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

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489 articles · page 7 of 41
JudiciaryFree press

US District Court rejects nexus challenge to Rhode Island drug investigation search warrant

US District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy denied a defendant's motion to suppress evidence from a residence search in an alleged cocaine distribution and money laundering case. The defendant challenged the nexus between his residence and alleged criminal conduct, arguing the affidavit provided only slim evidence. Judge McElroy found the FBI special agent's affidavit established a fair probability that evidence of money laundering — such as bank records — would be found at the residence, and applied the good faith exception.

rilawyersweekly.comJUN 16, 2026
GovernanceFree press

RI Senate approves $15.2B budget with millionaire's tax after Republican pushback

The Rhode Island Senate approved the fiscal 2027 state budget on June 9 with a 32-6 vote, advancing the highest state spending plan on record. The budget features a phased-in 1% annual tax increase on income over $1 million for three years. All four Senate Republicans voted against it, along with Democrats Sam Bell and Leo Raptakis, after failed attempts to strike down or weaken the millionaire's tax. The budget now heads to Governor McKee's desk.

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© 2026 RI Capitol · All rights reserved.Aggregated summaries linking out to original sources. XPoLL.
rhodeislandcurrent.comJUN 16, 2026
JudiciaryPaywall

Federal Judge Issues 135-Page Opinion Blocking Trump's Country-Based Immigration Freeze

In a 135-page opinion, US District Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr. vacated Trump administration policies freezing asylum, citizenship, and work permit applications for nationals of 39 countries. McConnell noted the irony that policies targeting immigrants 'following the laws' contradicted claims that immigrants should come 'the right way.' Immigrant advocates and Providence Mayor Brett Smiley praised the June 5 ruling as 'a significant win' for Rhode Island and the entire country, though the administration has appealed and sought to stay the order.

bostonglobe.comJUN 15, 2026
JudiciaryGovernanceFree press

Special Master to Referee Washington Bridge Email Discovery Disputes

Judge Brian Stern assigned retired Judge Netti Vogel to manage document discovery disputes in the state's Washington Bridge lawsuit, including access to emails from Gov. McKee, Deputy Chief of Staff T. Joseph Almond, and RIDOT Chief of Staff John Igliozzi. Defendants Barletta, Aetna, and AECOM say the state has refused to produce key communications and records on bridge inspection and maintenance. The order cites case complexity and aggressive timeline pressures as rationale for the special master appointment.

wpri.comJUN 15, 2026
JudiciaryPaywall

Teachers Union Sues Trump Administration Over Canceled English Learner Training Grants

The National Education Association sued the Trump administration in RI federal court after the Education Department abruptly canceled over $3 million in grants training teachers to instruct English learners. The lawsuit challenges the cancellation of 28 grants nationwide, including programs in Rhode Island, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, which the administration labeled 'divisive teacher training' promoting DEI. Program director Laureen Avery said 300-plus enrolled teachers were left stranded overnight when funding was terminated based on 'social justice' course descriptions from a five-year-old application.

bostonglobe.comJUN 15, 2026
GovernanceFree press

RI General Assembly passes charter school moratorium, ICE restrictions on final session night

On the last night of the 2026 session ending June 11, the General Assembly approved a three-year moratorium on new charter schools, measures restricting ICE activities at state courts and polling places, and legislation preventing bar patrons from being drugged. The session concluded with unusual speed and agreement after major controversies had already been resolved or shelved, including the state Voting Rights Act.

rhodeislandcurrent.comJUN 15, 2026
GovernancePrimary

Governor transmits signed and unsigned bills to General Assembly June 10

Gov. McKee's office transmitted bills on June 10, some with signature and some without signature. Details of specific legislation were not provided in the brief official announcement on the governor.ri.gov press release page.

governor.ri.govJUN 15, 2026
GovernanceCommerceFree press

General Assembly passes grocery restrictive covenant ban heading to McKee's desk

Legislation prohibiting restrictive covenants that block properties from being used as grocery stores is headed to Governor McKee for signature. Sens. Melissa Murray and Brian Thompson's bill bans such covenants on retail properties where fresh food is regularly sold. Once signed, Rhode Island will join Washington state in outlawing grocery chains from using restrictive covenants. The law includes a narrow 18-month exception for recent closures with nearby replacements.

ecori.orgJUN 14, 2026
GovernancePaywall

Lawmakers advance bill making crash data public after years of DOT secrecy

The General Assembly passed legislation requiring the Department of Transportation to make traffic accident data public after years of refusing to release it. The House voted unanimously and the Senate approved 33-5 for the measure. DOT had claimed federal law prohibited disclosure, though 42 other states make crash data available. Sen. Meghan Kallman said the bill addresses long-awaited transparency, noting states should not need to codify such basic public access.

bostonglobe.comJUN 14, 2026
JudiciaryPaywall

Federal Judge Demands Trump Administration Resume Asylum Processing in Rhode Island

US District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr. ordered the Trump administration to immediately comply with his June 5 ruling that struck down policies halting asylum, green cards, and work permits for immigrants from 39 countries. McConnell gave the government 24 hours to report compliance steps, finding that federal authorities continued to withhold immigration benefits six days after his order vacating the policies as unlawful and arbitrary. The judge rejected pretextual national security concerns masking anti-immigrant sentiments.

bostonglobe.comJUN 13, 2026
JudiciaryFree press

Rhode Island Federal Judge Vacates Four Trump Immigration Policies as Unlawful

US District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr. issued a 135-page ruling vacating four USCIS policies that suspended asylum, work permits, green cards, and citizenship applications for nationals from 39 countries. McConnell found the policies 'contrary to law and arbitrary and capricious,' rejecting pretextual national security concerns and calling out 'anti-immigrant animus.' The ruling affects thousands of immigrants placed in 'indeterminate legal limbo' by policies enacted after a November 2025 incident involving an Afghan national.

wpri.comJUN 13, 2026
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