RI RECESSION? PROFESSOR LARDARO RINGS THE ALARM #InTheDugout – May 14, 2025

Is Rhode Island already in a recession? Economist Leonard Lardaro is worried—and it’s worse than you think. Tune in for the data they won’t tell you.

On this episode of #InTheDugout with Mike Stenhouse, University of Rhode Island economist Leonard Lardaro joins the show to deliver a sobering assessment: Rhode Island’s economy just posted its worst monthly performance since the Great Recession. With his Current Conditions Index (CCI) crashing, Lardaro explains why he now believes the Ocean State is already in the early stages of a full-blown recession—and why the national tariff war could have a big impact on Rhode Island.

From falling labor force participation to a shrinking employment rate and stagnating wages in the state’s manufacturing sector, Lardaro outlines the economic red flags piling up in his latest analysis. He also introduces a revised figure that paints a far more troubling picture than the official unemployment numbers.

Sten and Lardaro break down what it all means for Rhode Island’s future, how policymakers should respond, and whether any hope remains on the economic horizon. If you care about jobs, wages, or just making rent in Rhode Island—don’t miss this deep dive.