By Janine L. Weisman | Editor-in-Chief
Good Wednesday morning!
It was raining cats and dogs Tuesday afternoon when the Inspector General Independent Advisory Commission held its first meeting at the State House. One member had to travel from New York to attend.
The five-member panel has until Sept. 28 to craft a job description and select three finalists for this new job leading a new office to root out waste, fraud and abuse in state government and improve overall efficiency.
I can think of a way this panel under pressure could be more efficient when it holds its next meeting, likely happening next week. But the Open Meetings Act requires them to meet in person.
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High tide in Narragansett is at 3:02 p.m. Low tide is at 8:00 a.m. and 10:02 p.m. Sunset is at 8:13 p.m.
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The State Properties Committee meets at 10 a.m. The agenda includes discussion and potential vote on a request from the Department of Administration to advertise a Request for Proposals and initiate lease negotiations to secure short-term transition office space for newly elected general officers.
Gov. Dan McKee signs an executive order designating Sunday, July 26, as the 37th annual Governor's Bay Day at an 11 a.m. ceremony at Rocky Point State Park in Warwick. On Governor’s Bay Day, parking at all state beaches is free and the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority provides free round-trip fare on the South County Express Beach Bus connecting Central Falls, Cranston, North Providence, Pawtucket, Providence, and Woonsocket to Salty Brine, Roger Wheeler, and Scarborough State Beaches in Narragansett. Also, no recreational saltwater fishing license is needed to fish in Rhode Island saltwaters between Friday and Sunday.
The five members of the Inspector General Independent Advisory Committee meet on Wednesday, July 21, 2026 at the Rhode Island State House. Left to right are Ethics Commission Executive Director Jason Gramitt, Attorney General Peter Neronha, Secretary of State Gregg Amore, General Treasurer James Diossa and Will Fletcher. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)
By Christopher Shea
The Inspector General Independent Advisory Commission met for the first time at the State House Tuesday afternoon to discuss how it will select the top contenders for Rhode Island's inaugural inspector general by Sept. 28. Its five members still need to craft a job description, salary range, and set the interview timeline to select three finalists to send to the governor. They have less than 70 days to get the job done.
Clockwise from bottom left are lieutenant governor Democratic candidates Providence City Councilor Sue AnderBois, former Rep. Cindy Coyne, Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos; and Newport City Councilor Xay Khamsyvoravong (Photos by Alexander Castro; Coyne video still; Michael Salerno; and Alexander Castro)
By Nolan Page
Four Democrats running for lieutenant governor discussed their priorities if elected to an office considered the understudy to the state's chief executive in a forum that aired on WPRO 630 AM Tuesday afternoon.
Democrat Keith Hoffman highlights his experience in the AG’s office and his prior experience fighting against the Trump administration in his campaign’s first television spot released Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 50 days ahead of the Sept. 9 primary. (Video still image/Keith Hoffman for Attorney General)
By Christopher Shea
Keith Hoffmann kicked off the first television advertising campaign in Rhode Island’s crowded Democratic race for attorney general Tuesday with a 30-second spot and a plan to spend more than $1 million in paid media between now and the Sept. 9 primary.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth testifies during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on July 21, 2026 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Finn Gomez/Getty Images)
By Jennifer Shutt | D.C. Bureau
The U.S. Senate committee in charge of funding the government spent hours in a hearing room Tuesday, trying to parse out just how much extra spending lawmakers should provide for the military amid the ongoing war in Iran. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told senators the bombing of Iran has cost $37.5 billion. He said that while the department has about $75 billion in unobligated funds from Republicans’ “big, beautiful” law, that money wasn’t intended to cover the costs of the war.
ICYMI
Judge’s ruling in Shekarchi’s bid to quash ethics probe expected in one week | Christopher Shea
State declares its seven-year takeover of Providence Public Schools a success. What the metrics say. | Christopher Shea and Alexander Castro
State jobless rates remain stable in June as men’s World Cup helps in some areas | Tim Henderson, Stateline
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