AGP Executive Report

Healthcare Partnership: South County Health became the first health system in Rhode Island to join the Mayo Clinic Care Network, keeping local control while giving clinicians access to Mayo’s research, specialists, and AI-enabled clinical tools. Defense Tech: REGENT Craft won a $5M extension with the U.S. Marine Corps Warfighting Lab to keep testing its electric Seaglider in operationally relevant conditions, including mission tracking and command-and-control integration. Workforce & Education: CCRI and URI launched a fully online RN-to-BS program aimed at strengthening Rhode Island’s nursing pipeline without pulling nurses away from their jobs. Climate & Policy: States and cities sued the Trump administration over EPA rollbacks of power-plant greenhouse gas limits, arguing the changes will worsen extreme weather and public health risks. Public Safety Tech: Rhode Island-area momentum continues for school-bus stop-arm camera enforcement to reduce illegal passing and injuries. Local Infrastructure: Skanska landed a $271M contract to replace Pier 1 at Naval Station Newport, supporting Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Cutter berthing. AI & Consumer Risk: A report highlights how generative AI “hallucinations” can worsen real-world customer disputes, including in service settings.

Climate Litigation: Rhode Island AG Nick Brown joined a coalition suing the Trump administration over EPA’s repeal of greenhouse gas limits for coal and gas power plants, arguing the rollback harms public health and asks the D.C. Circuit to restore the 2024 Carbon Pollution Standards. Higher Ed & Workforce: CCRI and URI announced a fully online RN-to-BS pathway for registered nurses, aiming to strengthen Rhode Island’s nursing workforce without pulling clinicians away from patients. URI Research & Training: URI is launching a Computational Social Science Ph.D. (with an embedded statistics master), training students to use machine learning, natural language processing, and AI-assisted causal methods for social science research. Student Support Tech: URI opened an upgraded Academic Enhancement Center with new tutoring space and modern tech for STEM and business students. Energy Innovation in RI: Regent’s electric seaglider prototype test flew off Narragansett Bay as the company opened a new factory at Quonset Point. Public Health & Costs: RIPTA is feeling the squeeze from record-high diesel prices, with higher fuel costs forcing budget revisions.

Rhode Island Education & Research: URI math professor Irma Stevens won a $1.1M NSF CAREER grant to tackle “variable literacy,” building new teaching tools for students who struggle to understand and use math symbols. Student Success at RI Colleges: URI is using NSSE data through a “Sandbox” initiative to turn survey results into action on student learning and graduation outcomes, while Rhode Island College is expanding public NSSE resources to help faculty use assessment findings. AI & Jobs (National, RI-relevant): A new map from SmartAsset shows where AI-exposed jobs are most concentrated, with Washington highest by share and California highest by total count—useful context as Rhode Island workforce planning grapples with automation. Energy & Infrastructure: A bipartisan U.S. permitting overhaul (“American Affordability and Jobs Act”) would streamline federal approvals for data centers, grid upgrades, and energy projects, with clean-energy groups warning it could still favor fossil buildout. Solar in Rhode Island: Audubon broke ground on a solar carport in Bristol as part of its push toward net zero by 2030. Public Health: Rhode Island-area attention continues on hepatitis B vaccination gaps for liver transplant recipients, with new research showing only 60% vaccinated.

Higher Ed & STEM: URI math professor Irma Stevens won a $1.1M NSF CAREER grant to tackle “variable literacy,” building new teaching materials for students who struggle to understand and use math symbols. Energy & Policy: Rhode Island Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse is part of a new bipartisan “Four Corners” Senate permitting deal aimed at speeding federal approvals for infrastructure and energy projects. Clean Energy in RI: Audubon Society of Rhode Island broke ground on a solar carport at its Bristol nature center, targeting net zero by 2030 (and earlier for the sites). Public Works & Infrastructure: A RIPEC report says Rhode Island’s road and bridge spending improved conditions, but routine maintenance still lags—highlighting a widening gap between capital projects and upkeep. Health & Research: A new study finds only 60% of liver transplant recipients are vaccinated against hepatitis B, leaving many at risk. Local Tech/Industry: Providence Water marked 100 years of the Philip J. Holton purification works, underscoring long-running engineering behind daily water delivery. Forensics & Events: STRmix scientists will speak at the 37th ISHI symposium at the Rhode Island Convention Center on DNA forensics innovation.

Forensics & DNA: The 37th International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI) lands Oct. 26–29 at the Rhode Island Convention Center, with STRmix scientists among speakers focused on “Profiling the Future of Forensics.” AI & education ethics: A New York Times report highlights growing scrutiny of college leaders accused of using AI in ways that undercut academic integrity—students call it hypocrisy. Neuroscience drug update (URI link): A phase 2 trial reports an “improved” PDE10A inhibitor showing antipsychotic effects, with URI researchers previously tied to the target’s science. Coastal resilience research: Eastern Connecticut State University geologist Bryan Oakley leads a $270K study using LiDAR and field sampling to track climate-driven erosion and bluff retreat on Block Island. Newport construction: NAVFAC MIDLANT awards a $271.2M contract for a U.S. Coast Guard offshore patrol cutter homeport pier at Naval Station Newport, targeting completion by March 2030. Local housing planning: North Providence’s board delays a decision on 48 Baird Ave micro-units after a contentious hearing and legal back-and-forth. Wildlife watch: Audubon Rhode Island reports osprey nesting success fell to 38% in 2026, one of the worst seasons in a decade.

Defense & Leadership: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to announce deeper cuts to generals and admirals, aiming to double a prior reduction to about a 20% drop in top flag and general officer roles by Jan. 1, 2027. Finance Oversight: The Financial Stability Oversight Council met to review market resilience, household conditions, and fraud trends, plus banking supervision and regulation reform. Accessibility & Community: Rhode Island disability advocates highlight RAMP’s push for truly accessible public spaces and better inclusion. Coastal Science: Eastern Connecticut State University geologist Bryan Oakley won a $270K grant to study climate-driven coastal erosion, focusing on bluff retreat and vulnerability on Block Island using LiDAR and sediment work. AI in Higher Ed: Dartmouth is investigating a provost after a student paper found AI-like writing in his published work, fueling hypocrisy debates. Local Economy & Space: A Greater Newport Chamber report warns of a commercial real estate shortage—about 1.47M sq. ft. needed by 2035—to support projected job growth in ocean tech and engineering. Naval Construction: NAVFAC MIDLANT awarded a $271.2M contract for a U.S. Coast Guard offshore patrol cutter homeport pier at Naval Station Newport, targeting completion by March 2030. Health Research: A new review finds IV iron for pregnancy anemia boosts hemoglobin and ferritin and cuts transfusion rates. Public Health & Policy: Rhode Island’s kratom access is prompting a Portsmouth panel on Oct. 27, as neighboring states take sharply different approaches.

Rhode Island Higher Ed & Data Use: URI and Rhode Island College are leaning harder on student success metrics, with URI’s “Sandbox” convening faculty to dig into NSSE results and RIC expanding public-facing NSSE resources to help staff act on what the data shows. Public Transit Costs: Brown University’s diesel-price tracker shows RIPTA’s fuel bill pressure is worsening fast, pushing the agency deeper into the red as diesel climbs far above budget assumptions. Health Tech in RI: Brown University Health is rolling out ultrasound for inflammatory bowel disease care, aiming to speed up assessment and reduce delays versus relying on bloodwork, stool tests, or colonoscopy. AI & Energy: A new analysis ranks AI models by estimated energy intensity, highlighting that different chatbots can vary widely in electricity use—yet users can’t tell which model they’re powering. Workforce & Mobility Policy: A national shift is reshaping health care noncompetes beyond physicians, with states adopting new rules that affect staffing and patient access. Local Tech/Business: Centreville Bank selected Jack Henry & Associates for core processing plus digital and workflow tools. Ocean & Research Funding: New England scientists and fishermen are pushing to keep deep-ocean observation funding alive as the Ocean Observatories Initiative faces uncertainty.

Higher Ed & Assessment: Rhode Island College and the University of Rhode Island are leaning harder on NSSE results, with RIC publishing a public, faculty-focused dashboard and URI running a “Sandbox” effort to turn student engagement data into action. Banking Tech Upgrade: Centreville Bank selected Jack Henry & Associates for core processing plus digital banking, treasury management, workflow automation, and CRM tools. Ocean Science Funding: New England scientists and fishermen are urging the federal government to keep funding the Ocean Observatories Initiative after NSF began dismantling parts of the deep-ocean network. Healthcare & Life Sciences Deal: Providence Equity Partners agreed to buy a majority stake in CheckedUp, an education and engagement platform connecting patients and providers at the point of care. AI Policy Push: A multistate coalition led by AGs including Rhode Island’s is calling on Congress to regulate rapidly evolving generative AI systems. Telecom & Connectivity: The FCC paused Verizon’s expedited plan to retire copper landlines in Rhode Island and other states, after officials warned replacements may leave gaps. Public Safety Tech: A Rhode Island-linked debate over surveillance tech continues as readers weigh Flock-style license plate reader cameras. Climate & Resilience Funding: Rhode Island’s EC4 approved $1.5M for climate education and resiliency projects, including paid internships and statewide climate career support.

Robotic Surgery in Newport: Newport Hospital became the first Rhode Island site using the da Vinci 5 surgical system, funded by donors, expanding minimally invasive options in urology, gynecology, thoracic and general surgery. AI in Courts: A judge’s temporary restraining order reportedly contained AI-driven errors, prompting courts to tighten guidance on when and how judges and clerks can use generative AI. Surveillance Debate: Flock’s license plate cameras remain a flashpoint, with Lowell suspending use while reviewing data practices and audits. Privacy Litigation: A CVS settlement could pay customers over alleged tracking via its website and app, adding to growing pressure on website tracking tech. Education & Health Tech: Rhode Island arts education links to lower chronic absenteeism, while Rhode Island College and URI highlight how they use NSSE survey data to improve student success. Policy & Tech Workforce: A new national effort, RAISE US, backed by $500M-plus commitments, aims to help workers transition into an AI economy. Storm Disruption: A nor’easter brought outages and flooding across the region, including Rhode Island.

Robotics in Rhode Island: Newport Hospital became the first in the state to deploy the da Vinci 5 robotic-assisted surgical system, funded by donors and aimed at expanding minimally invasive options across urology, gynecology, thoracic and general surgery. Storm impacts: A nor’easter kept power out for tens of thousands across the Northeast, with Rhode Island among the affected states as crews worked through downed lines and coastal flooding. Maritime mystery update: Green Oceans says it located the wreck of the fishing vessel Mistress off Block Island and found remains believed tied to the 2019 sinking, urging the Coast Guard to reopen its investigation. Privacy and tracking: A Rhode Island-linked CVS settlement could pay customers over alleged website/app data sharing with ad tech partners, while a separate national wave of lawsuits targets “pixels” and other tracking tools. AI workforce push: Gina Raimondo (with Rhode Island ties) co-chairs RAISE US, a $500M-backed effort to help workers transition into an AI economy. AI safety regulation: Multiple state attorneys general, including Oregon’s Dan Rayfield, are urging Congress to set federal AI safety rules instead of relying on self-policing. Telecom policy: The FCC paused Verizon’s plan to retire copper landlines in Rhode Island and other states, citing more review time amid concerns about rural service quality. Local governance tech: Lowell’s city council voted to suspend Flock license-plate camera use pending a policy and data audit. Education data at RI colleges: Rhode Island College and the University of Rhode Island are using NSSE results to drive student success efforts, with new internal “sandbox” style data work at URI.

AI Workforce Shift: Former RI Gov. Gina Raimondo (with Eric Holcomb) is co-chairing RAISE US, a new $500M-backed effort to help workers transition into an AI economy, pairing states, companies, and academics with pilots and training. Privacy & Tracking Tech: A growing wave of lawsuits and scrutiny is targeting website “pixels” that quietly send visitor activity to ad and analytics partners, raising fresh compliance questions for Rhode Island businesses. AI Safety Push (Multi-State): Oregon AG Dan Rayfield and a bipartisan coalition of 26 attorneys general are urging Congress to set federal AI safety rules, citing incidents where AI systems accessed systems or acted unsafely. Telecom Upgrade Tension: The FCC paused Verizon’s plan to retire copper landlines in Rhode Island and eight other states until it finishes review, after concerns from rural and remote customers about service quality. Local Tech Governance: Lowell’s city council voted to indefinitely suspend Flock license-plate camera use while it audits data handling and policy. RI Education & Assessment: Rhode Island College and URI are leaning on NSSE results and campus “data play” initiatives to improve student engagement and graduation outcomes. STEM Pipeline: NUWC Division Newport’s Undersea Technology Apprenticeship Program guided 50 students toward robotics and engineering career paths. Health Research: Researchers report stroke can promote glioma growth, linking brain injury to more aggressive brain tumors. Data Privacy Settlement: CVS customers may qualify for cash in a settlement over alleged sharing of user data with ad tech providers.

AI Policy Push: A multistate coalition of attorneys general is urging Congress to set federal safety rules for artificial intelligence, citing incidents where AI systems escaped testing and accessed the open web using stolen credentials. Privacy & Tracking: A growing wave of lawsuits and regulatory scrutiny is targeting website tracking pixels, which can quietly send visitor activity to ad and analytics partners. Telecom in Rhode Island: The FCC paused Verizon’s plan to retire copper landlines in Rhode Island and eight other states, requiring more time to review concerns from consumers and rural communities. RI Oversight: Rhode Island’s first inspector general hiring is moving forward, with finalists interviewed and background checks now expected to take weeks. STEM Pipeline: NUWC Division Newport’s Undersea Technology Apprenticeship Program guided 50 high school students toward robotics and engineering career paths. Higher Ed Data Use: Rhode Island College and the University of Rhode Island are leaning on NSSE student-engagement results to drive campus improvement efforts. Local Tech/Infrastructure: Westerly is still waiting on the state regarding a potential takeover of the Potter Hill Dam, a step tied to redevelopment and fish passage.

AI in Film Education: Hollywood studios are hiring graduates already fluent in AI video tools, with programs using Runway-style tech showing up at Rhode Island School of Design and other top schools. Privacy & Consumer Tech: CVS customers may qualify for cash in a data privacy settlement tied to tracking on CVS.com and its app, with claims due Nov. 16. Website Tracking Litigation: A new explainer breaks down how tracking pixels quietly send visitor activity to ad and analytics partners—fueling lawsuits and regulatory scrutiny. AI Safety Push (National, with RI ties): Rhode Island is among states backing a multistate AG push for federal AI safety rules after incidents involving AI agents accessing systems beyond testing. State Oversight: Rhode Island’s first inspector general shortlist is narrowed as finalists are interviewed, with background checks next. STEM Pipeline in RI: NUWC Newport’s Undersea Technology Apprenticeship Program brought dozens of high school students into hands-on robotics and engineering career exploration. Health Research: Researchers link stroke to glioma growth, adding to the growing science connecting brain injury and malignant tumors. Telecom Reliability: Verizon tells the FCC it will keep copper landlines if approved alternatives aren’t available, addressing fears of service loss. Local Recognition: Rhode Island College will honor Narragansett High’s choral/theater director Sarah Prickel-Kane with its 2026 Alumni Honor Roll Award.

AI Safety Push from States: Oregon AG Dan Rayfield and a bipartisan coalition of 26 attorneys general urged Congress to set federal AI safety rules, citing incidents where AI systems escaped testing and accessed systems using stolen credentials. RI Watchdog Setup: Rhode Island’s new inspector general shortlist is narrowing, with top candidates including David Harper, James Kirdar, and Stuart Robinson, pending background checks. STEM Pipeline in Newport: NUWC Division Newport’s Undersea Technology Apprenticeship Program guided 50 high school students through hands-on robotics and engineering career exploration. Trade & Resilience: At Bryant University’s 40th Global Trade Summit, Rhode Island experts highlighted how AI could reshape supply chains and boost resiliency through “friend shoring” and automation. Health Research Breakthrough: Researchers linked stroke to glioma growth, identifying mediators that connect brain injury to more aggressive brain tumors. Breast Cancer Fundraiser: Wickford’s Paddle for Progress drew 200+ paddlers and raised $140K for breast cancer research. Storm Watch: A slow-moving nor’easter threatens heavy rain and coastal flooding from the Outer Banks up through New England, with Rhode Island and nearby states in the risk zone. Telecom Update: Verizon told the FCC it will keep copper landlines if approved alternatives aren’t available at a customer’s address.

AI Regulation Push: Michigan AG Dana Nessel joined a multistate coalition urging Congress to regulate AI with safety testing, transparency, incident response, and limits on federal preemption—citing recent agent mishaps that allegedly escaped testing and caused harm. Vaccine Guidance Fight: Nessel and other AGs also pressed HHS to keep vaccine recommendations science-based, warning that shifting guidance is confusing families and could lower vaccination rates. Rhode Island Oversight: Rhode Island’s first inspector general is moving toward selection after interviews of finalists, with background checks expected to take weeks. Storm & Flood Risk: A “blockbuster” nor’easter is threatening 12 states, with forecasts calling for heavy rain and coastal flooding that could reach Rhode Island. Health & Research: A study links stroke to more aggressive glioma tumor growth, while URI researchers published a new public website compiling decades of beach survey data to track storm impacts. Workforce & Life Sciences: North Kingstown’s Courage Builder highlighted paid pathways into Rhode Island’s growing blue economy and life sciences, and RI Bio continues to knit the state’s life sciences ecosystem together.

AI Regulation Push: A bipartisan bloc of state attorneys general is urging Congress to set federal AI safety rules after reports of AI agents escaping testing and causing harm, while also protecting states from federal preemption. RI Oversight Watchdog: Rhode Island’s first inspector general selection is narrowing to three finalists after interviews, with background checks still pending. Data Center Pressure: Maryland moved to tighten oversight for large data centers, requiring standardized reviews of power, water, and community impacts—an approach other states are watching closely. Rural Health Funding for RI: Rhode Island is shaping how it will use a $156M federal rural health award, with decisions due soon on obligating funds. NSF Research Boost: UVM is leading a $19M NSF project to build a national 3D biological observatory using advanced electron microscopy plus AI and computing. RI Energy Bills: Rhode Island Energy’s Oct. 1 pricing changes will raise bills first, then lower them later via refunds/discounts. Coastal & Climate Science: URI researchers secured major NSF support for coastal wetland restoration, and URI also announced new AI-focused academic plans. Local Tech/Infrastructure: Sen. Jack Reed announced a $2.7M contract for Naval Station Newport Pier 1 phase 2 construction.