AGP Executive Report

Cybersecurity & Privacy: Chick-fil-A confirmed a credential-stuffing breach of its Chick-fil-A One loyalty app, with attackers using stolen usernames/passwords from other incidents to access account data like names, emails, membership numbers, QR codes, gift balances, and last four digits of linked cards. Public Health: New federal stats show the U.S. death rate hit a historic low in 2025, with Rhode Island among Northeast states seeing notable declines—while experts warn gains could be threatened by cuts to Medicaid expansion and rural hospital funding. Healthcare & Benefits: A GAO report finds gig workers and Amazon employees increasingly rely on SNAP and Medicaid, with Rhode Island among states supplying Medicaid and SNAP employer data. Environment & Water Policy: Rhode Island’s attorney general joined multi-state opposition to EPA rollbacks on PFAS “forever chemicals” in drinking water, arguing the changes would weaken testing and treatment requirements. Local Tech & Governance: Rhode Island officials say they’re reviewing voter-roll integrity after New Jersey disclosed a DMV software glitch that added thousands of noncitizens to voter rolls; Rhode Island’s Elections Division requested a full system review. STEM Education: Rhode Island selected two students—AraOluwa Adetunji and Philip Spradlin—to represent the state at the 2026 National Youth Science Camp. Science & Industry: USGS reported up to 2.3 million metric tons of undiscovered, recoverable lithium in the Appalachian region, with smaller deposits including Rhode Island.

Local STEM Spotlight: Rhode Island Education officials named East Greenwich’s AraOluwa Adetunji and Barrington’s Philip Spradlin as delegates to the fully funded 2026 National Youth Science Camp in West Virginia. Public Health: The U.S. reported 2,260 confirmed measles cases across 44 jurisdictions, with summer travel driving new spread as vaccination rates lag in key clusters. Work & Benefits: A GAO report found Medicaid and SNAP use among Amazon and gig workers has surged, with Rhode Island included in the Medicaid and SNAP employer data. Environment & Water Safety: Rhode Island’s neighbors and allies are pushing back hard on EPA rollbacks—Attorney General Jeff Jackson led states opposing weaker PFAS drinking-water rules, arguing the “forever chemicals” should still be tested for and treated. Government Watchdog: Rhode Island’s inspector general search is underway, with a new independent advisory commission starting the clock on hiring a watchdog to target waste and fraud. Privacy Tech: Rhode Island’s DMV vendor review follows a New Jersey noncitizen voter-registration glitch tied to Idemia systems, while Connecticut towns debate license plate camera privacy. RI Tech & Jobs: Nabsys, a Rhode Island life sciences firm, plans a headquarters move and expects to add 200+ jobs.

Rhode Island AI & healthcare privacy: Rhode Island’s new “Use of Artificial Intelligence by Healthcare Providers Notification Act” took effect June 16, requiring providers that use AI to document visits to tell patients and review AI-written notes for accuracy. Public health: Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island interim chief medical officer Christopher Ottiano warns vaccine hesitancy is rising as memory fades on how vaccines prevent major disease and death. Local tech policy: A bill in New York would require self-checkout discounts, echoing a broader debate that includes Rhode Island proposals aimed at limiting self-checkout and reducing theft risk. Fintech oversight: Nevada AG Aaron Ford urged federal regulators to deny banking charters to high-risk fintechs, arguing consumer protections are at stake. RI campus safety: URI Public Safety added two 2026 Harley-Davidson Police Road Glide motorcycles for traffic enforcement, escorts, and faster campus response. Hiring & compliance: A legal explainer flags hidden risks in hiring workflows as regulators and enforcement ramp up. Space science: A meteorite fall tied to the region is drawing attention for rare organic compounds and amino acids that could inform how life’s building blocks formed. Conservation: Biologists banded American oystercatchers at Trustom Pond as part of a multi-state effort to restore the species.

Rhode Island AI & healthcare privacy: Rhode Island’s new AI and healthcare privacy law kicks in with a simple requirement: if AI is used to document visits, patients must be told and the AI-written notes must be reviewed for accuracy. RI governance watchdog: Rhode Island’s inspector general search is underway after a five-member panel met at the State House to start selecting candidates for the new independent office created in the fiscal 2027 budget. Telemedicine for pets: Gov. Dan McKee ceremonially signed Rhode Island legislation creating a framework for veterinary telemedicine, expanding access to care for pet owners. Life sciences & jobs: Rhode Island life sciences company Nabsys is moving to new headquarters and adding more than 200 jobs. Public health & access: Rhode Island seniors are again losing in-network access to Brown University Health physicians under a Medicare Advantage standoff with UnitedHealthcare. Conservation on the coast: Biologists band American oystercatcher chicks at Trustom Pond as part of a broader effort to restore the species along the Atlantic. Tech policy & surveillance: A ZDNET report highlights how Flock Safety cameras are spreading across towns, raising privacy and consent concerns. Climate regulation fight: Multiple states, including Rhode Island’s neighbors, are suing EPA over rollbacks to greenhouse gas rules tied to refrigeration and “forever chemicals” in drinking water. Federal funding legal win: Wisconsin DOJ and partners won a ruling blocking an unlawful attempt to terminate billions in federal funding. Space science: A newly published study on the “Hillsborough” meteorite describes rare amino acids and organic compounds, turning a home impact into a research opportunity.

Health Care & Fraud: DOJ says it recovered $450M in Medicare/Medicaid fraud in Massachusetts in fiscal 2025 and is leaning harder on AI and advanced analytics for enforcement. Biotech & Public Safety: Rhode Island fugitive Dr. Ronald Fischer was captured after 20 years and reportedly ran a biotech company in Los Angeles under the alias “Richard Graydon,” now tied to Immix Biopharma. Local Tech/Research Funding: Rhode Island is part of the NSF “Seafood Engine” effort, with a $15M initial award to strengthen New England fisheries, aquaculture, and seafood tech. State Policy & Health Tech: Gov. McKee signed legislation creating a framework for veterinary telemedicine in Rhode Island, expanding access while setting licensing and consent rules. Environment & Conservation: American oystercatchers are rebounding along U.S. coasts, including banding work at Rhode Island’s Trustom Pond. STEM Recognition: URI assistant professor Nekehia Quashie was named a Gerontological Society of America fellow. Public Records Modernization: Rhode Island received $1.12M to upgrade criminal history record systems and reduce backlogs.

Telemedicine for Pets: Gov. Dan McKee ceremonially signed Rhode Island legislation creating a framework for veterinary telemedicine, requiring Rhode Island-licensed vets, client consent before forming an electronic vet-client-patient relationship, and consent documentation kept for at least a year. Local Education Oversight: Rhode Island released a report on its seven-year state takeover of Providence Public Schools, pointing to improved attendance, rising test scores, and higher graduation rates, while contrasting those metrics with a prior Johns Hopkins review that flagged systemic problems. Life Sciences Jobs: Nabsys, a Providence electronic genome mapping company, plans to move headquarters to 225 Dyer St. in summer 2027 and add more than 200 jobs. Public Safety Tech Funding: Rhode Island received a $1.12M federal grant to modernize criminal history record systems, including replacing outdated Livescan equipment and reducing backlogs. Coastal Conservation: Biologists banded American oystercatchers at Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge as part of a multi-state effort that’s helping the species rebound along the Atlantic. AI + Consumer Protection: The FTC is seeking public comment on a proposed policy statement aimed at AI systems that allegedly distort outputs in ways that don’t match consumer expectations for accuracy and objectivity.

Local Life Sciences Jobs: Nabsys, a Providence electronic genome mapping company, plans to move to 225 Dyer St. in the 195 District and add 200+ jobs, with the new headquarters targeted for summer 2027. Public Safety Tech: Rhode Island’s Department of Public Safety won a $1.12M federal grant to modernize criminal history record systems, including replacing outdated Livescan fingerprinting and cutting backlogs. Roads & Digital Delivery: A push in federal policy could let Rhode Island use core highway funds for advanced digital project delivery tools—aimed at speeding bridge and road repairs. Health Policy Watch: Rhode Island is reviewing applications to sell kratom again under a new state law, despite public health concerns about misuse and opioid-like effects. STEM & Community Health: East Greenwich residents rallied to add a 5-year-old’s need for a bone marrow match to the National Marrow Donor Program registry. Environment & Infrastructure: Senators Whitehouse and Capito tout WRDA 2026’s bipartisan push for water, flood, and ecosystem projects that could benefit Rhode Island. Space Science: A meteorite that sonic-boomed near NYC and crashed through a NJ home is tied to rare prebiotic chemistry, with reports including sightings from Rhode Island.

Energy & Policy: Renewed U.S.-Iran fighting is pushing gas prices up again, while major oil firms are raking in about $30M an hour in excess profits—fueling fresh windfall-tax talk from Rhode Island Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse. Wildlife Protection: The Trump administration’s new Endangered Species Act rule would narrow what counts as “harm,” potentially weakening protections for species by letting habitat damage slip through. Research Security: Federal agencies are warning universities that accepting money from foreign entities on U.S. watch lists could jeopardize future federal grants, with disclosures showing millions flowing to top research schools. Cybersecurity: EY confirmed a breach of a third-party IT support platform used for tax work, with attackers accessing client tax documents. Climate & Health: Canadian wildfire smoke kept air quality alerts active across the Northeast, with thunderstorms expected to help clear conditions. Local Tech/Science: The NSF’s $15M “Seafood Engine” backs New England fisheries and aquaculture with tech and research partners spanning Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Community Science: Rhode Island residents rallied to join the bone marrow registry for a 5-year-old East Greenwich boy needing a stem cell match.

Climate & Public Health: A new Data for Progress poll finds most U.S. voters link extreme weather to the climate crisis, and Rhode Island is also dealing with the fallout from Canadian wildfire smoke as air-quality alerts persist. Endangered Species Act: The Trump administration published a rule that deletes a key definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act, a change critics say could let habitat damage slip through. Research Security: Federal agencies are stepping up scrutiny of universities accepting money from foreign entities on U.S. watch lists, with disclosures showing millions flowing to major research schools. Cybersecurity: EY disclosed a breach tied to a third-party IT support platform used for tax work, exposing client personal and financial documents. Energy Policy: Offshore wind faces new legal pressure as states challenge Trump-era moves to stop projects on national security grounds. Rhode Island Community Tech & Science: Hundreds of Rhode Islanders joined a bone marrow registry drive for a 5-year-old East Greenwich boy, while Narragansett kicked off its comprehensive plan update process with resident input. Seafood Innovation: The NSF Seafood Engine in New England won $15M to modernize fisheries and aquaculture using tech and research across Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.

Wildfire smoke & air quality: Canadian wildfire smoke kept air quality alerts active across much of the Northeast and Midwest, including Rhode Island, with forecasts pointing to thunderstorms clearing haze ahead of major events. Local planning: Narragansett kicked off its comprehensive plan update process, setting a 20-year horizon for housing, transportation, conservation, and economic development. Seafood innovation: The NSF announced a $15M “Seafood Engine in New England” to modernize fisheries and aquaculture using AI, advanced manufacturing, biotech, and robotics—spanning Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Cybersecurity & privacy: EY confirmed a breach tied to a third-party IT support platform used in its tax practice, raising fresh concerns about third-party risk. Higher ed & foreign funding: The State Department and Education Department plan to crack down on universities taking money from foreign entities tied to U.S. government watch lists. Public health tech: Rhode Island’s tick surge and alpha-gal concerns continue to drive local preparedness efforts, including community education and prevention planning. Water infrastructure: Senators Whitehouse and Capito praised unanimous WRDA 2026 passage, pointing to upgrades for drinking water, wastewater, flood risk, and ecosystem restoration.

Offshore wind vs. national security: Trump’s administration is stopping and buying back offshore wind leases, citing radar and drone risks; Rhode Island is among the states backing legal challenges. Foreign funding scrutiny for universities: The State Department and Education Department plan tougher enforcement on colleges taking money from foreign entities tied to U.S. watch lists, including major Chinese donors. Water infrastructure push for RI: Senators Sheldon Whitehouse and Shelley Moore Capito tout unanimous Senate committee passage of the WRDA 2026, aimed at safe drinking water, wastewater, flood risk, and ecosystem restoration. RI school facilities update: Chariho School Committee reviews draft facility assessment work tied to a proposed unified elementary campus. Healthcare access data: A retina specialists meeting highlights how Medicaid reimbursement for vitreoretinal surgeries can lag Medicare in some states, affecting patient access. Election security debate: Experts dispute Trump’s claims that China accessed massive voter files, saying the data is likely public and not tied to election interference. Public health: Rhode Island reports a small number of cyclosporiasis cases this year, with no linked outbreak yet. Community science & health: Block Island gears up for tick-borne disease education and prevention, as tick populations expand. Local human story: An East Greenwich family asks Rhode Islanders to join a bone marrow registry drive for a 5-year-old needing a match. Tech & policy: Michigan AG joins a coalition urging regulators to deny national bank charters to fintechs with predatory or risky lending histories.

Election Security: Security experts and voting-rights advocates pushed back hard on President Trump’s claims that China accessed “220 million” U.S. voter files, saying the data is largely public and there’s no sign of election interference. RI Politics: Gov. Dan McKee won the top spot on the Sept. 9 Democratic primary ballot via a lottery, a small boost that matters most when voters know less about candidates. Public Health: Block Island’s tick problem is worsening as Lone Star ticks expand, with a community forum on tick-borne disease and local town/state response. Defense & Comms: Rhode Island Air National Guard’s 282nd Combat Communications Squadron tested rapid, decentralized deployment capabilities during a Puerto Rico exercise. Space Science: A meteorite that hit a New Jersey home is being studied for “alien world chemistry,” including amino acids and salty-fluid signatures—relevant to how life’s building blocks might form. Food Safety: The FDA updated a multi-state Cyclospora investigation tied to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell, with Rhode Island reporting a few cases this year. Ocean Tech: URI’s Ocean Robotics Laboratory is opening to expand ocean robotics research and testing at the Narragansett Bay Campus. Cyber & Scams: New bank scam laws let institutions pause certain suspicious payments, aiming to stop irreversible transfers during exploitation.

Space Science: A meteorite that crashed through a New Jersey home in 2024—seen by people across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania—has been studied and found to contain extraterrestrial amino acids, organic molecules, and salty fluid remnants, offering fresh clues about how early solar-system chemistry formed. Ocean Tech: URI’s Ocean Robotics Laboratory is opening at the Narragansett Bay Campus, aiming to centralize and expand ocean robotics research. Food Safety (URI): URI’s food safety expert is warning Rhode Islanders about cyclosporiasis after an FDA update tied Cyclospora illnesses to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in multiple states, with guidance to wash produce and avoid risky items during outbreaks. Health Tech & Public Service: 988’s fourth year shows rising demand for the national suicide and crisis lifeline, with call, text, and chat volume up sharply year over year. Local Climate Resilience: Richmond approved a one-year extension for a state Climate Resilience Fund grant to replace a Carolina Nooseneck Road culvert, with design work by Crossman Engineering. RI Business Tech: Citizens Financial Group (Providence) says its “Reimagine the Bank” push is already boosting engineering productivity, including AI tools in customer support. Seafood Innovation: A New England seafood collaborative tied to NSF’s “Seafood Engine” secured $15M to modernize fisheries and aquaculture using sensors and AI.

Foreign Funding Scrutiny: CBS reports major U.S. universities received $27.6M from foreign entities tied to federal watch lists, including a $22.6M, 50-year contract from China’s Beijing Institute of Technology to Bryant University. Seafood Tech Boost: The NSF Seafood Engine in New England lands a $15M, two-year grant to modernize fisheries and aquaculture across Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island using sensors and AI. RI Health & Work: Rhode Island’s workplace menopause-protection law (effective June 2025) is getting broader attention as other states move to require accommodations and training. Vector Risk in RI: URI’s Center for Vector-Borne Diseases warns tick bites are spiking, with rising Lone Star and black-legged tick concerns and associated illnesses. Air Quality Alert: Canadian wildfire smoke pushes unhealthy air into Rhode Island and 13 other states, with PM2.5 driving health warnings. Local Tech/Finance: Citizens Bank (Providence) says its “Reimagine the Bank” AI and automation pilots are targeting major productivity gains and operational savings. Space Science: A meteorite crash in New Jersey is tied to rare findings about ancient water and salty minerals.

AI & Education Policy: Rhode Island lawmakers signed a three-year charter school moratorium, limiting new district, independent, and mayoral charter approvals through 2028-29 and reducing the cap from 35 to 28. AI Governance: RI also passed targeted rules for AI “companion” models, requiring suicide/self-harm user protocols and reminders that users aren’t chatting with a human, while a broader data-center policy push stalled. Health & Antitrust: A multistate $29.6M settlement with Glenmark targets alleged generic-drug price-fixing and competition restraints; Rhode Island is among the states tied to the wider case. Climate & Public Health: New England remains under wildfire smoke air-quality alerts, with guidance to use N95s and limit indoor exposure. Space Science: A meteorite that hit a New Jersey home is linked to “salty” chemistry that may inform how life-building molecules form in space. Marine Research: URI researchers documented rare freshwater mussels in the Moosup River after a 30+ year gap. Energy & Jobs: NSF’s $15M “Seafood Engine” backs New England seafood and aquaculture innovation using real-time ocean data. Security & Tech Policy: The Financial Stability Oversight Council discussed AI work, cybersecurity, and financial stability risks in a recent meeting.

Rhode Island Tech & Policy: Rhode Island lawmakers this session moved to regulate specific AI uses, including AI “companion” models that must include self-harm/suicide user protocols and reminders that users aren’t talking to a human, while a broader push on data-center policy stalled. Coastal Tech & Governance: Rhode Island coastal regulators are split over how much to shore up Newport’s Cliff Walk, with the CRMC staff recommending a narrower fix that would require resubmitting public-pathway work separately. Health & Antitrust: A multistate coalition announced a $29.6M Glenmark settlement over alleged generic-drug price inflation and reduced competition, with Rhode Island tied to the wider wave of antitrust enforcement against pharma. Energy & Industry: The NSF awarded $15M for the New England “Seafood Engine,” led by NERACOOS, to strengthen fisheries and aquaculture with real-time ocean-data tech and workforce development that includes Rhode Island partners. STEM & Research: URI chemistry received a $1.5M NSF grant, and URI also appears in NSF Graduate Research Fellows news highlighting continued STEM research pipeline strength. Space Science: A meteorite crash tied to observers across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania is now linked to “salty” chemistry that could inform how life-building molecules form in space. Public Safety & Environment: A wildfire smoke plume is expected to sweep into New England, raising near-term air-quality concerns for Rhode Island residents. Community Tech: People’s Credit Union is hosting a free community shred day in Wakefield with secure cross-cut shredding.