Plunder Dome anniversary; Brown protests; 'Ella McCay' filming: Top stories this week

Here are some of The Providence Journal's most-read stories for the week of April 21, supported by your subscriptions.

• Sunday marks the 25th anniversary of Operation Plunder Dome, when FBI agents swarmed Providence City Hall after an undercover probe of widespread government corruption. The investigation led to nine convictions, including one for the city's charismatic rogue mayor, Vincent A. "Buddy" Cianci Jr., who landed in federal prison. Even in a state notorious for corruption scandals, Plunder Dome has held a special place in the public consciousness, living on years later in plays, books, podcasts and political life. The Journal's Tom Mooney explains why. If you need a quick refresher, check out our Plunder Dome explainer and who's who of the key figures in the case.

• Rhode Island lawmakers and consumer advocates have been trying for years to rein in the payday lending industry, whose triple-digit interest rates and fees have left many borrowers mired in debt. Now, alarms are being raised about about apps and other online options that pose an even thornier challenge for state regulators.

• Bill Koch gives an early look at what next season's Providence Friars men's basketball team will look like, and Eric Rueb explores whether the growing sport of girls flag football will be coming to Rhode Island. For those stories and other college and high school sports news, as well as live coverage of the Patriots' moves in the NFL Draft, go to providencejournal.com/sports.

Here are the week's top reads on providencejournal.com:

Pro-Palestinian protesters set up encampment at Brown University, joining nationwide movement

Brown University students this week joined those at a growing number of elite schools with pro-Palestinian encampments on campus.

The encampment, mirroring tent cities at Columbia, Yale, New York University and other schools nationwide, was set up Wednesday morning, with more than two dozen tents pitched on the main green and roughly 75 students participating. Campus security was keeping watch and allowed the demonstrators to remain in place.

Those at the Brown encampment are repeating calls for the school to divest from weapons manufacturers, a demand the administration has repeatedly resisted.

Read the full story to find out how law enforcement and the Brown administration have been responding to this latest student protest prompted by the Israel-Hamas war.

Politics: Pro-Palestinian protesters set up encampment at Brown University, joining nationwide movement

This Rhode Island county has some of the worst ozone pollution in the Northeast

When you think of Washington County, you may conjure images of ocean beaches and lush forests. What probably doesn’t come to mind is smog.

Yet Rhode Island’s southernmost county chronically grades poorly for pollution from ozone – a gas that’s the main component of smog – in the American Lung Association’s annual assessment of air quality.

The pattern continues in the 2024 State of the Air report, the 25^th edition of an analysis based on data from air-quality monitors collected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In the report released Wednesday morning, Washington County was ranked the worst county for ozone in the Boston-Worcester-Providence metro area and the third-worst in the Northeast.

What's causing this high level of ozone pollution in such a bucolic setting? What does it mean for public health? And is there anything that can be done to solve the problem? Read the full story to find out more.

Environment: This Rhode Island county has some of the worst ozone pollution in the Northeast

Ex-Cranston councilwoman claims she was blackmailed. Now state police may be investigating.

CRANSTON – City solicitor Christopher Millea has asked the Rhode Island State Police to investigate the “serious allegations” surrounding the recent resignation of Councilwoman Aniece Germain.

On April 12, Germain, who represented Cranston’s 2nd Ward, abruptly resigned from the City Council, alleging in media reports that she was forced to do so by the City Council president, fellow Democrat Jessica Marino, or face public hearings on Germain's nonprofit, Hope and Change for Haiti. Germaine said the organization "has been dealing with some challenges due to a consequential filing error.”

“I lost to power dynamics, political sabotage and blackmailing, and the ongoing political maneuvering,” Germain said in subsequent statements to the media.

In a statement published on Facebook, Marino disputed Germain’s characterization of the events, calling her accusations “sensational, false and malicious.”

Politics: Ex-Cranston councilwoman claims she was blackmailed. Now state police may be investigating

Why celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse visited East Providence's O Dinis – and what he ate

Emeril Lagasse isn't afraid to tackle the traffic on the Washington Bridge.

After flying in from New Orleans on Saturday, the celebrity chef and James Beard winner headed right over to O Dinis, the Portuguese restaurant in East Providence. Lagasse was with five members of his Emeril Group team, which manages his 10 restaurants.

They weren't just in search of dinner, said O Dinis owner Natalia Paiva-Neves. No, they were on a mission when they arrived on a busy Saturday night. They wanted to try all the Portuguese food.

What was the culinary project that prompted Lagasse's tasting tour? Food editor Gail Ciampa has the story.

Dining: Why celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse visited East Providence's O Dinis – and what he ate

Hollywood comes to Pawtucket: 'Ella McCay' films in new location

Excitement abounded Monday afternoon on Pawtucket's Glenwood Avenue as movie crews took over the street to film scenes for "Ella McCay," the production starring Jamie Lee Curtis, Woody Harrelson and Emma Mackey.

"I think it's a once-in-a-lifetime thing," said Ros Johnson, sitting on her front steps, watching moviemaking magic. "I've never seen anything like this. I'd never expected this much hullabaloo. It's fascinating."

But probably no one on this street was more excited than Lydia Breckon, who moved out of her house for three days so that her kitchen could be redressed and used to film interior scenes.

"It's something fun happening in the neighborhood," said Ariel Noorparvar as she sat on a curb watching Breckon's house with her young nephew.

Meanwhile, the state's Film & Television Office is working to lure another Hollywood production to Rhode Island, a screen adaptation of native son Don Winslow's organized crime novel "City on Fire," set in Rhode Island and slated to star Oscar nominee Austin Butler.

Entertainment: Hollywood comes to Pawtucket: 'Ella McCay' films in new location

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This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Plunder Dome anniversary; Brown protests; Emeril in RI: Top stories