Rhode Island

Chief Judge John McConnell granted summary judgment for Providence City Councilman Miguel Sanchez, ruling that Gov. Dan McKee's top aides, Chief of Staff Antonio Afonso and Deputy Chief of Staff Joseph Almond, violated Sanchez's First Amendment rights by firing him from a constituent-services role in 2023 over social media posts criticizing Israel's actions in Gaza and calling for a ceasefire. McConnell found Sanchez spoke as a private citizen, his firing drew far more public and media attention than the posts themselves, and other staffers who posted dissenting views were not disciplined. McKee's office disagrees with the ruling and is reviewing its options; a trial on damages remains ahead. Sanchez, soon to be City Council president, called it a free speech victory.

Candidates in Rhode Island's 2026 governor's race have spent about $9.9 million combined, making it the cheapest contest in inflation-adjusted terms since 2006 and well below the $14.8–$22.2 million range of the last three cycles. Democratic nominee Helena Foulkes accounts for roughly 69% of that spending at about $6.8 million, followed by Gov. Dan McKee, who lost the September primary to her, at nearly $2.6 million. Independent Ken Block and Republican nominee Aaron Guckian have spent far less. Analysts attribute the drop-off to a thin post-primary field, though outside spending by parties and unions is filling some of the gap and rising media costs continue to push overall campaign costs higher.

Providence held its third annual Rhode Island Palestine Day, drawing Palestinian community members and supporters for food, music, and cultural events, organized in part to highlight Palestinian identity amid the war in Gaza. The gathering coincided with ongoing debate over the city's Question 7 ballot measure, which voters will decide in the November 3 general election. Democratic mayoral nominee David Morales, who supports the measure, attended and framed it as a chance for the city to take a moral stance. Steven Baker of the Jewish Alliance of Rhode Island criticized the proposal, arguing it targets a specific community without addressing humanitarian needs abroad.

The Department of Veterans Affairs says it has opened 43 new healthcare clinics across 25 states and Guam since President Trump returned to office in January 2025, part of a broader push to expand veterans' access to care under Trump's May 2025 executive order targeting wait times and service delivery. The VA reports more than 300,000 new enrollees in VA healthcare this year, a record pace of direct-care and community-care appointments, and a reduced benefits claims backlog. However, an Inspector General report found severe staffing shortages at all 139 VHA medical centers nationwide, and a New York Times analysis found thousands of vacant medical positions left unfilled, raising questions about whether expanded facilities can be adequately staffed.

Providence officials have asked retired federal judge William Smith to provide independent legal analysis of Question 7, a citizen ballot initiative that would require the city to divest from countries and companies linked to genocide, apartheid, ethnic cleansing, and prolonged military occupation. The measure, backed by Providence for Palestine, is widely understood to target investments tied to Israel over the war in Gaza, though the ordinance does not name any country. City Solicitor Jeff Dana sought outside review after the Law Department's initial guidance drew criticism. Mayor Brett Smiley calls the ordinance unlawful and unmanageable, while city officials warn it could jeopardize the underfunded pension system. Mayoral candidates David Morales and Dave Talan are split on the measure.

Providence School Board President Ty'Relle Stephens is fighting an effort to oust him after Vice President Anjel Newmann reportedly raised concerns about board officer terms with state Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. Stephens, 23 and the youngest board president in district history, accused Infante-Green of improperly interfering in local governance, citing her repeated calls and involvement, and argued she relied on an outdated 1890s statute despite Providence's Home Rule Charter authority. He also claimed three senior district leaders who left for RIDE positions had their departures wrongly blamed on him. The dispute, which escalated into a contentious September meeting, comes months after Providence regained local control of its schools in July; the board met again this week to continue discussing his removal.

Elizabeth Beretta-Perik has resigned as chair of the Rhode Island Democratic Party, effective immediately, following the federal indictment of her husband, Michael Perik, on fraud and racketeering charges. Beretta-Perik, who had led the party since 2023, notified the executive committee by email.

Prosecutors allege Perik, through four for-profit entities, diverted roughly $20 million in federal financial aid and state subsidies from Eastern Gateway Community College in Ohio between 2017 and early 2022, including disbursing aid to ineligible students and falsifying records, contributing to the school's 2024 closure. Perik's attorney denies wrongdoing, calling the case "purely political payback" and citing prior reviews by Ohio and federal authorities that found no issues.