By Christopher Shea | Reporter
Hiya,
If you watch one thing this weekend, make it Senior Reporter Nancy Lavin's appearance on WPRI's 12 Newsmakers, where she breaks down the state of the governor's race and why Rhode Island was ranked the worst business climate in the continental U.S.
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Gov. Dan McKee will be in Bristol Sunday afternoon to speak at Rhode Island Day of Portugal’s “Toast to America” event celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary.
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High tide in Barrington-Warren Saturday is at 6:02 p.m. Low tide is 10:51 p.m. Sunset is 8:20 p.m.
High tide in Westerly Sunday is at 7:31 a.m. and 7:59 p.m. Low tide is 2:24 a.m. and 2:13 p.m. The sun sets over Rhode Island’s westernmost community at 8:22 p.m.
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Here’s your look at the week that was:
Secretary of State Gregg Amore addresses graduates of the state Election Training and Certification Program in a ceremony at the Rhode Island Board of Elections offices on June 18, 2026. (Photo by Michael Salerno/Rhode Island Current)
By Christopher Shea
The Trump administration is demanding states explain how they maintain voter rolls and prevent noncitizens from voting. Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore says a July 7 letter his office received from the Department of Justice is an intimidation tactic and that the state already complies with federal law.
Left to right are Gov. Dan McKee; his Democratic rival Helena Buonanno Foulkes; independent Ken Block; Republican Aaron Guckian and Republican Elaine Pelino. (McKee, Foulkes and Guckian photos by Michael Salerno; contributed photo by Block; Pelino photo by Nancy Lavin)
By Nancy Lavin
A field of 19 gubernatorial candidates has been whittled down to, potentially, just five — including Gov. Dan McKee — based on initial signatures totals on candidates’ nomination papers, which were due to local boards of canvassers by 4 p.m. Friday.
Lisa Cafferty, a Portsmouth voter, signs Robert "Bobby" Carr's nomination papers outside Dunkin' and Allen's Wine & Spirits in Portsmouth on Monday, July 6, 2026. (Photo by Nolan Page/Rhode Island Current)
By Nolan Page
Rhode Island’s Democratic and Republican parties organize events at local restaurants, clubs and other venues where candidates can meet with large groups of registered voters to collect lots of signatures in just a few hours. But unaffiliated candidates have no choice but to go to the voters. That’s why independent gubernatorial candidate Robert “Bobby” Carr, 50, of Little Compton was standing in front of the Dunkin’ on East Main Road in Portsmouth on a rainy Monday afternoon. In 90 minutes, he collected only 12 signatures. He needed 1,000 by Friday.
A Superior Court justice paused the Rhode Island Ethics Commission’s investigation into his Supreme Court application while his lawsuit moves forward. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)
By Christopher Shea
A Superior Court judge has paused the Rhode Island Ethics Commission's investigation into former House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi's Supreme Court application, pending a July 20 hearing.
Inflated energy costs and record heat are putting more pressure on ratepayers who must pay their bills — or else lose power. (Photo by Nancy Lavin/Rhode Island Current)
By Nancy Lavin
Demand for help with energy bills has spiked in Rhode Island after the seasonal protections against utility shutoffs during the winter expired. The United Way of Rhode Island has extended the deadline to apply for energy assistance grants to meet rising demand. “People are in crisis,” said Camilo Viveiros, executive director for the George Wiley Center in Pawtucket.
The view out the window of a home in Newport at 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, reveals snow drifts covering the entrance to the house next door. (Photo by Janine L. Weisman/Rhode Island Current)
By Christopher Shea
Gov. Dan McKee and Rhode Island's congressional delegation are pushing back after the Trump administration last week denied federal disaster aid for February's record blizzard. On July 2, the Federal Emergency Management Agency denied requests from both Rhode Island and New York for federal funding to recover from the historic storm while granting disaster aid relief for red and purple states, along with blizzard recovery help for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe in Massachusetts.
ICYMI
Wyatt Detention Facility board chair resigns | Philip Eil
Rhode Island joins new lawsuit over Trump administration’s homeless grant changes | Christopher Shea and Nolan Page
RI elections board approves early voting regulations | Nancy Lavin
COMMENTARY: Rhode Island is about to send millions of dollars to Washington. Here’s why. | Jorge Elorza
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