Transit & Infrastructure: RIPTA’s board voted 6-0 to move ahead with a new Providence bus hub, selecting a 4.4-acre site by the Amtrak station and directing Next Wave Partners to draft specs and cost estimates to replace inefficient Kennedy Plaza operations. Highway Access: Federal Highway Administrator Sean McMaster toured Rhode Island’s “Missing Move” project, where new ramps will connect Route 4 and I-95 in all directions and ease congestion while improving access to Quonset Business Park. Local Economy & Housing: A new legal challenge targets Rhode Island’s added tax on high-value second homes, arguing it unfairly singles out owners—especially out-of-state—under state and federal protections. Finance & Investment: T. Rowe Price agreed to acquire fixed-income ETF manager F/m Investments, signaling continued consolidation in the ETF industry. Retail & Growth: GoNetspeed’s first Newport fiber customers are set to go live Wednesday as the ConnectRI-backed build continues toward March 2027 completion. Public Safety Tech: Newport approved a drone-first-responder contract largely funded by private donation, raising questions as Rhode Island weighs license-plate reader and drone oversight. Business & Community: URI announced new 2026-27 programs, including new degrees, online master’s options, and AI/machine learning offerings. Consumer Costs: A new analysis says Rhode Island is among the few states where homeowners insurance rates are projected to decline slightly in 2026. Animal Care: Roger Williams Park Zoo will relocate three aging elephants to a Tennessee sanctuary in late 2027.