The latest on the death of former Providence Mayor Vincent "Buddy" Cianci Jr., who dominated Rhode Island politics for parts of four decades before serving time for corruption (all times local):
11:20 a.m.
Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff to honor the memory of former Mayor Vincent "Buddy" Cianci, who has died.
Elorza says in a statement Thursday that Cianci's love for the city is undeniable, and his mark on the city will not be forgotten.
The Democratic mayor also says the city is making arrangements to recognize his memory.
Cianci was the city's longest-serving mayor. He was elected to six terms and served 21 years in office, twice being forced out due to criminal activity.
Elorza defeated Cianci in the mayor's race in 2014. Cianci received 45 percent of the vote in his comeback bid for mayor.
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11:00 a.m.
Former Boston Mayor Ray Flynn says he'll miss his longtime friend, Buddy Cianci, the former mayor of Providence who has died.
Flynn says he spoke with Cianci recently about family, politics and Providence College basketball.
Flynn says he was proud to stand with Cianci during the good times and the rough days as well.
Flynn says Cianci will be deeply missed.
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11:00 a.m.
A spokesman for Miriam Hospital confirms that former Mayor Buddy Cianci died at the hospital at 9:40 a.m. Thursday.
David Levesque says Cianci was in critical condition when he arrived at the hospital, but said he could not release the cause.
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10:45 a.m.
The former Providence mayor who dominated Rhode Island politics for parts of four decades before serving time for corruption has died. Vincent "Buddy" Cianci Jr., was 74.
Cianci's employer, WLNE-TV, and a friend, Artin Coloian, both confirmed his death. Coloian said he died Thursday morning.
Cianci presided over the resurrection of Providence from a decaying, Industrial-age relic to a 21st-century city with gondolas plying newly uncovered rivers.
His bare-fisted style of politics made Cianci larger than life even in a tiny state known for the outsized personalities of its public figures.
Cianci was forced from office twice, first in 1984, when he pleaded no contest to assaulting a man with a fireplace log.
His second administration ended in 2002 with a federal prison term for racketeering conspiracy.
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9:20 a.m.
Former Providence Mayor Buddy Cianci has been hospitalized after experiencing severe stomach pains while taping his weekly TV show.
WLNE-TV reports that the 74-year-old Cianci was taping "On the Record with Buddy Cianci" on Wednesday evening when he became ill. He was taken by ambulance to Miriam Hospital.
A hospital spokeswoman said Thursday morning that Cianci's condition was unavailable.
Cianci was diagnosed with cancer in 2014 and underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments. In November, during his portrait unveiling at City Hall, Cianci felt woozy and left in an ambulance. He was released from the hospital almost immediately.
Cianci was the longest serving mayor in city history. He was forced from office twice due to felonies and went to prison for corruption. He ran unsuccessfully for another term in 2014.
