Roughly a dozen employees at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport have been warned not to destroy records over what the airport’s legal team has described as “tortious interference” with business operations.

Tortious interference is the legal term for intentionally damaging someone else’s contractual or business relationships with others, causing economic harm.

Letters sent out Wednesday by Providence attorney Michael DeSisto claimed some workers sent anonymous derogatory correspondence about the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) to regulatory agencies, airlines, and cargo partners with the intent to interfere with airport operations. 

“These actions caused RIAC reputational harm and triggered Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) involvement which required RIAC to activate its federally regulated continuity of operations plan,” DeSisto wrote.

DeSisto demanded workers not to remove paper records unless necessary to preserve them. His letter notes that electronic correspondence such as emails, voicemail, WhatsApp messages, and even floppy disks should also be retained.

Recipients were both current and former employees as well as union members and nonunion members, according to a statement issued by RIAC Thursday.

In early October, RIAC announced it had retained DeSisto’s firm after learning airlines received anonymous letters claiming the airport had a toxic work environment — including one sent to airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration claiming the airport would be closed Aug. 13 due to an employee walkout. No walkout ever happened.

The anonymous letters threatening the walkout came as airport and union leadership negotiated a new three-year contract contract after the most recent one expired in June. A tentative agreement reached between airport executives and union leaders in September was rejected by rank-and-file members. Management and union negotiators are scheduled to meet sometime next week, RIAC spokesperson Bill Fischer said Friday.

RIAC Chief of Staff Brittany Morgan previously told Rhode Island Current that the threat of a walkout cost the airport “hundreds of thousands” of dollars to comply with federal mandates to line up outside contractors to cover union positions if necessary.

“It is unfortunate that it has come to this, but this investigation is required to ensure that individuals – regardless of their motivations — will not impact our ability to fulfill our mission, provide Rhode Islanders with an abundance of direct routes, fulfill obligations to our airline partners and serve as a true economic engine for the State of Rhode Island,” Morgan said in a statement issued Thursday.

The investigation by RIAC into the letters is one of many bumps added to the turbulent relationship between employees and management.

Airport officials on Oct. 29 fired Steven Parent, a lieutenant in T.F. Green’s fire department since 2013. Parent in 2019 became president of Local 2873 of RI Council 94 for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) — which represents roughly 120 employees.

RIAC claimed he “knowingly and willfully engaged in efforts to sabotage airport operations” by discouraging people from applying for jobs at the airport and taking in overtime pay covering for the vacant positions — allegations that were also highlighted in DeSisto’s letter.

Jim Cenerini, legislative affairs/political action coordinator at Rhode Island Council 94 AFSCME said the union is pursuing all contractual and legal avenues to defend its members in response to the notices sent by DeSisto.

“The union will not be coerced, intimidated, or bullied by dictatorial tactics,” Cenerini said in an emailed statement Friday.

Good Morning! It’s Friday, November 15. 🗓️ Today is the 320th day of the year; 46 days remain in 2024.

Today, we’re covering the end of Singing for Shelter, a jewelry collaboration involving Snoop Dog, Yacht Rock, an open call to serve in Newport’s legal roles, and more.

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What’s Up Today

☀️ Weather

Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. Northwest wind 8 to 11 mph.

⚓ Marine

N wind 7 to 10 kt becoming NW in the afternoon. Mostly sunny. Seas 1 ft or less.

🌔 Sun, Moon, & Tide

Sunrise at 6:34 am, sunset at 4:25 pm. Low tide at 12:51 pm. High tide at 6:43 am & 7:08 pm. The lunar phase is a Waxing Gibbous.

🎭 Things To Do

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🗓️ Newport County Public Meetings

• No public meetings are scheduled.

Community Calendar

What’s News Today

News

🏘️ Portsmouth breaks ground on affordable 55+ housing and senior center

On Wednesday, local housing organizations, community partners, and several state officials celebrated the groundbreaking of a new, age-restricted housing development in Portsmouth. Read the story on WPRI —>

🏘️ Newport City Council-elect calls for letters of interest for key legal roles

Residents can apply for City Solicitor, Municipal Court Judge, and Probate Judge positions by November 19. Read the story on What’sUpNewp—>

⛽ How Rhode Island’s decreasing gasoline sales compare nationwide

Rhode Island gas consumption falls by 150,200 gallons in 5 years, as nationwide demand drops 5.7%. Read the story on What’sUpNewp—>

⚡ Rhode Island becomes first state to launch Community EV Charging Expansion

$10M available for public, non-profit, and private entities to install publicly accessible EV chargers. Read the story on What’sUpNewp—>

🚨 Newport Police Arrest & Dispatch Log: Nov. 13 – 14

Two individuals were arrested on various charges. Read the story on What’sUpNewp —>

👏 NUWC Division Newport Team Honored for Torpedo Milestone

Successful firing of Mark 48 Mod 4 from U.S. submarine after 20-year gap. Read the story on What’sUpNewp—>

💰 Quonset Port secures $11.25 million for infrastructure upgrades

Port of Davisville project aims to boost cargo transport, security, and future expansion. Read the story on What’sUpNewp—>

Business & Nonprofit

🎶 Singing for Shelter ends its run – annual fundraising concert will not return this season

But homeless shelters still need your support – We speak with founder Mark Gorman about the legacy of the concert which raised nearly $200,000 for local shelters. Read the story on What’sUpNewp —>

✨ Jewelry designer Carolyn Rafaelian partners with Snoop Dogg for new brand

Lovechild aims to blend craftsmanship, positive energy in Rhode Island-made pieces. Read the story on What’sUpNewp —>

📰 Satire publication The Onion buys Alex Jones’ Infowars at auction with help from Sandy Hook families

The sale price was not immediately disclosed. Read the story on What’sUpNewp —>

Food & Drink

☕ ‘It wasn’t just about coffee’: R.I. cafe owner is growing her brand while boosting other women in business

Entrepreneur Andreea Marin owns three Kaffeology coffeeshops in Rhode Island — in Newport, Portsmouth and Cranston. Read the story on The Boston Globe—>

Life & Culture

🗓️ Out with the Astors, in with the Calders: revisiting Newport, Rhode Island’s 1974 public sculpture extravaganza

Fifty years later, Monumenta’s organisers and attendees reflect on what was arguably the most ambitious school project ever. Read the story on The Art Newspaper —>

💃 Salve Regina University to present ‘True North’ dance concert

DJD artists join students and faculty for contemporary and jazz performances November 21-23. Read the story on What’sUpNewp —>

🎾 International Tennis Hall of Fame unveils ‘Be Legendary’ youth program

The initiative will teach the rich history of tennis, provide memorable experiences with Hall of Famers and current tennis stars, and showcase what it means to Be Legendary. Read the story on What’sUpNewp—>

🎬 ‘Yacht Rock’ docks in Newport: HBO documentary gets special screening

HBO film exploring soft rock’s cultural impact to screen at newportFILM event with trivia and prizes. Read the story on What’sUpNewp—>

Obituaries

🕊️ Donnell Shea

Opinion

✍️ Letter to The Editor – Dennis Turano: Thank you to Middletown voters for selecting me to represent you

By Dennis Turano, Middletown. Read on What’sUpNewp—>

✍️ We Can’t Wait for Promise of Unproven Nuclear Technology to Save Planet from Roasting

We need a diverse blend of responsibly sited non-fossil-fuel energy, from on and offshore wind to various solar and nuclear technologies. This mix may someday include small modular reactors, but we can’t afford to wait years, perhaps even a decade or more, for this technology. Read more on ecoRI News—>

People

🕰️ An Auctioneer as Rare as Any Antique

For some, an even bigger draw than the silver, furniture and artwork at Michael Corcoran’s auctions (in Newport) is the 96-year-old auctioneer himself. Read the story on NY Times —>

👉 Gina Raimondo is considering another run for governor of Rhode Island

Former Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo — a Democrat who is facing the end of her tenure as U.S. Commerce secretary due to Donald Trump’s victory last week. Read the story on The Public’s Radio—>

Sports

🏒 Dadonov scores 2 goals, including a penalty shot, as the Stars beat the Bruins 7-2

Evgenii Dadonov scored two goals, including the first successful penalty shot in the NHL this season, and the Dallas Stars beat the Boston Bruins 7-2 on Thursday night. Read the story on What’sUpNewp—>

🏀 Bryant defeats Buffalo 87-64

Rafael Pinzon’s 15 points helped Bryant defeat Buffalo 87-64 on Thursday night. Read the story on What’sUpNewp—>

🏈 Matthew Stafford will be trying to erase bitter memories when Rams visit Patriots

Matthew Stafford remembers what didn’t go right during his last visit to New England, in 2014 when he was still with the Detroit Lions. Read the story on What’sUpNewp—>

What’s Up This Week + Weekend

🗓️ What’s Up in Newport: Nov. 11 – 18

Newport Classical, Holiday Festival, Steve Hofstetter, Jesse Cook, and more. Read the story on What’sUpNewp —>

🎶 What’s Up Interview: Grammy-winning singer Lucinda Williams, playing The Vets tonight

Iconic performer to present ‘Don’t Tell Anybody the Secrets,’ a show based on her recently published book. Read the story on What’sUpNewp—>

🎭 Theatre Review: ‘Mamma Mia!’ continues to delight audiences with standout performances and energetic dance numbers

Popular jukebox musical runs through Sunday at Performing Arts Center. Read the story on What’sUpNewp—>

CENTRAL FALLS — Surrounded by chain link fencing, the three-story building on Central Street in Rhode Island’s smallest city smells of sawdust from the plywood flooring and wall frames that make up the structure.

But by mid-2026, the property’s developer promises 25 units with vinyl tile flooring and wide doorways that will be completely solar powered — all with rents starting as low as $800 for a one-bedroom apartment.

“Central Street is an innovative development — it’s really going to make a great impact on the community and the neighborhood,” Linda Weisinger, executive director for Pawtucket Central Falls Development, told reporters, housing advocates, and lawmakers gathered outside the building Thursday morning.

The project at 44 Central St. which broke ground in May, is part of the Pawtucket-based nonprofit’s plan to create a total of 62 affordable housing units in Pawtucket and Central Falls over the next two years. The property was most recently a parking lot.

Thursday’s tour was the fourth across the state this year hosted by the Housing Network of Rhode Island, which aims to show how affordable homes can be an attractive addition to any of the state’s 39 municipalities.“While this idea of affordable housing might seem one-size-fits all, it is really anything but,” Melina Lodge, the nonprofit advocacy organization’s executive director, told reporters assembled outside the building. “Every project that our members produce is attempting to respond to a local need by the people and match the feeling and aesthetic of its local community.”

Though he did not join the tour, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi commended the project during his brief remarks outside the Central Street property.

“This is exactly the type of development that we need more of in Rhode Island,” Shekarchi said. “In the last five years in Rhode Island, the prices of single-family homes have nearly doubled. The rents at 44 Central will be affordable, and that’s fantastic for the 30 new families who will live here.”

The Central Street property will include a mix of units from one to four bedrooms, with rents starting at $800 a month and up to $1,900 for the largest apartments. The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Central Falls is $1,637 a month, according to the 2024 HousingWorks RI Fact Book.

On the tour, Weisinger highlighted grab bars, lever door handles, roll-in showers and other accessible design features that will be included in some of the apartments. 

“It’s really going to that next level of something we’ve been really mindful of in the work we do, in trying to make sure residents, if they are here for a long time, can age in place,” Weisinger said.

That note got the attention of Rep. Deborah Fellela, a Johnston Democrat who joined the tour.

“So many developments don’t think of that,” Fellela said in an interview.

The new building will also have two community commercial spaces, one of which will be a homeownership and financial education center on the ground floor run by PCF Development. 

Even in its initial stages of construction, the promise of an attractive building in the heart of the city was enough to captivate Rep. Joshua Giraldo, a Central Falls Democrat.

“I grew up in a small third-floor unit that was really cramped with not a lot of lighting,” Giraldo told Rhode Island Current after the tour. “To see the detail that has been put into the project makes me really proud.”

The Central Street rentals still have a ways to go until their planned 2026 opening, but Weisinger said applications are already open for those interested in getting on the ground floor — or the following two. For application information, visit PCF Development’s website or call (401) 941-2900.

PCF Development rentals predominantly go to low to moderate income families with single-parent female heads of households, its website states.