Happy Friday! I'm Dan McGowan, and this is a Valentine's Day reminder that the Cadbury Flake is the best chocolate in the world. Follow me on X (Twitter) @DanMcGowan, or send tips to
dan.mcgowan@globe.com.
Governor Dan McKee and Democratic primary challenger Helena Foulkes are unlikely to exchange candy hearts anytime soon.
Still, in the spirit of Valentine’s Day (they call it Friendship Day at my son’s day care), the two bitter rivals agreed – at my request – to offer each other a compliment.
You can expect this to be one of the last kind comments they make about one another before the Sept. 8 primary.
Here’s what they said:
Governor Dan McKee
Raising four kids is no small job, and it’s clear how much Helena cares about her family. I wish her and her family good health in 2026.
Helena Foulkes
How you treat your family is important. You could see a genuine, warm love between him and his mother, and his kids and grandkids clearly adore him.
For the record, I’ve played golf with both of them. They’re both generous about gimme putts.
🤔 So you think you're a Rhode Islander...
With House Speaker Joe Shekarchi's name tied to the open state Supreme Court seat, who is the last speaker to jump directly from the House to the high court?
(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
⚓ Open Doors, a Rhode Island nonprofit, is spearheading a bold experiment in addiction treatment using GLP-1 medicines. Read more.
⚓ The principal of a Newport high school where four teenagers allegedly assaulted a special needs student last year has been placed on leave following an independent investigation. Read more.
⚓ Two people were found dead inside a vehicle in the parking lot of Miriam Hospital on Wednesday night, authorities said. Read more.
⚓ A Rhode Island entrepreneur and former nonprofit fundraiser who laundered hundreds of thousands of dollars made by her drug-dealing ex-boyfriend – the nephew of the Providence Police chief – has been sentenced to more than three years in federal prison. Read more.
🎂 Rhode Map readers have sent another round of Happy Birthday wishes to: Tim White, Brenna McCabe, Arturo Perez Marin, Colin Jerzyk (18), Adam Deitch, Ron DeSiderato Jr., Sophia Maggiacomo (22), Joe Trillo, Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos, Patricia Hardiman, Phil McKendall, Alisson Walsh, Karen Farrell, Megan Beecher, Andrew Wallerstein, Deborah Darlene, Virginia DiMasi, Nancy Mauro, Kris LaPlante-Chapman, Eduardo Garcia, Jamie Calabro, Matt Graham, Steve Gare, Jeanette Marsocci, Robin Eades, and Helen Dion Burns.
You can check out all of our coverage at Globe.com/RI
Also in the Globe
⚓What does it feel like to live in a house where your parents are getting divorced? Just ask some of the staff at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Read more.
⚓ Inbound travel from all countries to the United States was down 5.4 percent from January through November of 2025, according to the US Commerce Department’s National Travel and Tourism Office. But it’s Canadians who have been staying away in the largest numbers. Read more.
⚓ Now that the Red Sox appear finished with their offseason roster building, it’s the right time to project the roster that will be in Cincinnati for Opening Day on March 26. Read more.
⚓ URI women's basketball has a huge game at George Mason tomorrow at 3 p.m. St John's and Rick Pitino will be at The AMP tomorrow at 1 p.m.
⚓ No. 6 ranked Providence College men's hockey hosts Northeastern tonight at 7 p.m. and tomorrow 5:30 p.m.
⚓ The state Cannabis Control Commission meets at 2 p.m. Here's the agenda.
🏆 Pop quiz answer
In 1976, Joseph A. Bevilacqua Sr. was the sitting House speaker when he was made the chief justice of the Supreme Court.
RHODE ISLAND REPORT PODCAST Ed Fitzpatrick talks to Secretary of State Gregg Amore about his concerns with President Trump's idea of "nationalizing" elections. Listen to all of our podcasts here.
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