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Rhode Island Diocese ‘Disappointed’ After Harris-Walz Fundraiser at Catholic College

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Rhode Island Diocese ‘Disappointed’ After Harris-Walz Fundraiser at Catholic College


Salve Regina University is overseen by the Sisters of Mercy.

Catholic leadership in Rhode Island has rebuked a local Catholic college, Salve Regina University, for hosting a fundraiser last week in which presumptive Democratic vice-presidential nominee Tim Walz defended abortion rights.

More than 300 attendees reportedly paid $1,000 to get in the door at the campus’ main administrative waterfront mansion, Ochre Court, on Thursday. The fundraiser brought in more than $600,000, the state’s Democratic Party said, according to The Providence Journal.

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Media outlets reported that journalists were not allowed to record videos of the speech, but Walz’s comments reportedly included advocacy for abortion rights.

The Minnesota governor attacked Republican nominee Donald Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, accusing them of “rooting for failure,” according to the Rhode Island Current.

“Their whole thing is to instill fear in people — fear and pessimism,” he said.

Walz called Trump and Vance “weird” and disputed GOP claims that Democratic policies are extreme.

“Who’s asking to raise the price of insulin? Who’s asking to take away women’s reproductive rights?” Walz said. “Things really work best in communities when you mind your own damn business.”

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Diocese ‘Surprised and Disappointed’

Diocese of Providence spokesman Michael Kieloch told CNA that the diocese “does not permit Catholic institutions in Rhode Island to endorse candidates for office nor even give the appearance of such endorsements.”

“The Church’s role in political matters is firstly to form the consciences of the lay faithful,” he added.

Kieloch continued: “We were surprised and disappointed by the decision of Salve Regina University to rent space to a partisan political event and fundraiser, and we’ve received a number of messages from Catholics across Rhode Island expressing the same surprise and disappointment.”

Bishop Richard Henning, archbishop-elect of Boston, is currently leading the Diocese of Providence.

Walz, a Lutheran and former Catholic, has a consistent and strong pro-abortion record in his state. In 2023, he signed a bill enshrining abortion rights throughout nine months into Minnesota state law. Minnesota Concerned Citizens for Life, the state’s largest pro-life group, called the governor a “threat” to the unborn and “an abortion absolutist.”

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Vice President Kamala Harris chose him as her running mate earlier this month.

University Responds

In response to a request from RINewsToday, the university defended its decision to host the event.

“Ochre Court at Salve Regina University was selected by the Rhode Island Democratic Party Committee based on availability for their selected date, time, and anticipated capacity,” an unnamed spokesperson’s statement said.

“We regularly rent facilities on campus for private events. The committee paid the standard rate for the space rental, worked with our University Events and Conference Services office, and is the sole host of the event,” the statement said.

“As an academic institution, the university fully supports freedom of speech as a cornerstone of democracy. As our mission calls us to do, we support productive and meaningful dialogue across our differences as we work toward a world that is more harmonious, just, and merciful,” the statement said.

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Salve Regina University is overseen by the Sisters of Mercy. CNA reached out to the congregation for comment on Monday, including asking if the university would offer the same opportunity to the Trump campaign for a fundraiser event. CNA did not immediately receive a response.





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Rhode Island

An appreciation of Joe Biden; RI’s underpaid doctors | Letters

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An appreciation of Joe Biden; RI’s underpaid doctors | Letters


Thank you, Joe Biden

Trump has learned that if he tells lies often enough and loudly enough, they will be believed.  He keeps repeating that Joe Biden has been a terrible president. 

In fact, President Biden has accomplished much.  He tackled the COVID crisis by helping hospitals get supplies, getting COVID vaccines distributed, making free testing kits available, sending checks to all Americans, and helping people return to work and students return to school.

He revitalized the U.S. participation in NATO and supported Ukraine vs. Putin. 

He recognized climate change and rejoined the rest of the world in battling its effects.

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He appointed the first Black female Supreme Court justice.

He initiated projects to improve the nation’s crumbling infrastructure.

He oversaw the U.S. economy’s rebound from the pandemic.

The list goes on.

But, best of all, he stopped the daily flow of lies that had been streaming from the White House.

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Cindy Kaplan, West Warwick

Better compensation for doctors

What is happening to the health-care system in America?  The quality of care seems to be diminishing.  One of the reasons is the abysmally poor salaries we pay to our medical residents and fellows, doctors who have already spent years in medical school and are now honing their skills in hospitals throughout the country. 

The problem is especially acute in Rhode Island where these young doctors are paid an average of less than $70,000 per year at our hospitals (“Resident doctors make union bid,” News, Nov. 21).  

How can these doctors’ patients and hospital management expect them to excel while trying to survive on such meager wages for four to seven years of residency and fellowship, especially with the high cost of housing in Rhode Island and with their average quarter-million-dollar student loan debts?

The only thing that keeps at bay the hounds who are constantly calling for the nationalization of our health-care system is that our country provides the best medical care in the world.  Nationalization would destroy our system as it has done in the UK and Canada.  

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Poor pay and overly arduous working conditions foisted upon residents and fellows in the U.S. will lead to fewer quality doctors entering the profession.  Nationalization will eventually follow.

I have opposed unions in the past, but when we pay our young doctors less than what we pay electrical and plumbing apprentices, something is terribly wrong. 

If we want our citizens to continue receiving the world’s best medical care, we better start properly compensating residents and fellows and allowing them a bit of time off.  Otherwise, they will enter other professions and the quality of medical care in America will deteriorate to that provided by nationalized health systems. 

Lonnie Barham, Warwick

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Saving RI’s forests

Many environmentalists are concerned about the upcoming administration being filled with individuals who do not take climate change seriously. While, unfortunately, these next four years will probably take us backwards in the fight against climate change, we can still protect the environment here in Rhode Island.

Currently, Rhode Island is the only state in New England with no protected forests on state-owned land. Rare and endangered species are threatened due to their habitats being destroyed by DEM and solar developers through forest clear-cutting.

By joining the Save Rhode Island’s Forests Campaign, you can help in the effort to get legislation passed to create laws to finally protect our state forests and endangered species. In Rhode Island, you can save the environment.

Nathan Cornell, Warwick

The writer is president of the Rhode Island Old Growth Tree Society.

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Police recover watch belonging to Travis Kelce in Rhode Island following break-in of his mansion: report

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Police recover watch belonging to Travis Kelce in Rhode Island following break-in of his mansion: report


A watch belonging to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was reportedly found over 1,000 miles away from his Kansas mansion that was broken into last month.

The homes of Kelce and teammate Patrick Mahomes were burglarized last month shortly before one of their games — Kelce’s house is in Leawood, Kansas, while Mahomes’ residence is in nearby Belton, Missouri.

The watch was recovered in Providence, Rhode Island, where Kelce’s girlfriend, pop star Taylor Swift, also owns a home.

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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce looks on during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Oct. 20. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)

NFL players were cautioned by the league to be on high alert after the homes were broken into last month in a wave of burglaries reportedly tied to international organized crime. It was eventually revealed that $20,000 in cash was taken from Kelce’s home.

In a memo obtained by The Associated Press, the NFL issued a security alert to teams and the NFL Players Association, warning that professional athletes in different sports have become “increasingly targeted for burglaries by organized and skilled groups.”

Law enforcement officials say the suspects conduct extensive surveillance on their targets’ homes and have even posed as groundskeepers or joggers. Some have even attempted home deliveries. 

Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, left, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes, right, wait to lead their team onto the field before the preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, on Aug. 10. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

49ERS’ BROCK PURDY, NICK BOSA RULED OUT FOR POTENTIAL SEASON-DEFINING GAME VS. PACKERS

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The memo urged players to take special precautions, including installing home security systems. They were also encouraged not to post live updates of their comings and goings on social media or showcase their expensive items online. 

“Obviously, it’s frustrating, disappointing. I can’t get into too many of the details because the investigation is still ongoing, but, obviously, it’s something that you don’t want to happen to really anybody, but obviously yourself,” Mahomes said last week.

Travis Kelce vs Saints

Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on before kickoff of the game against the New Orleans Saints at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Oct. 7.  (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

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The Chiefs suffered their first loss of the season on Sunday, falling to the Buffalo Bills after winning their first nine games.

Fox News’ Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report.

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Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.





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Travis Kelce’s watch found in Rhode Island after Kansas City mansion was burglarized of $20K in cash: report

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Travis Kelce’s watch found in Rhode Island after Kansas City mansion was burglarized of K in cash: report


Travis Kelce’s stolen watch was reportedly found in Providence, RI, this week after the NFL star’s mansion in Leawood, Kan., was burglarized last month.

Sources familiar with the investigation told ABC News Friday that a watch taken from Kelce’s residence — and not previously disclosed to the public — was recovered.

Details have yet to be revealed on what type of timepiece was stolen or how much it was worth.

Authorities reportedly recovered Travis Kelce’s stolen watch in Providence, RI. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
The Kansas City Chiefs tight end’s home in Leawood, Kan., was burglarized on Oct. 7. BACKGRID

Authorities previously shared that the unidentified criminals stole $20,000 cash from Kelce’s home. They did not specify whether any other items were taken at the time.

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Sources told ABC News that they think the athlete’s home was specifically targeted — and thoroughly surveyed — before the Oct. 7 burglary.

Just two days before Kelce’s pad was broken into, burglars also raided the home of his Kansas City Chiefs teammate Patrick Mahomes.

The criminals reportedly stole $20,000 from the mansion. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Kelce’s teammate Patrick Mahomes’ house was also broken into just 48 hours before. Getty Images

Authorities have theorized the burglars may have targeted the athletes as their public football schedule reveals when they will be away from their residences.

“There is a concern about what happens if the athlete or his/her family members are present,” a security source told the outlet.

The insider shared that the burglars have gained access to Kelce and Mahomes’ houses by “posing as delivery men, maintenance workers or joggers to learn about residences, neighborhoods and security systems.”

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Kelce was playing against the New Orleans Saints, as pictured here, at the time of the burglary. Getty Images
Authorities did not previously reveal a watch had been stolen from Kelce’s pad. AP

Captain Jason Ahring from the Leawood, Kan., Police Department told Page Six that they are not releasing any information pertaining to an open investigation and maintained they will not be commenting.

Meanwhile, a Providence Police Department Public Information Officer told Page Six that they do “not have any record or involvement related to this incident.”

Kelce, 35, has yet to address the crime, but Mahomes, 29, previously expressed how “disappointing” the violation was.

“I can’t get into too many details because the investigation is still ongoing, but it’s obviously something you don’t want to happen to anybody — and obviously yourself,” Mahomes said during a press conference earlier this month.

Mahomes previously called the crimes “disappointing.” Getty Images
Meanwhile, a source told Page Six that Kelce’s girlfriend, Taylor Swift, was “thankful that no one was hurt.” Starface Photo/INSTARimages

Meanwhile, a source told Page Six that Kelce’s girlfriend, Taylor Swift, was “thankful that no one was hurt and that neither of them were home during the robberies.”

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Kelce’s home was broken into around 7:30 p.m. local time on Oct. 7 – just 15 minutes before his team kicked off against the New Orleans Saints.

Meanwhile, Mahomes’ mansion was burglarized while he was celebrating Kelce’s 35th birthday on Oct. 5.



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