RI Capitol’s Civic Intelligence Network · Powered by XPoLL
An 880,000-gallon sewage spill from a broken East Providence pipe forced closure of Area 16E, one of Rhode Island's most productive clam beds. Commercial shellfishermen like Dave Ghigliotty and Jim Boyd report devastating financial losses, with the area producing three to four times more clams than alternative fishing grounds. Water quality testing will continue before reopening.
The Boston Globe reports that Aspen Aerogels violated building code by operating an oven without final permits before an April 8 explosion that injured 11. East Providence officials identified eight building code violations, some related to the explosion. The company has been cooperating to address violations and could reopen this week pending final inspections.
Charcuterie Artisans acquired La Quercia Cured Meats in January 2026, making it the largest U.S. charcuterie manufacturer. The company is investing over $12 million to modernize La Quercia's Iowa facility and expand prosciutto production capacity by 50%, while opening an Innovation Center on its Rhode Island campus to support its 660,000+ square feet of manufacturing space.
A new RIPEC report using federal data warns that proposed increases to Rhode Island's top income tax rate may accelerate outmigration and weaken economic competitiveness. Both Democratic gubernatorial candidates are pushing the millionaire's tax hike, with Governor McKee chairing RI Commerce Corporation while proposing tax increases, and Helena Foulkes having led CVS, the state's largest recipient of tax breaks.
Rhode Island Commerce Corporation is opening a satellite office at Innovate Newport on May 11, expanding access to business services in Greater Newport. CEO Jim Bennett said the presence on Aquidneck Island will help Commerce serve area businesses, with the office located at the Chamber's Innovate Newport hub for technical assistance and entrepreneurship support.
Carolyn Rafaelian filed a lawsuit in federal court alleging her sister Rebecca Rafaelian Caruolo misused assets of their family's decades-old jewelry business Cinerama to secretly subsidize Air & Anchor, a competing jewelry venture. The complaint claims Air & Anchor is a knock-off of Alex + Ani created through a takeover of Cinerama's factory space, equipment, inventory, and vendor relationships.
Governor Dan McKee announced his nomination of Donna Sams to serve on the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission, according to a press release from the governor's office. McKee also nominated Joseph A. to a judicial position and David Barrett to the University of Rhode Island Board of Trustees. The nominations are part of ongoing appointments to key state boards and commissions.
Providence City Council President Rachel Miller scheduled a vote to override Mayor Brett Smiley's veto of a rent stabilization ordinance. The proposal, which passed 9-6 in April, caps annual rent increases at 4% for some households and allows landlords to raise rent for significant capital improvements and major tax increases. The mayor vetoed the ordinance less than 24 hours after the council approved it. An override requires a two-thirds majority.
Governor Dan McKee announced the nomination of current Rhode Island Superior Court Associate Justice Joseph A. to fill a vacancy on the state Supreme Court. The nomination comes as House Speaker Joe Shekarchi also applies for the same seat after resigning his leadership position. The governor's office released the announcement but provided limited details on the nominee's full name or background.
The nation's oldest LGBTQ+ legal rights organization filed a friend-of-the-court brief supporting Rhode Island Child Advocate Katelyn Medeiros's effort to quash a Department of Justice subpoena seeking medical records of minors who received gender-affirming care at Rhode Island Hospital. LAMBDA Legal argues the subpoena is a "fishing expedition" to intimidate doctors. Twenty states and DC also submitted arguments backing Medeiros. The DOJ claims the subpoena is part of a nationwide criminal investigation into off-label drug use and false billing. US District Judge Mary S. McElroy denied the DOJ's request to transfer the case to Texas.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has not located Bryan Rafael Gómez more than two days after US District Judge Melissa R. DuBose ordered him re-detained. Gómez, wanted for homicide in the Dominican Republic, was expected to voluntarily report to ICE in Burlington, Mass., by May 6 but failed to appear. His attorney says family members have been unable to reach him. A special counsel has been appointed to investigate why federal prosecutors withheld information about Gómez's warrant from the court.
