What has remote work done to downtown Providence?

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

The COVID-19 pandemic sent many of us, especially office workers, packing our desks and heading home. We've set up home workstations that in some cases are better than what we now have at our office desks and we can feel less guilty stealing our spouse's leftovers out of the fridge than a co-worker's.

Four years removed from the start of shutdowns many businesses have found that remote work actually works and while it may be a benefit to the companies there are potential downsides for the cities and towns where office workers once flocked.

What has this meant in Providence?

The Journal's Patrick Anderson examines the city's commercial office space market and where it stands from pre-COVID years and why there is the possibility of a bigger problem.

• No pension. No 401(k). No problem.

A new law has paved the way for approximately 170,000 Rhode Islanders who work for employers who put nothing aside for their retirement to have access to a retirement plan.

While the program isn't quite ready to roll out yet, The Journal's Katherine Gregg explains how it will work and why there are some concerns.

• Are the rumors true? Is Olneyville New York System closing? Journal food and dining editor Gail Ciampa goes all the way to the source to find out while also cooking up some other dining notes.

Gail also offers up a pro tip for anyone making reservations online. Consider it a lesson learned.

• The court battle over whether Smithfield police lied about having a confidential informant to raid a cannabis warehouse is over, and it's going to cost the town.

The Journal's Tom Mooney has details on the settlement and why a defense attorney is saying the town should be embarrassed.

• As we continue to unveil our All-State athletes, these boys ruled the tennis courts this spring.

More from The Providence Journal

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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 that are most interested in taking a gap year, and Rhode Island has come in second place.

Experts in educational student travel Rustic Pathways gathered search volume data for the U.S. nationally and in each state, for a list of terms relating to gap years and programs. They calculated each state’s total monthly searches per 100,000 residents to create a fair and final ranking.

TODAY'S WEATHER

🥵 Clouds and sun, hot and humid with a heavy thunderstorm late in the afternoon; thunderstorms can bring flooding downpours, hail and damaging wind gusts. Highs in the low 90s.