Happy Saturday! Here’s another edition of my weekend column for WPRI.com — as always, send your takes, tips and trial balloons to tnesi@wpri.com and follow me on Twitter, Bluesky and Facebook.
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1. When Republican Gov. Don Carcieri launched Rhode Island’s offshore wind industry in 2008, he championed it as the path to energy independence amid high oil prices and Mideast wars. “I believe it’s the one thing we can do to stabilize our energy costs,” Carcieri told me back then, soon after he selected Deepwater Wind to build the Block Island Wind Farm. Now, 17 years later, another Republican — Donald Trump — is trying to kill the industry just as Carcieri’s vision reaches economic viability. Trump’s Aug. 22 stop-work order halting Revolution Wind, already 80% complete, has triggered a scramble of lawsuits and lobbying to salvage the project — and jubilation among longtime critics of offshore wind. The president’s longstanding personal dislike of wind farms is no secret, and the White House describes the move as another way that Trump “has ended Joe Biden’s war on American energy.” Yet the industry’s economics have changed a lot since Carcieri’s days. While the price of power from Deepwater started at an eye-watering 24.4 cents per kWh, Revolution Wind’s will cost about 10 cents, less than some other electricity sources. And wind is no longer a fringe part of the region’s energy mix; grid operator ISO-NE is banking on the project to power about 350,000 homes starting next year. These points are being hammered home in high-level conversations between New England leaders and Trump advisers, and may help get the project back on track. Indeed, Trump himself said at an Aug. 27 cabinet meeting that the only potential exception to his “no windmills” policy might be “a legal situation where somebody committed to it a long time ago.” Even if that saves Revolution Wind, though, blue states face profound questions about whether their big bet on offshore wind can succeed with Washington opposed.
2. One of the interesting dynamics in the Revolution Wind situation has been Governor McKee’s response to the crisis. Unlike many other Democratic governors in 2025, McKee has generally sought to avoid major confrontations with President Trump to the extent possible. But the wind issue is in McKee’s comfort zone, and he’s been forceful since the stop-work order was issued, even pressing for a one-on-one meeting with Trump on the matter. “I don’t think there’s a full understanding that the project is 80% complete and the transmission lines are 90% complete,” the governor told Kim Kalunian during his regular appearance on 12 News at 4 this week. It’s not a bad fight to pick for an incumbent facing a challenging Democratic primary next year, aligning McKee with trade unions and environmentalists against the Republican in the White House. (Those same unions are, after all, the ones Joe Shekarchi has been hoping would push McKee out of the race.) If Trump eventually relents, expect to hear a lot from McKee’s reelection campaign about how he fought the president and won on wind power. Of course, if Peter Neronha decides to run, he’ll be able to make the same argument.
3. Rhode Island’s new state budget is getting plenty of attention from national media outlets thanks to the so-called “Taylor Swift tax,” a new statewide property tax on million-dollar vacation homes that takes effect next July. CNBC is the latest outlet to take a critical look at the new tax, quoting real-estate agents who don’t like the policy. Swift herself faces a roughly $136,000 tax bill under the new levy, based on CNBC’s calculations. But she doesn’t seem to be holding that against Rhode Island, at least if you believe Page Six’s report that she is planning to have her wedding to Travis Kelce here. Meantime, the R.I. Division of Taxation is busy with its own version of wedding planning — figuring out how to collect the first-ever property tax levied by the state, rather than a municipality. A spokesperson says to expect more guidance on how the tax will be implemented “in the coming months.”
4. Political observers are keeping a close eye on the developing 2026 race for mayor of Pawtucket, where longtime incumbent Don Grebien is expected to face a well-funded Democratic primary challenge from Jewish Alliance CEO Adam Greenman. Grebien appears to be taking the threat seriously. On Thursday, the mayor held a splashy campaign kickoff event at the still-new Centreville Bank Stadium, featuring big-name speakers like Governor McKee and Speaker Shekarchi, as well as union and community leaders. The loss of the PawSox and the feared loss of Hasbro loomed large. “Pawtucket has been punched in the face, and over and over again, Mayor Grebien has brought Pawtucket back,” Senator Whitehouse said in a videotaped message for the rally. Nonetheless, Greenman doesn’t sound cowed by all the big names helping the mayor. “I’ve been spending the summer talking with voters and business owners all over Pawtucket and have been really encouraged by the reception,” Greenman told me Friday. “There is a real openness to my candidacy and vision. I plan to make a final decision in the next few weeks.”
5. Here’s a dispatch from my colleague Eli Sherman: “Instagram users who follow Speaker Shekarchi may have been surprised Thursday to see a photo of him with Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey. A spokesperson says the duo met for about a half hour in Healey’s office on Beacon Hill to discuss housing — specifically prefabricated housing — along with vaccine guidance and other health-care matters. The future of Hasbro’s headquarters also came up, as speculation intensifies that an announcement is coming on whether the company plans to relocate from Pawtucket to Greater Boston. (The details of the Hasbro conversation were not shared publicly.) With Shekarchi considering a potential run for governor in 2026, the two would be working together a lot more closely if he jumped in the race and won — assuming, of course, Healey herself manages to win reelection next year.”
6. RIPTA’s budget deficit has been resolved, for now, through a new agreement between the transit agency’s leaders and Governor McKee. Bus routes with higher costs and lower usage will be scaled back, though not eliminated, and fares will be increased for the first time in 15 years, among other changes. The governor and RIPTA’s CEO issued a joint statement arguing the plan “provides a foundation for RIPTA to build a more modern and financially sustainable transit system,” but state Sen. Tiara Mack echoed other critics in alleging they are “compromising our state’s economy, and competitiveness, for generations to come.” One key bit of context for the whole conversation is the fact that RIPTA is far from alone in struggling post-pandemic. The MBTA’s operating costs for bus service have soared 90% since 2019, and Philadelphia’s transit leadership is warning of a “death spiral.”
7. If you look at the stock market, you’d be hard-pressed to find any evidence of concern about the effects of President Trump’s tariff policies on American corporations. The S&P 500 closed up 10% for the year on Friday, with the stomach-turning share drops around Liberation Day now a distant memory. But that doesn’t mean tariffs aren’t being felt on the ground locally. George Matouk Jr., CEO of his family’s luxury linen manufacturer in Fall River, penned a Wall Street Journal op-ed warning that the tariffs are actually hurting companies which still make goods in the United States — the exact opposite of the stated policy rationale. “We will find a way to overcome what feels like an attack by our own government,” Matouk wrote. And he isn’t alone. Congressman Amo last month visited Ace Endico New England, a food importer which moved to Woonsocket in 2020 that is similarly grappling with tariff costs. Amo also heard about tariffs at a recent “Blue Economy” roundtable he organized, including a $2,300 tariff on a $1,700 order from Canada.
8. It was a big week for Congressman Magaziner, who after months of behind-the-scenes negotiations finally got to stand with colleagues at a news conference announcing a consensus bill to ban members of Congress from trading stocks. In an interview last week, Magaziner told me the process had been “fun” because it brought together such an ideologically diverse group of colleagues, from Freedom Caucus members like his cosponsor Chip Roy to progressive stalwarts like AOC. “The real dividing line on this issue is not left or right,” he said. “It’s who went to Washington to try to be a change agent and shake things up versus who is wedded to the status quo.” You can see more of our conversation on this week’s Newsmakers. The next question: will Speaker Johnson allow a vote on the bill?
9. Eye on Congress … Senator Reed criticized President Trump over the National Guard D.C. deployment in a floor speech … Trump signed Reed’s bipartisan law to ban credit unions from selling mortgage applicants’ data … Senator Whitehouse flipped to oppose Trump’s pick to lead the Federal Highway Administration … Whitehouse also got an earful from EPA Director Lee Zeldin on Fox News … Congressman Magaziner shifted on Israel, cosponsoring a resolution to cut off some weapons sales … Magaziner also sold his never-occupied house in Cranston at a $20,000 loss … Congressman Amo sent a fundraising pitch for Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti, an old acquaintance from his White House days, as she tries to unseat his Republican colleague Rob Bresnahan … Congressman Auchincloss published a New York Times op-ed warning about the damage “digital dopamine” is doing to society … Congressman Keating, who turns 73 today, signed the discharge petition for release of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
10. The race for Boston mayor isn’t getting much attention in our region ahead of Tuesday’s preliminary election, and for good reason beyond geography: a brand-new Emerson College poll finds incumbent Michelle Wu with a 50-point lead over challenger Josh Kraft, a nonprofit leader who is the son of Patriots owner Bob Kraft. Wu has benefited enormously in deep-blue Boston from President Trump’s efforts to use her as a foil on immigration, especially since Kraft’s father is a Trump intimate. I joined our parent company Nexstar’s weekly Political Power Ranker show to break down the race — you can watch online now or stream it this weekend at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. or 7 p.m. on our 12+ smart TV app.
11. People in the news … Peter Neronha has hired veteran operative Julie Andrews as a fundraising consultant as he continues to ponder a gubernatorial bid … Stefan Pryor’s appointment as commerce secretary has become a separation-of-powers issue … outgoing Providence City Councilor Helen Anthony received tributes from colleagues, while David Caldwell and Jeff Levy both jumped into the race to succeed her … Cranston City Council President Jessica Marino and council lawyer Stephen Angell both resigned after acknowledging their relationship … R.I. Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz is holding a fundraiser Nov. 22 with Virginia Delegate Nick Freitas … Michael Sroczynski will be the next president of the Hospital Association of Rhode Island; he previously worked for the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association … Dylan Conley is stepping down as chair of the Providence Board of Licenses … Gina Raimondo penned an Economist op-ed about A.I. … La Salle grad and former U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey has been named a visiting fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics for this fall.
12. Three interesting behind-the-curtain pieces from local newspaper executives: Providence Journal executive editor Lynne Sullivan shares how the paper is thinking about A.I. … Beacon Communications publisher Joy Fox details why her papers are removing names from the police log … and Sun Chronicle publisher Craig Borges explains why the paper is switching to delivery by U.S. mail.
13. Eli Sherman and co-hosts Kim Kalunian and Dan McGowan have been booking a steady series of great guests on their new 12+ show “Behind the Story” spotlighting local journalism. Last week, Eli and Kim were joined by the New Bedford Light’s Anastasia Lennon, who offered a timely primer on the state of offshore wind. This week Eli and Dan welcome Ocean State Media’s Ian Donnis, who discusses his quarter-century covering Rhode Island politics, and looks ahead to the looming clash between Dan McKee and Helena Foulkes. I highly recommend you subscribe to the show as a podcast via Apple or Spotify (or wherever you get your podcasts) so you never miss an episode.
14. Weekend reads … Antonia Noori Farzan on Rhode Island’s many (many) obscure local political committees … Chris Shea on Westerly’s rejection of a 2,300-unit housing development … Omar Mohammed on Bristol County’s growing attraction for homebuyers … Oyin Adedoyin on upper-middle-class families struggling to pay for Brown … Scott Pickering on the most expensive home ever listed in Barrington … Sofia Barr on the Lincoln native who is Mark Cuban’s right-hand man … Ben Berke on the timeless New England clambake.
15. Fire up 12+ on your smart TV or set your DVRs: This week on Newsmakers — a political potpourri. Watch Sunday at 5:30 a.m. on WPRI 12 and 10 a.m. on Fox Providence, or listen on the radio Sunday at 6 p.m. on WPRO. You can also subscribe to Newsmakers as a podcast via Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. See you back here next Saturday morning.
Ted Nesi (tnesi@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter and 12 News politics/business editor. He co-hosts Newsmakers and writes Nesi’s Notes on Saturdays. Connect with him on Twitter, Bluesky and Facebook.
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