By Janine L. Weisman | Editor-in-Chief
Good Wednesday morning!
The Republican primary for the 2nd Congressional District race could use some news coverage. For now, it’s coverage of there being no debate scheduled before the Sept. 9 election. It’s not for lack of the state party trying to get candidates Vic Mellor and party-endorsed Dr. Stephen Skoly together for an event. Read on to find out why.
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High tide in East Greenwich is at 8:12 a.m. and 8:35 p.m. Low tide is at 1:26 p.m. Sunset is at 7:50 a.m.
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U.S. Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse attend the opening of L3Harris’ new maritime production facility at ProvPort at 10:30 a.m.
The Public Utilities Commission meets at 1 p.m. to begin deliberations on Rhode Island Energy’s request to increase electric and gas base distribution rates over two years.
The Judicial Nominating Commission meets at 4 p.m. The panel will take public comment and interview applicants for two vacancies on the Rhode Island Superior Court. Nine people are vying for the seat opened after the elevation of Associate Justice Joseph Montalbano to presiding justice. Eleven applied for the seat created by the retirement of Associate Justice Jeffrey Lanphear. The panel will vote on which candidates’ names will be sent to the governor for consideration.
Republican Vic Mellor is shown at a State House event in support of Second Amendment rights in May 2026. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)
By Alexander Castro
Republican Vic Mellor has declined to participate in a Rhode Island GOP-led debate against fellow 2nd Congressional District primary candidate Stephen Skoly, leaving voters with zero events where both candidates appear ahead of the Sept. 9 primary.
By Janine L. Weisman
Ahead of Rhode Island’s Sept. 9 Democratic primary, lieutenant governor candidate Sue AnderBois announced the launch of her first TV ad Tuesday, backed by a six-figure broadcast ad buy across Rhode Island. The 30-second spot highlights her progressive record and campaign fundraising.
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield and New York Attorney General Letitia James are leading the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court of Portland. (Photo by Mia Maldonado/Oregon Capital Chronicle)
By Mia Maldonado | Oregon Capital Chronicle
Ten Democratic-led states, including Oregon and Rhode Island, sued the Trump administration Tuesday over a new rule that could cost homeowners hundreds or even thousands of dollars by preempting state laws that require mortgage lenders to pay interest on the money borrowers deposit into escrow accounts to cover taxes and insurance.
The State Coat of Arms of Connecticut featuring the Latin motto that translates to ‘He who transplanted still sustains’ is mounted on a brick exterior at the main campus of the University of Connecticut in Storrs. (The George F. Landegger Collection of Connecticut Photographs in the Carol M. Highsmith’s America, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.)
By Tran Chau | CT Mirror
A lawsuit filed Monday by the Trump administration challenges Connecticut laws that allow immigrant students lacking permanent legal status to receive in-state tuition and financial assistance at public colleges and universities.
COMMENTARY
By Matt Ulricksen
This is the year of uncontested elections in Rhode Island. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Limited voting, limited nominations and cumulative voting have worked elsewhere to restore competition. Is the General Assembly willing to amend state law?
ICYMI
2026 Primary Voting Guide | Rhode Island Current staff
Trump taken via catering truck to secret flight amid Iran threats, report says | Ashley Murray, D.C. Bureau
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