AGP Executive Report

Sports Betting Showdown: Rhode Island AG Peter Neronha has sued prediction market operators Kalshi and Polymarket, arguing their “event contracts” are really sports betting that should be regulated under state law—while Kalshi counters that the fight belongs in federal court. School Control Drama: RIDE says Providence schools will return to local control on July 1, flipping from an earlier July 2027 plan and reigniting tensions with the Providence School Board. Public Health Leadership: Brown’s School of Public Health is set to name Francesca Beaudoin PhD’17 as permanent dean starting June 1. Teen Violence Crackdown: Violent teen takeovers across the country are triggering stepped-up security and tougher talk from officials as summer kicks off. Food Safety Alert: Whole Foods Market minestrone is being recalled nationwide due to undeclared shrimp allergens. Nonprofit Spotlight: The Providence Journal and United Way are featuring the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern RI, highlighting programs that help youth find passions through mentors, arts, and athletics.

Daylight Saving Push: U.S. lawmakers just revived the Sunshine Protection Act to make daylight saving time permanent year-round, with the House Energy and Commerce Committee voting 48-1 and President Trump backing it. Memorial Day TV Break: ABC’s The View is airing repeats for the holiday weekend and returns with new episodes Tuesday, May 26. Rhode Island Summer Spotlight: Bristol’s Fourth of July celebration—running since 1785—earned a top-10 spot from USA Today readers (ranked No. 5). Food Safety Alert: Kettle Cuisine recalled 24-ounce Whole Foods Market Kitchen Minestrone Soup cups due to undeclared shrimp allergens; no illnesses reported. Local Sports Buzz: Boston Legacy FC kicks off Pawtucket’s “Summer of Soccer” with the first-ever women’s pro match in Rhode Island at Centreville Bank Stadium Friday night. URI Graduation Energy: URI commencement stories highlighted grads like Adam Melnick, finishing his biggest race after earning his bachelor’s degree.

Memorial Day travel squeeze: Higher fuel prices are nudging Americans to scale back trips this weekend, with gas costs still a major storyline across New England. NWSL in Rhode Island: Seattle Reign is set to play its first NWSL match in the state against Boston Legacy at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket—an inaugural Rhode Island moment for the league. Local economy check: Rhode Island jobs fell by 500 in April, while the unemployment rate dipped to 4.5%. Public records fight: A Rhode Island Senate bill would require verified identity for public records requests, drawing warnings from ACLU and Common Cause RI that it could chill access. Safety and weather watch: NOAA is forecasting a below-normal Atlantic hurricane season, and federal investigators are still working at the Westerly plane crash site. Health care pressure: Brown Health’s losses are deepening, and pressure is mounting to keep Newport Hospital’s birthing center open.

World Cup Volunteer Push: Rhode Island’s “Rhode Island Summer of Soccer” is recruiting volunteers for the June 11–July 19 stretch, with help focused on wayfinding at RIPTA stops, train stations, the airport, and hotels—18+ and any age welcome. Local Sports Spotlight: Boston Legacy FC is set to kick off its Rhode Island run at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket, starting Friday at 8 p.m. vs. Seattle, with the team banking on a smaller, more fan-friendly venue as it looks ahead to “Boston Stadium” hosting the men’s World Cup. Music & Community: WRTI is marking Miles Davis’ centennial with 24 hours of programming, and the Navy Band Northeast will play free concerts June 23–24 in Boothbay Harbor. Legal Drama: The founder of Alex and Ani has sued her sister in federal court, alleging misuse of family jewelry assets to subsidize a new venture. Memorial Day Weekend Picks: Ceremonies, dragon boats, art and music events are lining up across the region.

Arts & Openings: Peninsula Gallery in Lewes is gearing up for its May 30–June 21 show “Abstract Constructions,” with a free reception June 6 (5–6:30 p.m.) featuring seven artists working in paper, mixed media, and fabric collage. Radio Spotlight: Providence veteran Giovanni is retiring again—this time from iHeartMedia’s B101 WWBB afternoons—after decades in Rhode Island radio. Local Tragedy: Newport police say an 85-year-old woman was found dead in a hotel room after her son died by suicide; investigators are treating it as an isolated incident. Public Safety: Massachusetts State Police Academy will pause new recruit training to fix management, culture, and safety flaws tied to a trainee death. Health Care Watch: CMS data puts Bayview Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in a tie for Washington County’s largest nursing home in Q1 2026, while Grace Barker Nursing Center ranks No. 3 in Bristol County by resident volume. Summer Chaos: Hampton Beach in New Hampshire saw “Takeover” events spiral into fights and disorder, leading to 51 arrests. Wildlife: A porbeagle shark beached and died after sightings around Narragansett and Point Judith Pond. Sports: URI women’s volleyball adds seven players for the 2026 season, including a Sacred Heart transfer.

Tri-State Business Expansion: Waterford’s Fraser Commercial Services just marked 39 years and is expanding its specialized school and early-childhood cleaning programs across southeastern CT, RI, and southern MA. Labor & Courts: A First Circuit appeals ruling lets federal unions keep fighting an executive order that restricted bargaining rights, adding new complications for the broader push against union power. Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce Watch: Legal experts say a prenup would likely put Swift on the hook for most shared living costs, given the massive wealth gap. Rhode Island Courts & Community: The state’s Judicial Nominating Commission is set to interview nine lawyers for a Superior Court vacancy. Memorial Day Safety Push: Rob Levine Law is offering free Uber ride vouchers in Providence and Boston to help prevent drunk driving. Summer Beach Chaos: Narragansett Town Beach saw a stabbing incident and evacuations amid heavy crowds. Health Policy Fight: Rhode Island Hospital is preparing to turn over records to a Texas judge as a legal deadline looms.

Community Honors: A WWII Navy veteran with no known family, John Bernard Arnold III, was finally laid to rest after a public call drew about 1,500 strangers to give him full military honors in Massachusetts. RI Public Safety: Narragansett Town Beach saw chaos after three people were stabbed; police say injuries were minor and two adults were arrested on separate charges. Fire Department Fallout: Pawtucket reinstated four firefighters after an investigation tied to alleged criminal activity, with one facing charges. Court Fight Over Records: Rhode Island Hospital says it will turn over transgender youth medical records to a Texas judge by midnight, even as state advocates push to stop it. State Government Shakeup: Rhode Island state employees filed a class action over Workday payroll errors, alleging widespread missing wages and stress since the system was activated in December. National Politics: Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche defended a nearly $1.8B “Anti-Weaponization Fund” for people claiming unfair prosecution. Entertainment Buzz: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s prenup could reportedly shape who pays living expenses after their wedding.

DOJ Voter-Fraud Case: The U.S. Department of Justice says a Marina del Rey woman agreed to plead guilty for paying people on California’s Skid Row to register to vote with false or vague addresses—an alleged scheme prosecutors say ran for about 20 years. Education Fight: Rhode Island’s AG William Tong joined a coalition suing the U.S. Department of Education over a new student-loan rule that could narrow access for professional degree programs, arguing it will worsen workforce shortages. RI Health & Care: CMS ownership details for Royal Middletown Nursing Center show the Mamarys held it in Q1 2026, with a below-average overall rating and no fines that quarter. Summer Culture: A new list spotlights top live music shows around Rhode Island this summer. Local Life: A porbeagle shark was spotted in shallow waters at Point Judith Pond in Narragansett before dying after beaching. Tech/Business: GoNetspeed has started South River, New Jersey construction for 100% fiber, with first connections expected by fall 2026.

Portuguese Pride in RI: Eleven Rhode Island cities and towns are set to raise Portuguese flags ahead of June 10’s Day of Portugal, celebrating the state’s deep Portuguese roots (about 78,000–83,000 people, or roughly 7.6%–9.7% of RI). Sports Betting Shake-Up: A new Rhode Island Senate bill (SB 3118) would expand the state’s online and retail sports betting market to 4–6 operators, aiming to end the current monopoly setup. Local Basketball Transfers: RI Division I programs keep moving—Bryant’s men take a hit with Timofei Rudovskii heading to Pitt, while Providence’s women add UNC-Wilmington transfer Kylah Silver. High School Baseball Spotlight: Longplex’s Athlete of the Week voting is open as playoff time nears, with top seeds including Bishop Hendricken, East Greenwich, and Woonsocket. Newport Birthing Center Funding: Gov. Dan McKee’s proposed FY2027 budget adds $1.6M to protect Brown University Health’s Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center.

DEM Summer Outdoors: Rhode Island’s DEM is rolling out free, family-friendly Fish & Wildlife Adventures—fly-fishing basics, nature walks, and more—plus a “Herp Observer” push to help document local reptiles and amphibians. Mystic Food & Culture: Mystic, CT keeps stealing the spotlight with two James Beard finalists—Shipwright’s Daughter and The Port of Call—making it an easy summer day trip from RI. Rhode Island Foundation Boost: The RI Foundation is awarding nearly $650K in seed funding to 26 medical research projects, including AI tools for breast cancer detection. Local Health Watch: An Air Quality Alert is active in western Massachusetts, with warm, humid conditions and extra risk for kids and people with asthma or heart/lung issues. Entertainment Buzz: Billy Eichner is out with “Billy on Billy,” an audio-memoir built around the questions that shaped him—and his Madonna-loving parents. RHORI Drama: Bravo’s Real Housewives of Rhode Island is already delivering headline-worthy chaos, including a new “slam pig” insult moment.

National Mall Faith Rally: Thousands packed Washington’s National Mall for “Rededicate 250,” a Trump-led, explicitly Christian prayer event that drew criticism for blending faith and politics. Political Payback Watch: House Speaker Mike Johnson defended lawmakers’ $174K+ salaries and floated stock trading as a way to “take care of” families, while ethics filings show Trump made thousands of stock trades early this year. Reality TV Fallout: Bravo’s “Real Housewives of Rhode Island” is in the headlines again after one star was hit with seven drug felonies, raising the stakes for the cast. Health Alerts: Ticks are driving more ER visits in the Northeast, and a new COVID subvariant nicknamed “cicada” is starting to rise as summer approaches. Rhode Island Arts & Community: La CASA opened in Boston’s South End as a Latino arts hub, and BankNewport handed out $470K+ in spring grants to nearly 50 RI nonprofits.

Music & Community Spotlight: André Thomas is set to lead Berkshire Choral International’s concert celebrating Black composers, bringing a major Rhode Island–adjacent talent moment into the spotlight. New Cultural Space: La CASA, New England’s biggest Latino arts hub, opened in Boston with bomba, salsa, and hands-on art programming—built to keep Latino culture “vibrating” in the community. Local Arts & Giving: BankNewport Charitable Foundation handed out more than $470,000 in spring 2026 grants to nearly 50 Rhode Island nonprofits, including support for arts, basic needs, education, and healthy lives. Health Watch: A highly mutated COVID subvariant dubbed “cicada” is rising, with seniors flagged as especially vulnerable as the virus shifts more into summer patterns. Markets Jitters: Investors are warning that a bond-yield spike could unsettle equities even as earnings stay strong. Sports on TV/Radio: Here’s what’s airing this week for May 17–23.

250th Anniversary Faith Moment: Ahead of America’s 250th, thousands are expected Sunday on the National Mall for “Rededicate 250,” a daylong National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving—free but requiring registration, with major faith leaders and Trump administration figures on the lineup. Coastal Community Buzz: Newport’s 10th annual Oyster and Chowder Festival is underway on Bowen’s Wharf and runs through May 17, with extra foot and road traffic expected. Church & AI: The Vatican says Pope Leo XIV has created an internal study group on AI as he prepares his first encyclical, emphasizing an ethics-first approach. RI Health & Money: East Providence Medicaid claims for alcohol and drug abuse treatment hit $1,487,600 in 2024, up 7.9% from 2023. Local Grants: BankNewport Charitable Foundation awarded $470,000+ in spring 2026 grants to nearly 50 Rhode Island nonprofits. Science Spotlight: A new study points to “quake brake zones” in the ocean that may help explain why some underwater tremors repeatedly stop.

Gas Watch: Newport County hit its lowest regular price of the week at $4.15 (GasBuddy, week ending May 9), with the county averaging $4.43 and Rhode Island’s average also at $4.43—but prices are still volatile as global oil jitters linger. Adoption & Community: Little Compton’s Sakonnet Vineyard hosts a free dog adoption event May 17 (1–3 p.m.) with Lighthouse Animal Shelter. Mental Health Spotlight: Tiverton’s Amicable Congregational Church holds a free “Inside Mental Illness” talk May 21 to tackle stigma and share recovery stories. Local Health Spending: Medicaid bills keep climbing in RI towns—North Providence up 8.7%, Johnston up 7.4%, and Middletown medicine services up 2.3% in 2024. Pop Culture: Bravo is moving forward with a Vanderpump Rules spinoff and a new Texas Wives series.

Mother-Daughter Startup Win: Pawtucket duo Alka Naithani and Priyanka just took the top prize at Rhode Island’s Impact Business Showcase for EvoNatura, a plastic-degradation pitch that also earned an Audience-Choice award. Bravo Reality Buzz: Bravo greenlit a Vanderpump Rules spinoff (“Lisa Las Vegas”) plus a new “Texas Wives” series, setting up more drama with a Vegas empire and Hill Country social circles. Local Sports Momentum: La Salle boys tennis keeps climbing after a rough start, while Barrington handed La Salle its first RI volleyball loss in a tight sweep. Education Watch: NAEP is expanding—more state-level results are coming for civics, science, math, and reading, with optional participation. Legal Fight in RI: DOJ is pushing a Rhode Island judge to limit a stay tied to immigration-status and DEI-related grant conditions to specific programs. Community & Culture: Oakland Beach Elementary in Warwick earned a Special Olympics National Banner for inclusive leadership and unified sports.

Inspector General Push: Rhode Island House Speaker Christopher Blazejewski is backing an independent inspector general office, aiming to tighten oversight as federal support shrinks and state spending faces less room for error. E-ZPass Shock Fines: Lawmakers are moving to stop surprise penalties tied to E-ZPass transponders that die after about 10 years—often without drivers realizing it. AI for River Herring: The Nature Conservancy is testing AI to count river herring during Rhode Island’s spring run, replacing slow manual video checks to better track a declining population. Sports Spotlight: Mt. Hope’s boys’ lacrosse kept rolling with a 12-game win streak, while the boys’ volleyball streak snapped. Entertainment & Local Culture: Quahog Week kicks off May 17, and Ballet Rhode Island is staging a dance adaptation of “Machinal.” Betting Update: Bally’s won Rhode Island’s second online sports betting license, setting up a November launch.