Friday, January 23 | Follow @DanMcGowan on X (Twitter)

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Happy Friday! I'm Dan McGowan, and I'm picking the Patriots and Rams to win this weekend. Follow me on X (Twitter) @DanMcGowan, or send tips to dan.mcgowan@globe.com.

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Leading off

RDW Group, the award-winning marketing and communications agency, is turning 40 this year, and the firm plans to spend it partying like it’s 21 – with too much Del’s and Gregg’s chocolate cake.

Rhode Map loves birthdays, so I asked Michael Masseur, RDW’s director of public relations and a partner at the firm, to share some of RDW’s best commercials from the past several decades.

Roger Williams Park Zoo

Big Blue Bug Solutions

Amica

Rhode Island PBS

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island

🤔 So you think you're a Rhode Islander...

Ed Cooley was the two-time high school basketball player of the year in Rhode Island. Where did he attend prep school after leaving Central High School?

(Answer at the bottom.)

Do you have the perfect question for Rhode Map readers? Don't forget to send the answer, too. Send me an email today.

The Globe in Rhode Island

⚓ Rhode Island would offer a tax amnesty program for the first time in nearly a decade, under Governor Daniel J. McKee’s proposed state budget. And that’s focusing renewed attention on the state’s latest list of top tax delinquents — a compilation that includes convicted criminals, a former candidate for governor, and a former boxing champion. Read more.

⚓ The Trump administration has ordered Cabinet agencies to review federal funding for a group of Democratic-controlled states, according to a White House budget official, as the administration looks to cut off resources for “sanctuary” jurisdictions that refuse to collaborate with immigration enforcement authorities. Read more.

⚓ In an opinion piece for Globe Rhode Island, Amy S. Nunn and Philip A. Chan outline a plan for addressing the primary care provider crisis in Rhode Island. Read more.

⚓ On this week's episode of "Behind the Story" on WPRI, Eli Sherman and I talk to The Sports Hub's Mark Dondero about the Patriots' success this season. Watch here.

🎂 Rhode Map readers have sent another round of Happy Birthday wishes to: Finbarr O'Leary (1), Kathy Lappin, Cortney Nicolato, Jordan Day, Denise Craven, state Representative June Speakman, Travis Rowley, Meghan Grady, Lorne Adrain, Paul Moura, Serena Conley, Nirva LaFortune, Matt Allen, Ron “Snap” Alves, Aidan Donahue (27), Caroline Dylag, Ben Revkin (42), Brenda Burke, Harry Condon, Betty Lavigne, Michael V. Favicchio, Louise Pinga, Nick Caruolo, John Tuturice, Susanna Bianchi, Jennifer Broady, and Douglas Teoli.

You can check out all of our coverage at Globe.com/RI

Also in the Globe

⚓ New England is bracing for its biggest snowstorm in years. Here’s what the latest models are saying. Read more.

⚓ With a reelection fight looming this fall, Governor Maura Healey on Thursday used her annual State of the Commonwealth address to frame herself and the state as a foil to President Trump and a federal government she said is lacing “chaos” into everyday life, vowing to provide stability in uncertain times. Read more.

⚓ The Patriots have played in 15 AFC Championship games and 11 Super Bowls, winning six Lombardi Trophies and an NFL-best 39 postseason games, but have never won a playoff game in Denver. Read more.

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Here's a special deal for Rhode Map Readers.

What's on tap

Email events to us at RInews@globe.com.

⚓ A Boogie Wit da Hoodie is performing at The Stand tonight.

⚓ Ed Cooley and Georgetown will be at The AMP tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. to play Providence.

⚓ URI women's basketball is at Dayton at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

🏆 Pop quiz answer

Ed Cooley did a prep year at the New Hampton School in New Hampshire.

RHODE ISLAND REPORT PODCAST
Ed Fitzpatrick talks to US District Court Chief Judge John McConnell about life in the judiciary with President Trump in the White House.
Listen to all of our podcasts here.

Thanks for reading. Send comments and suggestions to dan.mcgowan@globe.com or follow me on X (Twitter) @DanMcGowan. See you on Monday.

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