AGP Executive Report

Tennis & Tourism Spotlight: Roger Federer was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island, with wife Mirka delivering an emotional introduction that left the family in tears—another big-name draw for the Ocean State’s sports calendar. Roadside Safety & Community Impact: Taylor Swift reportedly donated $50,000 to support Ashley Taunton, a Connecticut mother of three seriously injured on Rhode Island’s I-95 after stopping to help teens during a hydroplaning crash—an uplifting reminder of why visitors and locals alike should slow down in stormy weather. Active Aging in RI: The Rhode Island Senior Games returned to Conley Stadium in Providence, bringing adults 50+ together for friendly track and field competition and community connection. Local Learning Upgrade: Peace Dale Library in South Kingstown reopened its renovated second floor, launching a Community Learning Center that expands resources across the state. Travel Advisory Watch: RIDOT traffic pattern changes were reported for South County Trail Bridge over Route 4 in East Greenwich and on I-295 North near Exit 1A in Warwick.

Tennis & Tourism Spotlight: Roger Federer was officially inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island, with wife Mirka delivering a rare, emotional introduction before he took the stage—another big draw for visitors heading to the Ocean State for major sports moments. Local Community & Active Aging: The Rhode Island Senior Games returned to Conley Stadium in Providence, bringing adults 50+ together for track and field events and a reminder that summer fun here isn’t just for kids. High-Profile Rhode Island Kindness Story: Taylor Swift donated $50,000 to support Ashley Taunton, a Connecticut mother of three seriously injured after stopping to help teens during a rain-related hydroplaning crash on I-95 South in Rhode Island—funds aimed at medical costs and travel for her long recovery. Travel Safety Watch: Multiple Rhode Island traffic advisories flagged changing road patterns and closures tied to state projects, including updates affecting drivers around Warwick and East Greenwich—worth checking before you head out.

Community Learning Center Opens at Peace Dale Library: South Kingstown’s Peace Dale Library has reopened after months of renovation, adding a new Community Learning Center on the second floor and restoring historic woodwork and stone features—another reason to plan a local learning-and-leisure stop. Roadside Safety Spotlight on I-95: Taylor Swift donated $50,000 to a GoFundMe for Ashley Taunton, a Connecticut mother injured in a July I-95 crash in Rhode Island while helping teens after their vehicle lost control in the rain. Brown University Security Upgrade: After a 2025 mass shooting, Brown says it will move to close campus camera and communications gaps by joining Providence Police’s Real Time Crime Center under an activation-based sharing plan. Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport: Roger Federer is set to be inducted in Newport, Rhode Island, with his reflections on travel, legacy, and what he wants to be remembered for—good buzz for sports tourism. Banana Ball Hits Gillette, RI Connection: A sold-out Savannah Bananas Banana Ball at Gillette Stadium drew Rhode Island pride, including RI native player Armani Henderson. Weekend Events for Visitors: Pawtucket Arts Festival kicks off Friday with a free Art Fest Party, followed by the Slater Park Fall Festival with 100+ local makers and live music. Travel Advisory: RIDOT is changing traffic patterns on the South County Trail Bridge over Route 4 in East Greenwich—plan routes accordingly.

Tennis & Tourism: Roger Federer is set to be enshrined in the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island, and he’s calling it his first trip to the city—an easy win for Rhode Island’s sports-travel crowd. Road-Trip Reality Check: A new study flags Rhode Island as having the most “chaotic” drivers in America, citing poor road conditions, congestion, and overspeeding-related fatalities—worth noting for visitors planning scenic drives. Local Hospitality Update: Block Island’s “The Surf” (Block Island Beach House) is seeking approval to expand its liquor service area to an adjacent lot, a small but meaningful change for summer guests. Weekend Planning: Newport Polo’s Aug. 29 match against Palm Beach at BD Field brings a full day of events, including a Barbados trip giveaway. Safety on the Road: Rhode Island State Police reported a fatal motorcycle crash in Johnston on Route 6, underscoring travel caution as late-summer traffic ramps up. Fall Getaway Ideas: Weekapaug Inn is highlighted as September approaches, with seasonal events like the Corn Moon Paddle and a pondside BBQ tailgate. Arts & Family Fun: Pawtucket Arts Festival kicks off Aug. 28 with free events at Slater Memorial Park and an opening Art Fest Party.

Local Events & Arts: Pawtucket Arts Festival kicks off Friday, Aug. 28, with a free Art Fest Party at The Guild Brewery, then moves into a weekend Slater Memorial Park market featuring 100+ local artists, plus live music and family-friendly fun. Outdoors in RI: A packed “Outdoors in RI” roundup highlights AI hunting, a Pawtucket arts festival, vineyard and tick-study updates, salsa night, bugs, and the Bridge Run scene. Coastal & Water Fun: Swim Across America’s Rhode Island Open Water Swim returns Sept. 12 at Roger Wheeler State Beach in Narragansett with 950+ registered swimmers and events for all ages, benefiting cancer research at Women & Infants Hospital. Travel Advisory: RIDOT shifts lanes on I-295 North over the Pawtuxet River in Warwick starting Friday night, Aug. 28 at 9 p.m., to support bridge work while keeping nearby ramps and lanes open. Newport Parking Update: Newport proposes a unified Park Newport digital system to consolidate municipal parking permits, payments, wayfinding, and enforcement into one app/website. Tourism Safety: Jamestown police warn about Airbnb scams using fake listings and doctored photos that can leave travelers stranded. Rhode Island Tech/Transport Buzz: REGENT Craft’s all-electric seaglider plans gain momentum after a $240M funding push, with Rhode Island tied to its manufacturing and future coastal transport ambitions.

RIDOT Roadwork: Starting Friday night, Aug. 28 at 9 p.m., RIDOT will shift all lanes to the right on I-295 North over the Pawtuxet River just after Exit 1A in Warwick, so crews can rehabilitate the left side; nearby ramps stay open, part of a $76.6M multi-bridge project with work through summer 2028. Newport Parking Overhaul: Newport is moving toward a unified “Park Newport” digital system to consolidate permits, ticket payments, customer service, wayfinding, and enforcement into one app/website—plus council debate over how dynamic signage for available spaces will fit in. Coastal Adventure Spotlight: NBC 10’s “Summer of Fun” wraps with a Jamestown scuba dive, highlighting Rhode Island’s cold-water diving options (lobsters, scallops, crabs, sea stars, and more) and the training needed for safer conditions. Maritime Tech Buzz: REGENT Craft’s all-electric seaglider push is in the spotlight again—its Viceroy aims for up to 180 mph and the company says it has a major Rhode Island manufacturing facility and big funding momentum. Tourism Safety & Scams: Jamestown police warn of Airbnb scams using fake listings and stolen images, urging travelers to verify reviews and property location before booking. Local Events: Swim Across America—Rhode Island Open Water Swim returns Sept. 12 at Roger Wheeler State Beach in Narragansett with 950+ swimmers registered and proceeds supporting cancer research at Women & Infants Hospital.

Open-Air Swim for Cancer: Swim Across America’s 17th annual Rhode Island Open Water Swim returns Sept. 12 at Roger Wheeler State Beach in Narragansett with 950+ swimmers already registered; proceeds support cancer research at Women & Infants Hospital, and volunteers are still needed. Coastal Dining Spotlight: Surf Siren Kitchen + Bar in Millville is drawing attention for Spanish-Caribbean flavors and a coastal vibe, building on the chefs’ Rhode Island and regional restaurant experience. Newport Harbor Incident: Police say a confrontation over a stolen sailboat turned fatal in Newport Harbor, with an officer grazed and the suspect shot and killed. Pell Bridge Run Logistics: The sold-out Citizens Pell Bridge Run on Aug. 30 brings major road closures and single-lane traffic rules between Jamestown and Newport—plan around the early-morning shutdowns. Tourism Safety Alert: Jamestown police warn of Airbnb scams using fake listings and doctored photos that can strand travelers after payment. Family Travel Tech: Uber’s teen accounts now offer live video of rides in Rhode Island, adding a new layer of parent visibility for trips. Local Outdoor Heritage: The Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown highlights 300 acres of protected habitat and six miles of hiking trails, tied to the Paradise Farm legacy.

URI Football at Pawtucket’s Centreville Bank Stadium: URI Rams players from across Rhode Island are excited to “bring it home” this fall, with Centreville Bank Stadium set to host five regular-season games while Meade Stadium undergoes renovations. Pell Bridge Run Traffic Impacts: The sold-out Citizens Pell Bridge Run returns Sunday, Aug. 30, with early road closures and lane restrictions across Jamestown and Newport—plan for delays. Newport Harbor Police Incident: A stolen sailboat confrontation turned fatal in Newport Harbor; a suspect was shot and killed, and an officer was grazed but expected to recover. Norman Bird Sanctuary Spotlight: Paradise Farm’s history lives on as the Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown, protecting 300 acres with six miles of hiking trails. Rhode Island Jobs Update: July saw Rhode Island add 700 jobs and drop unemployment to 3.9%, though labor force levels remain below last year. Uber Teen Safety Feature in RI: Uber launched live video streaming for teen accounts in Rhode Island, letting parents view rides in real time during trips. Free Play Bar Arcade: Providence’s Free Play Bar Arcade keeps visitors coming with coin-free arcade fun, including pinball and rhythm games.

Uber Safety for Teens: Uber is rolling out live video streaming for teen accounts, letting parents watch a feed from the driver’s front-facing phone camera during rides; it’s live in nine markets including Rhode Island and expands nationwide soon. Local Nature & Hiking: The Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown traces back to Mabel Norman Cerio, who bought Paradise Farm in 1908 and later left it as a sanctuary; today it protects 300 acres with six miles of hiking trails. Rhode Island Jobs Update: Rhode Island added 700 jobs in July, with unemployment falling to 3.9%, though the labor force and payroll employment remain below year-ago levels. Arts & Culture: Do Ho Suh’s exhibition at Seoul’s MMCA is drawing attention for moving beyond his famous fabric “homes” to include childhood drawings and newer works. Tourism Buzz: WalletHub’s “Most Fun States” puts California first, with Rhode Island noted as having the fewest movie theaters per population. Community Spotlight: The Anthony F. Cordeiro Charitable Foundation awarded $15,000 in grants to four nonprofits supporting children, families, and animals across southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Entertainment in RI: Maroon 5 headlined a once-a-decade free beach concert in Narragansett hosted by Joseph P. Healey, drawing thousands.

Free Beach Concert: Narragansett drew a crowd of thousands for a once-a-decade free Maroon 5 show on the town beach, hosted by local philanthropist Joseph P. Healey, with rain showers earlier in the day but lots of singing and dancing once the band hit. Travel Advisory: RIDOT is shifting traffic patterns on South County Trail (Route 2) at the Route 4 interchange in East Greenwich starting Aug. 28 as the South County Trail Bridge project nears completion, including a permanent road-diet setup and a temporary on-ramp access move. Family Fun Deals: Late-summer perks are still rolling—there’s a Free Family Day at Audubon Nature Center & Aquarium in Bristol (Aug. 29) and “Museum on Us” free admission options over Labor Day weekend that include Newport Art Museum and Providence Children’s Museum. Local Visitor Pull: Newport County home sales show continued late-summer momentum, with multiple high-value transactions including several above $1M and three over $2.8M. Tech & Safety for Riders: Uber says it’s rolling out live video streaming for teen accounts nationwide, including Rhode Island, aimed at letting parents monitor rides.

Road & Bridge Updates: RIDOT will shift traffic on the South County Trail Bridge at Route 4 in East Greenwich starting Aug. 28, moving lanes to the rebuilt northbound span and permanently keeping a one-lane-each-direction “road diet” setup; it also will temporarily relocate a Route 2 North to Route 4 South on-ramp access point, with added yield signage. Local Travel & Safety: A truck rollover on I-95 south in Warwick near the airport blocked two lanes and a shoulder at the airport exit. Tourism Spotlight: Woonsocket’s Chan’s Fine Oriental Dining keeps drawing visitors with its rare mix of Chinese food and decades of live jazz and blues. Events on the Calendar: Weekapaug Inn in Weekapaug hosts a BBQ Tailgate with pitmaster Jack Arnold on Oct. 4 (1–3 pm), with lawn games and live-streamed football. Getting There: Allegiant is adding new nonstop Florida routes in 2027, including seasonal service tied to spring break demand—good news for Rhode Island travelers planning beach getaways. Family Fun & Health: A Rhode Island tick expert explains alpha-gal syndrome and why tick season matters for summer plans.

RIDOT Road Work: Starting Aug. 28, RIDOT will shift traffic on the South County Trail Bridge at Route 4 in East Greenwich, moving lanes to the rebuilt northbound side and locking in a permanent “road diet” layout; it also relocates the Route 2 North to Route 4 South on-ramp about 200 feet and adds yield signage before demolition of the old southbound span begins. Travel & Flights: Allegiant is expanding Florida service in 2027 with nine new nonstop routes, including a seasonal Punta Gorda (PGD)–Boston Logan link and a new Sarasota-Bradenton (SRQ)–Providence route. Beach Events: Narragansett drew thousands for a free Maroon 5 concert on the beach, part of hedge fund manager Joseph Healey’s milestone birthday tradition. Safety on the Roads: Two Massachusetts drivers died in a head-on crash on I-295 in Cumberland; separate reports also note a Warwick I-95 truck rollover that blocked lanes near the airport exit. Local Living & Tourism Mood: Newport County saw 21 home sales last week, with multiple transactions above $1 million, signaling steady late-summer demand. Public Oversight: A Rhode Island officer flagged Flock license-plate camera searches, raising questions about police oversight and accountability.

Beach Concert Buzz: Maroon 5 turned Narragansett Town Beach into Rhode Island’s hottest free-ticket moment, drawing thousands to Joseph Healey’s once-a-decade birthday show with public viewing from the shoreline. Shark Alert at the Shore: Lifeguards shut down swimming at Narragansett Town Beach after a shark was spotted near bait fish, prompting a beach-wide pause and close coordination with state officials. Roadside “Squidpocalypse”: A 40,000-pound squid spill after a tractor-trailer crash in Narragansett snarled traffic and left the area smelling for hours while crews cleaned up. Travel & Flights: Allegiant announced new seasonal nonstop service tied to Rhode Island—adding Boston and Providence connections from Florida airports, including T.F. Green (PVD) routes—aimed at winter and peak-demand travelers. Local Food Culture: A New York Times feature spotlights Rhode Island’s stuffed quahog (“stuffie”) as a must-try shore dish, rooted in Narragansett Bay’s clam-friendly waters. On-the-Ground RI Legal/Policy: Rhode Island’s Non-Owner Occupied Property Tax faces a lawsuit from high-value property owners ahead of the Sept. 15 installment.

Beach Concert Buzz: Maroon 5 turned Narragansett Town Beach into a free, big-crowd stage Saturday, part of local hedge fund manager Joseph Healey’s decade-birthday tradition—another headline-grabbing moment for Rhode Island summer tourism. Shark Alert at the Shore: Lifeguards temporarily cleared swimmers at Narragansett Town Beach after a shark was spotted near bait fish, with officials coordinating with the Dunes Club and Rhode Island DEM. Roadside Mess for Visitors: A 40,000-pound squid spill after a tractor-trailer tipped in Narragansett snarled traffic for hours and left the area smelling until crews cleaned up. New Travel Links: Allegiant announced new nonstop Florida service that includes a route from Sarasota to T.F. Green (PVD), adding winter/spring options for Rhode Island travelers. Local Legal/Access Watch: A Rhode Island housing ruling backed a tenant’s service-dog accommodation, saying extra security deposit and pet rent amounted to discrimination—relevant for visitors who rely on accessible stays. Food & Culture: A Rhode Island–area tourism draw gets a boost as Morabeza International Food Market prepares to open in Norwich, aiming to bring Cape Verdean and Portuguese groceries closer to Rhode Island travelers.

Beach Concert Buzz: Maroon 5 turned Narragansett Beach into Rhode Island’s hottest ticket this weekend, with thousands showing up for a free, town-facing performance tied to Joseph Healey’s 60th birthday. Shark Alert at the Shore: A shark sighting at Narragansett Town Beach sent swimmers out and triggered lifeguard action as bait fish drew attention near a sunken barge. Road-Trip Disruption (Squid Spill): A tractor-trailer tipped in Narragansett, spilling about 40,000 pounds of squid and closing roads for hours while crews cleaned up the mess. New Nonstop Travel Options: Allegiant announced new nonstop routes that include service from Providence (PVD) to Florida from Tampa-area airports, adding more winter getaway choices. Local Legal/Policy Watch: A Rhode Island judge struck down USCIS policies blocking immigration decisions for applicants from 39 countries, a reminder that federal rules can directly affect families planning moves. Jobs & Travel Demand: Rhode Island added 700 jobs in July and saw unemployment fall to 3.9%, a sign of steady economic momentum heading into late-summer travel.

Beach Safety Alert: Narragansett Town Beach paused swimming after lifeguards spotted a shark near bait fish, with officials keeping swimmers out while they monitored the animal’s movement. Air Travel Expansion: Allegiant announced new nonstop Florida routes, including Boston and Providence service from Orlando Sanford and T. F. Green (PVD) nonstop from Sarasota (SRQ), plus other additions tied to seasonal demand. Tourism Timing Tip: A New England fall road-trip guide highlights peak foliage in late September and October, with whale-watching timing as the key planning factor for Rhode Island travelers. Local Dining Spotlight: The stuffed quahog (“stuffie”) gets a spotlight as a Rhode Island shore favorite, rooted in Narragansett Bay’s quahog habitat and local tradition. Property Tax Fight: More than 40 owners of high-value non-owner-occupied homes sued Rhode Island over the new Non-Owner Occupied Property Tax, seeking to block it before the Sept. 15 installment. Roadside Weirdness: A 40,000-pound squid spill in Narragansett followed a truck crash, reopening the road after cleanup but leaving a lingering smell.