Happy Monday! I'm Dan McGowan, and I think the Savannah Bananas should play at Fenway for the rest of the season. Follow me on X (Twitter) @DanMcGowan, on Bluesky @danmcgowan, or send tips to
dan.mcgowan@globe.com.
Rhode Island is not alone. The electorate is pretty cynical right now.
A new survey from the Civic Health and Institutions Project (CHIP50) found that only 36 percent of national residents approve of the job their governor is doing and 37 percent approve of the job President Donald Trump is doing.
CHIP50 is a joint initiative from Northeastern University, Harvard University, Rutgers University, and the University of Rochester that has collected large-scale state-based survey data since April 2020. It was previously known as the COVID States Project.
The latest results mark the first time since November 2021 that the president (Joe Biden at the time) has a higher approval rating than the governors, but the results are bleak for everyone. In New England’s case, Trump is slightly more popular than the governors of Rhode Island, Maine, and New Hampshire.
Here’s a breakdown of the approval ratings among New England’s governors, along with Trump’s approval in each state:
Vermont
Governor Phil Scott: 42 percent
President Trump: 34 percent
Massachusetts
Governor Maura Healey: 40 percent
President Trump: 30 percent
Connecticut
Governor Ned Lamont: 35 percent
President Trump: 33 percent
Maine
Governor Janet Mills: 32 percent
President Trump: 35 percent
New Hampshire
Governor Kelly Ayotte: 31 percent
President Trump: 34 percent
Rhode Island
Governor Dan McKee: 25 percent
President Trump: 34 percent
The bigger picture: The most recent survey was conducted between April 10, 2025, and June 10, 2025, and included 31,062 responses from people over the age of 18 from every state and Washington, D.C. In Rhode Island’s case, 438 residents responded.
That's all before the president's military parade, the "No Kings" protests, the military strikes in Iran, and passage of Trump's massive tax and policy bill.
It’s easy to pile on Governor Dan McKee’s low approval ratings right now, but you aren’t going to find many state leaders with numbers that jump off the page. It’s also true that McKee’s path to reelection is through Democratic primary voters, which likely have a more favorable view of him.
Still, with about 14 months to go before he’s on the ballot again, there is no question that he needs to boost his approval numbers.
🤔 So you think you're a Rhode Islander...
Can you name the former Rhode Island high school baseball star who was just named to his first MLB All-Star team?
(The answer is below.)
Do you have the perfect question for Rhode Map readers? Don't forget to send the answer, too. Shoot me an email today.
The Globe in Rhode Island
⚓ Jim Bennett will serve as the next interim secretary of Rhode Island Commerce, the state’s economic development agency, according to Governor Dan McKee’s office. Read here.
⚓ Pawtucket police released edited videos in shooting of mentally disabled man with a toy gun, raising more questions about the incident. Read more.
⚓ In a settlement reached with the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island, Smithfield School District will, on its social media accounts, unblock a local critic of the school system and will pay $12,000 in attorneys’ fees and court costs, according to the ACLU. Read more.
⚓ A Rhode Island man was arrested last week after he allegedly threw a Cape Verdean flag displayed outside East Providence City Hall to the ground, and then proceeded to stomp on it while a Cape Verde Independence Day ceremony was being held inside, police said. Read more.
⚓ Alexa Gagosz talked to Angel Winpenny, the owner of The Patio on Broadway in Providence, who will soon purchase Trinity Brewhouse from its longtime owner. Read more.
⚓ This week's Ocean State Innovators Q&A is with Dr. Glen Gallagher, director of the state health laboratories. Email us with suggestions for this weekly interview. Read more.
You can check out all of our coverage at Globe.com/RI
Also in the Globe
⚓ There are few recent precedents for Harvard to look to as it faces off against President Trump in a dispute cast as a turning point for academic freedom. There is one example, however, of what Harvard may be hoping to avoid: Columbia University. Read more.
⚓ Globe reporters are fact checking some of the claims being made in the Boston mayoral race. Read more.
⚓ While their most recent notable roster move might not indicate it, the Red Sox are willing to be buyers ahead of the MLB trade deadline. Read more.
⚓ A special subcommittee of the Johnston School Committee could make recommendations on the district's next superintendent at its 2:30 p.m. this afternoon.
⚓ WWE Monday Night Raw is at The AMP tonight. Yes, I'll be there.
🏆 Pop quiz answer
Former Classical High School standout Jeremy Peña has been one of the best shortstops in baseball this season, and has earned his first trip to the All-Star Game. Unfortunately, he's battling a fractured rib right now, and it's not clear if he'll be ready to play on July 15.
RHODE ISLAND REPORT PODCAST Ed Fitzpatrick talks to URI President Marc Parlange about how the Trump administration’s cuts are affecting public research universities. Listen to all of our podcasts here.
Please tell your friends about Rhode Map! They can sign up here. The Globe has other email newsletters on topics ranging from breaking news alerts to sports, politics, business, and entertainment –
check them out.
Boston Globe Media Partners thanks its sponsors for supporting our newsletters. The sponsoring advertiser does not influence or create any editorial content for this newsletter. If you are interested in advertising opportunities, please contact us here.
You are receiving this because you signed up for Rhode Map. Unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive this newsletter.
