AGP Executive Report

Child Safety & Accountability: More complaints have surfaced against a former Rhode Island private school coach accused of exploiting an underage girl, with additional reports now referred to the State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Local Politics: Former Cranston mayor Allan Fung has left the GOP and is running as an independent for the state House seat his wife once held. Community & Education: RIDE and Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green kicked off Rhode Island’s free Summer Food Service Program statewide, and Woonsocket marked a construction milestone for George T. Nasuti Elementary with a student-signed “capping off” beam. Culture & Local Flavor: Spring House Seafood Grill opened at T.F. Green International Airport, bringing a coastal Rhode Island dining stop to travelers. Sports & Community Pride: GoProvidence and the Rhode Island Sports Commission donated $5,000 to Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity after the Tartan Army’s visit, with local restaurants adding more fundraising. Arts & Entertainment: Providence announced the first wave of PVDFest 2026 performers, including Big Freedia.

Community & Care: Rhode Island Community Food Bank says summer demand is climbing, serving up to 102,000 people monthly as food costs rise. Local Moms Network: East Bay RI Moms is building a hyperlocal village for new mothers in Bristol, Warren, and Barrington through meetups and partnerships. Neighborhood Pride: Newport Heights held a “Summer Kickoff” celebrating the community’s HOPE VI transformation and upcoming modernization plans. Grief Innovation: A North Kingstown woman created a “wind phone” to help people grieve by speaking to loved ones in a peaceful spot. Sports & Giving: Providence hospitality groups raised $10,500 for Glasgow Children’s Hospital after the Tartan Army’s World Cup visit. Politics & Schools: Gov. Dan McKee signed a charter-school ban/moratorium, cutting the cap and ending unapproved charters—sparking debate over family options. Culture Buzz: Taylor Swift’s Tight End University surprise performance (with “Love Story” and Lainey Wilson) keeps Rhode Island wedding rumors swirling.

Charter Schools Shake-Up: Gov. Dan McKee signed a three-year ban on new Rhode Island charter schools, cutting the cap and retroactively ending unapproved charters—prompting pushback from families who say the schools are working. Higher Ed Affordability: U.S. Sen. Jack Reed and other RI lawmakers introduced the Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act, aiming to nearly double the Pell maximum and protect it from future cuts. STEM Talent Pipeline: Rhode Island Commerce opened applications for the Wavemaker Fellowship, offering up to $6,000 a year in refundable tax credits for eligible STEM, design, healthcare, and education professionals. Local Environment Watch: McKee also signed a Quonset sludge pyrolysis moratorium and created a commission to study Rhode Island’s biosolids disposal options. Culture & Community: The Rhode Island Film & TV Office announced production on indie feature “Rubber Hut” in Cranston and Warwick, and a Smithfield art exhibition is spotlighting Caribbean American Heritage through “Underrepresented Celebrations.” Sports Buzz: Rhode Island’s presence in the national spotlight continues—from URI’s Ocean Robotics Laboratory ribbon-cutting to World Cup coverage featuring England vs. Ghana in the region.

Newport Dining & Hospitality: Hotel Viking in Newport has reopened after a multimillion-dollar renovation, adding four fresh concepts—Pescadou, Skoal Room, Tuck Shop, and rooftop Cap Club—plus a new chef de cuisine. Providence Arts: The Providence Art Club opened two new exhibitions, including a juried National Open show with 65 works and a companion “Echoes of Grace” featuring Rhode Island artists. Local Business Expansion: Centreville Bank opened its first Providence branch in Olneyville, with a community “Free Day of Play” partnership with the Providence Children’s Museum. Sports & Community Pride: Scottish World Cup fans kept Rhode Island buzzing, with thousands marching through Providence before a big all-day party. Public Safety & Kids Online: A Rhode Island-focused look at online child exploitation highlights alleged cases and pushes for stronger tech and law enforcement action. Politics: Rhode Island’s Democratic Party endorsement process is split, leaving gubernatorial support unresolved as candidates press on. World Cup Spotlight: Cape Verde is in control of its own destiny heading into its next match, with a path to the round of 32. Immigration Court Update: USCIS defended Nigeria-related restrictions in federal court, citing document reliability and record-keeping concerns. Arts/Community: Centreville’s Providence opening and the Art Club shows underscore a busy summer for culture and neighborhood life.

Local Politics: Rhode Island Democrats declined to endorse either Gov. Dan McKee or challenger Helena Foulkes at the state committee convention, leaving the September primary ballot without party backing for governor and key statewide races. Newport Elections: Newport’s filing period opened, with multiple candidates declaring—especially in the School Committee race, where Elizabeth Barron and Amy Yozura are among those running. Community & Faith: The Catholic Rural Ministry program in Erie Diocese’s Oil City marked farewells for Sisters Marian Wehler and Tina Geiger as they return to motherhouses. Infrastructure: RI Turnpike and Bridge Authority shared construction updates for Mount Hope and Jamestown Verrazzano bridges, including lane closures and night work schedules. Culture & Pride: Newport OUT announced a July 5 “’Murica Drag Brunch” at Stoneacre Brasserie, featuring Rhode Island performers and a patriotic drag twist. Arts & Literature: Susan Price’s novel American Royalty spotlights 1970s Newport and reinvention, with a Q&A on plot and characters. Science & Nature: URI researchers are studying black cherry pollination and whether the trees can reproduce without insect visitors.

Watch Hill Wedding Buzz: A big tent near Taylor Swift’s Westerly, R.I. home sparked fresh wedding rumors, with fans and photographers swarming the Watch Hill area—though residents say the speculation hasn’t panned out. Local Arts & Culture: Rhode Island cartoonist Will Henry, creator of “Wallace the Brave,” talks about how his family life shaped the comic that’s now in the Boston Globe. Ghana World Cup in Rhode Island: Ghana’s Thomas Partey remains in Providence after a Canada visa denial, keeping his potential tournament role in the spotlight as the Black Stars push through Group L. Youth Workforce & Mental Health: Rhode Island budget funding would support training for staff in after-school and summer programs, aiming to strengthen kids’ emotional and mental health supports. Hospitality Education: The RI Hospitality Education Foundation awarded David DePetrillo Memorial Scholarships to three Rhode Island ProStart students headed to Johnson & Wales. Health Innovation Program: NEMIC is opening enrollment for its free-for-Rhode-Islanders Health Innovator Pathways Program cohort. Community Calendar: Providence County religious gatherings are listed for June 21–27.

Celebrity Watch Hill Buzz: A big tent near Taylor Swift’s Westerly estate sparked wedding rumors, fan stakeouts, and nonstop questions for locals—though the speculation so far has been unfounded, with security and a wedding planner directing traffic as residents tried to separate clues from hype. Pre-Wedding Party Trail: Travis Kelce’s week-long “boys weekend” kept rolling—ending with NASCAR at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego—while Swift’s Rhode Island home stayed at the center of the chatter. Local Pride Moment: Providence’s 50th Annual PrideFest drew thousands downtown for music, vendors, and community pride, with an illuminated night parade to close out the celebration. Immigration Court Update: A Rhode Island federal judge ordered the resumption of green card and asylum processing after striking down a Trump administration freeze that left many immigrants in “indeterminate legal limbo.” Health & Environment: New research links microplastics to possible health risks, including findings that plastics-laden plaque may be tied to higher stroke and heart-attack odds.

Newport Bermuda Race: Black Jack 100 became the first boat across the finish line at St David’s Lighthouse, taking line honours after a fast 35-plus-hour run from Rhode Island. Microplastics & health: A new wave of research links microplastics-laced plaque in neck arteries to higher stroke, heart attack, and sudden-death risk—while regulation still lags. Watch Hill wedding buzz: A tent near Taylor Swift’s Rhode Island home sparked fresh wedding rumors, with residents and visitors watching every sign. PrideFest 50: Providence marked the 50th annual PrideFest with thousands gathering downtown for music, vendors, and community pride. Tartan Army in RI: Scotland fans poured into Providence and beyond, turning World Cup heartbreak into community spirit, including major local giving. Taylor & Travis chatter: More sightings and party talk swirl around the couple’s pre-wedding plans, including Kelce’s LA concert cameo. Soccer mini-pitches: World Cup energy is inspiring “mini-pitches” across New England, including Pawtucket, with Rhode Island in the mix. Medicaid spending snapshots: New local billing trends show big year-to-year jumps in several Rhode Island categories, from lab services to ambulance transport.

Celebrity & Local Buzz: Taylor Swift’s Watch Hill mansion is still drawing attention as reports claim a black SUV left the gated property Saturday morning and that Swift is hosting close-girlfriend wedding celebrations there ahead of Travis Kelce’s July 3 nuptials. Wedding Speculation: Multiple outlets say the couple’s plans have shifted—first pointing to Rhode Island’s Ocean House, then to Madison Square Garden—while Kelce has been spotted partying in Los Angeles, including a Chris Lake concert cameo. Friendship Drama: Separate reports continue to swirl about whether Swift has reached out to ex-best pal Blake Lively, with claims of “second chance” talks tied to easing legal fallout. Community & Culture: Rhode Island’s World Cup soccer scene is getting a boost from “mini-pitches” popping up across New England, including sites reaching into Pawtucket. Public Health Watch: New Medicaid billing figures show sharp local increases in Rhode Island categories, including Middletown’s Temporary National Codes (Non-Medicare) and North Providence’s Medicine Services and Procedures. Arts & Ideas: A Rhode Island-related piece looks at how America’s religious landscape has shifted since 1776, challenging the idea that early America was uniformly churchgoing.

World Cup Culture in RI: A duck named Dawn the Duck is turning Providence into a Scotland fan hub, while Mexico’s Merlin is doing the same elsewhere—proof that this tournament’s biggest “mascots” are local legends in motion. Pop-Culture Buzz: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce wedding rumors keep swirling, with reports suggesting the Rhode Island plans shifted to New York—yet fans are still tracking every mansion sighting and security move. Local Business & Jobs: Ocean State Job Lot is running hiring events in St. Johnsbury, plus launching a new “Buy, Give, Get” baby formula program to support families in need. State Policy: Rhode Island became the first state to restrict self-checkout lanes in grocery stores, aiming to keep staffed options available. Newport Black History: A new Center for Black History opened in a historic Newport house for Juneteenth, spotlighting stories long missing from local memory. Family & Safety: CDC reports measles spreading across 41 states, with three deaths—another reminder to stay up to date on vaccines. Theater Spotlight: Two Narragansett-area performers are set to make professional debuts in “Escape to Margaritaville” at the Zeiterion.

Sports & Community Pride: Exeter’s girls 4-by-800 relay team set a regional record at the New England meet, smashing a Rhode Island mark in the process—now they’re headed to New Balance Nationals. Portuguese-American Leadership: The Bensaude family is among honorees at the PALCUS Awards Gala in the Azores, with several Massachusetts and Rhode Island ties recognized too. Local Culture Spotlight: Providence’s “Dawn the Duck” is back in the spotlight as Scotland World Cup fans rally around the unofficial mascot. State Lifestyle & Planning: New Shoreham’s Planning Board is working through rules for retail cannabis, including proposed location limits and buffer concerns near schools, churches, and parks. Survivor Rights Update: Rhode Island’s “look-back” window for childhood sexual abuse claims expands July 1, raising practical questions for organizations and institutions. Tech for All Ages: The Rhode Island Computer Museum is celebrating its new home in North Kingstown, with hands-on exhibits and a bigger education space. Health Watch: A new study links the shingles vaccine to lower dementia risk—while researchers still puzzle over why. Entertainment: Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of Rhode Island” kicks off its Season 1 reunion next Sunday.

Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce Wedding Buzz: Reports say the couple shifted wedding plans from Swift’s Rhode Island seaside home (Ocean House/Westerly) after details leaked, with Madison Square Garden now floated for a July 3 celebration—while Rhode Island fans keep watching the mansion activity. Juneteenth in Rhode Island: Newport’s 4th Annual Juneteenth celebration hits Fort Adams June 20 with a Rhode Island 250 theme, mixing historians, music, dance, youth activities, and re-enactments. Rhode Island Pride Turns 50: The state’s Pride milestone this weekend spotlights “queer joy as resistance,” with a look back at how earlier fights for visibility shaped today’s celebrations. Education Policy: Gov. Dan McKee signed a three-year moratorium on new/expanded charter schools, pausing growth amid declining enrollment and budget pressure. Public Safety & Justice: A Providence-area federal racketeering indictment charges 26 people tied to long-running street-gang activity, including violence and drug trafficking. Health & Community: RIDOH recommends reopening swimming at Easton’s Beach in Newport after bacteria levels improved. Culture & Sports: Providence’s Tartan Army brought World Cup energy—and donations—to local causes after flooding the city with chants and kilts. Local Human Interest: Brown University Health expands pediatric primary care access as families seek more “medical home” options. Serious Local Crime: A Coventry man known as Santa Claus faces child sex abuse charges involving his adoptive teenage son.

Charter Schools: Gov. Dan McKee signed a three-year ban on new Rhode Island charter schools and permanently lowered the charter cap, blocking a school already near opening and framing the move as a funding-fix for traditional public schools. Pop Culture Watch: Taylor Swift’s Watch Hill mansion in Rhode Island has been buzzing with pre-wedding activity tied to Travis Kelce, with guests spotted and heavy security fueling nonstop speculation. Sports—Local: The Atlantic 10 released Rhode Island women’s basketball pairings for 2026-27, setting home-and-home matchups with several conference foes and a full slate of Kingston games. World Cup—Rhode Island Angle: Visa drama continues to ripple through the tournament, including Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey being denied entry to Canada while Ghana prepares for matches in the U.S. Community & Learning: URI’s “corpse flower” bloom drew thousands to campus, turning a rare plant moment into a full-on community event. Arts & Environment: Norman Bird Sanctuary and Salve Regina expanded their conservation partnership, launching the Kiernan Scholars Program for hands-on field research.

School Choice Fight: Rhode Island lawmakers voted to block the governor from opting into the Trump school choice program, arguing tax credits could pull public funds away from oversight-heavy public schools. Public Safety Tech Pushback: A new op-ed urges Rhode Islanders to question Flock-style flock cameras, warning that “crime prevention” marketing can mask mass surveillance creep. Clergy Abuse Law: A clergy abuse victim says a new R.I. law that revives expired claims will “save lives” by changing institutional behavior. Health & Water Alerts: RIDOH recommended avoiding swimming at three beaches—Briar Point, Oakland Beach, and Easton’s—due to high bacteria counts. Union News: Ocean State Media employees voted to unionize with SAG-AFTRA, a major moment for Rhode Island’s NPR/PBS newsroom. Community & Culture: The Glimmer Gala at the RI Convention Center brought Real Housewives of Rhode Island stars and community support to pediatric cancer families. World Cup in RI: Scottish fans and other supporters keep showing up locally, including a Hasbro Children’s Hospital “Good Night Lights” tribute with drummers honoring a young cancer patient. Workforce/Ed: Chariho’s alternative learning academy is redesigning its program with a renewed focus on Tier 1 instruction and personalized pathways.

Labor & Media: Ocean State Media (RI NPR/PBS) voted to unionize with SAG-AFTRA, a major shift for the nonprofit after last year’s federal funding loss. Community & Health: RIDOH and DEM renewed a harmful algae bloom advisory, urging people to avoid Watchaug Pond in Charlestown (no swimming, and don’t drink untreated water or eat fish). Local Sports & Pride: Rollers Sports Bar & Grill opens in Providence June 12, built for game days and community energy. Food & Accessibility: Gluten-free businesses are spotlighting safer options for people with celiac disease. Arts & Learning: URI’s corpse flower “Morticia” is blooming again, with extended viewing hours and a live stream. Culture & Heritage: AHEPA Sophocles Chapter 106 marked its 100th anniversary with a sold-out Centennial Gala. Public Safety: Police identified 7-year-old Aston Jemson after a drowning at Conimicut Point Beach in Warwick. Education Leadership: Justin Wyatt was named permanent director of URI’s Harrington School of Communication and Media.

Arts & Community: Rhode Island State Council on the Arts is hosting a free public opening reception Aug. 20 for a mixed-media, community-built exhibition in the Atrium Gallery at One Capitol Hill—made from hundreds of paintings created by artists and non-artists. Education & Youth: Pawtucket’s Jacqueline M. Walsh School for the Performing and Visual Arts celebrated its Class of 2026 with a graduation that included a musical sendoff of “Don’t you (forget about me).” Housing & Health: Crossroads Rhode Island hit a construction milestone on a supportive housing project in Providence, with 35 apartments for medically vulnerable adults and co-located health and behavioral health services. Workforce & Schools: A proposed FY27 budget amendment would add $750,000 to expand Rhode Island’s multilingual educator pipeline and dual language programs. Survivor Services: Sojourner House marked its 50th anniversary, raising more than $160,000 for services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Public Health: RIDOH and DEM are recommending people avoid contact with Watchaug Pond in Charlestown due to harmful algae blooms. Food Assistance: AG Dana Nessel joined a coalition urging Congress to restore SNAP benefits and protect food assistance in the Farm Bill. World Cup in RI: Ghana’s Thomas Partey remains sidelined after Canada rejected his visa appeal, leaving the Black Stars to prepare for Panama without him while their base camp is in Smithfield.