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BUSINESS

Commerce Digest

Providence

Insurer executive: Costs out of control

UnitedHealthcare president says health reform should focus on cost containment

LIFEBEAT

BESTSELLERS

1. “Under the Dome” by Stephen

Books Calendar: Nov. 24

TUESDAY

Mark Patinkin: Down to the docks every day — and loving it

I felt like going down to where the fishing boats tie up, so I drove to Galilee. It was a warm morning for November, and breezy. Out in Block Island Sound, I saw a dragger coming back from a trip. It was called the Kelsi and Morgan. It came through the breachway to the state’s commercial fishing docks, home to about 50 big trawlers and dozens of lobster boats.

Memo to dads: You are not supposed to be your child’s best friend

I recently spent some time with a friend who has three children. My buddy, whom I’ve known since fifth grade, is a college-educated responsible guy who has never failed to do right by his family. When describing him, “well-rounded” comes to mind. He’s masculine but not macho, sensitive but nowhere near maudlin, perceptive, intuitive, caring, compassionate. Like I said, well-rounded. His wife is as solid as a rock.

Prize-winning author tells story of civil rights pioneer

PORTLAND, Maine — Maine author Phillip Hoose said winning a National Book Award for his chronicle of a young civil rights pioneer was all the more moving because she took the stage with him when he accepted the honor.

Sotomayor adds celebrity flair to usually somber Supreme Court culture

She mamboes with movie stars, smooches with musicians and loves her New York Yankees

The ESSENTIALS

HEALTH

Year’s new words have plenty of ‘lex-appeal’

You could “unfriend” your neighbor for remarking on your “tramp stamp”

LOCAL

Moderate Party to fight R.I. fine over campaign financing

State officials had asked the party to forfeit a $10,000 donation and its chairman to pay another $10,000 to settle a finance dispute

Native American artifacts thousands of years old halt sewer installation in Warwick, R.I.

WARWICK — The discovery of Native American artifacts dating back thousands of years –– plus the likelihood that there are many more beneath the streets of neighborhoods off Tidewater Drive –– have stalled an effort to bring sewers to the coastal area.

Providence, R.I., police arrest driver after house crash, four-community chase

Pickup truck operator charged after allegedly hitting house and attempting to strike officer with vehicle

Sewer rates to climb sharply

EAST GREENWICH — The price tag to residents for getting rid of their sewage is about to get steeper — 41.1 percent steeper. The only consolation: they won’t feel the pinch until May.

Slater takes father’s Assembly seat

PROVIDENCE — Scott A. Slater officially assumed the seat of his late father, Thomas C. Slater, a longtime state representative, taking the oath of office before his elected peers, friends and family in the state House of Representatives chamber on Monday afternoon.

Sticker shock aimed at those who buy alcohol for minors

Stickers on alcohol sold in Westerly warn of the penalties for procuring alcohol for minors

Suspect ordered continued held on charge of murdering infant daughter

At hearing, judge orders no bail for Rachin A. McCoy on charge of first-degree murder

NEWS

A method behind the I-way madness

Much of the Route 195 interchange work can be frustrating, but officials say there’s a need

Early Monday Lotteries

MONDAY WINNERS

Edward Fitzpatrick: Federal shield law for journalists still needs a completion to win

To punt or not to punt.

FINAL Monday Lotteries

MONDAY WINNERS

Flu Update

Vaccinations

Head nurse testifies in Woods’ suit

Says she was not aware of Michael J. Woods’ condition until he suffered a heart attack

In the Tobin-Kennedy standoff, no shortage of opinions

Gerry Moniz didn’t hesitate when asked what she thinks of the nationally publicized dispute between Providence Bishop Thomas J. Tobin and Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy over whether the congressman should refrain from taking Communion given his support for abortion rights.

Judge doesn’t favor Cicilline release

The disgraced lawyer had sought early release from prison to a halfway house

Lawyer accused in refinancing fraud

Allegedly diverted refinancing proceeds on mortgages to his own use

Mayoral academies group receives grants

The $1.3 million will be used to develop more charter schools in the state

New Digest

WARWICK

POLICE DIGEST

Johnston

Police, MADD kick off program to curb holiday drunken driving

Motorists urged to tie red ribbons on cars to raise awareness

Providence Bishop Tobin says Kennedy ‘erratic’ — but he’s not referring to mental-health issues

PROVIDENCE –– Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas J. Tobin on Monday said Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy has shown “increasingly erratic and unpredictable behavior” during their escalating dispute, but said he was “not at all” referring to the congressman’s well-publicized mental-health issues.

State deficit plan expected next month

Officials say governor’s plan to address the state deficit should be ready by mid-December

Timeline of Kennedy-Tobin exchanges

TIMELINE

Women facing charges after brawl, hit-and-run

The police say Ciara Barrett was driving a van that struck another woman outside a city bar; two women with her are arrested

OPINION

Editorial: A debtor’s drawbacks

President Obama got little or nothing from his trip to China last week, however collegial it all looked. The Chinese will continue to manipulate their currency for unfair advantage in trade, fail to do anything that might antagonize such dangerous dictatorships as Iran, with which they do a lot of commerce, and ignore entreaties about human rights. (None of our business, they think!)

Editorial: Grading the teachers

News that a Rhode Island teachers union has won a $200,000 union-funded grant to develop teacher evaluations can’t help but stir fears that the fox wants to guard the henhouse. Public-employee unions, after all, are in the business of promoting their own economic interests, which do not always coincide with the interests of students.

Editorial: Our flighty populace

“The markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent.” So said John Maynard Keynes.

Edward Achorn: The stimulus that didn’t stimulate

It may not have dawned on people in government, to whom money is no object, or many media pundits, who rubber-stamp their ways, but regular Americans are getting mad.

N.E. Marsden: What television shows are really pitching us

WASHINGTON

Nicholas D. Kristof: GOP opposed Social Security, Medicare, too

NEW YORK

Phyllis Meras: A travel writer’s memories of the fall of the Berlin Wall

WEST TISBURY, Mass.

Sandy Stamoulis: After the latest wrong-side surgery, in defense of RIH

For many years Rhode Island Hospital has been involved in ensuring patient safety in all aspects of patient care. Since the mid-‘90s, it has participated in many national quality-improvement and safety initiatives and has received several awards for its efforts. For example, last year, Quality Partners of Rhode Island recognized RIH for achievement and innovation in patient safety and quality of care.

SPORTS

At the schools: Lights will shine in Woonsocket next Tuesday

They live in a city that, like a lot former Northeast mill cities, is struggling with 21st-century urban problems.

Bruins 4, Blues 2: Four assists for Bergeron in Boston’s third straight win

ST. LOUIS — Huge production in a complementary role from Patrice Bergeron helped the Boston Bruins win three in a row for the first time this season.

Capsule preview: Stony Brook at URI

STONY BROOK STONY BROOK (3-0): The Seawolves are a team on the rise. They are in their 10th year in Division I competition. They went 16-14 last season, their best record yet in Division I, and finished in a tie for fourth in America East. They have begun this season with easy victories over Maryland-Eastern Shore, Mount St. Mary and Wagner by an average score of 78-52. . . Coach Steve Pikiell is a former University of Connecticut standout (Class of 1990). . . The team has outrebounded opponents by a 43-35 margin. . . Brenton, the primary ball handler, has 16 assists and only three turnovers. . . El-Amin has made six 3-pointers thus far, Dougher four and the team 14 overall. . . Brenton and Dougher were both members of the America East all-rookie team last season.

Capsule preview: Vermont at PC

VERMONT VERMONT (3-1): The Catamounts come to town riding high after opening the season with two consecutive road wins. The team begins the year with 10 straight road games…Opened with a loss at Loyola (Md.) but knocked off Buffalo and Rutgers. Won at Buffalo, 58-57, with Blakely hit a free throw with nine seconds left. He had 17 points and 12 rebounds in the win. Knocked off Rutgers, 77-71, with Fjeld leading the way with 19 points and Joseph scoring 17…Blakely missed 15 minutes of the game with stomach problems yet still managed 17 points, nine rebounds, five blocks, four steals and two assists…Accaoui is a shooter from Lincoln. Crenca is a 260-pound freshman from Exeter…Finished 24-9 a year ago after getting upset in the America East tournament. Picked to finish first or second in the conference this season by most media outlets.

Friars wary of Blakely, Catamounts

PROVIDENCE — Sometimes coaches wonder if their players are hearing or actually listening when they heap praise on a team from a lesser athletic stratosphere. Thanks to Big East partner Rutgers, Keno Davis doesn’t have to worry about that problem.

Friars wary of Blakely, Catamounts

PROVIDENCE — Sometimes coaches wonder if their players are hearing or actually listening when they heap praise on a team from a lesser athletic stratosphere. Thanks to Big East partner Rutgers, Keno Davis doesn’t have to worry about that problem.

Johnson’s devotion earns him a promotion

BOSTON –– When former PawSox manager Ron Johnson was informed of his promotion to be the new first base coach for the Red Sox, one of the first people he called was a New York Yankee.

MEN: Stony Brook at URI

STONY BROOK STONY BROOK (3-0): The Seawolves are a team on the rise. They are in their 10th year in Division I competition. They went 16-14 last season, their best record yet in Division I, and finished in a tie for fourth in America East. They have begun this season with easy victories over Maryland-Eastern Shore, Mount St. Mary and Wagner by an average score of 78-52. . . Coach Steve Pikiell is a former University of Connecticut standout (Class of 1990). . . The team has outrebounded opponents by a 43-35 margin. . . Brenton, the primary ball handler, has 16 assists and only three turnovers. . . El-Amin has made six 3-pointers thus far, Dougher four and the team 14 overall. . . Brenton and Dougher were both members of the America East all-rookie team last season.

MEN: Vermont at PC

VERMONT VERMONT (3-1): The Catamounts come to town riding high after opening the season with two consecutive road wins. The team begins the year with 10 straight road games…Opened with a loss at Loyola (Md.) but knocked off Buffalo and Rutgers. Won at Buffalo, 58-57, with Blakely hit a free throw with nine seconds left. He had 17 points and 12 rebounds in the win. Knocked off Rutgers, 77-71, with Fjeld leading the way with 19 points and Joseph scoring 17…Blakely missed 15 minutes of the game with stomach problems yet still managed 17 points, nine rebounds, five blocks, four steals and two assists…Accaoui is a shooter from Lincoln. Crenca is a 260-pound freshman from Exeter…Finished 24-9 a year ago after getting upset in the America East tournament. Picked to finish first or second in the conference this season by most media outlets.

Patriots journal: Second time around, Belichick grabbed Welker

FOXBORO –– Leading up to the 2004 draft, the Patriots did their due diligence when it came to the Texas Tech players who would be available come April, as they do with players from schools across the country.

Patriots’ eyes are on the Saints, not the playoffs

After the Patriots lost to the Indianapolis Colts two Sundays ago, it seemed their path to one of the two AFC first-round playoff byes and the chance to play at least one postseason game at home suddenly had a sizeable roadblock dropped in the middle of it.

Patriots’ eyes are on the Saints, not the playoffs

After the Patriots lost to the Indianapolis Colts two Sundays ago, it seemed their path to one of the two AFC first-round playoff byes and the chance to play at least one postseason game at home suddenly had a sizeable roadblock dropped in the middle of it.

Red Sox shuffle coaching staff

Only in this market can a baseball manager’s staff garner this much attention, especially in November. After all, it is Boston.

TV series takes an inside look at URI basketball

SOUTH KINGSTOWN — URI basketball fans are about to be given an unprecedented inside look at how their team goes about its work during the season.

URI football team may look to Northeastern transfers for help

Expressions of sympathy poured forth in the wake of Northeastern University football’s death Sunday night.

URI’s Ulmer hopes to throw his weight around

SOUTH KINGSTOWN — Lamonte Ulmer has a different role with the URI basketball team this season, which is fitting since he has prepared a bit differently for his final year with the Rams.

Woonsocket football team definitely ready for prime time

They live in a city that, like a lot former Northeast mill towns, is struggling with 21st-century urban problems.