AGP Executive Report

Solar Funding Stalled: Rhode Island’s $49.33M low-income solar expansion is still stuck in limbo after the EPA ended “Solar for All” in August 2025, with litigation unresolved and no court order restoring the money. Opioid Care on the Move: A mobile opioid treatment unit in Woonsocket is delivering medications and outreach, but a new study highlights how disconnected systems and other structural barriers still threaten its survival. Public Safety Tech Upgrade: After a Brown University mass shooting, Providence’s independent review praised response speed but flagged delayed camera access and other communication failures; Brown now plans to join Providence’s Real Time Crime Center with privacy controls. Housing & Community Grants: The Rhode Island Foundation awarded $5.4M in grants for housing, food, health care, and police training, backing nonprofits with both program and capacity support. State Police Relocation: Hope Valley’s barracks is set to move to West Greenwich’s Southern Public Safety Complex, a $41.3M facility built for modern operations. Local Learning Center: Peace Dale Library’s renovated second floor now houses South Kingstown’s Community Learning Center, expanding resources in a historic 1891 building. Business & Daily Life: Labor Day hours vary by fast-food chain, while Rhode Island early voting shows more in-person polling-place turnout than in 2024’s early period.

Meta Settlement: Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford announced a landmark $17.1 billion multistate deal with Meta, forcing child-safety changes on Instagram and Facebook and sending Nevada up to $255.9 million over 10 years. Voting Rights Fight: Ford also co-led a coalition suing USPS over a new rule that would let the agency regulate mail voting, arguing it could block states from running their own election systems. Reproductive Health in Court: Ford sued to block new Title X family-planning funding conditions, joining a broader push by states to protect access to birth control, cancer screenings, and preventive care. Providence Public Safety: An independent review says Providence’s response to the December 2025 Brown University mass shooting was “highly effective,” but flags communication and coordination gaps, including delayed access to cameras and radio failures. Rhode Island Politics & Voting: Early voting in Rhode Island is ticking up, with in-person polling-place turnout more than tripling versus the same point in 2024. Local Development: Pawtucket advanced three proposals to redevelop the long-shuttered Apex department store site, with plans for housing, hotels, and retail. Ocean Tech in Newport: Newport will host the first North American “Ocean Business” event in September 2027, aiming to draw 1,500 ocean tech professionals and 100 exhibitors.

Public Safety: An independent review of Providence’s response to the December 2025 Brown University shooting calls it “highly effective” and “decisive,” but warns of communication and coordination gaps among local, university, state, and federal agencies that officials should fix before the next major emergency. Housing & Development: Pawtucket’s Redevelopment Agency has advanced three proposals to reimagine the long-shuttered Apex department store site, with plans for housing, hotels, and retail as the city moves toward a final selection. Energy Bills: Rhode Island regulators closed Rhode Island Energy’s rate case with a one-year increase instead of two and ordered accelerated bill credits starting in October, with the Attorney General valuing the credits at more than $170 million. Tech & Investment: Rhode Island’s Tecton Architects has been acquired by Agathos AEC, a national firm backed by private equity, with Tecton keeping its name and leadership and no planned workforce cuts. Big Tech Settlement: Rhode Island is set to receive up to $64.5 million under a multistate Meta teen-safety deal, with new protections automatically applying to accounts for ages 13–17. Local Politics: Newport’s Senate District 13 primary pits incumbent Sen. Dawn Euer against challenger Angela Lima, with both campaigns emphasizing affordability and equity.

Providence Housing: Mayor Brett Smiley and the city’s HHS released the FY2026 Housing Progress Report, saying Providence issued certificates of occupancy for 988 new units—nearly double FY2025—with about 40% affordable, plus 726 more units permitted and progress toward the state’s Housing 2030 targets. Rhode Island Health Insurance: AG Peter Neronha urged regulators to reject proposed 2027 premium hikes from Neighborhood Health Plan (22.4%) and pushed comments against Blue Cross Blue Shield’s 9.8% request, affecting more than 50,000 marketplace enrollees. Title X Fight: Rhode Island joined a wider multistate push against new federal Title X family-planning conditions, arguing the rules unlawfully politicize care and could cut services like contraception access and cancer screenings. Politics—McKee vs. Foulkes: New polling shows Gov. Dan McKee trailing Democratic challenger Helena Buonanno Foulkes by 38 points, while TV ad spending has tilted heavily toward Foulkes as McKee’s cash tightens. Boston Legacy Soccer: Boston Legacy FC will keep playing in Rhode Island at Centreville Bank Stadium through 2027, delaying its White Stadium return to 2028. Invasive Species Watch: New Hampshire confirmed the first spotted lanternfly detection in Salem, with surveys underway to see whether it’s established. Food Safety: USDA recalled nearly 25,000 pounds of frozen buffalo chicken products distributed to RI and other states due to missing federal inspection.

Meta Youth Safety Settlement: Rhode Island is set to receive $49.4 million to $64.5 million from a proposed multistate Meta deal worth up to $17.1 billion, with money earmarked for youth mental-health programming and new teen account design rules, pending court approval. Local Development Watch: Residents pushed back at Warren’s Highlander/Fatima redevelopment plan to convert a former school into 32 apartments plus 45 townhouses, with developers saying 25% of units would meet affordability requirements. Election Legal Fight: Michigan joined a coalition of states suing USPS over a new rule aimed at controlling vote-by-mail procedures, arguing it risks disenfranchising voters and conflicts with states’ election authority. Rhode Island Business & Jobs: REGENT Craft, a Rhode Island seaglider maker, raised $240 million in a funding round and says it’s preparing for first human flight and production at its new Rhode Island facility. Community & Health: Swim Across America’s Rhode Island open-water swim returns Sept. 12 in Narragansett with 950+ swimmers registered, honoring retired Providence College coach John O’Neill and supporting cancer research at Women & Infants Hospital. Housing Lawsuit: Newport-area homeowners filed suit to block Rhode Island’s “Taylor Swift tax,” challenging the non-owner occupied property tax on homes assessed above $1 million.

USPS Mail-Voting Fight: Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha joined a coalition of Democratic-led states suing to block a finalized USPS rule that would force states to overhaul vote-by-mail procedures, arguing it’s unconstitutional and risks chaos and disenfranchisement. Meta Child-Safety Settlement: Meta agreed to pay up to $17.1B in a multistate settlement over alleged teen social media addiction, with Rhode Island set to receive at least $49M and new safeguards like limits on overnight access and notifications. Rhode Island Politics: A new Emerson/WPRI poll shows Gov. Dan McKee trailing Helena Foulkes 45%-30% among Democratic primary voters, with the gap widening when undecideds are allocated. Local Courts & Public Safety: Two people tied to a 2023 Providence bank heist face new charges after indictments were unsealed; separately, a Charlestown officer’s body camera wasn’t activated before shots during a June arrest. Health & Data: Baylor Genetics disclosed a breach affecting about 2.8M people nationwide, with about 4,532 Rhode Island residents potentially impacted. Economy/Business: Warwick sold an 8,000-square-foot industrial property for $1.35M, described as a fully leased investment near I-95 and T.F. Green.

US Voting Rights Fight: Attorney General William Tong joined a 25-state lawsuit to block a USPS rule that would force states to overhaul vote-by-mail procedures on an “impossible” timeline, warning it could disenfranchise eligible voters. Meta Child-Safety Settlements: A nationwide wave of state attorney general actions is pushing major Instagram/Facebook changes, including age checks, tighter teen limits, and limits on overnight access and school-day notifications, with settlements totaling up to $17.1B–$18B. Rhode Island Housing Boost: Rhode Island Commerce approved up to $9.5M more in incentives for Providence’s long-stalled “Superman” building redevelopment as costs climb to about $326.8M, aiming to create hundreds of mixed-income homes. Workforce & Training: Electric Boat and NEIT expanded their Warwick training partnership with $45M in Navy and company support to prepare thousands of new shipbuilding workers. Local Nonprofit Funding: The Rhode Island Foundation awarded $290K to Newport County nonprofits, including housing and food-access support. Education & Cybersecurity: URI won a $1.9M NSF grant for cybersecurity scholarships for students with financial need. Community Spotlight: A stolen Rhode Island farm stand was rebuilt for free by local construction workers, turning a loss into a comeback.

Federal Funding for Workforce Skills: URI is set to receive a $1.9 million National Science Foundation grant to fund cybersecurity master’s scholarships for 30 students with financial need, including mentoring and career support. Local Nonprofits Get Boost: The Rhode Island Foundation awarded $290,000 across Newport County nonprofits, backing programs on housing, food access, healthcare, education, and arts. Community Health and Safety: Uber is rolling out a new safety feature letting parents livestream their teen’s ride in Rhode Island and other markets, with driver opt-in and automatic pauses if needed. Housing Pipeline Transparency: Rhode Island launched a state housing dashboard tracking 155 developments and 8,305 pipeline units, with Providence accounting for nearly a third of the total. Healthcare Costs Pressure: Attorney General Peter Neronha filed objections to proposed 2027 individual-market premium hikes—22% for Neighborhood Health Plan and 9.8% for BCBSRI—arguing insurers are seeking excessive increases. Politics and Momentum: A new WPRI poll shows Gov. Dan McKee narrowing the gap but still trailing Helena Buonanno Foulkes by 15 points in the Democratic primary. Business and Labor Enforcement: Rhode Island charged three business owners with labor-related crimes, including wage theft, after complaints referred by the Department of Labor and Training.

Providence Divestment Vote: Providence voters will decide this November on a referendum barring city investments in countries described as committing ethnic cleansing, apartheid, illegal occupation, or genocide—an Israel-linked ballot fight tied to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. Superman Project Funding: Rhode Island Commerce approved nearly $10 million in extra state incentives to help finish the $327 million redevelopment of Providence’s Superman building, with critics questioning the growing public tab. Education Rules in RI: State Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green says the new school year brings stricter limits on phones and other tech in classrooms, plus a renewed push on attendance and student safety. Healthcare Cost Pressure: A new national report ranks Rhode Island among states with long ER stays, while separate analysis shows healthcare spending can hit hardest where it weighs most against income. Local Business & Jobs: URI is rolling out new undergraduate and graduate programs for 2026-27, including added online options and engineering and AI-related offerings. Tech & Safety: Uber is testing live ride-streaming for teen trips in Rhode Island, giving parents a live view during rides. Housing & Community: Barrington’s curbside composting program says it has diverted about 59 tons of food waste, saving landfill tipping fees.

Superman Building Funding: Rhode Island’s Commerce Corporation approved nearly $10 million more in state incentives for the $327 million redevelopment of Providence’s vacant “Superman” tower, now projected at about $325 million, as the project seeks to move forward with additional public financing. Campaign Finance: A GOP-backed Rhode Island law doubled the maximum donation amount to state candidates, and one Democrat is pulling ahead in fundraising as the new cap reshapes donor influence. Public Safety Grants Fight: Rhode Island Attorney General Aaron Ford joined a multistate coalition challenging federal immigration-enforcement conditions tied to public safety grant funding, arguing the rules illegally threaten money meant for law enforcement. Housing & Local Economy: Newport County saw 21 home sales over the Aug. 17–21 period, with Newport leading the action, including multiple transactions above $1 million. Composting Win in Barrington: Barrington’s curbside composting program has diverted nearly 60 tons of food scraps to composting, saving the town about $6,000 in landfill tipping fees. Workforce & Defense: Electric Boat announced a new Warwick training campus to support submarine shipbuilding, aiming to bring 3,000 new hires per year into hands-on instruction. Consumer Protection: A House discussion draft would overhaul how the CFPB is funded and supervised, drawing strong opposition from consumer groups who say it would weaken protections.

RI Courts & Housing: More than 40 Rhode Island homeowners are challenging the state’s “Taylor Swift Tax,” a new levy that adds $5 per $1,000 of assessed value on second homes over $1 million, arguing it unfairly targets out-of-state owners. Local Business & Labor: Three Rhode Island business owners were charged after complaints from the Department of Labor and Training, including alleged wage theft and a case involving workers’ compensation insurance. Healthcare Workforce: Woonsocket Education Center opened an 840-square-foot nursing lab to train 33 future CNAs through CCRI programs. Public Safety & Surveillance: The FBI warned New England residents about scammers impersonating FBI agents, using fear and urgency to push victims into scams. Politics & Elections: Rhode Island’s Judicial Nominating Commission advanced finalists for two Superior Court seats, with Gov. Dan McKee set to name nominees by early September. Culture: Westerly’s legendary Black Cat blues band will reunite for a one-night show Sept. 11.

Local Civic Life: A new report argues Rhode Island and the rest of the U.S. are paying for the collapse of local newspapers, with residents getting far less coverage of city and county government than in modern history. Healthcare Leadership: Wood River Health in Hopkinton added four new directors to its board as it works to expand access to medical, dental and behavioral care for about 12,000 patients a year. Workforce & Training: Woonsocket Education Center opened an 840-square-foot nursing lab funded by the Champlin Foundation and the state Department of Labor and Training, aiming to boost certified nursing assistant training amid regional shortages. Business & Courts: Rhode Island’s attorney general announced criminal charges against three business owners tied to alleged wage theft, bounced final pay, and uninsured workers after labor investigations. Public Safety Tech: The FBI warned New England residents about scammers impersonating FBI agents, using fear and urgency to push victims into verifying phone numbers before calls abruptly disconnect. Housing Costs: Rhode Island Commerce is set to vote on new state financing for the vacant “Superman” building in Providence, where conversion costs have climbed past $325 million. Surveillance & Privacy: Newport and other communities continue wrestling with Flock license-plate camera backlash as officials weigh how data is handled and shared.

Rhode Island Consumer Watch: A new state-focused explainer highlights how Rhode Island tackles “shrinkflation” with unit-price rules—requiring most retailers to post the price per ounce or count on conspicuous orange shelf tags, so shoppers can spot smaller packages without a shelf-price drop. Providence Housing Finance: Rhode Island Commerce officials are set to vote on new state financing for the vacant “Superman” building in downtown Providence, where conversion costs have climbed to more than $325 million. Labor & Courts: Rhode Island prosecutors filed criminal charges against three business owners after state labor investigations alleged unpaid wages, a bounced final paycheck, and uninsured jobsite workers. Public Health: The state says Brickyard Pond in Barrington is back open after a harmful algae bloom cleared, while warning residents to avoid Georgiaville Pond in Smithfield. Tech & Defense: A Rhode Island startup, Vatn Systems, is in talks with Taiwan’s defense science institute on AI-enabled modular underwater vehicles aimed at building faster, cheaper underwater capability.

Local Politics & Housing: Rhode Island’s new state housing dashboard went live this week, tracking 155 state-incentivized projects and 8,305 units across 32 municipalities, with 7,017 labeled affordable—an effort aimed at making housing spending more transparent. State Budget/Development: Commerce officials are set to vote Monday on new financing for Providence’s vacant “Superman” building, where conversion costs have climbed to more than $325 million, far above the 2022 plan. Public Safety & Courts: Rhode Island prosecutors filed criminal labor charges against three business owners tied to alleged unpaid wages, a bounced final check, and uninsured jobsite workers. Health & Food Safety: A cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to recalled Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce expanded, with the FDA saying distribution reached additional areas including Rhode Island. Community & Recreation: Brickyard Pond in Barrington has reopened after a harmful algae bloom cleared, though officials still warn residents about Georgiaville Pond. RI Economy/Infrastructure: A $13.6 million Navy contract was awarded to UConn for undersea technology research, with work tied to URI’s undersea vehicle program in Kingston. Culture & Community: Thousands packed Narragansett Beach for a free Maroon 5 concert hosted by a local hedge fund manager for his 60th birthday.

Retirement Math, Rhode Island Reality Check: A new study from GOBankingRates looks at how long $1.5 million plus Social Security can last, showing huge differences by state cost of living—an important reminder for Ocean State retirees facing affordability pressure. Housing Transparency: Rhode Island launched a new state housing developments dashboard showing 155 projects and 8,305 units across 32 municipalities, with 7,017 units classified as affordable. Housing Costs, Rent Pressure: Zillow named Providence the hottest rental market this summer, with rents up 5% year over year and very few concessions—fueling the local debate over rent stabilization. State Politics & Elections: Early voting is underway ahead of the Sept. 9 primary, with Gov. Dan McKee and Helena Foulkes trading sharp lines in the final stretch. Public Safety Tech Fight: WIRED reports on Flock’s expanding AI policing tools and the privacy backlash tied to license-plate camera concerns, including Rhode Island’s ongoing debate. Local Health & Outdoors: Brickyard Pond in Barrington has reopened after a harmful algae bloom cleared, while officials warn residents to avoid Georgiaville Pond. Defense & Innovation: Taiwan is partnering with Rhode Island startup Vatn Systems on modular underwater vehicles for affordable swarm-style defense.

Rhode Island Politics: Gov. Dan McKee is touting Washington Bridge progress ahead of early voting, but the project timeline has stretched to a finish targeted for November 2028, fueling fresh debate with challenger Helena Foulkes. Federal Watch: Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed joined other Democrats pressing Federal Reserve chair Kevin Warsh to disclose any calls with President Trump, arguing Fed independence depends on transparency. Public Safety Funding Fight: Attorney General William Tong joined a multistate coalition suing to block Trump administration conditions that tie immigration enforcement to Congressionally authorized law enforcement and crime-fighting grants. Local Economy & Housing: Providence’s rental market is being flagged as the hottest in the country, with rents up and concessions scarce—while renters still wait for relief amid the city’s ongoing housing policy fight. Health & Environment: Brickyard Pond in Barrington has reopened after a harmful algae bloom cleared, though officials still warn residents to avoid Georgiaville Pond. Defense & Research: A $13.6 million U.S. Navy contract was awarded to UConn for undersea technology research, with work tied to the NIUVT partnership that includes URI in Kingston. Business/Legal: Owners of high-value non-owner-occupied Rhode Island homes filed suit to challenge the new Non-Owner Occupied Property Tax ahead of the Sept. 15 installment.