RI was in the spotlight this week. It didn't disappoint.

Good morning, I'm Will Richmond at The Providence Journal and this is the Daily Briefing.

On Saturday I headed over to Newport Country Club with the family to take in a couple of hours of the U.S. Senior Open. It was great to walk around the course and take in the scenes that are always closed to the general public. Although the names are big stars to them, my sons got a kick out of being so close to the pros as we watched them tee off on the 16th and 18th holes. Having spent the a good amount of time in Newport the past couple of years, it was great to see it on TV and watch patrons enjoy the course and as Journal columnist Joe McDonald notes, "it was an incredible week here and no one was disappointed." (Well, maybe Hiroyuki Fujita.)

And we even got a bonus day.

Sure, it took an extra day, but the U.S. Senior Open came to a close Monday morning under perfect Newport skies and with lots of drama. Coming from behind, Richard Bland defeated Hiroyuki Fujita following four playoff holes. The Journal's Bill Koch wraps up the tournament. Bill also notes the weekend provided a special homecoming for three Rhode Islanders.

Of course, holding a tournament like this doesn't just happen. It takes years of planning and lot of people, many volunteering. My experience on Saturday was that people were incredibly helpful and in places like the merchandise tent they kept lines moving and orderly. The Journal's Jacob Rousseau caught up with some of the people who helped make that difference off the course.

The last professional tournament at Newport Country Club was in 2006, here's to hoping the USGA doesn't wait as long again to return.

• Have you ever driven past a sign in Charlestown directing you to Quonochontaug and found yourself perplexed on how to say it? Or thought you knew, only to hear someone else say it a different way? This scenario could play out at dozens of other locations around the state.

Fortunately, The Journal's Antonia Farzan is here to help with her Rhode Island pronunciation guide.

• If you're looking for an apartment Warwick may be your next option, especially if you want amenities such as a pool, fitness center and co-working space.

The Journal's Wheeler Cowperthwaite has the details on a 214-unit apartment building in Warwick that is set to open in 2025 and is targeting young professionals.

• A jury cleared a Providence police officer of allegations that he used excessive force against two Massachusetts men during their 2016 arrest. The Journal's Katie Mulvaney has the details on the case.

• Over 150 different bird species call the Ocean State home during the summer. If that's overwhelming, The Journal's Alex Kuffner offers this guide on where to start.

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RHODY RANKS

Every day we receive emails ranking Rhode Island. While the work behind the ranks may be dubious, they can be fun. Each day I'll share where Rhody Ranks from one of the latest emails.

A new study has revealed the states with the highest average prison sentences, with Rhode Island ranking eighth lowest for the average duration of prison sentence per person.

The study, by personal injury law firm John Fitch, used data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics to find which states have the highest average prison sentences per person. They used data on federal court cases tried between 2018 and 2023, comparing the duration of prison sentences to the national average.

TODAY'S WEATHER

🌤️ Mostly sunny, warmer and less humid. Highs in the mid-80s.