AGP Executive Report

Rhode Island Outdoors: Governor’s Bay Day is Sunday, July 26, with free parking at all eight state surf beaches and license-free saltwater fishing (July 24–26), plus RIPTA waiving fares on the South County Express Beach Bus. Local Arts Spotlight: Ann Street Gallery named its 2026 Emerging Artist Fellows—Elena Kalkova, Duncan Richards, and Luis Mercedes Winter—supporting early-career artists with mentorship and public-facing projects. Community & Culture: Simpatico in St. Michaels hosts “Canvases of the Cosmos” this weekend, featuring artist-author Roland Comtois with an exhibit, reception, and artist talk. Sports (RI ties): A Rhode Island fugitive, Ronald L. Fischer (aka “master yachtsman” Richard Graydon), was arrested off New Jersey after a 20-year run. STEM Win: Two Rhode Island students—AraOluwa Adetunji (East Greenwich) and Philip Spradlin (Barrington)—were selected to represent the state at the 2026 National Youth Science Camp. Tech & Privacy: Rhode Island is among states reviewing voter registration systems after New Jersey’s noncitizen registration issue tied to an identity vendor.

Reality TV Buzz: Tamra Judge says Liz McGraw left “The Real Housewives of Rhode Island” after struggling with social-media hate, urging fans to “chill” and remember it’s TV. Outdoor Plans: Gov. Dan McKee signed an order making Sunday, July 26 Rhode Island’s 37th annual Governor’s Bay Day, with free parking at all eight state surf beaches and license-free saltwater fishing (plus RIPTA fare waivers on the South County Express Beach Bus). Local Crime/Justice: A Rhode Island fugitive accused in a 2003 yacht rape case was tracked to his yacht and arrested off New Jersey after more than 20 years using multiple aliases. Tech & Food Safety: Chick-fil-A says a cyberattack may have exposed some Chick-fil-A One loyalty accounts, including Rhode Island customers, after suspicious login activity and credential-stuffing. STEM Spotlight: RIDE selected East Greenwich’s AraOluwa Adetunji and Barrington’s Philip Spradlin to represent Rhode Island at the 2026 National Youth Science Camp. Community Arts: The Lowell Folk Festival bounced back after losing an NEA grant in 2025, then returned with one of its most successful editions in a decade. Local Flavor: Brown & Hopkins Country Store in Chepachet was named a top hidden gem of 2026.

Local Politics & Media: Cranston’s mayor Kenneth Hopkins is pushing back on a growing social media “problem,” arguing online rumors about his legal fees tied to a sports-car dispute with businessman Davide Broccoli are getting repeated without corrections. Arts & Entertainment: Theatre by the Sea in Matunuck is getting a summer boost from Houston actor Jordan Okeke, juggling multiple roles across back-to-back productions. Comedy & Comics: Smithfield cartoonist Tim Jones revives his grumpy flying-dog strip “Sour Grapes,” now updating on GoComics. Community Sports: Brattleboro Little League’s 12U All-Stars won the District 2 title for the fourth time in five years. Food & Fun: The Soda Lab in the SouthCoast is bringing the viral “dirty soda” trend to a new mobile bar experience. Local Lifestyle: Weekapaug Inn in Westerly is offering Sunday Coastal Grille dinners this summer, with a pondside seafood spread. Public Safety: Newport Water lifted a boil-water advisory after repairs and clear bacteria tests. RI Legal/Business: Rhode Island attorney general race heats up as Keith Hoffmann launches his first TV ad.

Rhode Island Arts & Culture: Block Island’s beloved Glass Float Project is back with its annual hunt of up to 550 hand-blown glass floats, turning a simple stroll into a multi-generational art-and-nature experience. Newport Summer Spotlight: The Newport Show: Antiques, Art & Exquisite Objects returns July 25-26 at St. George’s School Ice Rink in Middletown, with 30+ dealers, a gala preview party, and a special independence-themed loan exhibit. Local Business Buzz: The Soda Lab brings the viral dirty soda trend to the SouthCoast with a build-your-own “chemist” menu that’s fun for kids and adults. Rhode Island Community Watch: Newport has lifted its boil water advisory after repairs and water tests cleared. Sports & Pride: Westerly’s Austin Cilley won the 100th Norwich Invitational amateur title, and Trenton Thunder’s Zev Moore—an Orthodox Jewish pro—earned a spot on the summer roster. Big Legal/Finance: Rhode Island Treasurer-led investors took a hit as a court overturned Boeing MAX 9 class status.

Providence Business: BankFive VP Scott Correia (Fall River) earned a Providence Business News 40 Under Forty nod for small-business leadership and community work. Local Families: An East Providence mom delivered a baby boy in Florida after an ER visit for severe pain—she and her partner had no idea she was pregnant. Sports Spotlight: Westerly’s Austin Cilley won the 100th Norwich Invitational amateur title, and 15-year-old Cullen Cashman posted a 1:02.96 to win the 100 breast at the New England Senior Champs. Arts & Culture: Puddingstone Music is closing out summer with two Rhode Island-area salon concerts—Bill Evans tribute in Jamestown (Aug. 14) and a Rough Point performance with art and reception (Aug. 21). Community Events: Providence’s Rhode Island Philharmonic Summer Pops returns free at Roger Williams Park on Aug. 5. Tech for Nonprofits: Woonsocket Education Center won a $50K Citizens grant to train Rhode Island nonprofits on AI for fundraising, grants, and operations. Film Buzz: A Swansea, MA-area theater reopening includes a July 28 job fair—good news for movie lovers and local hires.

Music & Festivals: Tedeschi Trucks Band canceled two festival stops—Newport Folk Festival in Newport and FloydFest in Virginia—after Susan Tedeschi said she had an “appendix scare” and needs surgery. Arts & Community: Brown University will sponsor a full WaterFire Providence lighting on Saturday, Aug. 1, honoring first responders and local partners who supported the campus after the Dec. 13, 2025 shooting. Travel & Rhode Island Vibes: A Portsmouth hidden-glamping retreat, Weathervane Cottages, is being pitched as a Cape Cod-style reset—complete with safari-style tents and modern comforts. Local Events: Harbor Days in Mattapoisett drew visitors and vendors for shopping, food, and entertainment, with organizers calling it a long-running “well-oiled machine.” Sports Culture: New England soccer’s rise gets a spotlight as fans weigh USL’s promotion-relegation plan. Rhode Island Spotlight: T.F. Green Airport in Warwick was named America’s #1 domestic airport again by Travel + Leisure. Science/Local Interest: A Rhode Island Hidden Glamping Retreat in Portsmouth is featured as a standout summer getaway.

Local Human Interest: A Rhode Island couple on a Florida cruise vacation got the shock of their lives when a hospital visit for stomach pain revealed she was already in labor—hours later, they welcomed baby boy Sebastian. TV & Pop Culture: Hulu’s “King of the Hill” returns with a new season, while “The Big Bang Theory” keeps spawning spinoffs and “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” heads into its next chapter. Sports & Community: Rhode Island FC beat Hartford Athletic 1-0 in a derby, and the Patriots kick off training camp with a Saturday practice crowd that’s already making headlines. Arts & Entertainment: The Newport Folk Festival lineup keeps rolling, and Rhode Island audiences are also in the orbit of major film buzz around “The Odyssey” in special formats. Public Safety: Rhode Island’s Most Wanted fugitive Ronald L. Fischer was arrested after more than 20 years on the run, with help from the FBI and a multi-state task force. Health & Care: Brown University Health named Julie Abilheira president overseeing Morton and Saint Anne’s hospitals, aiming to strengthen regional care.

Local Health & Family: A Rhode Island couple in Florida got the ultimate surprise: a hospital visit for severe abdominal pain revealed she was already in labor, and they returned home with a newborn baby boy. Community Safety: A Rhode Island-focused look at how human trafficking is tackled locally, including the role of the Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking and Polaris-style prevention work. Hospital Leadership: Brown University Health named Julie Abilheira president overseeing Morton Hospital and Saint Anne’s Hospital, aiming to strengthen care and expand access across Southeastern Mass and Rhode Island. Affordable Housing Compliance: The Peabody Companies recognized Rhode Island-based staff earning Certified Professional of Occupancy credentials to boost HUD compliance expertise. Sports Spotlight: Rhode Island FC’s Khano Smith notched a derby win over Hartford Athletic, setting up the next match against Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Arts & Culture: Tiverton library hosts a free talk on saving pollinators, with practical steps for creating pollinator-friendly habitats.

Local Arts & Community: Tiverton Public Library hosts a free pollinator-focused talk July 25, with a Pollinator Pathway ambassador sharing how native plants and small habitat tweaks can help bees and butterflies thrive. Fashion Spotlight: A New York-based label built its buzz on bags and is now turning heads with ready-to-wear—perfect “vacation-adjacent” summer style. Food & Fun: Late-summer fruit desserts are having a moment, from blackberry cobbler to peach hand pies and berry buckle. Rhode Island Entertainment: “Bernstein’s Wall” lands at the United Theatre for its Rhode Island premiere, spotlighting the composer’s music and activism. Sports on TV: Pittsburgh Riverhounds take on Louisville City on CBS. Rhode Island News: A Rhode Island couple’s cruise plans got a surprise—an unexpected baby boy born in Florida. Quick Hits: A Rhode Island fugitive, Ronald L. Fischer, was arrested after 21 years on the run; wildfire smoke may clear ahead of the World Cup final.

Rhode Island News & Culture: The Rhode Island premiere of Leonard Bernstein’s Wall lands at the United Theatre in Westerly, with director Douglas Tirola pitching the film as a reminder that arts can change lives. Local Arts Calendar: Artwalk Waldoboro returns July 24 (4–7 p.m.) with local artists, music, and community stops across the village. Science & Seafood: The NSF Seafood Engine in New England just won a $15M NSF award to strengthen the region’s fisheries and aquaculture, with partners across Maine, Mass., N.H., and Rhode Island. Community Spotlight: The second annual “Johnny V’s Meatball Challenge” is set for Aug. 19 in Westerly to fund Dante Society education grants and scholarships. Public Safety: A Rhode Island fugitive, former doctor Ronald Fischer, was arrested off New Jersey after more than 20 years on the run. Health & Weather: Wildfire smoke and air-quality concerns continue to ripple through the Northeast, with storms expected to help clear conditions ahead of major events.

Arts Spotlight: Westerly’s United Theatre is hosting the Rhode Island premiere of Leonard Bernstein’s Wall, a documentary that digs into Bernstein’s music and his push for peace and civil rights. Local Culture & Community: The second annual “Johnny V’s Meatball Challenge” returns to Westerly on Aug. 19, raising money for the Dante Society’s Italian-language education and grants. Sports: The “Spring-Quarter Century” awards spotlight top Rhode Island baseball performances, including Cam Ogden as best player and Westerly’s standout team run. Film & Pop Culture: Nolan’s The Odyssey is getting special IMAX 70mm showings, with limited theaters nationwide and a big push for the “best possible” viewing experience. Rhode Island Outdoors: A fresh wildfire smoke air-quality alert hits Saturday, with guidance for sensitive groups to stay indoors and use N95s if needed. True Crime: Rhode Island’s Ronald L. Fischer—on the run for more than 20 years—was captured aboard a sailboat off New Jersey.

Providence Politics: Providence mayoral candidates Brett Smiley and David Morales squared off in a TV debate, with Smiley defending his “back-to-basics” approach and Morales pushing a more socialist-leaning vision. True Crime: Rhode Island’s most-wanted fugitive, former anesthesiologist Ronald L. Fischer, was arrested after more than 20 years on the run—captured aboard a sailboat off New Jersey tied to his 2005 sexual assault trial. Local Arts & Community: Westerly’s Dante Society is gearing up for the second annual “Johnny V’s Meatball Challenge” on Aug. 19, a fundraiser that supports Italian-heritage education grants. Outdoor Culture: Block Island Nature Conservancy events include “Night of the Living Moth” (July 23) and a Fort Island historical walk (July 20). Food & Fun: Providence seafood fans have a new spotlight on Hemenway’s, with standout crudo, lobster, and paella picks. Sports/Entertainment: Jeopardy! contestant Jonathan Migliori (Providence) revealed he had to reshoot part of his interview after a mix-up with Ken Jennings.

Local Sports Honors: The Rhode Island Slow Pitch Softball Hall of Fame named its Class of 2026, adding 10 new inductees plus a classic team to the state’s growing roster of legends. Arts & Entertainment Spotlight: “Caught in Providence,” the courtroom reality series filmed in Providence Municipal Court under the late Judge Frank Caprio, earned a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Series. Community Retail & Culture: Providence Place launched the RI Small Business Village, a new curated shopping spot featuring 40+ Rhode Island makers and storefronts running through Aug. 30. Food & Local Flavor: Wright’s Dairy Farm & Bakery released a new cookbook, “From Cow to Kitchen,” celebrating the farm’s four generations and sharing recipes plus family history. Health Watch: URI’s Nicole Richard shared practical tips to avoid cyclosporiasis as the summer foodborne illness stays in the headlines. Weird-but-True Rhode Island: A viral radio segment highlighted Rhode Island’s “most terrifying porta potty,” perched atop the Mount Hope Bridge construction. Public Safety/Policy: New Shoreham zoning ordinance amendments update non-conformance and special-use permit criteria.

IMAX Movie Buzz: Rhode Island viewers are weighing in on Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey,” with talk of how the film looks best in 70mm IMAX—and where nearby theaters actually offer that format. Local Arts & Community: The 63rd Wickford Art Festival returns with seasoned and new artists filling Wilson Park in North Kingstown. Soccer Scene: NextPlay’s “Summer Kicks” keeps growing at Tuckertown Park in South Kingstown, turning a youth league into a major weekly draw. Paddling Spotlight: Kayak Centre of Rhode Island has acquired Narrow River Kayaks, keeping the 35-year Narrow River paddling tradition alive. Local Human Interest: A Narragansett community remembers Jordan Monroe, whose life and legacy are tied to tribal tradition and mentorship. Business/Tech: Citizens Bank (Providence HQ) says its AI push is on track for major operational savings by 2028. Health Reminder: RIDOH and DEM urge Rhode Islanders to take rabies prevention seriously as elevated cases continue.

Wickford Art Festival: The 63rd Wickford Art Festival returned to Wilson Park in North Kingstown, with seasoned and new artists selling work and creating pieces on site. Movie Night in Rhode Island: Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” hits theaters July 16, and Rhode Island-area viewers can catch it in IMAX at select New England locations. Local Real Estate Buzz: Pawtucket saw its priciest home sale ever— a 1924 Colonial at 144 Marbury Ave. sold for $1.31M. Arts & Music Picks: KEXP’s New Music Tuesday highlights fresh releases including Tierra Whack’s “WHACK’S MUSEUM” and Alewya’s “ZERO.” Charter School Shift: Rhode Island enacted a three-year charter school moratorium, limiting new approvals and reducing the allowed cap. Labor Politics: The Rhode Island AFL-CIO opted not to endorse in the governor’s race, choosing neutrality while affiliates decide. Food & Fun: A new restaurant, 222 Union, soft-opened inside the New Bedford Harbor Hotel. Health & Community: Rhode Island’s blood supply is under strain, with the Rhode Island Blood Center declaring a blood emergency.

School Mental Health Fight: 15 Democratic-led states, including Rhode Island AG Peter Neronha, sued the Trump administration to block cuts to a $1 billion school mental health grant program tied to the Parkland-era funding. Antitrust Drug Fallout: A 48-state coalition announced a $29.6 million Glenmark settlement over alleged generic drug price manipulation, with Rhode Island residents potentially eligible if they bought certain meds between 2009 and 2019. Local Politics Watch: Rhode Island’s AFL-CIO is set to decide whether to endorse Gov. Dan McKee in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, a move that could shift momentum heading into early voting. Gun Violence Snapshot: A new national report finds shootings down sharply while gun sales tick up, with attention also on ghost guns and attitudes. Arts & Culture: Stone Valley Arts in Rhode Island is hosting a free chamber music night featuring cellist Adrienne Taylor and pianist Andrei Baumann. Film Buzz: Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” is getting special IMAX 70mm treatment, with fans hunting for the best big-screen experience. Community Notes: People’s Credit Union will hold a free Community Shred Day in Wakefield on July 25.