Good morning, Providence.

The New England Patriots gave away free bookbags and school supplies to Rhode Island kids from the Northern Rhode Island Boys and Girls Club after a recent practice; young fans met players, took pictures, and got autographs.

Drivers crossing Mount Hope Bridge face delays today as crews work on dehumidification and repairs with alternating lane closures scheduled Monday through Friday; residents should expect extra travel time during the next four Sundays — officials say maintenance is essential to keep the 100-year-old bridge safe.

Button Hole celebrated 25 years — dedicating a learning center named for founder Ed Mauro — as golf legends Brad Faxon and Billy Andrade joined festivities that marked over 25,000 participants since its 2001 opening.

On Aug. 12, residents will enjoy a rare celestial display with a planetary alignment before sunrise, a partial solar eclipse at 11:34 a.m. ET, and the Perseid meteor shower peaking after dark (a new moon keeps skies extra dark).

Providence’s Hope Street restaurant scene is shifting as Little Sister will close before year's end and Ran Zan closed after a 28-year run, while House of Chicken & Waffles opened a brick-and-mortar spot at 105 Plainfield St. last week and Tizzy K’s expanded to 45 Newport Ave. in East Providence.

Emme, a new tech startup founded by Erynn Petersen, is helping Rhode Islanders save about $5,000 each year on health care costs using technology-driven solutions.

Bad News on the Doorstep will premiere at 7 p.m. at Apple Cinemas in Providence Place on Saturday, Aug.

8 at the RI International Film Festival — the film featuring Vincent Pastore’s final performance with Rob Gronkowski and Sistine Stallone is East Greenwich’s latest release from Verdi Productions.

Yesterday, the free Summer Pops concert by the Rhode Island Philharmonic took place at Roger Williams Park, with Troy Quinn leading the 69-piece orchestra — guests enjoyed overtures from Broadway, film, and classical favorites while food trucks were on site at the Temple to Music.

Brown University researchers on Aug.

3 found that pupils dilate with surprising stimuli, showing that the brain rapidly resets (a sign that arousal helps adjust learning) as experiments with colored squares and EEG measured responses from 63 participants.

Providence Public School District has 30 open teacher positions in 37 schools before the new school year as it returns to local control — a change from state oversight in 2019 — and will actively recruit for specialized subjects such as math, science and support for differently-abled students.

Save The Bay, a nonprofit founded in 1970, works to protect Narragansett Bay through advocacy, education, and habitat restoration.

It welcomed over 75,000 guests yearly at its Hamilton Family Aquarium and will soon celebrate its 50th Save The Bay Swim + boost volunteer efforts.

Richard Hatch, known for Survivor and from Newport, is contesting a Providence ruling that lets feds collect over $3.3 million in taxes, interest and penalties as part of his decades-long tax battle while promoting his new book.

Local orchards are offering fresh peaches this summer.

Sweet Berry Farm, Steere Orchard, Narrow Lane Orchard, Sunset Orchard Farm and Ward's Berry Farm let visitors buy or pick peaches, with most sites starting peach picking in August and sales lasting through early September.