at Maryland. The moves come one day after Pepper Johnson said he was leaving after 14 seasons as a Patriots defensive assistant, the past two as linebackers coach. SENT: 125 words.
BBA–RED SOX SIZEMORE
BOSTON — Outfielder Grady Sizemore has agreed to a $750,000, one-year contract with the Boston Red Sox. SENT: 130 words.
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If you have stories of regional or statewide interest, please email them to [email protected]. If you have photos of regional or statewide interest, please send them to the AP state photo center in New York, 888-273-6867. If you have questions about the Massachusetts AP news report, please contact News Editor Cara Rubinsky at 617-357-8100 or [email protected]
