RI Capitol’s Civic Intelligence Network · Powered by XPoLL
Brightstar Lottery, formerly IGT, has signed a long-term lease extension to remain at 10 Memorial Boulevard in downtown Providence through at least July 2036, with an option for seven additional years. The agreement keeps the lottery operator's global headquarters in the state's capital and ensures continued presence of a major RI employer in the downtown core.
Providence-based Textron Systems Corp. was awarded a Defense Innovation Unit contract to produce and deliver multiple uncrewed surface vessels for U.S. Navy Fleet Experimentation exercises in Key West, Florida. The contract includes supplying Tsunami interceptor USVs and Aerosonde 4.7 VTOL unmanned aerial systems, followed by three months of joint operations with U.S. Southern Command and Fourth Fleet.
Rhode Island finalized a settlement with Deloitte requiring the firm to pay the state $7 million plus an additional $5 million for unexpected 2025 expenses following the December 2024 RIBridges cybersecurity incident. Deloitte also provided $6 million worth of system enhancements and operational support services. The agreement covers Deloitte's role as the vendor managing the social benefits system that was shut down due to a cyberattack.
Hotel Viking announced it will reopen on May 1 after multimillion-dollar renovations completed in time for its 100th anniversary. The Newport landmark returns with a refreshed redesign and new culinary program led by chef Robert Andreozzi. Over 100 employees were laid off when the hotel closed for renovations last September; hotel officials had encouraged workers to reapply upon reopening.
Governor Dan McKee nominated Joanna M. Achille and Maria Ferro Deaton to fill vacant seats on the Rhode Island Superior Court on April 29. If confirmed by the state Senate, Achille would replace retired Judge Stephen Nugent and Deaton would replace retired Judge Melanie Wilk Thunberg. The nominations come amid scrutiny of McKee's judicial picks and questions about whether he will nominate House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi for a Supreme Court vacancy.
The Rhode Island General Assembly is considering over 100 health care bills this session, with four major bills advancing. H7743 would require police to carry epinephrine for emergency allergic reactions. Two Senate bills aim to address the primary care provider shortage through scholarship and loan repayment programs, funded at $500,000+ annually. Another bill caps prescription inhaler costs at $25 per month for insured patients.
The Rhode Island House of Representatives approved legislation on April 16 expanding collaborative pharmacy agreements to include nurse practitioners and physician associates, in addition to physicians. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Joseph Solomon Jr. and awaiting Senate action, allows pharmacists with advanced training to perform drug therapy management, order labs, and educate patients under agreements with non-physician providers.
Rhode Island finalized a $12 million settlement with Deloitte Consulting LLP on April 24, resolving issues from the December 2024 RIBridges cybersecurity breach. The agreement includes $12 million in direct financial recovery plus $6 million for system enhancements and ongoing support services to secure critical state benefits systems. Governor McKee stated the settlement protects taxpayer interests while ensuring continuity of essential IT infrastructure.
Rhode Island legislators introduced Senate Bill 3013 and House Bill 8369 to establish dedicated funding for the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority by dedicating $10 from each vehicle inspection to RIPTA starting in 2027. The legislation responds to RIPTA's largest service cuts in history last year, which eliminated over 113,000 annual service hours and caused monthly ridership to drop by 125,000 trips.
Two class action lawsuits were filed in US District Court in Providence on Wednesday following a Citizens Bank data breach affecting a few thousand customers. Plaintiffs Jillian Russell Hauser of Ohio and Lorien Hansford of Maine allege the Providence-based bank was negligent and breached implied contracts after a third-party vendor incident exposed customer names, addresses, and account numbers. Each lawsuit seeks damages exceeding $5 million. Citizens said there is no evidence of unauthorized access to its network and affected customers will be contacted directly.
Nelson Reyes Luciano, 41, was sentenced in US District Court in Providence to 78 months imprisonment for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy that involved shipping 10 parcels of cocaine and fentanyl to Rhode Island through two private commercial mail carriers. Over six weeks beginning in February 2022, Reyes Luciano shipped multiple packages from California to the home of co-conspirator Rosangeles Bueno in Providence. Investigators seized approximately eight kilograms of cocaine and 2.2 kilograms of fentanyl. Reyes Luciano pleaded guilty in December 2025 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine.
