Cannabis Licensing: Rhode Island lawmakers are moving to lift a residency requirement that has kept retail cannabis licenses on hold, with House passage of a bill undoing the rule and restarting the Cannabis Control Commission’s application process. Charter Schools: The House Education Committee advanced legislation to impose a three-year moratorium on new charter schools, which would also reduce the statewide cap, as the measure heads toward full House votes. Sex Abuse Claims: The R.I. House passed a bill allowing expired civil claims for childhood sexual abuse, a long-sought change expected to reach the governor soon. Grocery Access: A bill banning restrictive covenants that block grocery stores is headed to Gov. Dan McKee’s desk, aiming to boost fresh-food options. Stormwater Funding: The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank awarded $1.09M for stormwater and flood mitigation design work across 10 communities. Business & Finance: Beacon Bank was named one of America’s Best Regional Banks for 2026 by Newsweek. Education & Research: URI appointed Pamela Swett dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, while URI students earned Boren Scholarships for study in Taiwan and a URI graduate student will present nutrition research at a major conference. Public Safety/Community: A Pulitzer Prize-winning Brown historian, Gordon S. Wood, died at 92 after being struck by a car in an East Providence supermarket parking lot.