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Governor McKee issued a statewide drought watch on June 25, as recommended by the state's Drought Steering Committee, marking the first such declaration since 2002. The watch follows a drought advisory issued last month, based on three scientific indices showing precipitation deficits, record-low streamflows, and declining groundwater levels extending back to June 2025.
Governor McKee signed legislation on June 23 establishing a moratorium on sludge management at Quonset and creating a study commission to examine the issue. The measure addresses concerns about sludge processing facilities and their environmental impact. Details about the commission's scope and timeline will be determined through the legislative study process.
Former House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi filed an emergency motion in Rhode Island Superior Court on June 25, 2026, seeking to halt the state Ethics Commission from investigating a complaint that his pursuit of a Supreme Court seat violates the revolving-door law. The commission had denied his motion to dismiss the complaint, which argues Shekarchi cannot apply for a judgeship within one year of resigning as Speaker. Shekarchi's lawyers contend Supreme Court seats are exempt from the revolving-door ban as a constitutional office; the commission's prosecutor disagrees.
The Rhode Island Ethics Commission voted 5-1 on June 23, 2026, to reject former Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi's motion to dismiss a complaint alleging he violated the revolving-door ban by applying for a Supreme Court seat. Shekarchi's lawyer requested the commission halt its investigation while he brings the matter to court, but that request was also denied. The commission had previously voted on June 2 to authorize a full investigation after concluding the complaint states facts sufficient to constitute a potential ethics code violation.
Defense attorney Kevin Bristow filed a 102-page motion challenging Rhode Island State Police Detective Matthew Lynch's credibility in the Kenneth LaFlamme drug prosecution, alleging Lynch is "fabricating facts or demonstrating an absolute reckless disregard for accuracy." LaFlamme faces 17 felonies tied to a September 2024 bust that seized 279 pounds of marijuana, 922 mature plants, firearms, and nearly $80,000. Lynch is also the lead investigator in the Dino Guilmette indictment.
Defending Education, a Virginia-based nonprofit, filed an ethics complaint on June 24, 2026, against Rhode Island Senate President Val Lawson, alleging she violated Ethics Commission guidance by voting on a charter-school moratorium and a card-check unionization bill while serving as president of the National Education Association Rhode Island. Lawson defended her votes, stating she consulted with legal staff and determined there was either no conflict or she was covered by the class exemption.
Rhode Island State Police announced six arrests in Operation Red Card, a multi-agency enforcement operation targeting commercial sex acts, child exploitation, and human trafficking during the FIFA World Cup. Richard Lallier was held without bail in federal court on attempted enticement and transmission of obscene material to a minor. Five others—Joshua Lincoln, Franco Miccoli, Jacob Palazzo, Travis Shaw, and Rocky Joseph—were charged with indecent solicitation of a minor and released on personal recognizance.
The First Circuit affirmed a U.S. District Court (D.R.I.) ruling that probable cause existed for a plaintiff's arrest by Barrington police, granting summary judgment on eight of eleven counts and remanding three state-law claims (RIGL §12-7-3) to Superior Court. The Superior Court subsequently addressed motions to dismiss; res judicata bars several claims, but dismissal of the civil conspiracy claim was denied. The case involves alleged negligence and civil-rights violations.
Rhode Island's new $15.2 billion fiscal 2027 budget, signed by Governor McKee on June 12, includes a 3% surcharge on income over $1 million phasing in over three years starting in 2027, estimated to raise over $150 million annually when fully implemented. The budget also establishes the state's first permanent child tax credit of $330 per child, expands Social Security tax exemption eligibility, and strategically decouples from federal business tax provisions.
Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Executive Office of Housing announced $9.5 million in awards on June 23 through the Housing 2030 Public Developer Program, a bond-funded initiative empowering Public Housing Authorities to develop affordable rental housing. The awards will create 102 affordable rental homes, including 50 for extremely low-income residents. The program supports the state's Housing 2030 goal of permitting 2,250 affordable rentals by 2030.
The Rhode Island Ethics Commission voted 5-1 to reject former House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi's motion to dismiss an ethics complaint challenging his bid for a state Supreme Court seat. The complaint, filed by former Roger Williams Law Dean Michael Yelnosky, alleges Shekarchi violated the state's 'revolving door' law by applying to the court shortly after stepping down as Speaker in May 2026. Shekarchi's attorney announced plans to file in either Supreme or Superior Court within 48 hours, and the commission declined to halt its investigation pending court proceedings.
