SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. -- About 1,500 athletes, along with hundreds of coaches, volunteers, families and fans gathered Saturday at the University of Rhode Island for the 45th annual Special Olympics Rhode Island summer games.

"It's a spectacular weekend," said Special Olympics CEO Dennis DeJesus, who said the Special Olympics athletes enjoy the friendships and social aspects of the games as much as the athletics.

This year, he said, Special Olympics staff made special efforts to ensure that the athletes (and volunteers) were not adversely affected by the heat.

That included meetings with all the team coaches and having plenty of fluids available at all the competition sites. As of 4 p.m. Saturday, Special Olympics Rhode island reported no serious incidents.

If you see a parade of motorcycles in northern Rhode Island Sunday morning, it may be the 2013 MS Rumble Down the Rhode fundraiser.

The inaugural 55-mile ride benefits the Rhode Island chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Darlene and Bob Rossi, longtime MS volunteers and motorcyle enthusiasts, have organized the run starting and ending at Town Hall Lanes, 1463 Atwood Ave., Johnston. Registration is at 9 a.m. Wheels roll at 11 a.m. They are hoping that 50 to 100 motorcyclists will participate.

All types of motorcycles are welcome to make the run, which will cover parts of Johnston, Scituate, Foster, Glocester, Smithfield and Dayville, Conn. The fee is $25 per rider, $35 for two riders.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- General Treasurer Gina Raimondo's push to move more state pension investments into hedge funds has raised questions over the fees such funds charge.

Raimondo's office says it's worth paying higher fees because hedge funds can help protect the pension fund from risks.

Critics contend hedge funds are a bad choice because of the fees and the risky investments they sometimes make.

Frank Caprio, who served one term as treasurer and is seeking his old job back, raised the issue on WJAR-TV's "10 News Conference."

Caprio said that, under his administration, a national study showed that Rhode Island paid "some of the lowest fees in the country."

Under Raimondo, he said, "the fees have gone up from about $12 million annually to about $50 million."

PolitiFact Rhode Island examined his claim and ruled it Half True. Read the complete analysis here.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- After years of polarization and failed efforts, could the country finally be poised for a sweeping immigration overhaul?

U.S. Sen. Sheldon White-house, who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee that approved the immigration bill now headed to the Senate floor, says this "is certainly the best chance" for overhauling the country's broken immigration system.

The Senate could take up the bill as early as this week when the session resumes, Whitehouse said during an interview last week. He based that on a conversation he had with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada.

Broadly speaking, the bill would establish a 13-year earned path to citizenship for most of the estimated 11 million undocumented people living in the United States; strengthen border security; raise the cap on visas for highly skilled foreign workers and create a new visa program targeting foreign entrepreneurs. It includes three amendments from Whitehouse.

Providence, R.I. (WPRI) -- The police were called to the scenes of two reported stabbings in the Waverly Street area.

Officers received the first call around midnight, and were seen searching a park off of Kenwood Street for evidence.

Investigators have not released any information about the victim's condition.

Less than two hours later, police were back in the neighborhood for another reported stabbing on Waverly Street, almost directly across the street from the first one.

Investigators have also not released any information about the victim's condition, or any arrests in either case.

Providence, R.I. -- Providence police were investigating a shooting that was reported at about 2:25 a.m. Sunday at the intersection of Brook and Meeting Streets, near Brown University's Aldrich-Dexter Field, police said.

Police would not identify the victim, a man in his 20s. They said he had suffered non-life-threatening injuries after being shot in the right side. He was being treated at Rhode Island Hospital.

Police declined to release details of the case. No arrests had been reported as of midday Sunday.

PAWTUCKET, R.I. (AP) -- Pawtucket officials are inspecting school buildings after shutting two schools due to problems with ceilings.

WPRI reports that the city closed two schools because of damage and officials are now checking other buildings for potential problems.

At least three schools inspected have been cleared.

A ceiling collapse at Pawtucket's Potter Burns School last week prompted inspections at other aging schools across the city. Nathanael Greene School was closed on Wednesday after weaknesses were discovered in ceilings.

It's not known if students will have to make up missed school days.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -- The National Weather Service is forecasting severe weather for southern New England.

Beginning late Sunday afternoon and continuing into the evening, thunderstorms with heavy downpours, lightning, wind and hail are expected to move into Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Meteorologists at the National Weather Service say hail could be an inch in diameter.

A system that spawned violent storms in Oklahoma is moving east. Forecasters say tornadoes in the New England region are not likely, but wind and hail could be damaging.

The storms are expected to cool the region. Temperatures were in the high 80s on Sunday and in the 90s on Friday and Saturday.

Temperatures are forecast for the 70s early in the week.

Get the latest weather report.

WARWICK, R.I. -- The Gaspee Days Committee is about to receive its birth certificate -- a copy of a Providence newspaper dated June 13, 1772 which is believed to carry the first account of the burning of the British revenue ship Gaspee four days earlier in Narragansett Bay.

Mark Tracy, of Providence, donated the copy of the Providence Gazette after reading a story in The Providence Journal that reported the auction of rare Rhode Island newspapers from the 18th Century.

The venerable newspaper is to be presented to the Gaspee Days Committee at 6 p.m. Monday at 24 Meeting St., Providence, a building owned by the Providence Preservation Society.

Carol Deming, president of the Gaspee Committee, said her organization will consult experts in document preservation.

AP photo

Frank Lautenberg

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Governor Chafee remembered U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, who died Monday, as a man who represented the people of New Jersey with distinction, dedication, and honor.

Chafee, a former U.S. senator, said he was fortunate to serve alongside Senator Lautenberg on the Environment & Public Works Committee, where he said he was proud to stand with Lautenberg in defense of environmental legislation such as the Clean Air & Clean Water acts and the Endangered Species Act.

"In his three decades in the United States Senate, Lautenberg upheld the Chamber's long legacy of serious, collaborative work carried out for the good of the people. He will be missed, not just in his home State of New Jersey, but across the country," Chafee said.

Lautenberg, 89, served with the United States Army Signal Corps in World War II. When he died, he was the only surviving World War II veteran in the Senate.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A hearing officer at the state Department of Business Regulation has ruled in the city's favor and ordered a stay that prohibits the sale of distilled liquor in nightclubs, bars and restaurants.

Louis A. DeQuattro Jr., DBR's deputy director and hearing officer, ruled that the stay will remain in effect until a decision is rendered by a Superior Court on the city's appeal to have bottle service banned in the city.

The ruling is expected to come within 45 days.

On May 6, the state liquor license administrator issued an order that permits the sale of "multi-serving'' bottles to VIP patrons in drinking and eating establishments. The city Board of Licenses, through the solicitor's office, appealed the ruling and sought the stay in Superior Court.

PAWTUCKET, R.I. -- In an age of iPads and email, iTunes and eBay, the battle against rodents in city neighborhoods now inevitably gives us "E-rat."

The system Pawtucket inspectors have begun using is not the stuff of a technology behemoth or budding start-up. Rather, Shaun Logue, city zoning and code enforcement director, said that each time inspectors install scores of bait boxes at city homes or other location around the city, the information goes into a computer. Two weeks later, the system sends inspectors back to the same places to see whether a rat ate the bait or whether traps should be moved, said Logue. The idea is to keep on top of the problem using a coordinated database.

The E-rat system will be part of two public meetings. One is June 10 at 6:30 p.m. at Smithfield Congregational Church Hall, 514 Smithfield Ave., and the other on June 11 at 6:30 p.m. at Woodlawn Community Development Center., 210 West Ave. The meetings will include information about a new neighborhood task force.

on Twitter: @mikemckwrite

Read more in Tuesday's Providence Journal

PAWTUCKET, R.I. -- He owed her $140, but when his ex-girlfriend tried to collect, the Pawtucket police say, Kiefer Demello kidnapped her and their 2 ½ year-old son and demanded money.

As Demello drove them around Pawtucket Saturday night, he said he'd rather crash and kill them than return to jail, said Sgt. Mark Boisclair.

Demello got what he didn't want.

His ex-girlfriend's sister notified police, and an officer called the kidnapped woman's cell phone, said Maj. Arthur Martins.

When his ex-girlfriend told him the police were investigating, Demello got out of the car, Martins said. The woman and child were unhurt.

Demello, 21, of 65 Oriole Ave., was arraigned Monday on charges including kidnapping. He was also ordered to serve six months for violating his probation.

SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- Governor Chafee waffled Monday on whether he supports a multiyear contract for state Education Commissioner Deborah A. Gist.

After speaking at a forum called The Future of Education in Rhode Island, held at Fidelity Investments, Chafee said, "I like continuity" but "I'm listening to the feedback" from teachers, parents and students who have weighed in on Gist's leadership. "No one can dismiss my commitment to K-12 education," he said.

Chafee said he is working with the state Board of Education on the commissioner's contract.

AP photo / Bill Sikes

John Henry's yacht Iroquois, moored at Rowes Wharf in Boston today.

BOSTON (AP) -- Boston police are investigating what appears to be a suicide on Red Sox owner John Henry's yacht.

Police spokeswoman Cheryl Fiandaca says that the victim is a man 28 to 30 years old.

She says that when firefighters and police arrived at the yacht Monday, they found the man in cardiac arrest. She says attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.

It wasn't clear who called authorities. Police did not release the man's identity.

Fiandaca says the man may have been working on the yacht. It was docked at Rowes Wharf near the city's financial district.

Boston police were referring additional questions to the Red Sox. The team issued the following statement:

"Earlier today, a crew member on the vessel, M/Y Iroquois, apparently took his life aboard the vessel docked at 30 Rowes Wharf. Mr. Henry and the members of the Boston Red Sox are saddened by the news and send deepest condolences to his family.

"Apparently only crew members were on board the vessel when the incident occurred."

AP photo / Susan Walsh

Vice President Joe Biden stands with former R.I. Rep. Patrick Kennedy as he speaks at the closing of the National Conference on Mental Health, Monday, in the South Court Auditorium at the White House complex in Washington. The conference is part of the Obama Administration's effort to launch a national conversation to increase understanding and awareness of mental health. Kennedy was a participant of the conference and was unexpectedly brought up on stage by Biden.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- President Obama gave a shout-out to former U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy during a speech at Monday's National Conference on Mental Health.

The White House conference brought together people from across the country to talk about ways to help people struggling with mental illness and reduce the stigma.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Obama paid tribute to several attendees, including Kennedy, who publicly struggled with mental illness and substance abuse during his years representing Rhode Island's 1st Congressional District.

"My great friend, Patrick Kennedy, when he was running for re-election back in 2006, he could have avoided talking about his struggles with bipolar disorder and addiction. Let's face it, he's a Kennedy," Mr. Obama said. "His seat was pretty safe. Everybody loved him. And yet, Patrick used his experience as a way to connect and to lift up these issues, not hide from them."

Mr. Obama recounted Kennedy's work with his father, the late Sen. Edward Kennedy, in successfully pushing legislation to require insurers to cover mental health services in the same way they cover physical health services.

"So because of Patrick's efforts and the colleagues who worked with him, it's easier for millions of people to join him on the road to recovery," Mr. Obama said.

PROVIDENCE -- Federal officials announced this afternoon they have arrested four men and charged them with trafficking cocaine, heroin, Ecstasy and a synthetic drug dubbed "Molly."

Charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of controlled substances and use of a telephone to commit drug offenses were: Salee Yang, 29, Eric Negron, 48, and Peter Lietar, 37, of Pawtucket, and Stanz Hun, 25, of Cranston, U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha's office announced.

Besides drugs and cash, six firearms were also seized.

The case began with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, but grew to include agents from the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Marshal's service, Rhode Island State Police and local police from Cranston, Warwick and Providence, Neronha's office said.

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PROVIDENCE, RI -- Starting Monday evening, The Providence Journal's editorials, editorial columnists and guest commentary pieces will appear online, as we continue to enhance and expand providencejournal.com.

You'll be able to follow columnists Froma Harrop, David Brussat and M.J. Andersen, along with guest writers from around New England and the world.

As before, your letters to the editor will be featured in the Opinion section, with more letters published on the website than in the print edition.

The new Opinion section will also carry biographies of the members of our Editorial Board, along with their contact information.

If you have any questions or comments, contact Edward Achorn, editor of the editorial pages, at eachorn@providencejournal.com

Providence Journal photos / Kathy Borchers

WARWICK, R.I. -- A crash involving a tractor-trailer and a passenger vehicle brought traffic to near halt on Interstate 95 northbound this afternoon near exit 14.

State Police, still at the scene, would release no information, saying the crash is between the airport connector and Route 37 is under investigation.

Get the latest on traffic in the Ocean State

-- with reports from Donita Naylor, Journal staff writer, and Kathy Borchers, Journal photographer

An earlier version of this report was posted at 3:02 p.m.

WARWICK, R.I. -- A Warwick man was injured and Route 95 traffic was tied up for two hours early Monday afternoon after a northbound Honda spun in the passing lanes and landed facing south, then was struck by a tanker truck. Michael Marshall, 24, of Canfield Ave., had to be extricated from the Honda after the tanker tractor struck him at an angle that was almost head-on. Although his injuries were significant, he communicated with troopers, but he did not remember what led to the accident, State Police Lt. Eric LaRiviere said Monday. The empty tanker, driven by Frank McKeon, 62, of Wilmington, Dela., and heading for Marlboro, Mass., to pick up cranberry juice, was unable to avoid hitting the Honda. The impact sent Marshall's car about 100 feet. The truck also pushed some of the Jersey barrier into the left-most lane of southbound traffic. One southbound and two northbound left lanes were closed from 12:27 to 2:36 p.m. Commercial enforcement officers concluded that the accident was unavoidable for the truck and no charges would be filed against McKeon, LaRiviere said. The pavement was wet, LaRiviere said, and although the investigation is continuing, there seemed to be no other factors such as speed, alcohol or texting, he said.

Updated June 3, 2013 4:51 PM

WARWICK, R.I. -- Firefighters responded to smoke caused by power surges at Kent Hospital on Friday and Sunday, hospital and National Grid spokesmen reported Monday.

Kent Hospital spokesman Jim Beardsworth said power surges Friday and Sunday triggred fuses and surge protectors, with smoke resulting. Staff members followed protocol and pulled the fire alarm, Beardsworth said, and the Warwick Fire Department responded.

National Grid spokesman David Graves said Friday's surge was caused by a malfunctioning gauge at the Kent substation. Sunday's surge was because a mylar balloon got tangled up in power lines near the Kent substation. "Those mylar balloons do cause havoc when they get involved in some of our equipment," Graves said.

"There was no impact on patient safety or patient care," Beardsworth said.