AGP Executive Report

Onshore wind legal fight: Rhode Island AG Nick Brown joined a coalition of 19 attorneys general asking a court to undo the Pentagon’s August 2025 freeze on routine reviews for land-based wind projects, arguing it violates federal law and is driving up costs and delaying clean-energy development. Offshore wind pressure: California also sent a notice of intent to sue the Interior Department over offshore wind lease buyouts, alleging unlawful reallocation of federal funds to pay a developer to abandon a lease. Seafood modernization: The NSF Seafood Engine in New England won $15 million to modernize fisheries and aquaculture across Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, using sensors and advanced research to improve sustainability and strengthen the regional industry. Bridge work in RI: RIDOT scheduled major overnight traffic shifts on I-295 in Cumberland and Smithfield as it replaces two bridges, with nightly lane closures and full completion targeted for spring 2027. Food affordability in RI: The state budget extends the “Eat Well, Be Well” SNAP fruit and veggie discount pilot for about another year, adding $4.1 million. RI jobs update: Rhode Island added 300 jobs in June; unemployment fell to 4.1%. Local business spotlight: Providence Place’s new RI Small Business Village launched with dozens of Rhode Island makers through Aug. 30. Banking tech push: Citizens Bank says its “Reimagine the Bank” initiative is already boosting engineering productivity, including AI tools in customer service. Construction/industry moves: Timberline Construction hired Matthew Dempsey as project executive; Warren council backed a repaving bid from Pawtucket Hot Mix Asphalt.

Labor & Pay Transparency: A proposed bill would require employers to include salary or salary ranges in job postings, aiming to cut down on “blind” hiring and late salary surprises. Coastal Power Reliability: Rhode Island Energy says a repaired submarine cable restored full service to Jamestown after 38 days, with backup systems preventing outages during the work. Health Care Supply: The Rhode Island Blood Center declared an emergency as supply fell below a two-day level, urging eligible donors to give now. Maritime & Local Industry: The NSF awarded $15 million to the New England “Seafood Engine,” led by NERACOOS, to strengthen fisheries and aquaculture across Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Construction & Commercial Real Estate: Horvath & Tremblay completed the $8.5 million sale of Newport Center in East Providence, a fully leased retail plaza along Newport Ave. Energy Policy & Jobs: Rhode Island lawmakers signed AI-focused measures, including rules for AI “companion” models to handle self-harm disclosures. Antitrust & Consumer Relief: Rhode Island is part of a multistate $29.6 million Glenmark settlement over alleged generic drug price-fixing, with claims potentially available for eligible buyers. Workforce & Trade: A Rhode Island congressman highlighted school mental health support, agriculture career funding, and union engagement. Public Safety & Infrastructure: Rhode Island coastal regulators are still debating how much to shore up the Newport Cliff Walk, with concerns about protecting public access. Business Climate: A new report ranks Rhode Island among the weaker states for business climate, adding pressure as companies plan investments.

Antitrust & Pharma: Rhode Island is among 48 states and territories backing a $29.6 million multistate settlement with Glenmark over alleged generic drug price-fixing and market-rigging, with claims tied to purchases made from May 2009 to December 2019. Coastal Regulation: Rhode Island coastal regulators are pushing back on a full fix for Newport’s Cliff Walk, with debate over whether private shoreline work should be approved as proposed. Energy & Solar Policy: A new “50 States of Solar” update finds Rhode Island among the states taking distributed solar action, including continued focus on net metering, community solar, and rising attention to plug-in solar. Maritime & Seafood Jobs: The NSF is awarding $15 million to the New England “Seafood Engine,” led by NERACOOS, to strengthen fisheries and aquaculture across Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Construction & Local Business: Horvath & Tremblay completed the $8.5 million sale of Newport Center in East Providence, a fully leased retail plaza with major tenants. Public Safety & Fire Services: Able Fire Prevention acquired Valley Fire Protection, expanding coverage to include Rhode Island and other Northeast states. Workforce & Defense Industry: A Rhode Island-linked submarine training milestone marks 10,000 workers completing regional workforce pipelines tied to undersea fleet rebuilding.

Rhode Island Energy Policy: House Speaker Matt Blazejewski says lawmakers are considering an Assembly override of Gov. Dan McKee’s veto tied to a building-carbon measurement and reporting bill, arguing it targets large buildings beyond state-owned facilities and adds no new costs. AI & Data Centers: Rhode Island lawmakers made a few targeted moves on AI, but broader fights over data centers and more systematic AI rules stalled. Solar Development: Construction is underway on a controversial 4-megawatt solar project in North Kingstown, with residents citing noise, tree clearing, and concerns about impacts on an aquifer. Workforce & Research: URI chemistry professor Justin Pratt won a $1.49M NSF grant to modernize college lab instruction with more authentic, inquiry-based experiences. Seafood Innovation: NSF selected the New England “Seafood Engine” for $15M over two years, building a regional tech-and-research hub that includes Rhode Island partners and aims to boost fisheries and aquaculture competitiveness. Legal/Consumer Data: A multistate settlement reached with 23andMe follows its 2023 data breach, with states including Pennsylvania and New Jersey set to receive payouts. Local Business/Community: Providence College named four new trustees, adding leaders from semiconductors, credit-decisioning software, trade associations, and insurance. Sports & Community: Chariho student Leonardo Paradise placed sixth nationally in FBLA Networking Infrastructures.

Data & Privacy: Rhode Island is among the states tied to a $150M multistate settlement with 23andMe after a major genetic data breach; once legal costs are covered, eligible customers could receive payouts, with states’ shares based on claims. Seafood & Innovation: The NSF is funding the New England “Seafood Engine” with $15M over two years (up to $160M over a decade), aiming to modernize fisheries and aquaculture tech with fishermen, researchers, and partners across Maine, Mass., N.H., and R.I. Construction & Jobs: Timberline Construction added Matthew Dempsey as project executive, bringing nearly 30 years leading institutional and commercial builds across southeastern Mass. and Rhode Island. Energy Costs: With summer heat driving demand, utility bills are rising faster than inflation as grid upgrades and extreme weather strain costs. Coastal Infrastructure: Rhode Island coastal regulators are weighing whether to approve parts of Newport’s Cliff Walk repair plan, with debate over work near a private overlook. Public Safety: A new report finds pedestrian deaths fell 7% in 2025, but remain a growing share of traffic fatalities.

Farmland & Land Access: A new analysis finds U.S. cropland, pasture and rangeland have shrunk since 1982 while developed land surged, and it warns the bigger farming problem is often access—leases, ownership transitions and who controls land—not just acreage loss. Cannabis Retail Expansion: MariMed’s Betty’s Eddies is adding “Betty’s Bite-A-Mins,” a daily multivitamin-style chew with 30mg CBD, signaling continued growth in RI-relevant cannabis consumer products. Energy & Shipping Security: A CNN report spotlights a “floating gas station” anchorage off Malaysia used for Iran-linked oil transfers, underscoring how the war is reshaping Indo-Pacific shipping. Local Construction Disruptions: RIDOT scheduled overnight I-95 Eddy Street Bridge closures for steel beam placement, plus Route 146 Service Road at Sayles Hill Road excavation/paving detours in North Smithfield. Public Works & Labor Policy: A prevailing-wage debate piece argues Rhode Island’s low threshold makes it less of a burden than neighbors—framing the policy as a way to keep construction competition fair. Blood Supply Emergency: Rhode Island Blood Center declared a regional blood emergency, urging donations as inventories fell to about a two-day level. Business Growth in RI: Roth Industries is seeking zoning approvals for expansion in Watertown’s industrial park, aiming to add storage, parking, and about 10 jobs. Semiconductor Industry Signal: A Providence-based contractor is tied to Micron’s $100B chip-fab push in New York, a reminder of how RI firms stay plugged into regional manufacturing momentum. Cumberland Farms Rebrand: Cumberland Farms plans a major 5-year rebranding and banner conversion effort nationwide, affecting store operations across New England. Elections & Data Privacy: Federal judges dismissed DOJ efforts to force unredacted voter registration lists, including Rhode Island, in another setback for the administration’s election-data push. Finance & Tech: Inter launched contactless payment wearables (ring and wristband) in the U.S., extending banking beyond phones. Arts Funding: Rhode Island Foundation opened $30,000 composer fellowships due Aug. 10, supporting emerging and mid-career musicians. Rare Disease Investment: Warburg Pincus-led investors agreed to acquire controlling interest in PANTHERx Rare, backing continued rare pharmacy expansion.

Transportation & Infrastructure: RIDOT scheduled short overnight closures on I-95 at the Eddy Street Bridge in Providence for steel beam placement (up to 25 minutes, midnight–5 a.m.) and set nightly Route 146 Service Road at Sayles Hill Road closures in North Smithfield for excavation and paving, with detours in place. More RIDOT Work: Another Route 146 Lincoln disruption is coming—overnight delays and detours July 21–23 around the Twin River Road Bridge while new overhead directional signage is installed. Manufacturing & Jobs: Roth Industries is seeking variances for a Watertown-area expansion that would add about 10 jobs and increase asphalt storage, parking, and shipping access. Energy & Defense: The Pentagon has effectively paused permitting for at least 155 new wind projects across 24 states over drone concerns, raising costs for developers. Public Health: Rhode Island Blood Center declared a blood emergency as supply fell below a two-day level, urging donations—especially for O-negative. Legal/Policy: A federal judge dismissed a DOJ push for unredacted West Virginia voter registration data, citing “factual deficiencies,” adding to a string of election-data setbacks. Local Business & Culture: Boston Children’s Museum CEO Melissa Higgins is taking over with a waterfront park and climate-resiliency upgrades on her agenda. Finance & Tech: Inter launched U.S. wearables (ring and wristband) enabling contactless payments without a phone. Industry Services: New England’s CPA societies merged into the New England Society of CPAs, with an office in Providence. Detention Facility: Rhode Island’s privately operated Wyatt detention facility operator filed for Chapter 11 in Providence, aiming to restructure about $169M in debt.

Utility Crisis in RI: Rhode Island advocates say heat and the end of the winter shutoff moratorium are driving a surge in overnight calls and electric/gas disconnections, with the George Wiley Center reporting dozens of messages before staff return. Healthcare & Franchising: The Joint Chiropractic opened its first Rhode Island location in Warwick, bringing a walk-in, per-visit model to Quaker Lane. Energy & Defense: The Pentagon is blocking more than 150 wind projects over drone fears, raising costs for developers and slowing new construction across 24 states. Arts & Construction Oversight: Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse alleges whistleblowers flagged rushed Kennedy Center renovations, citing problems from rusting steel to work that may need rebuilding. Real Estate Transparency: A buyer-agent group warns that “private listings” and reduced listing data can limit homebuyers’ access to days on market and price changes. Local Talent in Pro Sports: Penn State’s Michael Anderson, with Rhode Island ties, was selected by the Texas Rangers in the 2026 MLB Draft. Sailing & STEM: Newport will host the America’s Cup Hall of Fame Challenge Oct. 3-4, pairing classic 12-metre racing with STEM education support.

Construction & Oversight: Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.) says whistleblowers allege rushed, improper renovations at the Kennedy Center, citing problems like rusting steel, a reflecting pool rebuild, and a torn-up bathroom floor—while the center and White House reject the claims. Energy & Utilities: Work is underway on underground electrical infrastructure for the Revity Solar Farm in Hopkinton, with RIDOT permitting road cuts and restoration along Route 3 and Route 216 to connect to Rhode Island Energy’s Bradford substation. Transportation: RIDOT plans lane shifts on Route 37 in Cranston starting July 17 for phased bridge demolition tied to a $142.8M bridge replacement/rehab project, with full completion targeted for Summer 2028. Consumer Tech & Retail: Rhode Island’s self-checkout rules are part of a wider push for discounts and staffing requirements elsewhere, as lawmakers react to how self-service shifts labor onto shoppers. Food Safety: Aldi recalled frozen kimchi & tofu kimbap in multiple states, including Rhode Island, due to undeclared fish (tuna) allergen labeling. Public Safety: Hopkinton mourns Donald Hopkins Jr., killed in a motorcycle crash on Clarks Falls Road.

Robocall Crackdown: Rhode Island AG Anne Lopez joined a multistate push urging the FCC to tighten rules that block scammers from using legitimate phone numbers—after Americans lost nearly $2 billion to robocalls and texts. Retail Labor Shift: Rhode Island’s new self-checkout staffing rules are already reshaping grocery operations, with compliance tied to manually staffed lanes and dedicated monitoring. Transportation Work: RIDOT plans lane shifts on Route 37 in Cranston starting July 17 for phased bridge demolition over Power Road, part of a $142.8M bridge program through Summer 2028. Solar Construction: Utility work for the Revity Solar Farm is underway in Hopkinton along Route 3 and Route 216 as crews install underground electrical infrastructure to connect to Rhode Island Energy’s Bradford substation. Food Safety Recall: Aldi recalled frozen kimchi & tofu kimbap in multiple states, including Rhode Island, due to undeclared fish (tuna) allergen labeling. Local Industry Spotlight: Rhode Island-raised screenwriter Mike W. Rogers is gaining attention for his produced sci-fi script “Container,” highlighting the state’s growing creative-industry talent pipeline.

Kennedy Center Construction Fallout: Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) says whistleblowers allege rushed Kennedy Center renovations tied to President Donald Trump’s “aesthetic whims,” citing problems like rusting steel under fresh paint and work that may need tearing out and rebuilding. AI Tools and Work Rules: A new Tesla memo reportedly pushes employees toward Grok while a separate spending cap limits other AI tools—raising questions about cost control and influence over engineering workflows. RI Energy Project Update: Utility work for the Revity Solar Farm is underway in Hopkinton along Route 3/Route 216 to connect to Rhode Island Energy’s Bradford substation, with residents asking for more notice about road impacts. Cash App Accountability: AG Kwame Raoul announced a $45M multistate settlement with Block over Cash App deceptive practices and fraud protections, with Illinois receiving $1.1M. Transportation: RIDOT plans phased lane shifts on Route 37 in Cranston starting July 17 for bridge demolition tied to a $142.8M bridge replacement program. Workforce Talent Pipeline: Rhode Island Commerce opened applications for the Wavemaker Fellowship, offering $1,000–$6,000 refundable credits for eligible STEM/design, healthcare, and education professionals. Food Safety: Aldi recalled frozen kimchi & tofu kimbap in multiple states, including Rhode Island, due to undeclared fish (tuna) allergen labeling. Local Business Hiring: DeCotis Specialty Insurance hired Frank Moran Jr. as a production underwriter, expanding personal lines efforts across RI and nearby markets. Marine Industry Sales: Pettit Paint named Brandon Michaud as marine sales rep covering Connecticut and Rhode Island. Sailing STEM Event: The America’s Cup Hall of Fame Challenge returns Oct. 3-4 in Newport with four historic 12-metre yachts supporting STEM education.

Defense & Trade Tensions: The Pentagon says U.S. forces hit more than 170 Iranian military targets this week, including air defenses and drone/missile sites near the Strait of Hormuz—raising fears of a return to full-scale war. Food Safety in RI: Aldi recalled frozen Kimchi & Tofu Kimbap in 19 states (including Rhode Island) due to undeclared fish/tuna allergen; no illnesses reported. Retail Operations: Rhode Island’s self-checkout staffing law is driving broader debate, with other states considering mandatory discounts for scanning yourself. RI Infrastructure: RIDOT plans lane shifts on Route 37 in Cranston starting July 17 for phased demolition of the Route 37 over Power Road bridge, part of a $142.8M bridge program. Solar Buildout: Underground utility work for the Revity Solar Farm is underway on Route 3 near Exit 1, with road restoration planned. Consumer Finance Enforcement: AG Kwame Raoul announced a $45M multistate settlement with Block over Cash App deceptive practices and fraud protections. Workforce & Talent: Rhode Island Commerce opened applications for the Wavemaker Fellowship, offering STEM/design/healthcare/education professionals refundable tax credits of $1,000–$6,000 per year. Marine & Environment: DEM scheduled invasive aquatic plant treatments for Carolina Trout Pond, Shippee Sawmill Pond, and Meshanticut Lake on July 15, with boating and wader restrictions to prevent spread.

Transportation & Construction: RIDOT will shift lanes on Route 37 over Power Road in Cranston starting Friday, July 17, to support phased bridge demolition; the full $142.8M Route 37 bridge project runs through summer 2028. Workforce & Project Delivery: Gov. Dan McKee signed construction best-practice bills for Project Labor Agreements, aiming to promote apprenticeships, labor harmony, and fewer work stoppages on large projects. Energy & Land Use: Charlestown is drafting an ordinance to prohibit new data centers and battery energy storage systems, with a public hearing set for Aug. 11. Business Climate: CNBC ranks Rhode Island 48th for business friendliness, citing especially weak infrastructure scores and affordability concerns. Consumer Tech & Retail: A proposed Rhode Island self-checkout discount bill joins similar efforts elsewhere, as lawmakers debate whether shoppers should get a mandatory cut when they scan their own groceries. Public Safety & Environment: Westerly received a new 23-foot pump-out boat for its bi-state vessel wastewater program, funded largely by grants. Food & Packaging: Blount Fine Foods refreshed its Blount’s Family Kitchen refrigerated soup packaging with clearer protein and ingredient callouts. STEM Talent Pipeline: Rhode Island Commerce opened applications for the Wavemaker Fellowship, offering refundable tax credits of $1,000–$6,000 per year for eligible professionals.

AI & Copyright: New York-area papers are asking a federal judge to sanction OpenAI in a high-stakes copyright fight, alleging the company hid ChatGPT training and log data tied to how it used millions of news articles. Retail & Jobs: Rhode Island’s new law limiting grocery self-checkout lanes takes effect Jan. 1, 2027, requiring at least one staffed register for every three self-checkouts. Insurance & Auto Repair: Rhode Island’s vehicle total loss threshold rises from 80% to 85%, shifting more damaged cars into the repairable category and changing collision shop workloads. Construction & Training: Gov. Dan McKee signed Rhode Island bills promoting best practices for project labor agreements on large projects, including apprenticeship pathways. Energy & Data Centers: Charlestown is drafting an ordinance to block data centers and battery energy storage systems, with a public hearing set for Aug. 11. Environment & Boating: DEM schedules invasive aquatic plant treatments July 15 for Carolina Trout Pond, Shippee Sawmill Pond, and Meshanticut Lake, urging boaters to avoid use during treatment and follow anti-spread rules.

Grocery Pressure in RI: As shoppers cut back amid higher food bills and fewer benefits, Rhode Island is also moving to regulate grocery checkout lines—requiring at least one staffed lane for every three self-checkouts starting Jan. 1, 2027—aimed at protecting jobs and customer service. Business Climate Watch: CNBC’s 2026 Top States for Business puts Rhode Island near the bottom, ranking 48th overall and dead last for infrastructure, with aging roads and bridges a recurring complaint. Naval Engineering Spotlight: A NUWC Division Newport engineer, Ian Doyle, won the 2025 Rosenblatt Young Naval Engineer Award for work in underwater acoustics and sonar-related technologies. Consumer Finance Enforcement: Multistate attorneys general announced a $45 million settlement with Block over Cash App deceptive practices and fraud protections. Tech & Policy: States are escalating legal fights with the Trump administration over whether prediction markets should be treated as federal commodities regulation or state gambling. Energy & Climate Governance: Gov. Dan McKee vetoed a Jamestown-backed bill that would have required large buildings to report energy use, arguing it adds burdens without support. Local Infrastructure & Heritage: Beavertail Lighthouse in Jamestown is fundraising to replace 33 windows, estimated at $150,000–$200,000.

Consumer Protection: Rhode Island Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced a $45 million multistate settlement with Block Inc. over Cash App deceptive practices, alleging the company misled users about fraud protections and made recovery harder. Public Safety & Telecom: A bipartisan wave of state attorneys general is urging the FCC to tighten rules so scammers can’t buy legitimate phone numbers to fuel illegal robocalls and texts. Energy & Environment: Gov. Dan McKee vetoed a bill that would have required large buildings to report energy use, arguing it adds compliance burdens without support. Education & Construction: Charlestown residents heard concerns on a proposed Chariho unified elementary school plan that would move from the current Charlestown site to a two-building setup if referendums pass. Defense & Workforce: SENEDIA marked a milestone at CCRI Westerly Education Center, celebrating 10,000 trained submarine shipbuilding trainees. Local Infrastructure: Beavertail Lighthouse in Jamestown is launching a fundraiser to replace 33 lighthouse windows, with costs estimated at $150,000–$200,000.