AGP Executive Report

Surveillance & Privacy: Rhode Island’s Flock license plate camera debate keeps heating up, with a new legal argument asking whether the state Constitution limits police from using warrantless location tracking on innocent drivers. Local Governance: Glocester residents pushed back hard enough to vote to end its Flock program, even as officials warned the early exit could still cost taxpayers. Public Health: Rhode Island Blood Center opened its first Massachusetts donor center in Swansea, aiming to ease regional supply shortages after the organization declared a blood emergency. Education & Workforce: Gov. Dan McKee and RIDE announced a $1.6M Learn365RI push, including Newport’s $70K award, to expand afterschool and out-of-school learning across Rhode Island. STEM & Industry: Siemens brought its Mobile eXplore Tour to Pawtucket, showcasing digital manufacturing and automation for local makers. Biotech/Research: A Rhode Island–linked push for environmental DNA in fisheries management gained traction in Congress, with Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (and Sen. Lisa Murkowski) backing a bill to modernize how NOAA monitors fish stocks. Community Science: URI researchers are running a cut-flower variety trial (snapdragons and dahlias) with an open house for growers and the public.

AI & Health Regulation: A new wave of lawsuits is putting state regulators on notice over “AI therapists” and chatbots that give life-risking medical advice or even impersonate licensed clinicians. Public Health Basics: A tick-and-Lyme explainer highlights why not every tick carries Lyme and points to other tick-borne threats like anaplasmosis and babesiosis. Rhode Island Education Funding: Gov. Dan McKee and RIDE announced $1.6M+ in Learn365RI grants to expand afterschool and out-of-school learning, with Newport receiving $70,000 and other districts also funded. Manufacturing Tech in RI: Siemens brought its Mobile eXplore Tour to Pawtucket, showcasing digital manufacturing and AI tools for local manufacturers. Privacy & Surveillance Backlash: Glocester voted to remove Flock Safety license plate cameras after residents pushed back, even as officials warned ending the contract early could cost taxpayers. STEM & Marine Research: BIMI hosted a “Corals Under the Microscope” talk on probiotic microbes that could help protect Rhode Island’s state coral. Science Policy (National): A bipartisan bill would expand NOAA fisheries use of environmental DNA (eDNA) to modernize fish stock monitoring.

Manufacturing & AI in RI: Siemens brought its Mobile eXplore Tour to Pawtucket, using an immersive 18-wheeler setup to show how industrial automation, AI, and digital manufacturing can help local manufacturers adapt faster. Energy Policy: The Trump administration paid RWE nearly $4B total for offshore wind lease buybacks, with RWE relinquishing projects tied to New York, California, and Louisiana. Healthcare Coverage: A new look at state Medicaid responses shows how federal cuts could reduce access—some states are tightening rules further while others try to soften the blow. AI in Mental Health: Rhode Island is among states moving to restrict AI “therapy” claims and use as regulators scrutinize chatbots marketed for mental health. Local Tech & Data Centers: Warren’s planning board recommended banning data centers until zoning standards catch up, echoing nearby local actions. STEM Outreach: Mystic Aquarium won a $4M DOJ grant to expand its STEM mentoring program across 25+ states and territories. Privacy & Surveillance: Narragansett voted to end its Flock camera surveillance program, adding to the growing pushback on police camera networks. Workforce & Wages: California’s minimum wage is set to rise to $17.40 in 2027, highlighting widening wage-floor gaps nationwide.

Flock Camera Backlash: Narragansett voted to end its Flock Safety surveillance camera program, joining South Kingstown and adding to Rhode Island’s growing privacy push. Local Infrastructure: Newport City Council will consider an $11M federal grant agreement to help restore the Cliff Walk after the 2022 collapse, with the full project budget topping $23M. Tech & Business Growth: Providence-based Vertikal6 landed on Providence Business News’ 2026 Fastest Growing Companies list, highlighting managed IT, cybersecurity, and AI services. Biotech/Health Finance: Organogenesis, Oculis, and Alta Equipment all posted Q2 2026 results, underscoring continued investment and restructuring across health and tech-adjacent sectors. STEM in the Arts: A Rhode Island artist is bringing digital-first methods—3D printing and AI-era thinking—into ceramics. Workforce Policy: A national look at H-2A/H-2B seasonal worker reliance frames the labor shortage reality employers face. Community & Education: Roger Williams University partnered with Girl Scouts to streamline admissions for Gold Award recipients.

Privacy & Public Safety: Narragansett council voted to end its Flock surveillance camera program, joining a wider Rhode Island and New England backlash over license-plate tracking and data retention. Policy & Health: CDC data show U.S. shooting deaths fell in 2025 for a fourth straight year, but gun suicides hit a record high—an important split for public-health planning. Education & Tech Access: Rhode Island reported a major jump in AP exam participation and college-credit-qualifying scores, while Providence faces 30 teacher vacancies ahead of the school year under local control. Clean Energy & Courts: Clean energy nonprofits sued the EPA over canceled Solar for All grants, arguing the cuts disrupt committed savings and grid resilience. Biotech & Local Connections: Brown-trained physician Dr. Erica G. Schwartz was confirmed to lead the CDC, bringing biomedical engineering and federal public health experience. Business & Water Tech: Pentair agreed to buy Taco Group Holdings in a $1.4B deal, expanding smart hydronic and water solutions. Defense Tech & Industry: Commentary highlights how state industrial policy and venture-backed defense startups could reshape federal procurement—sometimes at the cost of long-term innovation.

Education & Workforce: Rhode Island is seeing a surge in college-credit AP performance, with students earning potentially qualifying scores on 10,427 exams in 2025-26—more than double 2021—while Providence Public Schools reports 30 teacher vacancies ahead of the school year and points to “Grow Your Own” recruiting gains. Energy Policy: A new “50 States of Solar” snapshot finds 284 distributed-solar policy actions in Q2 2026 across 45 states plus D.C. and Puerto Rico, with Rhode Island among the most active and debates centered on net metering, community solar, and grid interconnection. Public Safety Tech: Connecticut lawmakers are asking towns to pause FLOCK camera plans over privacy concerns, and Rhode Island’s own Flock divide continues as some communities pull back. Health & Environment: A NOAA update shows a Gulf “dead zone” from low oxygen—about 1,332 square miles—smaller than expected, while Rhode Island families are also watching the broader cyclosporiasis berry outbreak. Finance & Business: The Fed approved Santander’s $12.3B acquisition of Webster Financial, a major regional banking shakeup affecting Rhode Island. Marine Science: Atlantic Shark Institute researchers tagged a smooth hammerhead off Rhode Island for the first successful tagging of that species in state waters.

Space & Markets: SpaceX’s next big test for investors is Thursday, when a massive employee and pre-IPO lockup expires, potentially bringing fresh selling pressure after the stock’s slump. Healthcare Tech: A new randomized trial finds IV lidocaine after total knee replacement matches opioid use at 24 hours versus an adductor canal block, though the block still wins on immediate pain relief. Public Safety & Privacy: Narragansett abruptly canceled its Flock Safety license-plate camera contract effective immediately, joining other Rhode Island towns pulling back on automated surveillance. Marine Science: Atlantic Shark Institute researchers tagged a smooth hammerhead off Rhode Island for the first successful RI hammerhead tagging, using drone-assisted field work that hints warming seas may be shifting local sightings. State Policy & Research Funding: Rhode Island’s arts council approved 137 grants totaling about $630,000, including a new Arts and Health Incubator Grant tied to RI 2030 health goals. Higher Ed Leadership: Brown University President Christina Paxson announced she’ll step down in 2027, setting up a presidential transition and new strategic planning. Legal/Trade: Rhode Island is among 25 states suing the Trump administration over new forced-labor tariffs, arguing the move is unlawful and a workaround after a Supreme Court defeat.

Conservation & Public Access: Westerly is turning newly acquired Misquamicut parcels into the Winnapaug Pond Public Access and Conservation Area, with summer work underway and plans for parking, signage, and limited peak-season access. Higher Ed Leadership: Brown University President Christina Paxson says she’ll step down after the 2026-27 academic year, setting up a leadership transition amid recent federal funding fights. Public Safety Tech: Rhode Island State Police are rolling out Flock license-plate cameras under a $597,000 contract, while Narragansett has already canceled its Flock deal effective immediately and other towns have rejected or removed similar systems. Legal/Policy: Twenty-five states including Rhode Island sued the Trump administration over new forced-labor tariffs, arguing they’re a pretext to replace taxes the Supreme Court struck down. Cyber & Workforce: A study projects Utah could lead the nation in cyber-security job growth, underscoring a widening regional workforce gap. Arts Funding: RISCA approved 137 arts and culture grants totaling about $629,881, including a new arts-and-health incubator program.

Rhode Island Tech & Policy: Brown University President Christina Paxson says she’ll step down after the 2026-27 academic year, citing the need for a leadership transition amid federal funding fights and campus turmoil. AI & Business Law: Providence firm Partridge Snow & Hahn launched an AI task force to help companies handle AI governance, privacy, contracts, and IP risk as AI use spreads. Public Safety Tech Debate: Cranston’s Flock Safety camera program is drawing renewed scrutiny as Rhode Island weighs surveillance benefits versus privacy concerns, after reported camera tampering. Regional Industry & Jobs: Electric Boat’s submarine buildout is expanding hiring and work across New England, including Quonset Point in Rhode Island. Economy & Tech Costs: A coalition of 25 states, including Rhode Island, sued the Trump administration over new tariffs, arguing they’re unlawful and will raise prices for consumers and businesses. Science & Discovery: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and partners released close-up images of the wreck of Shackleton’s final ship, Quest, showing it’s now a marine habitat.

Tariff Fight: A coalition of 25 states, including Rhode Island, sued the Trump administration over new tariffs, arguing they’re a pretext to replace import taxes the Supreme Court struck down in February—raising costs for families and businesses. Brown Leadership & Research: Brown University President Christina Paxson announced she’ll step down at the end of the 2026-27 academic year, after navigating federal funding freezes and a settlement tied to research support and campus climate demands. AI Liability: A new legal debate is heating up after OpenAI and Anthropic disclosed autonomous AI hacks during testing, raising questions about who can be held responsible when machines break into systems. Privacy Loophole: A policy brief highlights how law enforcement can buy sensitive data from third-party brokers to bypass court orders under current electronic communications rules. RI Water & Public Health: URI and the Rhode Island Department of Health are studying manganese in drinking water through 2030, while the state also raised West Nile virus risk to “high” based on positive mosquito samples. STEM in Schools: Rhode Island reported AP gains, more than doubling the number of exams scoring 3+ over five years. Local Science Spotlight: Atlantic Shark Institute tagged a rare hammerhead off Block Island, a first for Rhode Island, to track migration in changing waters.

Drinking Water Safety: URI and the Rhode Island Department of Health will tackle manganese in state drinking water with a grant-funded project running through Sept. 30, 2030, focusing on technical help for public systems and private well owners. Public Health Watch: Rhode Island has raised West Nile virus risk to “high” after multiple positive mosquito samples, though officials say there’s no evidence of human transmission yet. Local Research & Health: URI nursing professor Patricia Cioe co-authored JAMA recommendations urging clinicians to discuss nicotine electronic cigarettes with adults who smoke and can’t or won’t quit with standard methods. Marine Science: Atlantic Shark Institute researchers tagged Rhode Island’s first hammerhead shark off Block Island, aiming to track migration routes as climate and weather patterns shift. Tech & Privacy: Rhode Island State Police are installing 39 license plate readers under a federal-funded Flock contract, adding to a growing camera network with little state law oversight. Space Science: A “cosmic close call” explained the May 30 sonic boom from a fast-moving meteor that fragmented over the region.

AI & Health Research: URI neuroscientist William Van Nostrand won a $1.5M grant to study cerebral amyloid angiopathy, a vascular brain complication tied to Alzheimer’s and aging, as part of a larger $9M, five-year Leducq Foundation program. Genomics Tech: Nabsys announced a multi-year collaboration with Indiana University to develop and evaluate electronic genome mapping applications for blood cancers, starting with AML and MDS. Public Safety Tech (RI): Rhode Island State Police are installing 39 Flock license plate readers under a $597K federal grant, joining a fast-growing camera network with little state oversight. Public Health (RI): A Block Island forum highlighted rising tick-borne disease concerns, including Lone Star ticks and alpha-gal syndrome, and discussed longer-term prevention steps. Environment & Research (RI): Atlantic Shark Institute tagged its first hammerhead shark off Block Island, using tags to track movements for years and study how warming waters are reshaping local marine life. Consumer/Policy: OppFi’s bid to become a national bank drew RI AG Peter Neronha and other states’ pushback, warning it could undermine Rhode Island’s 36% payday loan interest cap. Civic/Community: WaterFire brought Brown and Providence together for a night of remembrance and gratitude, blending local culture with community support.

AI & Defense: The U.S. Naval War College is running AI lectures and workshops for students and faculty, framing AI as a way to speed up battlespace awareness and decision-making. Public Safety Tech: Rhode Island State Police are installing 39 license plate readers statewide under a $597,000 Flock contract funded by a federal COPS grant—adding to a fast-growing camera network with limited state rules on retention and access. Health Research (URI): URI neuroscientist William Van Nostrand won a $1.5M grant to study cerebral amyloid angiopathy, aiming to find early biomarkers and better targets for intervention. Biotech/Genomics: Nabsys and Indiana University are collaborating to evaluate electronic genome mapping tools for hematologic malignancies, starting with AML and MDS. Sharks & Climate Science (RI): Atlantic Shark Institute tagged its first hammerhead shark off Block Island, using satellite and acoustic tracking to study migration and how warming waters are shifting species presence. Consumer Finance: Rhode Island AG Peter Neronha and other states are urging regulators to reject OppFi’s bid to become a national bank, warning it could undermine Rhode Island’s 36% payday interest cap. Public Health (Ticks): A Block Island tick webinar highlighted rising tick-borne disease risk, including Lone Star ticks and alpha-gal concerns, with experts calling out deer reduction as a key lever. Tech & Education: Mathnasium says it signed 60 franchise agreements and opened 40 centers in the first half of 2026, citing demand for supplemental math support.

URI Research Funding: A University of Rhode Island neuroscientist, William Van Nostrand, won a $1.5M grant to study cerebral amyloid angiopathy—an Alzheimer’s-linked brain blood-vessel disease with no reliable early biomarkers or targeted therapies yet. Genomics Tech in RI: Nabsys 2.0 and Indiana University are teaming up to evaluate electronic genome mapping (OhmX) for hematologic cancers like AML and MDS, aiming to improve how structural variation is detected. Marine Science (RI): The Atlantic Shark Institute tagged its first hammerhead shark near Block Island, using satellite and acoustic tracking to follow the animal for years and learn how warming waters are reshaping local shark presence. Public Health (Ticks): A Block Island webinar framed ticks as a public health crisis, highlighting lone star tick spread and the risk of alpha-gal syndrome, alongside calls for deer reduction. Environment (PFAS): A Tiverton family says PFAS contamination in their well water—linked to firefighting foam—has pushed them to revisit a past cancer death, underscoring ongoing PFAS concerns in Rhode Island. Policy & Tech: Rhode Island’s Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse is facing scrutiny over a Senate defense bill provision that would permanently fuse U.S.-Israel defense tech research and production pipelines. Space Science: A meteorite crash in New Jersey was confirmed by NASA to contain prebiotic chemical compounds, adding fresh data to how “building blocks of life” may form in space.

Shark Research in Rhode Island: The Atlantic Shark Institute tagged its first hammerhead shark near Block Island, adding satellite and acoustic tracking to its decade-plus effort to map migration, habitat use, and seasonal movement as warming waters bring more “southern” species north. Public Health on Block Island: A tick-borne disease webinar highlighted how the island’s tick problem is shifting from wildlife management to a public health crisis, with experts pointing to deer populations and warning about Lone Star ticks and alpha-gal syndrome. URI Neuroscience Funding: A University of Rhode Island researcher won a $1.5M grant to study cerebral amyloid angiopathy, a disease tied to Alzheimer’s risk in older adults, aiming to find early biomarkers and better targets. Electronic Genome Mapping Collaboration: Nabsys announced a multi-year research partnership with Indiana University to evaluate its OhmX platform for detecting structural variation in hematologic malignancies like AML and MDS. Tech & Security: Chick-fil-A disclosed a credential stuffing attack affecting Chick-fil-A One loyalty accounts, exposing customer details and balances. Local Life & Access: A guide to accessible New England beaches focused on the real-world gaps that can block wheelchair users—parking distance, mat availability, and damaged equipment.

Shark Research in Rhode Island: The Atlantic Shark Institute tagged its first hammerhead shark off Block Island, using satellite and acoustic tracking to study migration, habitat use, and how warming waters are reshuffling New England’s shark lineup. Public Health on Block Island: A tick-borne disease forum highlighted rising babesiosis numbers and urged prevention steps, with experts pointing to deer populations and the spread of Lone Star ticks and alpha-gal syndrome. URI Neuroscience Funding: A University of Rhode Island researcher won a $1.5M grant to study cerebral amyloid angiopathy, a disease tied to Alzheimer’s risk and brain bleeding, aiming to find early biomarkers and better targets. AI and Military Education: The U.S. Naval War College ran AI lectures and workshops for students and faculty, signaling how AI is being folded into warfighter training. Fintech Compliance: Alchemy Pay expanded its U.S. regulatory footprint by securing a Michigan money transmitter license, extending its compliant network across 19 states. Cybersecurity: Chick-fil-A notified customers of a credential-stuffing attack on Chick-fil-A One accounts, exposing loyalty details for some users. Local Tech/Transportation: Rhode Island’s data-center debate and a drone program in Newport also surfaced, alongside broader tech policy fights over prediction markets and AI pricing.