Woonsocket Radio News Room

House Judiciary Committee Meets Today for Advice and Consent of RI Supreme Court Picks

STATE HOUSE – The House Judiciary Committee will be meeting  today, Monday, December 14 at 3 p.m. in Room 35 of the State House for the advice and consent of Governor Raimondo’s nominations to the Rhode Island Supreme Court.

Governor Raimondo has selected Superior Court Judge Melissa A. Long and Sen. Erin Lynch Prata (D-Dist. 31, Warwick, Cranston) to fill the seats being vacated by Supreme Court Justice Francis X. Flaherty and Supreme Court Justice Gilbert V. Indeglia.

The State House remains closed to the public as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The hearing will be televised live on Capitol Television, which can be seen on Cox on Channels 15 and 61, in high definition on Cox Channel 1061, on Full Channel on Channel 15 and on Channel 34 by Verizon subscribers. It will also be live-streamed at www.rilegislature.gov/CapTV. Media members wishing to arrange for in-person coverage are asked to contact Larry Berman at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Supreme Court still has yet to announce a decsion related to the legality of President Trump's global tariffs. The justices issued opinions today but didn't issue a ruling related to the tariffs and the next announcement day is currently not known. The court's decision could have massive implications for American consumers and businesses, the economy and presidential authority.        The Justice Department says it won't be investigating the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis last week. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche made the announcement Tuesday. The 37-year-old was shot in her vehicle in what federal officials argue was justified self-defense, sparking protests around the country.        Some U.S. personnel have been evacuated from key Middle East bases as President Trump considers taking action against Iran. That's according to multiple reports citing U.S. officials. Trump has warned Iran the U.S. is looking at options for intervening in the crackdown of anti-government protests, and stands "ready to help."        A major winter storm may impact at least 25 states starting this evening. Intense snowfall is expected to be seen from the Lake Michigan shoreline in Michigan to the Illinois-Indiana border. Meanwhile, snow showers are in the forecast this week as far as south as North Carolina and Tennessee.        Testimony is back underway today in a high-profile double murder trial in Virginia. Brendan Banfield is charged with aggravated murder in connection with the February 2023 deaths of his wife Christine Banfield and a man named Joseph Ryan. Prosecutors allege Ryan was lured to Banfield's home in Reston, Virginia through a "fetish website" and he was fatally shot at the residence while Christine suffered stab wounds and died at a nearby hospital.        This year's nominees for the iHeartPodcast Awards are out now. The nominees for the 2026 Podcast of the Year include "Good Hang with Amy Poehler," "The Breakfast Club," "The Mel Robbins Podcast," "Pablo Torre Finds Out," "The Daily," "The Rest Is History," "This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von," "Call Her Daddy," "Heavyweight" and "Giggly Squad." The winner of the top award will be determined by a fan vote that will take place through February 22nd.       

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