By Christopher Shea | Reporter
Hiya,
If you were planning to park in a state lot and walk down Smith Hill to the PVD FanZone for World Cup festivities, you’ll need a new game plan.
Gates to state parking lots on the Capitol Hill campus will be closed throughout the duration of the soccer tournament in order for employees to have available spots when they arrive at work, Department of Administration spokesperson Karen Greco confirmed in an email.
One more reason to consider taking the bus around downtown Providence.
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Gaspee Days are here again. Warwick’s annual celebration of Rhode Islanders’ favorite pre-Revolutionary act of arson continues this weekend, with the Gaspee Days 5K foot race starting Saturday at 9:30 a.m., followed by the parade from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. along Narragansett Parkway.
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Here’s your look at the week that was:
Left-handed Gov. Dan McKee signs the fiscal 2027 budget at Children’s Friend in Providence on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Photo by Nancy Lavin/Rhode Island Current)
By Nancy Lavin
In a drab government conference room a year ago, Gov. Dan McKee blasted lawmakers for unnecessary taxes and fees as he explained to reporters why he refused to sign the state budget. On Friday, colorful blocks and signs adorned the Providence childcare center where McKee gave his John Hancock to the fiscal 2027 budget, with advocates, lawmakers and smiling toddlers looking on.
Rep. Brian Newberry, a North Smithfield Republican, takes a breather on the House floor during the final day of session on Thursday, June 11, 2026. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)
By Nancy Lavin, Christopher Shea, and Alexander Castro
Lawmakers whipped through a very warm final day of the 2026 legislative session with unusual speed and agreement Thursday. Last day policies included measures to protect immigrants from federal immigration enforcement and expand expungement of criminal records, while banning new charter schools for the next three years.
Members of Climate Action Rhode Island show their support for the SouthCoast Wind project outside Portsmouth Middle School on July 23, 2025. The Rhode Island Energy Facility Siting Board held a hearing on SouthCoast Wind’s cable burial plan that night. (Photo by Laura Paton/Rhode Island Current)
By Nancy Lavin
The murky future for SouthCoast Wind gained a small but significant sign of clarity Tuesday with a key permit approval from the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC). The unanimous vote came after more than four hours of expert and public testimony, and objections from fishing industry representatives.
Rep. Joseph McNamara, a Warwick Democrat and chair of the House Committee on Education, speaks on the House floor Wednesday, June 10, 2026, in support of legislation to impose a three-year moratorium on new charter schools in Rhode Island. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)
By Alexander Castro
The Rhode Island House passed legislation Wednesday on a 60-12 vote to approve a three-year moratorium on new charter schools in the Ocean State, even as demand for the schools has grown in the past decade.
Comments from a special assistant attorney general in the Rhode Island Office of Attorney General are shown on a marked up copy of the Rhode Island Voting Rights Act. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)
By Christopher Shea
As the Rhode Island General Assembly closes out its 2026 session this week, a proposal to codify federal protections against voter suppression into Rhode Island law is being deferred by legislators next year. Advocates say they were blindsided by the decision against bringing bills that were considered nonpartisan to the floor for a vote.
Greg Cornett, president of Rhode Island Energy, testifies in support of a bill to let energy distribution companies own generation facilities during a Senate Committee on Commerce hearing on April 28, 2026. (Screenshot/Capitol TV)
By Nancy Lavin
A bill that would let Rhode Island Energy build and operate electric generation facilities like power plants and battery storage projects was scheduled for a Senate vote Tuesday. But after environmental advocates flooded lawmakers' inboxes with opposition letters, the bill's sponsor, Senate Majority Whip David Tikoian, agreed to pull the legislation from the calendar.
ICYMI
You’re not dreaming. The Washington Bridge rebuild has finally started. | Christopher Shea
McKee plans to sign legislation allowing abuse victims to break rental leases early | Janine L. Weisman
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