AGP Executive Report

Rhode Island Arts & Culture: The Dorothea & Leo Rabkin Foundation named eight winners for its 2026 visual arts journalism prizes, including Rhode Island’s own Melaine Ferdinand-King (African American Museum of Rhode Island) plus major national voices. Local Community & Events: Providence is moving closer to a formal friendship with Ayr, Scotland, after World Cup-era Tartan Army visits helped spark tourism, education, sport, and culture ties. Film & TV: Rhode Island-shot horror “Stung” wrapped production, adding Odeya Rush to the cast with Justin Long and Iris Apatow. Sports (RI connection): Hearts’ JJ Williams—recently joined from Rhode Island—helped book a Premier Sports Cup semi-final spot with a 3-0 win over Stenhousemuir. Science & Learning: URI’s Graduate School of Oceanography is hosting free “Science Saturday” on Sept. 26 with interactive ocean exhibits and tours on Narragansett Bay Campus. Public Safety: Newport-area police joined a summer crackdown on Aquidneck Island, totaling 4,059 traffic stops and 48 DUI arrests.

Arts & Community: The Beals Memorial Library in Winchendon, MA hosts its first Indie Author Book Fair Sept. 19, with 24 independent writers, readings, and workshops spanning mystery, sci-fi, fantasy, historical fiction, and poetry. Theater Spotlight (RI): The Contemporary Theater Company’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” lands with a modern 1995-style twist—final days of the run at The Contemporary Theater Company in South Kingstown. Zoo News (RI): Roger Williams Park Zoo mourns the death of beloved zebra Zipper, killed in an apparent attack inside her mixed-species enclosure; officials are investigating and reviewing safety steps. Local Art Opening: Eight & 322 Art Collective opens in Franklin, adding a new gallery and gift shop focused on regional artists and beyond. Sports & Entertainment: Providence Place’s ownership changes hands as Pyramid Management Group completes the $133M acquisition of the 1.4M sq. ft. mall, setting up a repositioning with new brands and upgrades. Family Fun: Launch indoor entertainment complex is set to open mid-October in Pensacola (trampoline, duckpin bowling, arcade, and a pizza-and-cocktails spot).

Providence Politics: Democratic Socialist David Morales pulled off a historic upset, beating incumbent Mayor Brett Smiley in the Democratic primary—an outcome drawing national attention from figures like Bernie Sanders and Zohran Mamdani. Rhode Island Arts & Culture: URI will celebrate its new $99M Fine Arts Center with a ribbon-cutting Sept. 14, adding new space for digital art, recording studios, classrooms, and community programming. Local Food Scene: Jamestown’s dining lineup gets a spotlight with a “dinner party every night” vibe, including the refreshed Beech under chef Michael Schlow. Marine Trades Education: IYRS is taking applications through Nov. 15 for its Glo Tech Scholarship supporting women in marine trades and advanced manufacturing. Tech & Community: A Fidium Fiber outage hit customers across New England, including Rhode Island, disrupting internet and phone service. Fashion Find: Studio Milano in East Providence is opening its doors as a curated vintage and Italian-inspired style stop.

Local Politics: Rhode Island’s Democratic primary delivered a major upset: Gov. Dan McKee lost renomination to Helena Foulkes, with the Washington Bridge shutdown and traffic chaos a central issue. Progressive Push: Providence Mayor Brett Smiley was projected to fall to Rep. David Morales, who campaigned on housing and public safety changes, including ending Flock cameras. Statewide Elections: Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos held her seat, and Kim Ahern won the Democratic nomination for attorney general. Community & Culture: Charlestown’s Rhythm and Roots festival kept the vibe going at Ninigret Park, while the 40th annual Greek festival at Church of the Annunciation draws big crowds with classic pastries and music. Arts/Events: Safe Harbors Green marks its 10th anniversary with a gala on Sept. 17. Family Fun: Rhode Island’s Flying Horse Merry-Go-Round in Watch Hill is still running—caretakers say it’s survived storms and keeps spinning for $5 or less. Grants: The Rhode Island Foundation is offering up to $10K for community-building projects, with a Sept. 24 deadline.

Local Arts & Community: Pawtucket’s Taiwan Day Festival & Dragon Boat Races keep the Seekonk River buzzing, with the Pawtucket Bucketeers treating it like a community hangout as much as a competition. Transit & Live Culture: MBTA says a Providence Line commuter train was terminated at Ruggles after fire department activity, with Orange Line suggested for inbound riders. Film Night in Rhode Island: The United Theater in Westerly screens the re-released documentary “The Airwaves Belonged to the People: WBCN and the American Revolution,” spotlighting WBCN-FM’s counterculture radio legacy. Outdoor Fun: Woonsocket unveiled the Project GOAL Mini-Pitch Complex at Dunn Park, adding two futsal courts for youth and adults. Pop Culture: “Star Wars: A New Hope” lands in select IMAX 70mm locations for its 50th anniversary. Food & Chaos: Narragansett’s “Squidpocalypse of ’26” shut down an intersection for hours after a squid truck tipped and spilled thousands of squid.

Providence Politics: David Morales’ mayoral push is being held up as a blueprint for how a progressive challenger can pressure an entrenched incumbent in Rhode Island’s biggest city. Local Governance & Privacy: Gov. Dan McKee is calling for a pause on plate-reading Flock safety cameras as privacy concerns heat up ahead of the state’s primary. Miss America Spotlight: Officer Ashlyn Mercier is back on patrol after representing Massachusetts at Miss America, bringing pageant buzz to the beat. Brown University Campus Culture: Brown’s Opening Convocation drew backlash after a “Brown 4 Israel” protest plane interrupted the ceremony. Arts & Education: RISD Museum’s Gail Silver Memorial Lecture lands Christine Sun Kim in Providence on Oct. 28. Community & Business: RIBBA handed out $16K+ to young Rhode Island entrepreneurs, while the Rhode Island Small Business Shopping Village at Providence Place topped $75K in sales. Sailing & 9/11 Remembrance: The 25th Anniversary Sail for Pride returns Sept. 26 around Conanicut Island, benefiting Folds of Honor, Tunnel to Towers, and Warrior Sailing.

WNBA Leadership Shake-Up: Cathy Engelbert announced she’ll retire at year’s end, and the league’s search for a new commissioner is set to ramp up soon. Rhode Island Sports & Community: RI Shriners helped get 1,100 Guardian Cap helmet covers into the hands of football players, and Aquidneck Island Robotics opens its workshop to new students this Saturday with 10 spots still available. Local Arts & Culture: Turn the Page Bookshop in Williamsburg (run by a Rhode Island native) is drawing readers with its mix of new, used, and antique finds—plus a “time machine” vibe. Tech & Privacy Backlash: Flock cameras are becoming a campaign flashpoint nationwide as voters push back on tech-powered surveillance. Kids Online Safety: AG Nick Brown says Meta’s addictive features for kids are headed to trial, arguing the company knowingly harmed young users. Legal Drama in Massachusetts: Lindsay Clancy’s ex-husband’s attorney warns of “consequences” for conspiracy theorists as her case heads toward what comes next after a mistrial.

Theater Spotlight (RI): Temple Theatre Company kicks off its 2026-27 Mainstage Season with “1776, the Musical,” starting Thursday in Sanford, with the show tracing the weeks leading to the Declaration of Independence. Arts & Learning (Providence): The Artists Loop is hosting a Watercolor Workshop with RISD student Daria Derevianko on Sept. 15 at Wanskuck Library, plus an ongoing exhibit featuring works by Alix Fuerst, Bonnie Schultz Platzer, and more. Community Giving (Newport): BankNewport Charitable Foundation awarded $26,000 to youth-focused groups, including Star Kids, FabNewport’s Healthy Meals, and The Empowerment Factory’s literacy and hands-on art programs. Sports & Local Pride (RI): Roger Federer was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, adding to his legendary career and business success. Local Sports (Temple): Temple opened strong in its season opener against Rhode Island, and now turns to a bigger test vs. Penn State with a quarterback competition in focus. Reality TV (RI connection): “The Bachelor” alum Sydney Gordon married Nathan Nel in an oceanfront ceremony in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.

Theater Spotlight (RI): Lemon Bay Playhouse is back with a zany, two-act crowd-pleaser, “Theatre People or The Angel Next Door,” a behind-the-scenes farce staged in its newly refreshed 39th-season home. Local Crime/Justice (RI): A Rhode Island fugitive doctor, Ronald L. Fischer, accused of sexual assault and wanted for years, was finally captured off the coast of New Jersey after a long run. RI Arts & Culture: Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’ luxe homes get the spotlight in a new look at her East Coast properties and the one that’s open to visitors. Mystery Court Drama (RI): In the Conjuring House ownership fight in Burrillville, a judge called the tangled case “a mess” as multiple parties dispute title and mortgage details. Sports (RI): Rhode Island is slotted at No. 10 in an FCS Top 25 Week 1 ballot, with voters weighing early-season results. What to Do (RI): A packed Labor Day weekend calendar highlights live music and shows across the region, including a big Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center night.

Fall Reading List: A new roundup spotlights 16 highly anticipated adult novels hitting shelves this fall, spanning horror, fantasy, literary fiction, and dark academia. Theatre in Focus: Reviews are out for Citizens’ Theatre’s “1984” and King’s Theatre’s “High Society,” with “1984” praised for its sharp, modern take on surveillance and truth. Rhode Island Arts & Community: Providence’s Public Library hosted the full-house debut of the student-written play “No Swears Academy,” with proceeds supporting Oasis International. Local Culture Spotlight: Cole Brauer brings her memoir “First Light” to the Jane Pickens Theater on Sept. 16, discussing her solo sailing journey. Sports & Entertainment Crossover: Temple opened its season with a 38-14 win over Rhode Island, while “The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip” continues its “Alter Egos” recap buzz. Ocean News: Experts say warm-water shark sightings around New England are becoming a consistent pattern as waters shift.

Local Theater & Books: Cole Brauer, the first American woman to sail solo nonstop around the world, brings her memoir “First Light” to the Jane Pickens Theater on Sept. 16 with a conversation with Newport sailor Linda Lindquist. Youth Performance: Providence’s Public Library packed out for the student-written play “No Swears Academy,” a benefit for Oasis International supporting African immigrant and low-income communities. Arts Spotlight: Konstantinos Patsios’ new ALMA Gallery show, “Woke on the Wild Side,” leans into collage-and-painting chaos, mixing pop culture with politics and identity. Community Events: AHA! Night returns with “NB Cultures” on Sept. 10 in New Bedford, featuring Indigenous storytelling, music, dance, and art across multiple venues. Sports (RI connection): Temple opened its season with a 38-14 win over Rhode Island, with a quarterback rotation and a strong defensive second half. Science & Environment: Experts say warm-water sharks are showing up more consistently across New England as ocean temperatures shift. Local Sports Pipeline: Rhode Island-area athletes continue landing on college rosters for the week ending Sept. 6.

Rhode Island Sports Spotlight: Temple opened its 2026 season with a 38-14 win over Rhode Island at Lincoln Financial Field, using a two-QB look with Jaxon Smolik and Ajani Sheppard while the defense shut things down in the second half. Local Football Safety: Rhode Island Shriners are buying about 1,080 Guardian Cap helmet covers for 36 public high schools, with the handoff to coaches set for Sunday, Sept. 6. WNBA & Rhode Island Connection: Dearica Hamby’s racist abuse case led to a Rhode Island-based medical equipment company firing the alleged sender, and the league says the person is permanently banned from WNBA games. Arts & Culture: Newport’s International Tennis Hall of Fame welcomed Roger Federer and broadcaster Mary Carillo, adding another big chapter to the Rhode Island sports-and-legacy story. Community & Weather: NOAA’s El Niño-driven winter outlook points to warmer, wetter conditions for Rhode Island this season. Food & School Talk: A new take on America’s failing school lunch programs argues nutrition education needs to be consistent, well-funded, and built into school life.

Labor Day Entertainment & Sports: Rhode Island’s football spotlight stays hot as Temple opens its season at home against URI, with a two-QB competition (Ajani Sheppard vs. Jaxon Smolik) and a key storyline around running back Sam Brown’s health. Local High School Safety: Rhode Island Shriners are stepping up for the gridiron, buying about 1,080 Guardian Cap helmet covers for 36 public high schools, with a Sunday handoff to coaches. RI Arts & Culture: Newport’s tennis legacy gets a boost after Roger Federer’s International Tennis Hall of Fame induction in Newport, a reminder of how the sport’s history is preserved beyond the baseline. Community & Wellbeing: A Brown University medical student’s “Gladiator Shelters” poem is sparking fresh conversation about what hospitals record—and what gets erased—when people have nowhere to go. Tech & Privacy Backlash: Flock cameras are turning into a major election issue nationwide as voters push back on AI-powered surveillance.

High School Football Safety: Rhode Island Shriners are stepping up with about 1,080 Guardian Cap helmet covers for 36 public high schools, with coaches getting the gear at a Sept. 6 event in Cranston. Winter Weather Watch: NOAA says Rhode Island’s 2026-27 winter is likely warmer and wetter, with El Niño driving above-normal temps and precipitation. Sports Spotlight (RI): Rhode Island opens its season at Temple on Saturday, with Temple historically leading the matchup 11-0—setting up a big early test for the Rams. Tennis in Newport: Roger Federer was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, with the ceremony framed as a legacy lesson for young fans. Community Roundup: A weekly RI news recap highlights Taylor Swift’s $50K gift to a Rhode Island woman hurt in a crash, plus local school and sports updates. Local Arts & Culture: Newport Historical Society landed a $245,000 federal grant to digitize Revolutionary-era documents.

Rhode Island School News: Block Island School is set to open Wednesday, Sept. 9, with a new superintendent lined up—Dr. Mark Garceau will start Oct. 20 after a 90-day-per-year pension limit, while interim superintendent Robert Hicks and interim principal Dean Laurie McTeague keep things moving. Local Politics: The “knives are out” vibe is ramping up in Rhode Island’s AG and lieutenant governor races as candidates trade accusations in the final sprint to the Sept. 9 primary. Sports (RI on the schedule): College football Week 1 is here, and Rhode Island’s Temple matchup is on the slate Saturday at 2 p.m. (ESPN+). Community & Culture: Coastal Resilience Committee updates show slow progress on a Fred Benson Town Beach pavilion exhibit, with more dune-and-marsh education walks planned. Public Safety/Corrections: RIDOC secured $1.7 million in federal funding to modernize its transportation fleet and expand correctional job training through Rhode Island Correctional Industries.

Local Arts & Culture: Pawtucket’s Burbage Theatre Company announced its 15th season theme, “Past Is Prologue,” with a lineup that includes “Much Ado about Nothing” (Sept. 17–Oct. 11) plus Rhode Island premieres and special Halloween/Christmas shows. Music & Community Events: Charlestown’s Rhythm & Roots Festival returns Sept. 4–6 at Ninigret Park, with a packed roots roster and a detailed schedule for daily music starting Friday and Saturday at 1 p.m. Sports & Outdoor Fun: Newport Polo revives England vs. Newport on Saturday, Sept. 5 at BD Field at Glen Farm (4 p.m. start), with “Bridgerton Bouquets” dress-up prizes and a divot-stomp halftime tradition. Sports Shooting: The Preserve Sporting Club & Resort hosts the Rhode Island FITASC Open this Saturday, Sept. 5, featuring 100-bird FITASC and 100-bird Super Sporting courses. Community Giving: Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation awarded $50,000 across six Taunton/Attleboro-area nonprofits, part of a larger $322,400 SouthCoast and Providence-region grant round. Sports Spotlight: WNBA forward Dearica Hamby says she received racist texts; Rhode Island-based Acclaro Medical suspended and then terminated the employee tied to the message, and the WNBA issued a permanent ban.