Washington Bridge: In Providence, crews have begun in-water construction for the new westbound Washington Bridge, starting with the first of 32 drilled shafts reaching about 130 feet to bedrock, as RIDOT says the project will add capacity and new ramps to improve traffic flow. Coastal Health Funding: U.S. Sen. Jack Reed helped secure a $210,000 EPA grant for Rhode Island to expand seawater testing at popular Narragansett Bay beaches after 2025 closures tied to enterococci bacteria. Offshore Wind Update: Rhode Island’s CRMC approved a key SouthCoast Wind permit for underwater cable work, though the broader project’s timeline and whether cables reach the state remain uncertain. Auto Body Licensing: Rhode Island DBR proposed adding ADAS certification to auto body technician licensing, citing how common driver-assist systems are in today’s vehicles. Public Safety/Justice: A Rhode Island judge’s case involving transgender youth care is drawing scrutiny, with federal court action also raising questions about how public defense systems are staffed and overseen. World Cup in RI: Bryant University is hosting Team Ghana as the Black Stars’ base camp, and Providence is also preparing for visiting fans as the 2026 World Cup ramps up. Education Funding Study: RI lawmakers advanced a resolution to create a new commission to study the state’s K-12 school funding formula, building on a Rhode Island Foundation proposal. In Memoriam: Brown historian Gordon S. Wood, a major scholar of the American Revolution, died at 92 after being struck by a car in East Providence.