AGP Executive Report

Local Politics & Policy: Rhode Island is preparing for a $26 million boost in tax collections from delinquent payments tied to the state’s first tax amnesty program in a decade, though critics question whether the biggest scofflaws will actually comply. Health Care Watch: Brown Health’s reported losses tied to two struggling Massachusetts hospitals are raising concerns about what that could mean for Rhode Island services, with Rep. Lauren H. Carson pushing for clearer answers. Economy & Business: Rhode Island leaders are also watching how cross-border costs and financial pressures could affect local operations, even as officials insist RI decisions are separate. Community & Culture: URI is in the spotlight with a new ocean robotics lab ribbon-cutting, adding to the state’s research and innovation push. Independence Day Rhode Island: Bristol is leaning into its claim as the “most patriotic town” with a long-running July 4 parade tradition, while shoppers are checking holiday hours at local grocery chains like Stop & Shop, Shaw’s, and ALDI. National Spotlight (with RI ties): Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce donated $26 million to 20 charities ahead of their reported Madison Square Garden wedding, including the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.

Local Politics: A Rhode Island Republican congressional candidate tied to the Jan. 6 march has registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act as a Cuba-linked foreign agent, with filings naming contacts tied to Raúl Castro’s grandson. Environmental/Local Governance: Former state senator James Sheehan says he’s running for the District 31 seat to “stop the sludge,” citing opposition to a suspended Quonset Development Corporation pyrolysis plan. Education & Innovation: URI opened its new Ocean Robotics Laboratory at the Narragansett Bay Campus, featuring a large indoor testing tank and backing tied to major campus modernization. Homelessness Funding: A federal judge ruled against HUD’s “rapid, untimely overhaul” of homeless funding rules, criticizing the agency’s decision-making. Public Health: The FDA classified a nationwide recall of more than half a million bags of Zapp’s and Dirty potato chips as highest risk over possible Salmonella contamination. Charity & Rhode Island: Ahead of a rumored Madison Square Garden wedding, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce donated $26 million to 20 charities, including a $1 million gift to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. History: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency identified a Rhode Island WWII pilot missing for nearly 82 years.

World Cup in Providence: With Boston’s FIFA fan festival shutting down after the group stage, Providence’s PVD Fan Zone at Station Park has become New England’s main World Cup hub, drawing more than 70,000 visitors and keeping the FIFA-sanctioned party going. State Law & Retail Theft: Rhode Island became the first state to require staffing at supermarket self-checkout lanes, mandating at least one employee per three kiosks starting Jan. 1, 2027, with limits on other duties during peak hours. Housing & Homeownership: Gov. Dan McKee and housing officials announced $7.5 million for entry-level homeownership through the Housing 2030 program, including Westerly’s Habitat for Humanity project and homes priced under $400,000. Legal Fight Over Immigration Benefits: USCIS faced backlash in a Rhode Island federal court filing after it described Nigeria’s civil documentation system as unreliable, prompting an “adjudicative hold” on certain immigration applications. DOJ Action Hits Online Marketplace: The DOJ said it reached a $600 million resolution with Alibaba over alleged illegal pharmaceutical sales and imports via its platform, with the investigation led in part by Rhode Island prosecutors. Local Politics: Former state senator James Sheehan says he’s running for District 31 after Rep. Julie Casimiro announced retirement, centering his campaign on opposition to a proposed pyrolysis facility tied to the Quonset Development Corporation.

Housing & Homelessness: A Rhode Island federal judge ruled HUD violated federal law in its 2025 Continuum of Care funding changes, vacating the notices and restoring the prior framework—an important win for housing providers and services. Gun Laws: Rhode Island’s new assault weapons ban took effect, with reports of long lines at a Warwick gun store ahead of the deadline; the law bars new sales and transfers while allowing existing owners to keep firearms. State Policy & Courts: Rhode Island leaders marked the $11.1M Roger Wheeler State Beach boardwalk and bulkhead upgrades, while another case raised questions about a judge’s handling of a “revolving door” ethics dispute. Local Business & Economy: Kroger’s planned purchase of Giant Eagle could reshape grocery options for shoppers in the region. Community & Culture: Providence Place’s RI Small Business Village is set to spotlight local vendors for summer visitors. Sports: Boston Legacy FC added Deja Davis and Lilly Reale to strengthen its back line for the NWSL season.

Second-Home Tax: Rhode Island’s new annual property tax on second homes kicks in Wednesday, charging $5 per $1,000 of assessed value over $1 million—an estimated extra $136,000 for Taylor Swift’s Watch Hill mansion, while many long-time coastal families brace for higher bills. Local Housing & Jobs: Gov. Dan McKee announced $7.5 million for entry-level homeownership and an additional $8 million in incentives, including $6.2 million in tax credits for Raytheon’s Portsmouth expansion. Health Care Access: URI trustees approved the next phase of a public medical school, aiming to address physician shortages and expand care statewide. Energy Help for Residents: United Way extended its Good Neighbor Energy Fund utility-assistance deadline to July 30 after a sharp jump in 211 calls for help. Extreme Heat Shelter: Crossroads Rhode Island will open a temporary cooling center for people experiencing homelessness when heat index hits 89+. Historic Preservation: Preserve Rhode Island awarded about $105,000 in matching grants to 13 nonprofits for repairs to historic sites. Roads & Safety: Warren DPW faced renewed scrutiny over potholes and paving timelines after residents raised concerns. Truck Tolls: Rhode Island’s first truck toll gantries began operating on I-95, drawing opposition from a major political challenger. Lottery: Rhode Island Lottery sales rose to $26.7 million in May. Sports: Cumberland’s Max Jackson is off to a strong start at the Rhode Island Open ahead of next week’s R.I. Amateur. Public History: A Rhode Island reenactor highlighted how Black and Indigenous soldiers in the First Rhode Island Regiment fought for freedom—often at great personal cost.

Roger Wheeler Beach Upgrade: Gov. Dan McKee and federal and local leaders celebrated an $11.1M boardwalk and bulkhead project at Roger Wheeler State Beach in Narragansett, adding 1,200 feet of boardwalk, ADA ramps, shade structures and foot-washing stations, plus a new retaining wall and a relocated water main to boost climate resilience. Tragic Crash in Pawtucket: A driving lesson ended in disaster when a car plunged into the Seekonk River, killing a 45-year-old woman, a 22-year-old woman and a 2-year-old girl; investigators say the vehicle was recovered after hours underwater. Medicaid Work Requirements Fight: Rhode Island and other Democratic-led states are suing the Trump administration over Medicaid work rules, arguing new federal guidance narrows the “medically frail” exemption too much and could cut off care for ill and disabled residents. Housing First Court Win: A Rhode Island federal judge blocked parts of HUD’s 2025 Housing First restrictions, saying the changes violated federal law by failing to properly consider consequences for homelessness programs. Brown Health Provider Loss: Brown University Health is ending its Medicare Advantage contract with UnitedHealthcare, leaving about 1,900 seniors and disabled residents facing out-of-pocket costs or provider changes. Pot Shop Licensing Reset: Rhode Island is moving to lift a court order blocking new recreational pot shop licenses after the residency requirement was rejected, restarting the licensing path under updated rules. Self-Checkout Law: Rhode Island enacted a self-checkout staffing requirement, forcing stores to keep enough attended lanes open and comply with ADA needs. Business Incentives: The McKee administration announced $8M in business incentives, including $6.2M in tax credits for Raytheon’s Portsmouth expansion tied to 150 new jobs.

DOJ vs. Rhode Island tuition policy: The U.S. Department of Justice sued Rhode Island (and Massachusetts) to block in-state tuition and financial aid for undocumented students, arguing the benefits unlawfully discriminate against U.S. citizens and conflict with federal law. Medicaid work requirement fight: A coalition of Democratic-led states, including Rhode Island, sued the Trump administration to stop new Medicaid “medically frail” limits tied to work requirements, saying the rule is too narrow and could strip coverage from ill and disabled people. Rhode Island pot licensing restart: After Rhode Island removed a residency ownership requirement for recreational pot shops, the Cannabis Control Commission asked a federal judge to undo an injunction that paused its first license applications. Local tragedy: A car plunged into the Seekonk River during a driving lesson, killing a mother, her 19-year-old daughter, and the daughter’s 2-year-old child. Housing finance: Washington Trust said it expects to help finance 37 home purchases this year using federal grant programs and Rhode Island’s AnchorHome mortgages. Community & business: Bank of America expanded “Museums on Us” to Rhode Island institutions for July 4 weekend, and Centreville Bank’s foundation awarded a record $67,500 in scholarships across RI and CT.

Medicaid Fight: Rhode Island is among states suing the Trump administration to block new Medicaid work requirements, arguing the rules would wrongly tighten “medically frail” exemptions and cut coverage for vulnerable patients. Immigration & Education: The U.S. Department of Justice filed complaints against Rhode Island and Massachusetts over in-state tuition and financial aid for undocumented students, seeking to halt enforcement. Cannabis Licensing: After Rhode Island removed the residency requirement for pot shop owners, the Cannabis Control Commission asked a federal judge to undo an order blocking the first license round. Elections & Ethics: A state ethics ruling says a Secretary of State employee seeking a Middletown Town Council seat isn’t barred by conflict-of-interest rules. Transportation: RIDOT picked a contractor to restart Rhode Island’s truck tolls, with the system expected to be online no later than May 2027. Science & Jobs: URI opened its Ocean Robotics Laboratory at the Narragansett Bay Campus, part of a major campus revitalization.

Truck Tolls Update: RIDOT has picked Quarterhill to build the back-office system for Rhode Island’s long-stalled tractor-trailer tolls, with a target of no later than May 2027 (possibly later, after certification). Consumer Protection: Rhode Island drivers may get refunds under a $1.35 million settlement after officials accused UPP Global of deceptive parking fees and ticket notices that implied penalties. Privacy Law: Gov. Dan McKee signed Rhode Island’s Genetic Information Privacy Act, requiring explicit consent and safeguards for consumer genetic data. State Politics/Ethics: An ethics complaint alleges Senate President Valarie Lawson used her office to advance a teachers union agenda, including votes tied to charter schools and employer neutrality. Business & Community: Providence Business News named 24 honorees for its 2026 Leaders & Achievers awards, spanning manufacturing, health care, finance, legal, and nonprofits. Local Life: Volunteers removed invasive water chestnuts from Lake Quinsigamond, hauling plants for composting. America 250 Fallout: Rhode Island is among several Democrat-led states skipping the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, citing cost and staffing.

Parking Refunds: Rhode Island drivers who paid “sales tax” labeled fees on UPP Global lots in Providence, Newport, and East Greenwich from Oct. 1, 2019 to Aug. 31, 2024 could get money back under a $1.35 million settlement after the AG alleged deceptive, too-official ticket notices. Ethics in the Statehouse: A complaint alleges Senate President Valarie Lawson used her Senate role to advance her teachers union agenda, including votes tied to charter school limits and employer neutrality. America 250 Politics: Rhode Island declined to participate in the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, leaving its booth dark and unstaffed, while the broader event drew controversy over which states showed up and why. Brown Integrity: A Brown professor says AI cheating on a math economics exam involved at least 50 students, calling academic integrity “at risk.” Newport Bermuda Race: The Spirit of Bermuda finished the 2026 Newport Bermuda Race after lightning-damage repairs to its carbon-fiber mainmast.

Great American State Fair Fallout: Rhode Island’s assigned booth at Trump’s Great American State Fair on the National Mall sat dark and locked, with officials citing “financial and staffing limitations” while critics question why no smaller, partner-led presence was arranged. Housing Safety Debate: States are loosening building code rules to cut construction costs, including changes that could allow some low-rise apartments to use fewer stairs, but safety experts warn these standards were shaped by past tragedies. AI Academic Integrity in RI: Brown University faculty say AI-facilitated cheating is driving a major academic integrity crisis, with one professor alleging widespread misconduct on a math economics midterm. Public Health Watch: A tick-borne virus tied to a 1958 Ontario death is surging in New England, with researchers linking the rise to deer ticks and warning that cases can be hard to diagnose. Education Politics: Rhode Island is part of a wider national fight as Democrats and teachers unions push back on school choice, arguing it harms public education while supporters say it expands opportunity. Local Community & Services: College Visions is expanding its Summer Prep program to CCRI’s Newport campus, aiming to boost college readiness for first-generation, low-income students.

Local Education & Youth Support: College Visions is expanding its Summer Prep program to CCRI’s Newport County Campus, with a five-week, July 7–Aug. 6 program for 25 rising ninth- through 12th-graders focused on college visits, career exploration, interview skills, and essay help. Community & Public Safety: Providence Mayor Brett Smiley condemned a Rhode Island Pride parade float that depicted him as a puppet in front of a bloody steamroller, saying it crosses a line by portraying violence against an individual. Block Island Updates: A new CoastSnap shoreline station is now live at Crescent Beach, letting residents and visitors upload photos to track erosion and storm-driven change, and the town council approved zoning changes to allow veterinary services via trailers. Health & Care: Rhode Island Community Food Bank is highlighting rising summer demand as kids lose access to school meals, pointing families to local pantry resources. Crime & Courts: A Pawtucket man, Michael Fernandes, was sentenced to life in prison for murdering his ex-girlfriend, Jocelyn DoCouto, outside her hair salon. State Politics: In Senate District 38, Sen. Victoria Gu filed for reelection and is set to face Westin J. Place again.

Education & Opportunity: College Visions is bringing its five-week Summer Prep program to CCRI’s Newport County campus, with 25 first-gen, low-income students getting college visits, interview skills, and hands-on help drafting essays. Local Health & Care: URI trustees authorized the next phase of building a public medical school, aiming to tackle Rhode Island’s physician and primary-care shortages. Public Safety & Justice: A Pawtucket man was sentenced to life in prison for murdering his ex-girlfriend outside her hair salon. Community & Animals: Ark-Valley Humane Society highlighted its enhanced cat enrichment program to support cats’ mental and emotional well-being while they wait for homes. Politics & Rights: The Trump administration is backing away from addressing civil rights for Black students, a shift civil rights lawyers call a reversal of how federal law has worked. Food Security: Rhode Island Community Food Bank is stepping up summer support as school meals end. Sports: Former PGA Tour broadcaster Brad Faxon praised 17-year-old Rhode Island amateur Miles Russell after his U.S. Open performance.

Rhode Island Grocery Staffing Rule: Rhode Island became the first state to require a staffing ratio at supermarkets that use self-checkout—one staffed register for every three kiosks, plus accessibility coverage and limits on other duties for the staff who monitor them. Block Island Vet Access: New Shoreham’s council approved zoning changes that allow veterinary services on the island via trailer use, clearing the way for more regular care beyond limited weekly visits. CoastSnap on Block Island: URI and Rhode Island Sea Grant installed the island’s first CoastSnap station at Crescent Beach so residents can upload shoreline photos over time to track erosion and storm impacts. URI Ocean Robotics Lab: URI marked a milestone in its Narragansett Bay Campus rebuild with a ribbon cutting for the new Ocean Robotics Laboratory, including underwater testing with a remotely operated vehicle. Care New England Leadership: Care New England CEO Dr. Michael Wagner announced he’ll step down from the top role in 2027, shifting to board chair as the system navigates recent budget pressures. Workforce/AI Push: A new $500M-backed nonprofit, RAISE US, is rolling out AI workforce transition efforts with state and employer partners. SNAP Funding Fight: Federal courts forced changes to Trump administration plans, and the government says it will partially fund SNAP for November after payment delays. Retirement Warning: A new report finds retirees in 41 states may outlive savings, with an average $109,000 shortfall at age 65.

AI Workforce Push: Former Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb and Rhode Island’s Gina Raimondo launched “RAISE US,” a nonprofit backed by major tech and employers, pledging $500M+ to train and help workers transition as AI reshapes jobs. Local Labor: T.F. Green airport concession workers in Rhode Island walked off the job for a day, citing stalled contract talks and low wages. World Cup in Rhode Island: Ghana’s Black Stars arrived in Philadelphia after training in Providence, with government officials and businessman Ibrahim Mahama boosting morale ahead of Saturday’s must-win vs. Croatia. Environment & Energy: Gov. Dan McKee vetoed Rhode Island bills that would have required large building owners to track emissions, leaving the state with fewer tools to meet climate goals. Community & Food Systems: Warren restarted its oyster cultivation effort, seeding more than 100,000 spat in a municipal upweller with RWU support. Public Media: Ocean State Media editorial staff voted to unionize with SAG-AFTRA, setting up bargaining for Rhode Island’s NPR/PBS newsroom.

Airport Labor: More than 70 food and beverage workers at T.F. Green walked off the job Thursday in a one-day strike over stalled contract talks with Grove Bay Concessions, with Unite Here Local 26 saying employees have been without a contract since Aug. 1, 2025, and raises for nearly two years. Climate Policy: Gov. Dan McKee vetoed bills that would have required large building owners to track and report emissions, arguing the measure creates an unfunded mandate and burdens without support—leaving Rhode Island with fewer tools to meet its decarbonization goals. AI Workforce Push: Former Gov. Gina Raimondo and former Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb launched RAISE US, a nonprofit backed by more than $500 million, to help states and employers retrain workers for an AI-driven economy. Local Politics: Providence, Warwick, Cranston and Woonsocket Democratic committees added endorsements for Helena Buonanno Foulkes in the 2026 gubernatorial primary, boosting her tally to 12 local committee endorsements. World Cup in RI: Ghana’s Black Stars held a recovery session in Rhode Island before departing for Philadelphia ahead of a decisive Group L match against Croatia.