Rhode Island briefing

Bill signed creating license plate to raise funds for colon cancer awareness in honor of late Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin

Legislation signed to ensure constitutional rights of Rhode Island residents

RIDOH and DEM Lift Advisory at Lake Tiogue and Oak Swamp Reservoir

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) have lifted the recommendation to avoid recreational activities at Lake Tiogue in Coventry and Oak Swamp Reservoir in Johnston. The harmful algae bloom (HAB) caused by blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) has cleared. Recent water testing laborat…

Treasurer Diossa Celebrates Financial Literacy Month by Expanding Financial Education Program in Newport

Treasurer Diossa Celebrates Financial Literacy Month by Expanding Financial Education Program in Newport

Governor McKee and Rhode Island Commerce to Launch New Grant Program for Innovators

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — In recognition of World Intellectual Property Day on Saturday, Governor Dan McKee and Rhode Island Commerce are launching the Invention Incentive Program, a new grant program to help Rhode Island innovators and small businesses offset the cost of filing patents.

PUC Approves Governor McKee’s $28 Million in Winter Electric Bill Relief

Combined emergency and hold-harmless credits will deliver significant additional relief to residential electric customers this winter

Rhode Island Commerce Awards $360K in Innovation Grants for Small Business and High-Growth Startup Support

Rhode Island Commerce Awards $360K in Innovation Grants for Small Business and High-Growth Startup Support

McKee Administration Awards $9.7 Million in Grants to Advance Ocean Technology Commercialization and Job Creation

McKee Administration Awards $9.7 Million in Grants to Advance Ocean Technology Commercialization and Job Creation

Rhode Island Commerce Partners with the History® Channel to Celebrate America's 250th Anniversary

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – In an exciting collaboration leading up to the 250th anniversary of the United States, Rhode Island Commerce has partnered with The HISTORY® Channel to launch a dynamic multi-platform campaign as part of HISTORY Honors 250. Known as a state of firsts, Rhode Island Commerce is the first state tourism board to enter a partnership o…

RHODE ISLAND LEADERSHIP UNVEILS "SUMMER OF SOCCER" VISION FOR UPCOMING INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, April 28, 2026: This morning, General Treasurer James Diossa, Governor Dan McKee, Mayor Brett Smiley, legislators, state officials, and leaders announced the comprehensive operational and community plan for the "Rhode Island Summer of Soccer". This initiative will transform the state into a premier destination for internat…

Nearly $15M in Disaster Relief Available for RI Farmers

PROVIDENCE, RI – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) will make nearly $15M in disaster relief assistance available to eligible RI farmers and agricultural producers affected by weather events in 2023 and 2024. DEM’s Rhode Island Disaster Relief Program (RIDRP) will distribute $14,944,632.43 from the USDA Farm Service Agenc…

Governor McKee, Rhode Island Commerce, and Division of Statewide Planning Kick-Off Ready, Set, Rhody Initiative

Governor McKee, Rhode Island Commerce, and Division of Statewide Planning Kick-Off Ready, Set, Rhody Initiative

CCRI and URI announce new RN-to-BS program to strengthen Rhode Island's nursing workforce

DEM Awards Over $2M in Climate Resilience Grants

PROVIDENCE, RI – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has awarded $2,022,146 in matching Climate Resilience Fund (CRF) grants to five municipalities and three community organizations for statewide climate resilience projects. The grants will fund eight projects to restore and improve the climate resilience of local communit…

West Nile Virus Detected in Newport, East Providence, Pawtucket, and Providence

PROVIDENCE, RI – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) have confirmed additional detections of West Nile Virus (WNV) in the state this mosquito season. The virus was found in mosquito samples collected by DEM in Newport, East Providence, Pawtucket, and Providence on September 8 a…

Rhode Island Commerce Extends Wavemaker Fellowship Application Deadline

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Today, Rhode Island Commerce announced that the deadline to apply for student loan reimbursement through the Wavemaker Fellowship has been extended to March 28, 2025.

Hooked on Autumn: 25 Waterways to be Stocked with Trout

PROVIDENCE, RI – Get ready to drop a line during one of the fall’s fin-est pastimes! The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is stocking brook and rainbow trout in selected areas throughout RI starting Friday, Oct. 2 through Thursday, Oct. 8. The following areas will be stocked:

RI AnchorHome Helps 40+ Rhode Island Families Buy First Homes, State Investment Commission Expands Program

RI AnchorHome Helps 40+ Rhode Island Families Buy First Homes, State Investment Commission Expands Program

Governor McKee, First Lady Announce Fall 2026 Litter-Free Rhode Island Microgrant Applications Now Open

Governor McKee, First Lady Announce Fall 2026 Litter-Free Rhode Island Microgrant Applications Now Open

Governor McKee Slams Trump Administration for Denying Rhode Island’s Appeal for Federal Blizzard Disaster Relief

Governor McKee Slams Trump Administration for Denying Rhode Island’s Appeal for Federal Blizzard Disaster Relief

McKee Administration Outlines Preparations Ahead of Forecasted Nor’easter

PROVIDENCE, RI — Today, Governor Dan McKee was joined by Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency Director Marc Pappas, Rhode Island Department of Transportation Interim Director Bob Rocchio, and Rhode Island Energy President Greg Cornett to outline preparations happening across the state in anticipation of the Nor’easter, which is expected to brin…

Bills creating special license plates for disability access and to benefit RAMP ceremonially signed into law

Inspector General Independent Advisory Commission Makes Job Posting Available

PROVIDENCE, RI – The five-member Inspector General Independent Advisory Commission today announced that applications are now being accepted for the newly-created position of Inspector General.

Rhode Island Commerce Announces New Cohort of Wavemaker Fellows Including First Addition of Teachers

PROVIDENCE, RI – Today, Secretary of Commerce Liz Tanner and Rhode Island Commerce announce the addition of 153 new fellows to the Wavemaker Fellowship, a competitive student loan reimbursement program for professionals working in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), certain design fields, the healthcare sector, and for the fir…

RI Pension and OPEB Funds Deliver Strong Performance in FY26

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Today, Rhode Island General Treasurer James A. Diossa announced that the state's pension fund generated a 14.02% investment return for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026, significantly outperforming its 7% actuarial assumed rate of return. The Employee's Retirement System of Rhode Island (ERSRI) ended the fiscal year with an all…

Raising the Bar RI Environmental Police Receive RIPAC Accreditation

PROVIDENCE, RI – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announces that its Division of Law Enforcement (DLE) has received Rhode Island Police Accreditation Commission (RIPAC) accreditation. The program is a department-initiated process by which police departments in RI voluntarily strive to meet and maintain the highest stand…

DEM Receives Over $1.2M Grant to Support Recreational Fishing and Boating

PROVIDENCE, RI – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has received a $1.2M grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) 2026 National Outreach and Communication Program (NOCP) to increase recreational fishing and boating participation statewide through outreach, education, and partnerships. DEM was one of 16 awar…

Rhode Island makes history with license plates celebrating Dominican heritage

Treasurer Diossa Welcomes the Hawaiʻi Retirement Savings Program to the Multistate Alliance for Retirement Security

Treasurer Diossa Welcomes the Hawaiʻi Retirement Savings Program to the Multistate Alliance for Retirement Security

RI Treasury Program Forgives an Additional $6 Million in Medical Debt, Impacting More Than 3,000 Rhode Islanders

RI Treasury Program Forgives an Additional $6 Million in Medical Debt, Impacting More Than 3,000 Rhode Islanders

Legislators join ceremonial bill signing to support construction best practices

Rhode Island Commerce Kicks-Off BEAD Program in the Ocean State

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rhode Island Commerce has kicked-off the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program by issuing the first Request for Proposals (RFP) to design and build broadband infrastructure projects across the state. The project is funded with Rhode Island’s $108.7 million BEAD Program allocation from the National Telecommunicat…

Leader Ciccone, Rep. Shanley warehouse employee protection bill ceremonially signed into law

Treasurer Diossa Joins Governor McKee for Ceremonial Signing of Bills Expanding Support for Victims of Crime

Treasurer Diossa Joins Governor McKee for Ceremonial Signing of Bills Expanding Support for Victims of Crime

Statement from Governor McKee on the 25th Anniversary of September 11, 2001

PROVIDENCE, RI – In recognition of the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, Governor Dan McKee released the following statement:

Treasurer Diossa Builds on Early Success, Expands RI AnchorHome to Reach More Families

Providence, RI – Today, Rhode Island General Treasurer James A. Diossa announced the second phase of RI AnchorHome, a homeownership program offering first-time homebuyers affordable, sustainable mortgage options. The program has already helped close to 60 Rhode Island families close on their first homes totaling over $21 million by leveraging State…

Sen. DiPalma, Rep. Cotter join environmental and municipal leaders at 2026 Green Bond ballot campaign kickoff

RI General Obligation Bond Sale a Success Reflecting State’s Strong Credit and Outlook

Providence, RI – Rhode Island General Treasurer James A. Diossa announced the successful negotiated sale of $221,360,000 in General Obligation Bonds, including $149,060,000 of Series A tax-exempt bonds and $72,300,000 of Series B taxable bonds. The sale took place on April 7, 2026.

Statement from Governor McKee on the Installation of Final Revolution Wind Turbine

PROVIDENCE, RI — Today, Governor Dan McKee issued the following statement after the final turbine was installed at the Revolution Wind project.

Rhode Island Commerce Board of Directors Approves Investments in Innovation and Ocean Tech

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — On Monday, the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation Board of Directors approved new investments to accelerate product innovation and expand high school career technical education in ocean technology.

State Climate Panel Approves $1.5M Spending Plan

PROVIDENCE, RI – Yesterday, the Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council (EC4), chaired by Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Director Terry Gray, approved a spending plan for FY2027, allocating $1.5 million across state partners to support Rhode Island’s implementation of the Act on Climate law. The EC4 panel assesses R…

Governor McKee, First Lady Announce Fall 2026 Litter-Free Rhode Island Microgrant Applications Now Open

Governor McKee, First Lady Announce Fall 2026 Litter-Free Rhode Island Microgrant Applications Now Open