AGP Executive Report

Navy Contracts: Electric Boat won a major Navy submarine package, with 18% of the work expected at its Quonset Point facility in Rhode Island—supporting jobs and long-term shipyard capacity. Marine Science: Atlantic Shark Institute tagged its first hammerhead shark off Rhode Island, adding to a busy season of sightings and raising questions about warming waters and prey movement. Housing Watch: North Kingstown officials are scrutinizing a Quonset Development Corporation workforce housing plan after town documents appear to conflict with the approved unit mix and counts. State Budget Pressure: RIPEC says Medicaid spending is projected to grow far faster than state revenues, even as enrollment declines—fueling calls for more transparency and spending controls. Energy Prices: Major oil companies are reporting big profits tied to U.S.-Iran tensions that have disrupted shipping and pushed fuel costs higher. Local Sports & Community: Bristol’s girls softball team is set for the Little League Softball World Series, and the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Eagle arrives in Newport for free public tours through Aug. 3.

Sports & Community: Caroline’s state championship senior league all-star softball team fell 11-6 to Rhode Island in the East Regional in Worcester, ending a comeback run after earlier losses to Delaware and Pennsylvania. Climate Debate: A new editorial argues Rhode Islanders should be skeptical of a Heartland Institute report that claims there’s “no crisis” in the state’s warming climate—pointing instead to real coastal risks. Public Health: Rhode Island confirmed new West Nile Virus detections in East Providence, North Providence, and Providence, raising statewide risk to high. Law Enforcement Tech: Rhode Island State Police will install 39 automatic license plate readers statewide under a Flock contract, while some towns have pushed back over privacy concerns. Local Culture: Warren artist Jason Sauer’s “The Navigator” sculpture is built from repurposed demolition derby car parts, tying local art to nautical and military themes. Safety Watch: Atlantic Shark Institute tagged a hammerhead off Block Island for the first time, adding to questions about warming waters and shark migration. Governance: Rhode Island’s inspector general hiring process is set to open applications Friday, with the new office tasked with probing fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in public spending.

Surveillance Backlash in South Kingstown: The Town Council voted unanimously to end its Flock Safety contract and remove the approved cameras after residents raised safety and privacy concerns, with the ACLU weighing in. Local Government Access: An ACLU of Rhode Island report finds several South County towns and school committees offer online viewing and posted materials, but remote participation still varies widely. Public Safety Infrastructure: Rhode Island State Police is preparing to move into a new Southern Public Safety Complex in West Greenwich, replacing older barracks buildings. Food, Education, and Community: Chariho FBLA received a $1,800 donation from Lickety Splits Ice Cream; Narragansett’s Mariners Integrated Preschool earned a five-star BrightStars accreditation; and the Blessing of the Fleet returned to Narragansett with state leaders and Miss America weekend guests. Sports Roundup: South Kingstown Post 39 advanced to the Legion state final; Narragansett won the Urwin Tournament (8U); and North Kingstown/Wickford’s 10s and 12s ended their state runs. Solar Expansion: SolSource’s Propel prepaid solar-and-battery financing is expanding into Rhode Island. Self-Checkout Rules: Rhode Island’s “three-for-one” checkout requirement for grocery stores kicks in next year, forcing more cashier lanes as kiosks proliferate.

Eminent Domain Fight: A federal judge struck down Johnston’s attempt to seize 31 acres for a public safety complex and town hall, saying the town didn’t follow constitutional requirements for just compensation and proper procedures. Public Safety & Infrastructure: Rhode Island State Police are set to move into a new $41.3 million southern barracks complex, replacing older sites in Wickford and Hope Valley. Economy Watch: Rhode Island’s unemployment rate rose to 4.5% in July, with weekly unemployment claims nearly doubling from June. Weather & Flooding: A heavy-rain system kept flash-flood risk in play across Southern New England, with Rhode Island and nearby areas under flood watch into the evening. Local Roads: RIDOT will repair a historic Route 108 stone wall in Peace Dale starting Aug. 5, with weekday lane closures and alternating traffic. Health & Environment: Attorney General Brown opposed an EPA rollback of PFAS limits in drinking water, arguing it would strip key protections. Community Sports: Bristol Girls Little League softball is headed to the Little League World Series, with a GoFundMe launched to help cover travel costs.

Offshore Wind & Fisheries: URI researchers are studying whether offshore wind turbines are changing Jonah crab movement and feeding behavior, using isotopic analysis to see if crabs migrate or live around turbine sites—important as Jonah crabs are increasingly vital to Rhode Island’s commercial fishing. Local Tech & Privacy: Tiverton approved buying four more Flock automated license plate reader cameras despite citizen outcry, with the deal set for town attorney review and a termination clause. Public Safety & Weather: A slow-moving storm is expected to bring heavy rain and flash-flood risk across Rhode Island and nearby states, with near-constant shower chances through the day. Courts & Accountability: A Rhode Island judge cleared former House Speaker Gordon Fox? Shekarchi to pursue the state Supreme Court seat, after ethics and eligibility challenges. Health & Legal Claims: St. Aloysius in Providence is named in dozens of new lawsuits filed after Rhode Island reopened expired child sexual abuse claims, alleging abuse by priests and staff. Business Watch: Pentair’s $1.4B plan to acquire Cranston’s Taco Group says Taco will keep a “significant presence” in Rhode Island, but doesn’t guarantee jobs. Cybersecurity: Chick-fil-A warned customers about a data breach affecting some Chick-fil-A One loyalty accounts, urging password and payment-method review.

Federal Courts & Local Impact: A U.S. district judge blocked Johnston’s 2025 eminent domain bid for 31 acres tied to a planned public safety complex, saying the town didn’t follow constitutional steps for just compensation. Public Safety Tech & Privacy: South Kingstown voted to end its contract with Flock Safety and asked for license-reader cameras to come down, citing privacy and misuse concerns. State Government & Elections: Rhode Island’s secretary of state requested a DMV audit tied to a New Jersey glitch that registered thousands of noncitizens to vote, to check whether anything similar happened in RI. Health & Environment: RIDOH and DEM lifted a Wilson Reservoir algae advisory in Burrillville, but kept a high-risk warning for Wenscott Reservoir in North Providence due to harmful algae. Infrastructure: RIDOT begins a three-month lane reduction on the Diamond Hill Road Bridge over I-295 in Cumberland starting Aug. 7 as part of a rapid replacement project. Education & Workforce: NSF announced CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service awards, including funding for URI, to train students for AI and cybersecurity careers. Community: Gov. McKee ordered flags lowered for former East Providence Mayor Dr. Isadore “Izzy” Ramos.

Courts & Ethics: A Rhode Island Superior Court judge ruled former House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi can pursue the state Supreme Court seat without waiting out the one-year “revolving door” ban, setting up Judicial Nominating Commission interviews today and putting Gov. Dan McKee on the clock if Shekarchi advances. Public Safety: Police say a 21-year-old woman was found dead and her 62-year-old mother was injured with “self-inflicted” lacerations in a Cranston apartment after a landlord reported a water leak; investigators say foul play isn’t confirmed and there’s no threat to public safety. State Politics: The U.S. Justice Department asked the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold a Trump order restricting vote-by-mail, teeing up a major fight involving 23 states ahead of the midterms. Local Business & Jobs: BayCoast Bank opened a new full-service Newport branch, expanding its Rhode Island footprint to seven locations. Community & Culture: Washington Trust will sponsor Providence’s free Rhode Island Philharmonic Summer Pops concert Aug. 5 at Roger Williams Park. Weather: Rhode Island is in for a warm, partly sunny day around 82°F with only a small chance of a brief shower.

Local Courts & Ethics: A Rhode Island judge cleared the way for former House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi to pursue a seat on the state Supreme Court, ruling his application doesn’t violate the revolving-door law—setting up interviews by the Judicial Nominating Commission. Charter Schools Fight: A Providence bilingual charter school sued in federal court after a new state moratorium blocked it from opening next fall, naming Gov. Dan McKee and other state leaders. Public Safety & Health: RIDOH issued a boil-water advisory for Stone Bridge Fire District customers in Tiverton after a water main break; the district is disinfecting and will submit a plan to address recurring pressure problems. Boating Enforcement: Portsmouth police say four arrests and 24 citations came from a multi-agency crackdown at Aquapalooza, targeting impaired and reckless watercraft operation. Community Planning: Richmond’s Planning Board held a public hearing on development plans for 4 Richmond Townhouse Road, with URI’s Regenerative Community Design Lab offering conceptual design support. State Politics & Federal Funding: AG Jay Jones joined a coalition suing over FEMA/DHS grant conditions that would require states to share voter data and cooperate with immigration enforcement. Sports: Barrington’s 12U All Star team improved to 2-0 in the state tournament after a 5-1 win, moving one step closer to regionals.

Housing & Cost of Living: Rhode Island’s home market picked up in June, with single-family prices hitting a monthly record $550,000 and sales up 14% year over year, but inventory stayed tight. Immigration & Higher Ed: DOJ sued Rhode Island over newly expanded in-state tuition and state aid for qualifying undocumented students—only days after lawmakers changed the law—leaving the exact number of affected students unclear. Public Health & Water: RIDOH is taking public comment on Smithfield’s updated Clean Water Infrastructure Replacement Plan, with a hearing only if enough requests come in. Healthcare Tech: Brown University Health rolled out Microsoft Dragon Copilot to 400+ clinicians and built 24 AI agents to support emergency care and operations. Local Safety: A box truck rollover on I-295 in South Portland (driver from Newport) blocked lanes after swerving to avoid deer; one lane reopened with delays expected. Elections Watch: Rhode Island voters are warned about phishing scams tied to voting information and DMV voter-registration systems. State Politics: After rent-control defeat, a Providence councilman’s political future is in play as a primary challenge heats up. Climate/Policy: A new report argues Democrats may benefit politically from talking more about climate change, not less.

Rhode Island Courts & Elections: The First Circuit upheld a block on Trump’s federal voter list and mail-in voting restrictions in 23 states plus D.C., keeping the injunction alive while appeals continue. Public Safety: Bourne police say a Providence SUV ran a red light before a rollover crash on Scenic Highway, sending multiple people to hospitals. Health & Community: The Rhode Island Blood Center issued an emergency call for donors as supplies fell below a two-day inventory, with hospitals entering peak summer trauma season. Environment & Wildlife: Biologists banded American oystercatchers at Trustom Pond to help the species rebound, after decades of hunting and egg collecting wiped them out in New England. Local Governance & Energy: Rhode Island lawmakers are weighing data center tax incentives against rules requiring operators to help pay for grid upgrades as AI-driven power demand accelerates. Legal System: A peer-reviewed study and national analysis say Rhode Island’s medical parole and geriatric pathway rarely lead to real-world releases, with nursing homes often refusing placements. Weather: A tranquil Monday is expected before unsettled conditions move in midweek with the best rain chances Tuesday night into Wednesday night.

Offshore Wind & Heat Resilience: New England’s offshore wind helped cut reliance on oil-burning “peaker” plants during the July 2, 2026 heat peak, lowering oil’s share of power supply versus last year. Cannabis Licensing Fight in Cranston: A proposed first adult-use retail shop at 1112 Reservoir Ave. is now at the center of a political fight after investors say the state reset social-equity rules and never issued a license. Federal Courts & Immigration: A First Circuit ruling keeps an injunction blocking parts of Trump’s election-integrity order in 23 states, while separate federal decisions target in-state tuition and benefits for illegal immigrants. Public Health Watch: Rhode Island is among states reporting no link yet in a widening cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to recalled shredded iceberg lettuce. Local Crime: Pawtucket police served a warrant tied to a Providence investigation, seizing drugs and firearms and charging two men. Sports & Community: Boston Legacy FC beat Kansas City Current 1-0 in Pawtucket; Rhode Island weather stays sunny and dry; and Rhode Island’s Potter League is among groups behind Patriots-area dog adoptions.

Conservation Win on RI Beaches: American oystercatchers are rebounding in Rhode Island after decades of decline, with researchers banding chicks at Trustom Pond to boost survival and protect key nesting habitat. Sports—Local Spotlight: Pawtucket’s Boston Legacy FC beat Kansas City Current 1-0 thanks to Aïssata Traoré’s 18th-minute goal, a boost ahead of her trip with Mali for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Public Safety: Pawtucket police, with Providence and a violent fugitive task force, served a warrant and seized ghost-gun-linked firearms plus cocaine, fentanyl, and meth, arresting two men. Health Watch: Rhode Island Blood Center and Connecticut declared a blood emergency as inventories fell below a two-day level during peak summer trauma season. Community & Memory: Families and city partners in Lawrence, Kansas prepared historic markers honoring Rick “Tiger” Dowdell and Nick Rice, killed by police in 1970, as the 56th anniversary drew crowds and renewed calls to confront racism. Legal/Politics: A First Circuit panel refused to lift an injunction blocking parts of Trump’s election-integrity executive order in 23 states and D.C., keeping limits on DHS citizenship lists and USPS mail-ballot changes.

Federal Courts & Public Safety Funding: A coalition of 25 states plus D.C., including Rhode Island, sued in federal court over Trump administration conditions tying FEMA and DHS disaster/counterterrorism money to election and immigration requirements, arguing the terms exceed authority and violate the spending clause. Statehouse Protections: Gov. Dan McKee ceremonially signed bills expanding Rhode Island’s safeguards for constitutional rights and immigrant communities, including a state right to sue federal officers who violate rights, plus new disability-access license plates. Elections & Trust: Rhode Island Republicans are pushing for an audit of voter rolls after a New Jersey DMV-related mistake allowed noncitizens to register and vote; Sec. of State Gregg Amore says Rhode Island wasn’t affected. Health Alert: Rhode Island health officials say they’ve found no link between local cyclosporiasis cases and a multistate outbreak tied to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell. Local Crime: Three former Providence postal employees pleaded guilty in a mail-theft scheme at the city’s processing center. Community & Culture: newportFILM and the Newport Jazz Festival will premiere a documentary on pioneering photographer John Shearer at Rough Point.

Statehouse Disability & Rights Package: Gov. Dan McKee ceremonially signed new Rhode Island laws creating special disability-access license plates and a state-level right to sue federal officers who violate constitutional rights, plus added protections around courthouse arrests and polling-place access for ICE. Election Security: The Rhode Island Department of State warned voters about a phishing email (“2026 Vote RI Gov Information Verification”) using a fake admin@vote.sos.ri.gov address—official updates only happen at vote.ri.gov. Health Care Access: A new RI law lets pharmacists perform simple screenings like A1c and cholesterol tests, expanding collaborative practice arrangements. Public Safety & Crime: Three former USPS employees pleaded guilty in a Providence mail-theft scheme, with prosecutors saying they stole cash, checks, and gift cards from the mail processing center. Cannabis Licensing Restart: Regulators are preparing refunds for 75 prospective cannabis retailers after a court halt, as the licensing process resets. Local Business & Community: Narrow River Kayaks in Narragansett was acquired by The Kayak Centre of Rhode Island, keeping operations locally while expanding tours. Public Health Watch: Local grocery stores are double-checking lettuce recalls amid a cyclosporiasis outbreak, urging customers to wash produce.

Federal Courts vs. Trump Disaster Funding: Rhode Island is at the center of a new multistate lawsuit filed in federal court in Providence, challenging DHS/FEMA rules that would tie billions in disaster and counterterrorism grants to election administration and immigration enforcement demands. Energy Costs in Focus: Gov. Dan McKee signed an executive order directing $28 million in emergency winter electric bill credits for Rhode Island households, while questions remain about how the plan will work alongside Rhode Island Energy’s proposed rate increase. Housing Affordability: A new report says Rhode Island renters need to earn $31.71 an hour to afford a typical two-bedroom apartment—far above the state’s $16 minimum wage. Public Health Watch: Rhode Island reported 10 cyclosporiasis cases statewide, with none in Washington County, as outbreaks continue nationally. Climate Policy Fight: Michigan AG Dana Nessel joined a coalition challenging an EPA rollback that would weaken deadlines for phasing down highly potent HFC greenhouse gases. Local Community News: The Ocean Community YMCA’s Camp Watchaug received a new boat donation to expand waterfront programming for kids.

Energy Relief & Winter Rates: Gov. Dan McKee signed an executive order directing $28 million in emergency relief to help Rhode Island households absorb a double-digit winter electricity price spike. Rail Safety: At the Pawtucket/Central Falls station, McKee ceremonially signed “commonsense” freight train safety bills requiring at least two crew members on freight trains. Courts & Federal Funding: Rhode Island AG Peter Neronha is part of a multistate lawsuit arguing the Trump administration is unlawfully withholding disaster and counterterrorism grants unless states change election practices and cooperate on immigration. Cannabis Licensing: A federal judge signaled she may undo a prior ruling that blocked Rhode Island’s social equity and adult-use cannabis licensing program. Public Safety Health: Pawtucket is rolling out a Mobile Integrated Health Program next month, sending EMS/fire for check-ins to reduce repeat 911 calls. Cybersecurity: Chick-fil-A says a loyalty-account data breach may have exposed customer information, including in Rhode Island—customers are urged to update passwords and monitor accounts. Community & Youth: The Ocean Community YMCA’s Camp Watchaug is getting a new motor-powered boat donated through the Watch Hill Yacht Club Sailing Association and an anonymous donor. Blood Shortage: Rhode Island Blood Center declared a blood emergency and is calling for donors as summer inventories run low. Local Sports: North Kingstown/Wickford Little League’s 12-year-olds won a district title after a dramatic run, and the Ocean State Waves’ Cooper Maher is set for a Duke transfer after a strong summer.