AGP Executive Report

World Cup & Hospitality: Providence’s PVD FanZone at Station Park opens as Team Ghana arrives, with free match broadcasts, entertainment, and food trucks running June 11–July 19—plus Rhode Island Hospitality Association guidance for visitors on tipping and service charges. Real Estate & Construction: Eastern Bank funds Wood Partners’ Alta Altitude in Warwick with a $31M construction loan for a 214-unit luxury project in the City Centre. Cannabis Policy: Rhode Island Senate confirms Michelle Reddish as new Cannabis Control Commission chair, keeping the commission’s medical and recreational oversight moving. Small Business Relief: SBA approves Rhode Island Economic Injury Disaster Loans tied to the Feb. 2026 historic snowstorm, with an application deadline of March 10, 2027. Local Business Moves: Ionic Development Company hires Michael Morizio as project manager; Elite Commercial Realty Group welcomes Robert Fox back; Gale Associates opens a Providence office at The Foundry. Weather & Health: Statewide air quality alert warns of unhealthy ozone levels for sensitive groups on June 12.

Cannabis Regulation: Rhode Island’s Senate confirmed Michelle Reddish as the new chair of the Cannabis Control Commission, with Robert Jacquard reappointed—keeping the state’s medical, recreational, and hemp oversight on track. Life Sciences & Jobs: The Rhode Island Life Science Hub named Bob Cormier as its new president and CEO, following Dr. Mark Turco’s unexpected March resignation. Maritime Industry: UConn launched the UConn Shipbuilding Initiative to coordinate shipbuilding research, workforce training, and supply-chain work, citing more than $130M already secured for maritime projects. Infrastructure: Washington Bridge replacement work moved into the in-water phase, with crews installing the first of 32 drilled shafts for the new westbound span. Waste & Materials: A new mattress-foam recycling patent aims to turn polyurethane foam into synthetic leather, shoe soles, and phone-case materials. Energy & Climate: The NSF has begun dismantling an ocean monitoring network earlier than planned, raising alarms about losing key data on warming oceans. Local Business: Bartholomew & Co. named Alex Bartholomew CEO, continuing a leadership transition at the firm managing nearly $6B. Public-Private Partnerships: Pawtucket’s APA RI event will spotlight Tidewater Landing and what it takes to deliver a major P3 waterfront project.

Higher Ed & Global Sports: Bryant University is hosting Ghana’s Black Stars as its 2026 World Cup base camp, positioning the university as a bridge between academics, athletics, and regional economic connections. Manufacturing Innovation: Rhode Island startup Nterprisers partnered with Wazoku to give small and mid-sized U.S. manufacturers access to open innovation challenges and global problem-solving resources. Health & Biotech: A new PET imaging agent (MK-6240) may detect Alzheimer’s-related tau earlier than the current standard, potentially speeding diagnosis and improving patient selection for therapies. Infrastructure: In Providence, crews began in-water work on the Washington Bridge replacement, starting drilled shafts that will support the new westbound span, with a planned opening in 2028. Energy Policy: New England governors urged federal regulators to reject a proposed electricity profit increase, warning it could raise costs for households and businesses. Auto Repair Regulation: Rhode Island proposed adding ADAS technician certification to auto body licensing requirements, citing the growing presence of these safety systems in today’s vehicles. Offshore Wind: CRMC approved a key SouthCoast Wind permit, though the project’s cable path and broader timeline remain uncertain amid shifting federal policy. Local Safety: RIDOT approved a traffic signal for a long-dangerous Foster intersection after resident pressure and crash reports. Food Access for Seniors: Rhode Island launched its 2026 Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, offering eligible seniors $50 prepaid cards for fresh produce.

Washington Bridge: Providence crews have begun physical work on the new westbound span, starting with the first of 32 drilled-shaft foundation supports; the project is slated to open in November 2028, while a judge also appointed a special master to manage discovery fights in the state’s lawsuit. Energy & policy: Gov. McKee’s PUC nominee Donna Sams is stuck in legislative limbo as senators delay action until January, and a House hearing turned tense after DOE Energy Secretary Chris Wright snapped at lawmakers over canceled clean-energy grants tied to Rhode Island. Public health: Rhode Island lawmakers moved to limit Medicaid coverage for GLP-1 obesity treatments to people with Type 2 diabetes, a change critics say may raise long-term costs. Manufacturing: Rhode Island’s manufacturing sector is bracing for owner exits, with many businesses lacking succession plans. Legal & consumer: A Rhode Island federal case could face disciplinary proceedings for DOJ lawyers tied to subpoenaed medical records, and a major Honda recall includes Rhode Island vehicles over rear suspension rust risk. Business & real estate: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Commonwealth Real Estate and Robert Paul Properties topped $1M for the Sunshine Kids Foundation.

Transportation & Labor Law: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously that transportation workers can qualify for the FAA exemption even when their jobs don’t cross state lines, a win that could reshape arbitration fights for last-mile delivery and similar roles. Energy Assistance: Rhode Island’s Good Neighbor Energy Fund extended its utility bill help deadline through June 30 as demand spiked, with 211 calls up sharply in May. Public Health & Food Safety: A Salmonella outbreak tied to moringa leaf powder supplements has expanded to 119 cases across 36 states, prompting additional FDA recall updates. State Budget: Rhode Island’s FY27 budget cleared the Senate and heads to Gov. Dan McKee, featuring a phased-in millionaire’s tax increase. Infrastructure Updates: RIDOT is shifting traffic patterns on Post Road at Route 37 in Warwick to support bridge work, with changes expected through summer. Agriculture & Federal Funding: Michigan AG Dana Nessel won a preliminary injunction blocking USDA funding conditions tied to immigration and other unrelated political requirements.

Defense & Jobs: RTX is investing $100M to expand Raytheon’s Portsmouth, R.I. facility, adding testing capacity for LTAMDS radar and boosting Patriot GEM-T component production—aimed at meeting rising air-and-missile defense demand. Infrastructure: RIDOT will shift traffic on Route 1 (Post Road) at the Route 37 overpass in Warwick starting June 12 to keep construction moving on a deficient bridge; the pattern runs through summer 2026. Food & Safety: FDA expanded a recall of GO Raw LLC freeze-dried and frozen raw pet foods after thiamine (Vitamin B1) was found at extremely low levels; one more product was added to the list. Healthcare & Workforce: A national teachers’ union lawsuit targets the U.S. Education Department over halted English-learner grant funding, alleging the cuts were driven by concerns about diversity and equity. Public Health: A new report highlights rising postpartum depression rates nationwide, underscoring the need for screening and treatment. Labor/Community: A Rhode Island pharmacy workers union effort (Pharmacy Guild) is growing and pushing for safe staffing in contracts.

Defense & Jobs: Raytheon is expanding its Portsmouth campus with a $100M investment, adding a new radar test range and recommissioning a manufacturing building—bringing 150 new jobs. Infrastructure & Resilience: The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank awarded $1.09M in EPA stormwater grants to 10 communities for flood mitigation and drainage upgrades, including green infrastructure in Providence’s Washington Park area. Energy Policy: A new push is emerging to revisit Rhode Island’s power-plant ownership rules as environmental advocates warn ratepayer impacts after lawmakers briefly advanced a bill that would let Rhode Island Energy own power plants. Workforce & Immigration: A federal judge struck down Trump’s $100,000 H-1B fee as an unlawful tax, a win for employers relying on skilled foreign workers. Retail & Labor: Rhode Island Senate passed a bill limiting grocery self-checkouts—requiring staffing ratios and protections for employees—sending it to the House. Consumer Costs: GasBuddy reports Providence County midgrade prices dipping to as low as $4.49 per gallon in the week ending May 30.

Defense & Manufacturing Jobs: Raytheon (RTX) will invest $100 million to expand its Portsmouth facility, aiming to boost testing and production tied to air and missile defense, with 150 high-tech jobs expected. Workforce Development: North Kingstown High School opened a new machinist and manufacturing defense facility after a four-year push, partnering with Electric Boat and the Champlin Foundation to train students for industry credentials. Consumer Protection for Business: Rhode Island’s Secretary of State backed new laws targeting business identity theft and scammy annual report solicitations, adding protections for filers. Insurance/Auto Claims: The Rhode Island Senate passed a bill raising the “total loss” threshold to 85%, shifting more damaged vehicles toward repair shops. Energy Policy: Environmental advocates helped stop a late-session push that would have let Rhode Island Energy own power plants. Public Lands & Water Infrastructure: Middletown, Jamestown and Block Island were among communities awarded state stormwater grants. Campground & Tourism Infrastructure: Burlingame State Campground in Charlestown is set to open for the season after restroom and shower upgrades, with reservations starting June 10. Fuel Prices: GasBuddy reports midgrade prices at the lowest in Newport County at $4.75/gal for the week ending May 30.

Climate Politics: A new report says many Democrats are going quiet on climate change as midterms near, with Rhode Island Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse calling out “climate hushers” and arguing higher insurance, grocery, and health costs are already hitting families. Downtown Real Estate: Providence’s “Superman” building—state’s tallest skyscraper—has sat empty for 13 years, becoming a visible symbol of stalled office-to-redevelopment plans. Healthcare Fraud Prevention: Medicare Fraud Prevention Week drew federal and state officials to warn Rhode Island seniors about scams, fake claims, and identity theft. Hospice Expansion: HopeHealth won a $200,000 grant to expand community engagement and connect underserved residents to grief support, palliative care, and end-of-life services. Data Centers & Local Costs: A Michigan moratorium on data centers and battery storage is spreading as residents demand answers on power, water, and land costs—an issue Rhode Island communities will recognize. Public Safety & Tourism: Boston’s World Cup security push includes anti-trafficking awareness efforts and reminders like no drones or fireworks. Energy Prices: AAA data shows Rhode Island gas is slightly below New England peers amid higher national fuel costs tied to geopolitical risk.

Immigration & Courts: A Rhode Island federal judge struck down Trump-era immigration curbs that paused asylum and froze benefits for people from 39 countries, saying the hold can’t be blamed on applicants and violates federal law. Food Supply & SNAP: A judge also blocked USDA enforcement of new conditions tied to gender and immigration, pausing requirements that could have disrupted SNAP and other federal food assistance. Retail Operations: Rhode Island’s Senate passed a bill to limit self-checkout—requiring at least one staffed lane per three self-checkouts and capping how many self-checkouts can be open at once. Energy & Industry: A week of fallout continues from Trump’s wind pullback, including reports of offshore wind deal reversals that are roiling businesses. Local Business & Consumer Costs: AAA data shows Rhode Island gas prices slightly below New England peers, but higher fuel costs are still squeezing household budgets. Tech & Compliance: Microsoft data ranks Vermont near the bottom for AI use, while Microsoft links lower AI adoption to heavier manufacturing and construction workforces. Sports Betting Legal Fight: The CFTC is challenging prediction markets in multiple states, including Rhode Island, setting up major court battles over whether these platforms are gambling or regulated trading.

Immigration & Courts: A Rhode Island federal judge blocked Trump-era asylum and immigration benefit pauses, ruling the limits were unlawful and arbitrary—an immediate win for migrants and the groups challenging the policy. Food & SNAP: Another federal judge temporarily halted USDA requirements that would force states to follow Trump positions tied to gender and immigration to keep billions in SNAP and other funding. PFAS & Consumer Goods: A state-by-state crackdown on “forever chemicals” is accelerating, with Rhode Island among states moving toward new disclosure rules and restrictions that could reshape what ends up in everyday products. Energy & Industry: Coverage highlights how Trump actions are dismantling parts of the wind industry, including a reported $1B offshore wind payout tied to TotalEnergies—while lawsuits from multiple states target the deal. Local Business & Retail: Rhode Island lawmakers advanced a bill that would restrict self-checkout in grocery stores, requiring staffed lanes and limiting how many self-checkouts can run at once. Tech & Environment: A new UN-linked climate roundup flags data centers’ growing electricity and water demands as AI booms.

State Budget & Tax Policy: Rhode Island’s House approved a record $15.2B FY2027 budget, including a phased-in millionaires tax, plus added funding for healthcare, families, and RIPTA; Republicans voted no, arguing the tax and spending growth will hurt affordability. Historic Preservation Funding: Secretary of State Gregg Amore backed a $45M bond question for a Rhode Island State History Center, aimed at giving the state’s key documents a permanent home ahead of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Energy & Data Centers: A weekly climate roundup highlights mounting pressure on power grids as data centers expand, alongside a UN report detailing huge electricity and water use tied to AI-driven growth. Legal & Immigration: A Rhode Island federal judge blocked parts of the Trump immigration agenda that limited asylum and other benefits for migrants from 39 countries, calling the rules unlawful. Local Business & Retail: Rhode Island lawmakers advanced a bill requiring staffed grocery checkout lanes alongside self-checkout limits, drawing debate over whether it will slow lines. Consumer Watch: Gas prices stayed volatile in Rhode Island’s counties, with GasBuddy reporting the lowest midgrade and regular deals clustered in specific stations.

Rhode Island Immigration & Courts: A federal judge in Rhode Island blocked Trump-era immigration curbs that had paused asylum and other legal benefits for people from 39 countries, calling the rules unlawful and arbitrary—an outcome that could reopen thousands of pending cases and affect hiring, housing, and work-permit timelines. State Budget & Taxes: The Rhode Island House approved a $15.2B FY2027 budget, including a phased-in millionaires tax, plus new funding for healthcare, families, and RIPTA. Historic Preservation Funding: Secretary of State Gregg Amore praised House passage of a $45M bond question to build a Rhode Island State History Center, aimed at giving permanent space to key state documents and artifacts. Energy & Cost of Living: New reporting maps steep electricity price increases nationwide, with Rhode Island listed at about 30¢/kWh and showing a notable year-over-year decline—while the broader story highlights how grid and demand pressures are driving household bills. Film & Local Production: Rhode Island Film & TV Office says debut feature “Rubber Hut” will begin production this week in Cranston and Warwick, with a story set in 1992 and backed by major festival and lab selections. Health Regulation: Rhode Island’s Department of Health issued its first kratom manufacturer license, with more applications pending and enforcement tied to labeling, age limits, and bans on certain products. Real Estate Industry: Residential Properties Ltd. highlighted agents named to the RealTrends Verified list, underscoring continued competition for top deal volume in Southern New England.

Federal Courts & Immigration: A Rhode Island federal judge vacated Trump administration immigration policies that paused asylum processing and froze benefits by nationality, calling the hold unlawful and ordering the government to resume lawful adjudications. Energy Costs: A new map using EIA data shows Rhode Island’s residential electricity price at about 30¢/kWh (down 7.4% year over year), highlighting big state-to-state cost swings. Clean Energy Legal Fight: Rhode Island is among states suing over the Trump administration’s offshore wind U-turn tied to a $928M TotalEnergies deal, arguing it undermines grid reliability and climate goals. Local Governance & Coastal Economy: The R.I. Senate confirmed the final Coastal Resources Management Council appointee, reshaping the panel to reduce vacancies and tighten coastal expertise. Workforce & STEM: Unitil’s scholarship fund awarded six New England STEM scholarships, including a URI-bound student from Rhode Island. Insurance & Consumer Impact: The R.I. Senate advanced an 85% total loss threshold bill, giving drivers more choice to repair vehicles rather than have them totaled. Retirement Savings: R.I. Comptroller Sean Scanlon welcomed Hawai’i into the multistate automatic-IRA retirement program alliance. Business & Policy: Rhode Island lawmakers advanced a budget deal that keeps most climate frameworks intact while scaling back major proposed changes.

Nuclear Power Deal: NextEra’s proposed $67B acquisition of Dominion would put all New England nuclear generation under one owner, with Millstone and Seabrook contracts set to expire in 2029—raising big questions for regional clean-energy planning. Coastal Regulation: The Rhode Island Senate confirmed Scott Rabideau as the final CRMC appointee, reshaping the council to reduce vacancies and add coastal expertise after years of controversy. Healthcare Workforce: The R.I. Life Science Hub teamed with the Pawtucket Foundation on a career pathways program aimed at expanding access for underrepresented communities in the life sciences. Roadwork & Traffic: RIDOT begins changes around the Route 10/I-95 interchange in Cranston, including reopening and closing specific ramps as part of the I-95 15 Bridges project. Nonprofit Funding: Westerly-area groups received more than $400K in first-round Champlin Foundation grants, including support for a new community center. Housing & Rents: New research says rent concessions are still widespread but concentrated in certain markets, helping explain why headlines can conflict with on-the-ground pricing. Energy & Industry Politics: Offshore wind backers and states, including Rhode Island, continue legal fights over Trump-era lease cancellation and settlement terms.

Rhode Island policy & politics: The R.I. Senate approved a bill reviving expired clergy abuse lawsuits, creating a two-year “revival window” for claims against the Diocese of Providence and other institutions. Energy & infrastructure: A Rhode Island-focused broadband piece argues state broadband offices need staying power and authority as BEAD ramps up, warning against “sunset” dates that could cut off long-term buildout work. Local business & services: Mobile Beacon launched BeaconEDGE Wireless Business Internet, a new 5G/LTE option for schools, libraries, and nonprofits, priced at $25/month with unlimited data. Sports & entertainment: AEW World Champion MJF was pulled from an indie booking in Cranston due to a hyperextended knee, with other wrestlers added to the card. Public safety & community: Rhode Island lawmakers also moved to repeal a pro-slavery amendment the state backed 165 years ago. Energy prices: GasBuddy reported Rhode Island regular gas averaging $4.36/g for the week ending May 30, with Providence County’s low at $3.89/g.