Vol. CXXXII · No. CDLXXXIXFRIDAY, JULY 10, 2026Ocean State Edition

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489 articles · page 2 of 41
GovernancePaywall

General Assembly Injects $5 Million Seed Funding Into URI Medical School Proposal

The Rhode Island General Assembly approved $5 million in initial funding for a proposed public medical school at the University of Rhode Island, marking the first financial commitment toward the project. A 2024 commission recommended $20 million in initial state investment plus $150 million from private donors, with annual state commitments of $22.5 million starting in 2029. The school aims to strengthen the state's primary care physician pipeline.

providencejournal.comJUN 30, 2026
GovernancePaywall

Rhode Island Legalizes Telemedicine for Pets and Virtual Veterinary Prescriptions

Gov. Dan McKee signed legislation allowing veterinarians to offer telemedicine appointments and prescribe some medications virtually, effective June 23. The law permits vets to provide virtual services at their discretion but requires in-person visits for controlled substances. Virtual prescriptions are limited to 30 days with one renewal before another appointment is required. The measure addresses a nationwide veterinarian shortage.

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© 2026 RI Capitol · All rights reserved.Aggregated summaries linking out to original sources. XPoLL.
providencejournal.comJUN 30, 2026
JudiciaryGovernancePrimary

Federal court blocks Trump executive order attempting to federalize state election administration

A U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts granted a permanent injunction blocking President Trump's executive order that attempted to restrict voting to individuals on federally pre-authorized lists and limit mail voting to U.S. Postal Service lists. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha led a 24-state coalition challenging the order, which threatened to withhold federal funding and prosecute election officials for non-compliance. The court ruled the order violated states' constitutional authority to administer elections. This marks the second consecutive day Neronha's coalition won an elections-related case against the Trump Administration.

einpresswire.comJUN 29, 2026
JudiciaryPaywall

Dino Guilmette rejects plea deal, heads to trial on seven felony drug and fraud charges

Dino Guilmette, a guest on "The Real Housewives of Rhode Island," rejected a plea deal that would have allowed him to avoid jail time by pleading guilty to delivery and conspiracy to deliver Lorazepam. The rejected offer would have dismissed six other charges and resulted in five years' probation. Guilmette, who faces a maximum sentence of 88 years on seven felony and one misdemeanor charge filed in 2022, maintains his innocence and has sent the case to trial. Defense attorney John L. Calcagni III confirmed his client turned down the state's final offer.

providencejournal.comJUN 29, 2026
GovernanceFree press

New Rhode Island Law Phases Out Dangerous Rat Poisons That Harm Wildlife

Governor Dan McKee signed legislation on June 25, 2026, phasing out anticoagulant rodenticides that harm wildlife and creating a pilot program for safer rodent control alternatives. The law prohibits consumer sales of first-generation anticoagulant rodenticides beginning March 1, 2027, and second-generation products starting January 1, 2028. Licensed commercial applicators are exempt. The bill was sponsored by Senator Melissa Murray and Representative Rebecca Kislak and passed the General Assembly on June 8.

valleybreeze.comJUN 28, 2026
GovernancePrimary

Governor McKee Signs Bills Into Law on June 19, 2026

Governor Dan McKee transmitted multiple bills on Friday, June 19, 2026, both with and without signature. The official announcement was published Monday, June 22, 2026. Specific bill details were provided via linked transmittal documents from the governor's office.

governor.ri.govJUN 28, 2026
JudiciaryGovernancePaywall

Federal judge permanently blocks Trump administration election overhaul in Rhode Island case

U.S. District Court Judge Denise Casper in Boston permanently barred the Trump administration from implementing an executive order requiring documentary proof of citizenship to vote and other election changes. The ruling, which converts a prior preliminary injunction to a permanent ban, affirmed that the Constitution grants states and Congress—not the president—authority to regulate elections. Rhode Island was among the plaintiff states in the case.

bostonglobe.comJUN 27, 2026
JudiciaryGovernancePaywall

Boston federal judge blocks Trump executive order on mail ballots, voter lists

U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani halted President Trump's executive order seeking to create a federal voter list and limit mail ballot eligibility, ruling the provisions unconstitutionally violate separation of powers. The ruling applies to the 2026 midterm election cycle and stems from lawsuits filed in Boston federal court by a coalition of nearly two dozen states, including Rhode Island. The White House indicated it will appeal.

bostonglobe.comJUN 27, 2026
GovernanceCommerceFree press

Rhode Island Becomes First State to Mandate Grocery Self-Checkout Staffing Ratios

Governor McKee signed the Restrictions on Self-Service Checkout Stations Act into law on June 25, making Rhode Island the first state to regulate self-checkout lanes. The law requires one manually staffed cashier lane for every three self-checkout stations and prohibits dual-duty assignments for monitoring staff. Stores violating the law face fines up to $1,000 per day.

wpri.comJUN 27, 2026
GovernancePaywall

McKee Vetoes Building Energy Reporting Bill, Climate Advocates Urge Override

Governor McKee issued his first veto of 2026, rejecting legislation requiring energy-use reporting for large buildings and campuses. Climate Action RI called the veto "deeply disappointing" and noted it followed their endorsement of McKee's primary opponent, Helena Foulkes. McKee cited implementation challenges and negative cost impacts on housing development and businesses. The veto came on June 25.

bostonglobe.comJUN 27, 2026
GovernanceJudiciaryOther

McKee Signs Law Creating Two-Year Window for Child Sex Abuse Civil Claims

Governor McKee signed legislation on June 24 amending the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse claims and creating a two-year window for victims to bring otherwise time-barred civil claims against institutions and supervisors. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, following a March attorney general report identifying 75 clergy who abused over 300 children in the Catholic Diocese of Providence since 1950.

insurancejournal.comJUN 27, 2026
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