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

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489 articles · page 5 of 41
GovernanceFree press

RI Senate confirms Michelle Reddish as Cannabis Control Commission chair

The Rhode Island Senate unanimously confirmed Michelle Reddish as chair of the Cannabis Control Commission on June 11, filling the seat vacant since October when former leader Kim Ahern resigned. Reddish transitions from leading the state's Cannabis Office to the $204,069 full-time policymaking role. The Senate also reappointed commissioner Robert Jacquard for a second term. Both will serve until May 17, 2031.

rhodeislandcurrent.comJUN 21, 2026
GovernancePaywall

RI lawmakers pass bill blocking McKee from Trump school choice plan without approval

The Rhode Island General Assembly sent a bill to Gov. McKee's desk in mid-June that would block him from opting Rhode Island into President Trump's national school voucher program without legislative approval. The program, set to start January 1, allows public money to go toward private school tuition. McKee has until early next week to veto the bill or it will go into effect. His office said June 18 he is reviewing the legislation and has not stated his position on the program.

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bostonglobe.com
JUN 21, 2026
GovernanceFree press

McKee signs rat poison phase-out law, second state to restrict anticoagulant rodenticides

Gov. Dan McKee signed legislation on June 19 making Rhode Island the second state in the nation to phase out the sale of certain rat poisons that harm wildlife. The law targets first- and second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, with restrictions taking effect March 1, 2027, and full prohibition by January 1, 2029. Licensed commercial applicators and certain public health, agricultural, and municipal uses are exempt.

turnto10.comJUN 21, 2026
GovernancePaywall

RI lawmakers pass multiple bills mandating AI disclosure in mental health care

The Rhode Island General Assembly passed legislation regulating the use of artificial intelligence in mental health care settings. One bill requires AI chatbots to have safety mechanisms for cases of suicidal ideation, self-harm, and harm to others. A second bill requires licensed healthcare providers to obtain patient consent before using AI and prohibits unlicensed individuals or companies from using AI in therapy settings. The bills now await Gov. McKee's action.

providencejournal.comJUN 21, 2026
JudiciaryFree press

Federal Grand Jury Indicts 26 on RICO Conspiracy in Providence Gang Enterprise

The US Attorney's Office for Rhode Island announced a 67-page, 49-count indictment charging 26 alleged members and associates of the East Side and Allied Gangs Criminal Enterprise with racketeering conspiracy. The indictment alleges a pattern of violence, drug trafficking, firearms offenses, and fraud schemes dating back to at least 2013 in Providence, Pawtucket, and Central Falls. Charges include murder, attempted murder, robbery, and COVID-19 relief fraud. Three additional defendants face related charges.

turnto10.comJUN 20, 2026
JudiciaryFree press

Chief Federal Judge Accuses ICE of Endangering Judge in Gómez Case Letter

Chief US District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. publicly rebuked ICE officials in a letter stating that prosecutors' failure to disclose information about Bryan Rafael Gómez's homicide warrant "resulted in harm to Judge DuBose, to the Court and to the public trust in the judiciary." McConnell's letter followed an investigation that found Assistant US Attorney Kevin Bolan violated his duty of candor after ICE instructed him not to disclose the warrant. DHS had publicly criticized Judge DuBose for releasing Gómez on bond, unaware he was wanted for homicide.

oceanstatemedia.orgJUN 20, 2026
JudiciaryPaywall

Mother Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit After Teen Killed in Portsmouth Club Stairway Collapse

Sharon Nevitt filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Newport County Superior Court against the Portsmouth Portuguese American Citizens Club following the June 2025 death of her 15-year-old daughter Kelly. The seven-page complaint alleges the club knew or should have known the exterior stairway was unsafe when it collapsed during a graduation party, killing Kelly and injuring three others. The suit alleges negligence in maintenance and inspection of the premises.

bostonglobe.comJUN 20, 2026
JudiciaryGovernanceFree press

Former Speaker Shekarchi Moves to Dismiss Ethics Complaint Over Supreme Court Bid

Former House Speaker Joe Shekarchi has filed a motion to dismiss the Rhode Island Ethics Commission complaint alleging his Rhode Island Supreme Court application violates the state's revolving door rule. The Commission voted June 2 to advance the complaint filed by former Roger Williams Law Dean Michael Yelnosky. The Commission's June 23 agenda includes a hearing on Shekarchi's motion to dismiss and an executive session on the matter. Shekarchi declined to provide a copy of the motion and referred questions to his attorney.

golocalprov.comJUN 20, 2026
JudiciaryFree press

Federal Judge Faces Misconduct Complaint Over DOJ Attorney Criticism

The Center to Advance Security in America filed a judicial misconduct complaint with the First Circuit Court of Appeals against US District Judge Mary S. McElroy, accusing her of improper attacks on Justice Department attorneys in a dispute over federal subpoenas for transgender-related medical records from Rhode Island Hospital. The complaint alleges McElroy made false statements and vindictively referred DOJ attorneys to disciplinary proceedings. The dispute arose from a nationwide DOJ investigation into hospitals providing gender-transition procedures to minors.

washingtonexaminer.comJUN 20, 2026
JudiciaryOther

First Circuit to Review USCIS Appeal of Immigration Hold Policy Ruling

USCIS filed a Notice of Appeal on June 12, 2026, seeking First Circuit Court of Appeals review of Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr.'s June 5 decision in Dorcas International Institute v. USCIS. The district court had vacated USCIS policies that paused immigration benefit applications for nationals from 39 countries, finding the agency used pretextual national security concerns masking anti-immigrant bias. USCIS announced compliance with the order while simultaneously appealing, creating uncertainty for thousands of applicants.

lawfirm4immigrants.comJUN 20, 2026
GovernanceFree press

McKee signs three-year charter school moratorium, reversing longtime stance

Governor Dan McKee, a charter school advocate for nearly two decades, signed legislation on June 18 placing a three-year moratorium on new charter schools and reducing the statutory cap from 35 to 28 schools. McKee cited declining enrollment of over 10,000 students since 2021 and the need to evaluate school funding formulas as reasons for the reversal. The decision drew criticism from business groups and charter school advocates.

golocalprov.comJUN 19, 2026
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