Rhode Island
Rubio aligns himself with Trump in confirmation hearing • Rhode Island Current
Florida U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to become secretary of state, found a mostly welcome reception Wednesday during his confirmation hearing. He aligned himself with Trump’s foreign policy positions while also keeping the skeptical tone toward many foreign nations that has been his calling card during his 14 years in the Senate.
Appearing before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Rubio called China a top threat to the United States and said the war in the Ukraine needs to come to an end. He echoed concerns about growing Chinese influence over the Panama Canal that Trump has voiced, saying it was not a new issue. Trump recently refused to rule out the use of military force when it comes to the fate of the Panama Canal.
“President Trump is not inventing this, this is something that’s existed now for at least a decade,” Rubio said, adding that China could turn the canal into a “choke point” because it controls port facilities at both ends.
Rubio, who is Cuban American, disagreed sharply with the decision announced this week by the Biden administration to remove Cuba from a list of state sponsors of terrorism. After President Joe Biden took that action, the island nation announced it would release more than 500 prisoners.
Rubio would not commit to senators that the Trump administration would reinstate the terrorism designation, saying that decision would be up to Trump. But Rubio added that “nothing that was agreed to is irreversible and binding on the administration.”
Power clash
Rubio, who served as a state legislator and speaker of the Florida House before he ran for U.S. Senate, clashed loudly with Trump when both were running for president in 2016. But after Trump won the nomination, which included a thumping of Rubio soundly in the Florida primary, the two forged an alliance. Rubio emerged as an influential voice on foreign policy, especially as it came to countries in Latin America.
Rubio was reportedly on a short list to become Trump’s vice president, but reports at the time said that some Trump supporters were skeptical about Rubio noting — for example, that he did not object to the election results of 2020.
Rubio supports NATO
Rubio’s confirmation could come as soon as next week and even several Democrats on the committee expressed support for him.
It was during the hearing that news emerged that Israel and Hamas had agreed to a ceasefire deal including a release of hostages.
Rubio defended Israel during his remarks and said that Hamas had used civilians as shields during the 15-month war. He defended the North American Treaty Organization even though Trump has been critical of the organization. Rubio insisted Trump supports NATO but said he agreed with the president-elect that European countries need to contribute more to help pay for their own defense.
Rubio said he still supports a law he co-sponsored that prevents any president from unilaterally withdrawing from NATO without approval from Congress.
The hearing was briefly interrupted by protesters, with one person yelling at Rubio about “forever wars” while another protester could be heard speaking in Spanish about babies in Nicaragua and Cuba. “I get bilingual protesters,” Rubio quipped afterward.
DeSantis’ Senate pick
Rubio’s imminent departure from the Senate will give Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis a chance to appoint someone to hold the seat until it comes up for election in 2026. DeSantis said this week that he had talked about the position with U.S. Reps. Kat Cammack and Cory Mills, but said he was unlikely to appoint someone now in the House because Republicans hold such a slim majority in the chamber.
Some media outlets have flagged Attorney General Ashley Moody as a top contender to replace Rubio.
Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Michael Moline for questions: [email protected].
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Rhode Island
RISP Warwick Arrests July 10: Threatening Officials, DUI – WarwickPost.com

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WARWICK, RI — RI State Police Warwick arrests in the area July 4 – 11 in the RI Trooper Log included charges for DUI and threatening public officials.
Here are the basics on those RI State Police RI Trooper Log Warwick arrests:
RI Trooper Warwick Arrests July 4 – 11
Erratic Driver Reports, DUI On Saturday, July 4, 2026 at 10:03 p.m., troopers arrested Adrian King, 58, 78 Potters Avenue, Rhode Island, for 1.) Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor and/or Drugs – B.A.C .15 or Greater – Second Offense (Phase I: 0.292, Phase II: 0.272). This arrest was the result of multiple calls to the Barracks reporting an erratic operator, and Troopers locating the vehicle on East Avenue in the City of Warwick.
The subject was transported to the State Police Wickford Barracks, where he was processed, arraigned by a Justice of the Peace, and released with a notice to appear in Third District Court.
Stolen Vehicle On July 5 members of the Auto Theft Task Force arrested David O’Donnell, age 37, of 112 Harrington Ave., Warwick, Rhode Island, for 1) Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle; 2) Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle; 3) Conspiracy to Possess a Stolen Motor Vehicle; 4) Conspiracy to Commit a Crime Out of State.
O’Donnell was transported to the Wickford Barracks where he was processed then turned over to the Adult Correctional Institution Intake Center pending arraignment at Second Division District Court.
Threatening Public Official On Wednesday, July 8, at 9:27 p.m., troopers arrested Christopher Brum, 27, of 43 Junction St., Warwick, Rhode Island, on an Affidavit and Arrest Warrant for 1.) Threats to Public Officials and 2.) Disorderly Conduct originating out of the Rhode Island State Police Scituate Barracks.
This arrest was the result of a barracks investigation by Trooper Downing and Troopers locating Brum at his residence. Brum was processed at Rhode Island State Police Headquarters and held overnight pending arraignment at the Third Division District Court.
Driving without license On Friday, July 10 at 1:30 a.m., troopers arrested Victor Perez Escobar, 37 of 83 Judith Road, Newton, Massachusetts for 1.) Driving after Denial/Revocation/ Suspension – Certain Violations – First Offense. One of several Warwick arrests, this arrest was the result of a motor vehicle stop on Route 95 in the City of Warwick.
The subject was transported to the State Police – Wickford Barracks where he was processed and held overnight pending morning arraignment at Third District Court where he will be presented as a bail violator.
DUI, Centerville Road stop At 2:16 a.m. July 11, troopers arrested Calvin Hebert, 23, of 211 John Potter Road, West Greenwich, Rhode Island, for 1.) Driving Under the Influence of Liquor – BAC Unknown – First Offense and 2.) Refusal to Submit to Chemical Test – First Offense.
The arrest was the result of a motor vehicle stop on Centerville Road, in the City of Warwick. The subject was transported to the State Police – Wickford Barracks, where he was processed, arraigned by a Justice of the Peace, and released with a future Third Division District Court date.
Rhode Island
How Federal Hill became Rhode Island’s iconic Little Italy food hub
RI’s best Italian restaurants: Federal Hill to South County our favorites
From Federal Hill to South County, the best Italian restaurants across Rhode Island.
Journal Staff
How did Federal Hill gain its reputation for Italian food?
Start with a look at a timeline of restaurants and markets in Providence and you’ll get it.
1914: Camille’s is opened at 174 Atwells Ave. by Pasquale Parolisi as Marconi’s Restaurant. It moves to its current space in a small part of a mansion on Bradford Street in 1919. In 1952, it is renamed Camille’s Roman Gardens by Jack Parolisi in honor of his wife.
1916: Brothers Luigi and Gaetano open Scialo Bros. Bakery on Federal Hill. Gaetano returned to Italy in 1925, and Luigi ran it until his death at 103 in 1993 when daughters Carol Gaeta and Lois Ellis began to run the bakery. New owners took over in 2021.
1922: Giuseppe DeGiulio and his wife, Maria, open Joe’s Acorn Market on Atwells Avenue. Their sons, Joseph, Gerald and John DeGiulio, retired the business in 2002.
1924: Angelo Mastrodicasa opens Angelo’s Civita Farnese on Federal Hill. Angelo’s begins as a lunchroom frequented by men who immigrated from Italy and are working to earn enough to bring their families over. The restaurant is now operated by Jamie Antignano, fourth generation.
1952: Tony’s Colonial begins selling imported and domestic Italian foods on Federal Hill in Providence. Tony and Elina “Gina” DiCicco have been running it since 1969.
1953: Caserta’s Pizza opens on Spruce Street. They made a name with the “Wimpy Skippy,” more than a spinach pie.
1955: Joe Marzilli’s Old Canteen opens on Federal Hill. It’s run by Joe and then son Sal Marzilli until 2025.
1972: Alan Costantino buys Venda Ravioli. It quadruples in size as a food emporium when it moves to its current location at 275 Atwells Ave. in 2001.
Antonelli’s Poultry on DePasquale Plaza is said to have opened in the late 19th century. What’s certain is that Christopher Morris ran Antonelli’s beginning in 1969 until his death in 2024.
Historic Federal Hill
It’s hard to believe that Federal Hill was used mainly for grazing cattle until the 1820s. But that’s the history. It was only in the mid-1800s that it became home to many of Providence’s artisans and working class. A wave of Irish immigrants moved into Federal Hill in the 1840s.
But as Italian immigrants began to arrive in large numbers in the 1880s, the neighborhood took on a different flavor.
All things Italian became the main attraction.
Federal Hill attracts shoppers from all over the state
Joan Nathan is a Providence native and a groundbreaking writer who links food with culture and has won the biggest prizes for culinary writing, especially about Jewish foods. She recounted the appeal of Federal Hill from her youth.
Nathan, 82, recalls her father taking her shopping on Federal Hill, where the foods were exotic to her. Stores sold freshly made mozzarella, homemade clam sauces, linguine and cookies. Sausage would hang from the rafters and olives were sold out of barrels.
People came from all over the state to shop on Federal Hill, she said.
Years later, in 1984, Nathan wrote “An American Folklife Cookbook” and returned to Federal Hill for research. One chapter featured the DeGiulio family, who were the owners of Joe’s Acorn Market in Providence. Their family history as butchers went back 700 years in Italy. They brought that to Providence.
They weren’t alone.
Many Italian immigrants arriving in the late 1800s and early 1900s, brought their skills as bakers and their cooking skills along with their favorite foods. Most came from Campania, the region that includes Naples. They brought their local Italian cooking, mostly Neapolitan, with accents from Sicily, Calabria, Puglia and Abruzzi.
As they settled on Federal Hill, they opened cafés and markets. Maybe they started with a pushcart. Eventually, restaurants followed, many of them.
A wave of them opened in the 1980s, building on a 20-year period of growth. They included The Grotto Azzura, later the Blue Grotto (1980); Roma (1983); Plaza Grille (1987); Cassarino’s (1988); Andino’s (1989); and L’Epicureo, which added table service to Joe’s Quality Market (1991).
In the news
The world noticed. Mary Ann Esposito filmed segments of her long-running “Ciao Italia” on Federal Hill in 1989. Bobby Flay arrived in 2001 to film “FoodNation” for the Food Network.
National Geographic just named Federal Hill as one of the eight best Little Italy neighborhoods in the United States, along with those in Boston, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, San Diego, Philadelphia and Cleveland.
Two years ago, Travel & Leisure reported on the most authentic Little Italys, placing Federal Hill at No. 3 behind Boston’s North End and San Diego.
Spoiler: It’s all about the food.
Editor’s note: This story was first published in June 2025.
Rhode Island
How did Jake Bauer win the 2026 State Amateur? With an all-time comeback
WATCH: Jake Bauer wins the Rhode Island Amateur over Tyler Cooke
WATCH: Jake Bauer wins the Rhode Island Amateur over Tyler Cooke on Friday, July 10, at Ledgemont Country Club.
SEEKONK, MA – If given a choice, Jake Bauer would have traveled a different road.
Friday felt like nothing but potholes and lane closures until the afternoon conclusion at Ledgemont Country Club. It was far from an uneventful ride.
The destination was something he’s chased for nearly a decade – a second crown at the 121st Amateur Championship – one that came thanks to a sensational rally past Tyler Cooke.
Bauer’s three straight birdies to start what proved to be his final five holes of the week allowed him to catch and pass Cooke. A sizeable morning deficit was gone in the 36-hole match play title round, and Bauer was suddenly on his way to a 2 and 1 triumph.
“For any golfers out there – cash games, junior golfers – don’t do it,” Bauer said. “It’s not fun. But if you do pull through, it’s a really, really cool story to say you did it.”
Cooke was 6 up after the opening morning nine and looked at times like he would cruise to his first championship. Bauer started applying pressure with an immaculate second nine holes and continued to push until finally breaking through. His curling uphill birdie putt at the par-3 15th – the 33rd hole of the match – found the cup to give Bauer a lead he never relinquished.
“I don’t even know what just happened on the last six or seven holes,” Bauer said. “You sort of just black out. I’m speechless.”
Bauer added a par at the 16th to go 2 up and only needed to halve either of the remaining two holes with Cooke to get the job done. Each made bogey at the uphill par-4 17th, with Bauer lagging his par putt to within inches. Cooke conceded the final stroke, and Bauer was able to take a deep breath while hugging his father and caddie, Jim.
“My dad was really good,” Bauer said. “He doesn’t really get too technical with me. He’s a very calm soul to have on the bag.”
Bauer needed every bit of that even temperament to survive the early stages. Cooke collected seven birdies through his first 23 holes, the last coming at the par-4 fifth. That gave him a 3-up lead, and he was able to remain in front until Bauer buried clutch putts at the par-4 13th, the par-4 14th and the 187-yard downhill tester.
“[The birdie putt] definitely had some speed,” Bauer said. “I think if that didn’t go in we would have probably been on 18 or in extra holes.”
Bauer carded five bogeys on his opening nine before a solid birdie at the par-4 10th gave him a first taste of momentum. He racked up seven pars and another birdie at the par-4 18th before entering the lunch break just 2 down. It was a similar charge to the one Bauer made in the quarterfinals, as he won five of the last six holes to edge Jason Kalin, 1 up.
“I performed really well this whole week in stroke play and other matches,” Bauer said. “I said if I just stick to that same game plan I will end up on top.”
Cooke battled his way into the match play bracket after an opening 76 in Monday’s steady rain. He rebounded with a 73 under more precipitation Tuesday and immediately produced an upset by knocking out No. 4 seed Sam Powell. Cooke has been a steady winner since an All-State career at Toll Gate and college tenure at Connecticut, including a record five titles at the Four-Ball Championship with brother-in-law Bobby Leopold.
Bauer had just graduated from Johnson & Wales when he won for the first time here, an impressive victory over Matt Broome. He fell in last year’s final to Mike Calef, surrendering a late lead in a 1 up loss at Rhode Island Country Club in Barrington. Bauer wasted no time booking a third appearance in the title match and did so with some extra support – his wife, McKenna, was in the gallery less than a month after they exchanged vows in June.
“We didn’t even know each other back in 2018,” Bauer said. “For her to experience this – I don’t even know what emotions she was going through. I’m really happy to share it with her.”
bkoch@providencejournal.com
On X: @BillKoch25
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