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Rhode Island at 3:35 p.m.
The breaking news staffer is Sylvia Lee Wingfield. 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:
RI STATEHOUSE INVESTIGATION
PROVIDENCE — Law enforcement has contacted the Rhode Island Board of Elections about former House Speaker Gordon Fox, whose home and Statehouse office were raided by the FBI last month, the board's director of campaign finance told The Associated Press on Wednesday. By Michelle R. Smith. SENT: 340 words.
MARIJUANA BILLS
PROVIDENCE — Rhode Island legislators are taking up several marijuana bills, including ones to legalize its recreational use and another that would add PTSD as a condition that qualifies patients for medical marijuana. By Erika Niedowski. UPCOMING: 400 words by 8 p.m. Hearing scheduled to begin around 4:45 p.m.
PENSION LAWSUIT-RI
PROVIDENCE — A Rhode Island judge has ruled a lawsuit brought over the state's 2011 pension overhaul can now move forward. The decision by Superior Court Judge Sarah Taft-Carter on Wednesday comes days after both sides said a lengthy mediation in the lawsuit had failed. SENT: 130 words. UPCOMING: 320 words by 4 p.m.
HURRICANE CONFERENCE
ORLANDO, Fla. — Two of the country's top disaster experts on Wednesday challenged emergency managers and forecasters from Texas to Maine to help educate coastal residents and developers about hurricane hazards. But the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Craig Fugate, also said he wouldn't necessarily discourage building along the country's storm-prone coastline. By Jennifer Kay. SENT: 380 words.
IN BRIEF:
PAY DAY LOANS
PROVIDENCE — The House Finance Committee has heard testimony on a bill that would prohibit "pay day" lenders from charging as much as 260 percent interest on the loans.
SOCIAL HOST ARREST
PROVIDENCE — Mothers Against Drunk Driving is rejecting a $5,000 donation from a North Kingstown mother who offered the contribution after police dropped charges that she allowed teenagers to drink alcohol at her daughter's 16th birthday party. Gabrielle Abbate, executive director of MADD in Rhode Island, says the sentence sends the wrong message about providing alcohol to those who are underage.
GAY AND LESBIAN CENTER-URI
SOUTH KINGSTOWN — The University of Rhode Island has broken ground on a new center for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students. URI President David Dooley was joined by Gov. Chafee and other officials at the groundbreaking Wednesday. The $2.1 million, 4,300-square-foot center will be built on the site of the vacant Ruggles House, which is being torn down.
ENERGY SECRETARY-RI
PROVIDENCE — U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz is coming to Rhode Island as part of the Obama administration's reassessment of the nation's energy strategy. The office of Sen. Jack Reed says on Wednesday that Moniz will be in Providence on Monday for the administration's Quadrennial Energy Review.
CIANCI-PORTRAIT
PROVIDENCE — A $100-a-guest party celebrating former Providence Mayor Buddy Cianci's 73rd birthday will help pay for his official portrait at City Hall.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA
PROVIDENCE — Rhode Island's attorney general and others in a working group are urging state lawmakers to make some fixes to the state's marijuana program.
SPORTS:
ATH--BOSTON MARATHON-UNFINISHED BUSINESS
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Just one tiny misstep at mile 15 of the Boston Marathon last spring ruined any chance of amputee runner Jeff Glasbrenner breaking four hours. He stumbled over a pothole, opening a cut where his running blade attached below his right knee. Glasbrenner cursed his luck as he stopped every mile to clean the wound. By Pat Graham and Alex Sanz. SENT: 1,000 words, photos.
BBA--RED SOX-WHITE SOX
CHICAGO — Clay Buchholz seeks his first win as the Boston Red Sox continue their series against the Chicago White Sox. Buchholz pitched better in his most recent start but took the loss against the New York Yankees after getting knocked around by Milwaukee in his first outing. John Danks starts for Chicago. UPCOMING: 650 words, photos. Game starts at 8:10 p.m. CT.
— With: Hometown lead
HKN--BRUINS PREPARE
BOSTON — The Boston Bruins prepare for the first round of the playoffs after finishing with the best record in the NHL. They open the best-of-seven series at home Friday night against the Detroit Red Wings. UPCOMING: 650 words, photos.
BKN--WIZARDS-CELTICS
BOSTON — The Boston Celtics wind up a disappointing season when they face the playoff-bound Washington Wizards. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos. Game starts at 8 p.m.
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