Latest news with #McKee
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Rhode Islanders take dim view of state's economy, McKee in new polls
U.S. News & World Report's 'Best States for 2025' rankings placed Rhode Island 24th overall—a 10-spot jump since Gov. Dan McKee took office in 2021. But a new poll showing 19% of respondents approved of McKee's job performance — a drop of 10 points from a year ago. (Photos by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Few Rhode Islanders think they are better off financially so far in 2025 compared to last year — and not many think Gov. Dan McKee is doing a good job, according to new polling from the University of New Hampshire (UNH). The latest Ocean State poll found only 15% of 653 Rhode Island residents surveyed between May 22 and 26 believed they were doing better than in 2024. Another 40% said their finances were the same, while only 45% believed they were doing worse. UNH's poll has a 3.8% margin of error. The top reason for financial concern was an expectation of higher prices and inflation, which was cited by 87% of those who believe they will be worse off by 2026. Rhode Islanders polled also remained pessimistic about making future investments, with only a quarter of respondents saying now is a good time to play the stock market. Only 19% said they felt that now is a good time to look for a new job. UNH's economic survey comes just a day after releasing a poll showing 19% of respondents approved of McKee's job performance — a drop of 10 points from a year ago. It's an even sharper drop from a Morning Consult poll released in mid-April, which gave McKee a 43% approval rating and the fourth-highest disapproval rating among the nation's 50 governors. About 74% of the Rhode Islanders polled by UNH said the governor should not run for reelection in 2026. That includes 60% of Democrats surveyed. McKee made his re-election bid official in March and remains the only candidate to officially throw his hat in the ring. But a significant chunk of those polled may be interested in seeing former CVS executive Helena Buonanno Foulkes run again. She lost to McKee by 3 percentage points in a five-way Democratic gubernatorial primary in September 2022. UNH's poll found that 32% of respondents want Foulkes to enter the 2026 race. Foulkes' campaign manager, Jon Romano, celebrated the survey. 'What this poll reveals is what Helena is hearing in every corner of our state: Rhode Islanders know the current system has failed them, they're dissatisfied with state leadership and the direction of our state, and they're demanding the kind of meaningful change that will finally put their needs first,' Romano said in an emailed statement. McKee campaign spokesperson Mike Trainor declined to comment on UNH's poll. But the governor has proudly proclaimed the state has improved under his tenure, citing Rhode Island's 24th overall spot in the latest U.S. News & World Report 'Best States' ranking — a 10-spot jump since the governor ascended to the job in 2021. The ranking specifically had Rhode Island's economy climbing 12 places from 28 to 16 between 2021 and 2025. Rhode Island is currently ranked #8 in the 'Business Environment' subcategory, up one from 2024. In the past year alone, the state jumped 18 places to reach #14 in the 'Growth' subcategory. Another 23% of those polled by UNH are open to former Republican candidate Ashley Kalus running again, while 19% are open to former Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo returning to the State House. President Trump's job approval in Rhode Island fell slightly. The latest poll had 37% approving and 61% disapproving of his job as president with 2% unsure. That's down from 40% approving and 59% disapproving with 1% unsure a year ago. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Tanner McKee lands behind two Eagles castoffs in recent backup QB ranking
Tanner McKee lands behind two Eagles castoffs in recent backup QB ranking Eagles' Tanner McKee lands behind Gardner Minshew and Marcus Mariota in a ranking of NFL backup quarterbacks Once upon a time, there was a saying. It went something like this. The most popular player on many NFL rosters is the backup quarterback. It makes sense, sort of. Strangely, that may still be true in some areas based on the theory's intention, but nothing could be further from the truth in the Philadelphia Eagles organization. This is Jalen Hurts' team, and there's no debating that. While the originator of the above statement can't be determined or credited, the analysis makes sense when dissected further. Pro football is a win-now environment. Many fan bases grow weary with their starter quickly if he isn't performing and want quick fixes. Chants for the backup quarterback can sometimes grow louder when he's highly touted and charismatic. Fortunately, Philadelphia doesn't have those problems. A legitimate MVP candidate leads their quarterback room. Joining him in the meeting room this summer is a proven backup, Tanner McKee. The former Stanford Cardinal standout has proven he has potential and can play at a high level. The third quarterback on the depth chart features a battle between a once-exciting prospect that lands in Philadelphia by way of a trade (Dorian Thompson-Robinson) and a rookie sixth-round choice, Kyle McCord. The quarterback room could evoke league-wide envy. The Eagles are stocked but, by the looks of things, somewhat underappreciated. Tanner McKee lands in the bottom half of a ranking of backup NFL quarterbacks. No Eagles coach or player needs to be told that Tanner McKee has what it takes to play football at the highest level. No fan needs that reminder. No member of the Philadelphia roster needs an explanation. It appears, however, that the national media could benefit from some newer scouting reports. Sports Illustrated's Gilberto Manzano ranked the NFL's backup quarterbacks ahead of the 2025 season. McKee lands just past the midway point at 19. Here's the explanation. "McKee made the most of his Week 18 start against the New York Giants, who were more than ready for their offseason vacation. (He) completed 27-of-41 passes for 269 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. The lone start was impressive enough for the team to trade (Kenny) Pickett to the Browns. McKee lacks experience but has the luxury of playing on a loaded team in case he needs to step in for Jalen Hurts." Pickett, the man Tanner sat behind on the depth chart last season, lands four spots behind McKee at 23. Here's more: "It wouldn't be a surprise if the four quarterbacks vying for the starting job this summer play musical chairs with the depth chart order. According to reports, Pickett is getting the first crack at the starting gig, but Dillon Gabriel has had some reps with the first-team offense. We'll pencil in Pickett as QB2 here for Week 1 because Gabriel has impressed the local reporters in Cleveland. It appears popular rookie Shedeur Sanders and veteran Joe Flacco have fallen behind in the rotation of arms." McKee's ranking seems too low. Again, perhaps updated scouting reports were needed as two former Birds, Gardner Minshew II and Marcus Mariota, land at 14 and seven, respectively. Neither is a better player than Tanner, and though they both have shown promise at various points in their careers, both have done little recently to warrant top 15 rankings. The eyeball test is all that's needed here. There's no way Mariota is the seventh-best backup in the NFL. There's no way Jaxson Dart, ranked fifth, is that much better than McKee when the rookie hasn't even taken a snap yet. While Manzano always delivers quality work, slotting McKee so low is a headscratcher. Then again, we're entering June. We have all summer, so none of this should matter now.
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Republicans' Chances of Beating Dan McKee for Rhode Island Governor—Poll
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A new poll delivered red flags for Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee, a Democrat, ahead of his reelection bid next year. Why It Matters The poll, conducted by the University of New Hampshire, suggests that a majority of Rhode Islanders are unhappy with McKee's leadership ahead of the 2026 midterms, when Republicans could be eyeing the race as a potential opportunity to flip, despite the state's long-standing record of being solidly Democratic. Although the poll did not ask about specific head-to-head matchups for the election, the results could be troubling for Democrats in the state. The state has not elected a Republican governor since 2006, though it did support independent former Governor Lincoln Chafee in 2011. Newsweek reached out to McKee's campaign via email for comment. What to Know Only 19 percent of Rhode Islanders approve of McKee's job performance, while 71 percent disapprove of him, according to the survey of 653 Rhode Island residents from May 22 to May 26, 2025. The poll had a margin of plus or minus 3.8 percentage points. It found that 74 percent of all Rhode Island voters—including 60 percent of Democrats—do not believe McKee deserves to be reelected; only 11 percent said they think he deserves to be reelected. Thirty-two percent of respondents said they want to see Democrat Helena Foulkes, a businesswoman who challenged McKee in 2022, to run again, while 23 percent said they want Republican Ashley Kalus to jump into the race. Only 19 percent said they want to see former Governor Gina Raimondo, who served as Commerce secretary under former President Joe Biden, run. At the same time, the poll found that President Donald Trump is also unpopular in the state. Only 37 percent of respondents gave him positive marks, compared to 61 percent who disapproved of his performance during his first few months back in the Oval Office. Joe Powers, chairman of the Rhode Island Republican Party, described the poll as a "glaring reflection of the Governor's failed leadership and the growing dissatisfaction among Rhode Islanders" in a statement to Newsweek, pointing to the closure of the Washington Bridge, pay raises for the governor's cabinet and the sanctuary state designation as key issues the state is facing. "The upcoming 2026 gubernatorial race, while traditionally leaning Democratic, is poised to be highly competitive. The Republican Party of Rhode Island is committed to presenting a viable alternative—one that prioritizes transparency, fiscal responsibility, and the genuine needs of our citizens," he said. Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee meets with then-Vice President Kamala Harris in Warwick, Rhode Island, on May 5, 2021. Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee meets with then-Vice President Kamala Harris in Warwick, Rhode Island, on May 5, 2021. MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images While McKee remains unpopular, according to the poll, a Republican victory in the state may not be an easy feat, given the state's Democratic lean. It backed Vice President Kamala Harris by nearly 14 points in 2024 and voted for Biden by more than 20 points in 2020. On the presidential level, Rhode Island has not voted for a Republican since 1984. McKee, who assumed office after Raimondo resigned to join the Biden administration, won his first full term in office in 2022, defeating Kalus by nearly 20 points. What People Are Saying WPRI political analyst Joe Fleming told the Providence-based news station: "The governor has some serious work to do over the next six months or so to show voters that he's doing a good job and deserves reelection. If he can't do that, I think you'll see Democrats lining up to run for the office." McKee told WJAR in March: "I think that we've made a great deal of progress, keeping people safe during the COVID certainly was important, opening the businesses at that time. Keeping people safe when I shut down the bridge, the Washington Bridge, and now we're actually in the process of rebuilding that bridge and have the money in place." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether McKee will face a primary challenge from fellow Democrats or which Republicans may enter the race. The primary is still more than a year away on September 8, 2026. The Cook Political Report currently classifies the race as being Solid Democratic, though Sabato's Crystal Ball classifies it as Likely Democratic.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Craig McKee Leaving Cincinnati to Work in Phoenix
WCPO anchor Craig McKee is trading one Scripps station for another. McKee is leaving Cincinnati ABC affiliate to work at Scripps owned KNXV in Phoenix, Arizona. In a long social post, McKee explained why he was moving back to his wife's home state, saying in part, 'When we left her home state of Arizona in 2002, she told me she would one day want to go back,' he wrote. 'I had planned to leave the industry at the end of this year to focus on making that a reality. During our transition and preparations for this next chapter, an Anchoring and Reporting opportunity became available at our Scripps-owned ABC affiliate KNXV in Phoenix, Arizona.' 'This position will allow me to continue focusing on family, including our granddaughter in Arizona, while also continuing the work I love in journalism,' he added. During his 10 years at WCPO 9, Craig has made a big impact with veterans in our community. His 'Homefront' segment has rightfully highlighted the stories and needs of our veterans, and his efforts have been pivotal in bringing attention to critical issues within the Hamilton County Veterans Service Commission. Thanks to Craig's reporting, valuable services have been restored, and he has dedicated countless hours connecting with veteran groups throughout the community. WCPO He'll be on the air through June.
Boston Globe
3 days ago
- Politics
- Boston Globe
New poll shows R.I. Governor Dan McKee's approval rating at 19 percent
The bigger picture: McKee announced plans to Get Rhode Map A weekday briefing from veteran Rhode Island reporters, focused on the things that matter most in the Ocean State. Enter Email Sign Up So what now? Advertisement If you're Foulkes, you do you. You keep raising money, and you cross your fingers that McKee stays in the race and any other top tier contenders take a pass. If you're Shekarchi, this is when you ramp up behind-the-scenes talks with union leaders to suggest that it's time to nudge McKee into retirement with the old 'for the good of the Democratic Party' argument. Translation: Your point is, 'If you don't want Foulkes, you need me.' Advertisement If you're Neronha, you capitalize on your moment. Your But campaigns don't magically come together, so you have to start raising money and building a team. If you're McKee, you brace yourself and buckle in. You and your team have always known this campaign was going to be a slog. Yes, but: The poll asks relatively generic questions that offer voters the ability to vent their frustrations, but it doesn't demonstrate the decision they'll have to make between the candidates, which McKee has consistently won during three successful campaigns for statewide office in the past. Still, McKee is in desperate need of a UNH poll shows President Trump's job approval at 37 percent – nearly twice McKee's. He might get a boost in the next week or so because This story first appeared in Rhode Map, our free newsletter about Rhode Island that also contains information about local events, links to interesting stories, and more. If you'd like to receive it via e-mail Monday through Friday, Dan McGowan can be reached at
