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With a nod to the late Judge Frank Caprio, “Caught in Cranston” might be the state’s most salacious new reality show.
The latest twist came last night when Cranston City Council President Jessica Marino announced her immediate resignation after word became public that she was involved in a romantic relationship with council-hired attorney Stephen Angell.
Angell also submitted his resignation effective Sept. 30. Mayor Ken Hopkins and Republicans councilors said they believed the relationship was a conflict of interest.
The shakeup is significant because Marino has long been considered one of the Democrats’ best options to win back the mayor’s office for the first time since 2008. (The next mayoral election is in 2028.)
As an at-large councilor, she was the top vote-getter in last year’s election, narrowly edging out Hopkins.
It also continues a chaotic stretch for politics in Cranston, a city that is generally considered well-run and a delightful place to live, but whose elected officials can’t seem to avoid bad headlines.
⚓ Last year, Aniece Germain, a Democrat and the first Black woman elected to the council, abruptly resigned after questions were raised about a nonprofit she was running. She claimed it was her own party leadership – including Marino – who pushed her out of office.
⚓ During a contentious Republican primary for mayor, Hopkins was accused of accepting a sports car from a city property owner without making a payment. Hopkins won reelection, but a federal lawsuit related to the dispute is still making its way through the court.
⚓ In 2023, Matthew R. Reilly, a Republican council member, resigned after being found passed out in his vehicle with a crack pipe. He was later indicted on child molestation charges, and is due back in court Sept. 10.
As for the current makeup of the council, Marino’s resignation means the council will appoint a Democrat to fill the rest of her term. Look for former councilman and mayoral candidate Robert Ferri to be among the possibilities.
That ensures Democrats will maintain control of the council, and current Council Vice President Dan Wall is likely to be the new council president.
🤔 So you think you're a Rhode Islander...
Which job did John Brown Francis not have: Governor, US senator, state senator, state representative, mayor of Providence, or chancellor of Brown University?
Do you have the perfect question for Rhode Map readers? Don't forget to send the answer, too. Shoot me an email today.
The Globe in Rhode Island
⚓ On this week's edition of the Rhode Island Report podcast, Ed Fitzpatrick talks to Rhode Island Radio and TV Hall of Famer Sean Daly. (Yes, they discussed the infamous "mother, mother ocean" story.) Listen here.
⚓ A Rhode Island prosecutor who told a police officer he would “regret” arresting her as she was taken into custody in Newport earlier this month, as recorded in a now-viral body-camera video, pleaded no contest to a trespassing charge on Wednesday. Read more.
⚓ The Trump administration decision to halt work on the $4 billion Revolution Wind project is alarming leaders of Rhode Island colleges, which train engineers and blue-collar workers for the offshore wind industry. Read more.
⚓ Mark Shanahan makes the case for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce to tie knot at Swift's mansion in Westerly. Read more.
You can check out all of our coverage at Globe.com/RI
Also in the Globe
⚓ Two children, 8 and 10, were killed in the latest horrific school shooting in the United States, this time inside a Minneapolis church emblazoned with the words “This is the house of God and the Gate of Heaven.” Read more.
⚓An official from the Trump administration hinted Wednesday that Boston's South Station may be facing a federal takeover similar to what is now happening at Union Station in Washington, D.C. Read more.
⚓ Garrett Crochet has been lights out all year, but he's especially good when he pitches in day games He'll try to keep that streak going today as the Red Sox look to sweep the Orioles. Read more.
⚓ Rhode Map readers, if you want the birthday of a friend or family member to be recognized Friday, send me an email with their first and last name, and their age.
⚓ Judge Frank Caprio Sr.'scalling hours will be at the Rhode Island Convention Center from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m.
⚓ The board for the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority meets at 1:30 p.m. Here's the agenda.
⚓ The North Providence Town Council meets at 5:30 p.m. in executive session to discuss the lawsuit former town employee Michael Charbatji has filed against Mayor Charles Lombardi.
🏆 Pop quiz answer
John Brown Francis was never mayor of Providence.
RHODE ISLAND REPORT PODCAST Ed Fitzpatrick talks to Rhode Island TV news legend Sean Daly about his storied journalism career. Listen to all of our podcasts here.
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