Rhode Island Immigration & Courts: A federal judge in Rhode Island blocked Trump-era immigration curbs that had paused asylum and other legal benefits for people from 39 countries, calling the rules unlawful and arbitrary—an outcome that could reopen thousands of pending cases and affect hiring, housing, and work-permit timelines. State Budget & Taxes: The Rhode Island House approved a $15.2B FY2027 budget, including a phased-in millionaires tax, plus new funding for healthcare, families, and RIPTA. Historic Preservation Funding: Secretary of State Gregg Amore praised House passage of a $45M bond question to build a Rhode Island State History Center, aimed at giving permanent space to key state documents and artifacts. Energy & Cost of Living: New reporting maps steep electricity price increases nationwide, with Rhode Island listed at about 30¢/kWh and showing a notable year-over-year decline—while the broader story highlights how grid and demand pressures are driving household bills. Film & Local Production: Rhode Island Film & TV Office says debut feature “Rubber Hut” will begin production this week in Cranston and Warwick, with a story set in 1992 and backed by major festival and lab selections. Health Regulation: Rhode Island’s Department of Health issued its first kratom manufacturer license, with more applications pending and enforcement tied to labeling, age limits, and bans on certain products. Real Estate Industry: Residential Properties Ltd. highlighted agents named to the RealTrends Verified list, underscoring continued competition for top deal volume in Southern New England.