PROVIDENCE, R.I. A staffer for Rhode Island's governor gets paid to be calm in a crisis, at least until a rat crosses her path.

An exterminator inspected the Statehouse on Monday after several employees reported seeing rodents last week. Among them was Sue Stenhouse, the governor's director of community relations and emergency preparedness.

She says a large rat ran across her office floor. She said she jumped on her chair, shot rubber bands at it and threatened it with perfume until it left.

Another rodent was spotted that day outside the office of Senate president M. Teresa Paiva-Weed.

-- The Associated Press