Flood Response: Heavy rains and thunderstorms are triggering flash flooding in southern Massachusetts and parts of Rhode Island, with a flash flood warning in effect for Bristol and Plymouth counties and Newport County; reports include road flooding and vehicles submerged, including Route 24 closures and flooding on Aquidneck Avenue in Middletown. Coastal Resilience Funding: FEMA has released $17 million for New England hazard-mitigation projects, including Rhode Island shoreline and floodplain work, with applications due July 22. Ocean Science Protection: A federal plan to dismantle hundreds of ocean monitoring instruments under the Ocean Observatories Initiative has been paused, keeping sensors in place to support climate, fisheries, and extreme-weather planning. PFAS Policy Watch: Rhode Island is likely unaffected by a Trump move weakening some federal “forever chemicals” limits, but the state’s stricter PFAS drinking-water rules remain the key baseline. Local Environment & Land Use: North Kingstown is escalating its fight against a proposed sludge-processing facility, arguing the EPA approved the wrong air permit category and could face legal action. Wildlife Research: URI researchers are studying black cherry pollination and reproduction in local forests, focusing on late-season flowering and what insects (or wind) can do. Transportation & Stormwater: Pawtucket’s Tidewater Landing is advancing with new pedestrian bridge, park, and stormwater infrastructure funding. Weather: Rhode Island’s June 23 forecast calls for cloudy, unsettled conditions with morning showers and possible thunderstorms, then improving later.