AGP Executive Report

State Budget & Taxes: Gov. Dan McKee signed Rhode Island’s new “millionaire levy,” raising the top income rate to 8.99% for earnings over $1 million, phased in over three years. Local Costs & Housing: A RIPEC analysis warns more cities and towns are exceeding the 4% property tax levy cap, shifting burdens onto property taxpayers. Environment & Waste: Rhode Island passed a one-year moratorium on sewage sludge processing facilities and created a special commission to study sludge management, as North Kingstown weighs legal action over a proposed pyrolysis plant. Public Health: Avian flu was confirmed at a Providence live bird market, with about 445 birds euthanized and the business closed for cleaning and sanitizing. Courts & Abuse Claims: McKee signed a law reviving expired clergy sexual abuse claims, opening a “revival window” from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2028. Sports & Community: Scotland fans in Providence helped raise nearly $30,000 for local causes tied to Hasbro Children’s Hospital. Culture: Rhode Island’s Real Housewives buzz continues with new episode recap chatter and cast updates.

Housing & Taxes: Providence’s rental squeeze is getting worse as universities push thousands into the private market, while a RIPEC analysis finds Rhode Island property tax increases jumped in fiscal 2026 and more communities are exceeding the 4% cap. Public Health: Avian flu (H5N1) was confirmed at Antonelli Poultry in Providence; about 445 birds were euthanized and the market will be closed for cleaning and sanitation. State Budget & Aging: Gov. McKee signed the $15.2B FY27 budget, framed by advocates as a win for older adults. Legal Aid: Attorney General Sunday led a bipartisan push urging Congress to keep funding the Legal Services Corporation for low-income Americans. World Cup in RI: Ghana’s Thomas Partey was denied entry to Canada and will miss Ghana’s opener; he still inspired Rhode Island kids during a Bryant University community event. Diplomacy: A U.S.-Iran deal is reported to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with locals watching for any gas-price relief.

Avian Flu Alert in Providence: Rhode Island health and environmental officials say H5N1 was found at Antonelli Poultry in Providence, triggering the humane euthanization of about 445 asymptomatic birds and a temporary closure for cleaning and sanitation; staff are being monitored for 10 days, and officials stress the risk to humans remains low. Food Safety Recall: The FDA has upgraded an Alfredo sauce recall to a Class I, highest-risk category after a dry milk powder ingredient was linked to possible salmonella contamination; the product was distributed to food service operations across 41 states, including Rhode Island. World Cup in Rhode Island: Providence is positioning itself as a cheaper fan hub for the 2026 tournament, with Scottish supporters using the city as a base while matches play nearby in Boston. State Budget & Local Impact: Gov. Dan McKee signed Rhode Island’s $15.2B FY27 budget, while separate coverage highlights how Medicaid spending patterns in Cranston continue to rise in areas like dental services. Sports & Community: Upper Deck Post 14 baseball in Lincoln is gearing up for the new season with players from multiple Rhode Island communities, aiming to keep its state-title momentum going. Remembering Gordon S. Wood: Brown University historian Gordon S. Wood, a major scholar of the nation’s founding, died at 92 after being struck by a car in East Providence.

World Cup buzz in Rhode Island: Providence is gearing up as a Scottish fan hub for the 2026 tournament, with thousands expected to base locally while matches are played in Boston, and organizers say the cheaper, closer setup has turned into a bigger-than-planned celebration. Public health watch: Rhode Island officials say 445 birds were euthanized after avian flu (H5N1) was found at a Providence market; Antonelli Poultry will stay closed for cleanup and staff are being monitored. Local sports spotlight: Westerly senior Damon Uva earned major honors after helping the Bulldogs win a Division 2 title, praised for both leadership on the field and strong academics. State politics and courts: A Rhode Island federal judge struck down Trump immigration benefit freezes for people from 39 countries, and a legal expert expects the fight to reach the Supreme Court. Food safety: The FDA issued a highest-risk (Class I) recall for Alfredo sauce sold in 41 states due to possible salmonella contamination. Remembering a historian: Brown University professor Gordon S. Wood, a leading scholar of the nation’s founding, died at 92 after being struck by a car in East Providence.

Avian Flu Response: Rhode Island health and environmental officials say 445 birds were euthanized after avian flu was found in a Providence bird market, and Antonelli Poultry must stay closed while staff are monitored. World Cup & Immigration Clash: Ghana says Canada’s refusal to grant midfielder Thomas Partey a visa is “extremely unfair,” threatening legal action; FIFA says the host country controls visas, and Partey can’t play Ghana’s opener vs. Panama after training at a Rhode Island base camp. Local Jobs & Defense: Raytheon plans a $100 million expansion in Portsmouth to grow missile defense radar and Patriot components, creating about 150 jobs. Health Watch: Rhode officials are urging tick awareness as summer ramps up, citing ongoing Lyme disease risk. Sports Spotlight: Upper Deck Post 14’s Josh Lyon and Vin Pontarelli are back for another season after college and club ball. Community Leisure: A Providence-area guide offers beach etiquette tips for a calmer, safer shoreline. Obituary: Brown historian Gordon S. Wood, 92, died after being struck by a car in East Providence.

World Cup in Rhode Island: Ghana’s Thomas Partey will miss the Black Stars’ opener vs. Panama after Canada denied his visa, with FIFA saying the host government controls entry decisions; Ghana has launched a diplomatic push to review the ruling. Local Sports & Community: The Black Stars arrived in Providence and began practice at Bryant University as Rhode Island gears up for watch parties and match-day crowds. State Politics & Courts: The Trump administration says it will restart asylum and immigration processing after a Rhode Island federal judge struck down key USCIS policies that had left many applicants in limbo. Health & Environment: Rhode Island’s Conservation Commission discussed tick-control concerns on Block Island, including the tradeoffs of pesticide use. Weather: Hot, less-humid weekend conditions are expected, with rain chances near zero until late Sunday night. Culture & Life: Rhode Island’s “Real Housewives” gets academic attention, and the week also marked the death of historian Gordon S. Wood, a Brown University professor.

World Cup in Rhode Island: Ghana’s Thomas Partey will miss the Black Stars’ opener vs. Panama after Canada denied his visa, with FIFA saying host governments control entry decisions; Partey remains with Ghana’s Rhode Island base while he awaits trial in London on rape and sexual assault charges. Public health at the tournament: Georgetown’s Health Security Operations Center is running a “war room” style effort to track infectious-disease risks for fans and players across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Local community spotlight: Providence welcomed Ghana’s team with a fan “family reunion” at the Graduate hotel, and watch parties are planned around the state. Statehouse budget: Gov. Dan McKee signed the $15.2B FY27 budget, touting affordability priorities and child-focused tax credits. Aviation safety: FAA is investigating two Southwest planes that made contact on the tarmac at T.F. Green, leading to cancellations and rescheduling. Remembering a Rhode Island scholar: Brown historian Gordon S. Wood died at 92 after being struck by a car in East Providence.

World Cup in Rhode Island: Providence kicked off its official FIFA FanZone at Station Park, with free match broadcasts, music, cultural programming, food trucks, and a beer garden running June 11–July 19. Local Sports & Community: Ghana’s Black Stars arrived in Providence and will train at Bryant University before heading to Toronto for the opener. Public Safety & Transparency: Rhode Island lawmakers moved to make state crash data public, closing a loophole that let RIDOT deny requests. Health Alert: A statewide air quality alert warns of unhealthy ozone levels for sensitive groups today, with guidance to limit heavy outdoor exertion. State Politics: The General Assembly wrapped up with fast, broad agreement, including a three-year charter school moratorium. Business & Housing: Eastern Bank approved a $31 million construction loan for Wood Partners’ Alta Altitude apartments in Warwick. Opioid Threat: Rhode Island detected a powerful synthetic opioid (cychlorphine) in the drug supply, with officials urging naloxone readiness. Government & Courts: AG Aaron Ford sued the Trump administration over new, confusing federal contractor terms tied to DEI. Local Transit: The Providence–Newport ferry starts today with daily roundtrips and weekend Bristol stops. Education: Westerly’s top students will attend Brown together, both heading into STEM-focused paths. Remembering Gordon S. Wood: Brown’s eminent American Revolution scholar died at 92 after being struck by a car in East Providence.

Local Politics: Providence City Council President Rachel Miller says she won’t seek re-election, opening up both the council presidency and a Ward 13 seat with the June 24 candidate deadline looming. World Cup in Rhode Island: Providence kicked off its official PVD FanZone at Station Park, while Bryant University students helped build a Rhode Island Hospitality Association toolkit to prepare local businesses for visiting fans—covering tipping, splitting checks, and what to expect on menus. State Education: Rhode Island House passed a three-year charter school moratorium with a reduced statewide cap; it now heads to the Senate for final action and faces an uncertain response from Gov. Dan McKee. Health & Workplace Policy: A Rhode Island-linked menopause policy update highlights how menopause is becoming a workplace compliance issue, with new laws spreading nationwide. Environment & Public Safety: Heat and humidity persist Friday with storm chances, and experts share practical ways to reduce tick bites. Obituary: Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Gordon S. Wood, a Brown professor emeritus, died at 92 after being struck by a car in East Providence.

Local Education & Community: Scituate High School celebrated its Class of 2026 with a graduation that students described as “messy, loud, heartfelt,” including a Block Island trip that turned into an emotional singalong. Historic Preservation & Local Culture: Johnston Historical Society’s home tour brought residents through the Elijah Angell House and other historic sites, spotlighting early Providence and Johnston roots. Film & Entertainment in Rhode Island: Warwick is filming “Rubber Hut,” a feature about a real Cranston drive-thru condom kiosk, with a growing cast that includes Emmy Rossum and Michael Imperioli. Public Health & Environment: U.S. Sen. Jack Reed helped secure $210,000 for Rhode Island to monitor Narragansett Bay seawater after 2025 beach closures tied to enterococci bacteria. Workforce & Safety Regulation: Rhode Island DBR proposed adding ADAS technician certification requirements for auto body repair shops, citing how common these safety systems are in today’s vehicles. Sports & Pride: Providence is set to host “Tartan Army” fans for the World Cup, and local spring playoffs wrapped with Bishop Hendricken’s dominant baseball championship run. State Politics: Rhode Island lawmakers advanced a charter school moratorium bill, pausing new charters for three years and lowering the cap. National Policy Watch (with RI ties): Rhode Island AGs joined lawsuits challenging Trump-era federal contractor rules tied to DEI. Remembering Gordon S. Wood: Brown historian Gordon S. Wood died at 92 after being struck by a car in East Providence.

Obituary: Gordon S. Wood, the influential Brown University historian of the American Revolution and the Constitution, died at 92 after being struck by a car in East Providence. Courts & immigration: A federal judge struck down Trump administration policies tied to a sweeping immigration freeze affecting people from 39 countries, ordering asylum processing to resume. Federal contracting & DEI: Attorneys general including Connecticut’s William Tong sued over new, vague federal contractor terms aimed at purging “DEI,” arguing contractors face unclear penalties. Rhode Island politics: The Rhode Island Senate is delaying Gov. Dan McKee’s nominee to the Public Utilities Commission, leaving the seat in limbo until the legislature reconvenes. Infrastructure: Washington Bridge reconstruction has finally started, with drilled shafts underway as the state continues disputes with former contractors. Public health: Rhode Island overdose deaths fell to 219 in 2025, the lowest since 2012, as leaders credit prevention, treatment, and harm-reduction efforts. Environment & culture: Save the Bay’s Hamilton Family Aquarium is showcasing “Bay of the Future” exhibits tied to changing marine life in warming waters.

Local Arts & Community: Rhode Island’s African American Museum of Rhode Island in Providence and Newport’s Edward W. Kane & Martha J. Wallace Center for Black History are both marking Juneteenth with new ways to preserve and share local history. Public Safety & Justice: Cumberland police are still investigating the suspicious death of 18-year-old Angelina Rocha, with no arrests and no cause of death released. State Politics & Budget: The Rhode Island Senate approved the FY27 budget, sending a $15.2 billion plan to Gov. Dan McKee’s desk after a 32-6 vote and renewed debate over the millionaire’s tax. Education & Federal Policy: Rhode Island’s federal court is set to consider possible discipline for DOJ lawyers tied to a Rhode Island Hospital case involving subpoenaed medical records for transgender youth. Health & Utilities: United Way of Rhode Island extended the Good Neighbor Energy Fund deadline through June 30 as demand for help with utility bills spikes. Sports & Youth: Flyers Gymnastics athletes competed at state meets, with multiple qualifiers for regionals. Obituary: Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Gordon S. Wood, a Brown professor emeritus, died at 92 after being struck by a car in East Providence.

Local Education: Tolman High School’s Naima Gonzalez was named valedictorian for the Class of 2026, edging out salutatorian Jeremy Torres. Voting Rights & Civic Life: Rhode Island Voting Rights Act efforts stalled as the General Assembly declined to bring the measure to the floor, despite advocates rallying at the State House. Community & Culture: Providence’s Stages of Freedom is closing its Westminster Street museum and bookstore location, though its swim empowerment program will continue. Public Safety: Police are investigating after a motorcyclist drove through Providence’s Federal Hill during a street event, crashing into a pedestrian area and sending the rider to Rhode Island Hospital with minor injuries. Immigration Courts (RI impact): A federal court in Rhode Island vacated USCIS “pause on benefits” policies affecting applicants from 39 travel-ban countries, clearing the way for adjudications to resume. State Politics: Democrats’ legislative redistricting targets are in focus as party leaders map out where control of state chambers could shape future map-drawing fights. Health & Consumer Alerts: A pet food recall expanded for GO Raw products due to dangerously low thiamine levels. Arts & Sports: Sienna Spiro announced a North American “My House Tour,” with a stop at the Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island. National Legal Watch: Attorneys general pressed Formula 1 and the FIA to end tobacco and nicotine sponsorships, including nicotine pouches. Notable Loss: Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Gordon S. Wood, a Brown professor emeritus, died at 92 after being struck by a car in East Providence.

Cannabis Licensing: Rhode Island lawmakers are moving to undo a residency requirement that has stalled retail marijuana licensing in federal court, with bills from Rep. Scott Slater and Sen. Jacob Bissaillon advancing to restart the Cannabis Control Commission’s work. Public Safety & Schools: A statewide anti-hazing policy for Rhode Island public schools cleared the Legislature, setting zero-tolerance rules and penalties for sports hazing. Retail Policy: The Senate passed a bill that would limit grocery self-checkouts by requiring at least one staffed lane for every three self-checkout lanes, with enforcement through the attorney general. Local News & Culture: URI named Pamela Swett dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and three URI Chinese Language Flagship students won Boren Scholarships to study in Taiwan. Sports: Woonsocket High won a second straight Division III baseball title in a dramatic celebration, and Brown will host Harvard at Centreville Bank Stadium for its 2026 home opener. Obituary: Pulitzer Prize-winning Brown historian Gordon S. Wood died at 92 after being struck by a car in East Providence.

Pulitzer-winning historian: Gordon S. Wood, a Brown University professor emeritus and author of “The Radicalism of the American Revolution,” died at 92 after being struck by a car in an East Providence supermarket parking lot. Immigration court fight: A Rhode Island federal judge struck down Trump-era policies that froze asylum applications and delayed immigration benefits for people from dozens of countries, ordering the government to restart processing. Energy policy in RI: Environmental advocates say they helped stop a late-session push that would have let Rhode Island Energy own power plants, raising concerns about competition and ratepayer protections. Health watch: The CDC reports U.S. measles cases are on pace to surpass the 2025 record, with most cases tied to unvaccinated people. Local business & community: Town Fair Tire is coming to St. Albans, aiming for a late-July opening, while Burlingame State Campground in Charlestown is preparing major new ADA shower/restroom facilities for the 2026 season.

ICE Watch in Rhode Island: Brown students are organizing a deportation defense network that uses courthouse patrols, rapid-response alerts, and mass mobilizations to disrupt ICE operations. Providence Landmark: The state’s “Superman” building at 111 Westminster St. has sat empty for 13 years, with scaffolding and boarded windows marking a long run of stalled plans for the downtown tower. Climate Politics: A new look at Rhode Island Democrat Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse argues Democrats are going quiet on climate change, with Whitehouse pushing back that the issue is hitting household costs now. Health Care Costs: Care New England says it posted a $35.4 million operating loss in the first half of fiscal 2026, citing Medicaid reimbursement, labor, and supply pressures. Seniors and Scams: Medicare Fraud Prevention Week in Pawtucket highlighted how older adults can spot identity theft and fake medical claims. Youth Fitness: Planet Fitness is offering free summer gym access for Rhode Island teens through its High School Summer Pass program. Sports: Woonsocket is one win from repeating as D-III baseball champs.