Paiva Weed picked to lead Senate again

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Rhode Island Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed has received the endorsement of fellow Democrats to continue in her post as leader of the Senate.

Paiva Weed , who represents Newport, became the first woman to lead the Senate when she was chosen last year.

Democratic senators chose Dominick J. Ruggerio of North Providence to be the majority leader. He works for a division of the Laborers' International Union.

He succeeds Daniel Connors, who did not run for re-election.

Their selections must still be confirmed by an official vote when the General Assembly goes back into session on Jan. 4.