Kerrie Bennett, U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy's press secretary, is leaving the congressman's staff to take a public affairs position at the Rhode Island Foundation. Bennett worked for Kennedy during  a tumultuous period, which included the congressman's trip to rehab and the death of his father, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy.

Rhode Island Senate president Teresa Paive Weed would bring many assets to a race for 1st District Congress: a Newport, Aquidneck Island base, a strong electoral record and a proven legislative resume.

With the political world's eyes focused on the special U.S. Senate election in Massachusetts Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy is accompanying President Obama to Boston today to campaign for Democrat Martha Coakley.

HOST INTRO: There has been a mixed response from liberals to President Obama's decision to send more troops to Afghanistan. Two cases in point -- Rhode Island's two Democratic congressmen, James Langevin and Patrick Kennedy, who are staunch supporters of Obama on almost every issue --except Afghanistan. WRNI's Scott MacKay explains why the reluctance of Rhode Island's representatives could spell trouble for president's troop build up.

Sen. Jack Reed and Terry and Suzanne Murray are hosting a cocktail reception for Rep. Patrick Kennedy's reelection campaign. The event is scheduled for Sunday, December 5 at the Murray's home on Providence's East Side. Murray, of course, is a retired banker who once headed Fleet Financial and Bank of America. Contributions begin at $500 for an individual, $1,000 for a supporter and $2,400 for a host.

INTRO: The very public disagreement about health care reform and abortion between Rhode Island Congressman Patrick Kennedy and Bishop Thomas Tobin remains unresolved. Kennedy and Tobin had scheduled a meeting last week to discuss their differences, but Kennedy pulled out, saying he didn't want to air the disagreement publicly.

During his nearly 50 years in the U.S. Senate, the late Ted Kennedy's defining passion was extending health care to Americans who lacked it.

The meeting to discuss health care and abortion issues between Congressman Patrick Kennedy and  Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas Tobin has been postponed, the Bishop's spokesman, Mike Guilfoyle, has confirmed.

The Rev. Thomas Tobin, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, has requested a meeting with Rep. Patrick Kennedy to discuss Kennedy's criticism of Tobin last week over the issue of national health care.

Kennedy criticized the church hierarchy for objecting to any national health care reform that would allow  funding of abortions. Under current law, no taxpayer money can be used to finance abortions.

INTRO: The late Ted Kennedy’s revealing memoir, True Compass, touches on Rhode Island politics and even a local prep school. WRNI political analyst Scott MacKay discovers that Kennedy ties to Rhode Island went way beyond his son, Congressman Patrick Kennedy.

The death of Sen. Ted Kennedy means that for the first time in nearly 47 years, the Senate seat he held will change hands.

The interim successor is likely to be Paul G. Kirk Jr., of Marstons Mills, Mass. one of Ted Kennedy's closest advisers and a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee.