Rhode Island

R.I. Senate panel advances appointment of inaugural Life Science Hub CEO • Rhode Island Current

Published

11 months ago

January 10, 2025

R.I. Senate panel advances appointment of inaugural Life Science Hub CEO • Rhode Island Current

Almost a year after its inaugural meeting, the Rhode Island Life Science Hub has nearly cemented its hire of a full-time president and CEO, receiving the rubber stamp of the Rhode Island Senate Committee on Finance in a hearing Thursday.

The committee’s unanimous vote advances the appointment of Dr. Mark Turco to the full R.I. Senate, which has scheduled the final confirmation vote for Jan. 21, Greg Paré, a Senate spokesperson said in an email.

Finding a full-time president to lead the nascent life science agency and complement the work of its 15-member, volunteer board of directors, has been a priority since the board’s first meeting in January 2024. But finding that person took longer than expected, with the board finalizing a three-year contract with Turco in December.

The extra time ended up benefiting the search, said Neil Steinberg, chairman of the agency’s board of directors.

“One of the things we found is that, as we got delayed, the more qualified candidates we had because people knew what we’re about,” Steinberg said in remarks to lawmakers Thursday.

Turco’s confirmation by the Senate — required under the state budget article that created the agency — is the “seminal event” for the Life Science Hub, Steinberg said.

“We got a very smart person to head this and we’re excited about that,” Steinberg said. “He had the most breadth of experience to bring to the table. And, his wife was from Pawtucket.”

Turco, a Philadelphia native who relocated to Rhode Island 12 years ago, highlighted his 25 years of experience in the medical and research industry, starting as a cardiologist, with stints in academia, research and as CEO of two startup businesses. He was plucked from a pool of more than 300 candidates through a nationwide search, led by a professional consulting firm enlisted by the Hub board.

“We are here so we can impact lives,” Turco said. “We can improve health and well being in Rhode Island and beyond. We can also create jobs and grow our economy.”

Establishing Rhode Island as a hub for medical and scientific research and entrepreneurship, similar to Cambridge and Worcester in Massachusetts, has been a top priority for lawmakers and industry leaders. While the Ocean State doesn’t have the name recognition in life sciences that its Commonwealth counterpart enjoys, Turco insisted the foundational pieces — a skilled workforce, academic and health care institutions, and a spirit of innovation — were already in place.

“Rather than the state being a series of silos, we hope to be the conveners,” Turco said. “Innovation is a team sport and that’s how we will succeed in our efforts.”

Lawmakers peppered Turco with questions during the 45-minute hearing, seeking clarity on his short and long-term goals for the agency, and spending plans. The state’s fiscal 2024 budget allotted $45 million to the agency, part of which will cover Turco’s $400,000 annual salary.

“We’re spending taxpayer dollars here,” Sen. Lou DiPalma, Senate Finance chairman and a Middletown Democrat said. “We will need to see ‘Here’s the why.’”

Turco also pledged to seek additional funding, including establishing a venture fund to accept private investments and an incorporated 501(c)(3). But he will also be making an ask of lawmakers in the state budget that starts July 1, though he did not say how much.

Steinberg highlighted the accomplishments the agency has achieved so far. Chief among them: Inking agreements with project partners to open a first-of-its-kind state wet lab incubator space within the new state public health laboratory in the I-195 Redevelopment District. The $16 million, 30,000-square-foot incubator space is expected to open in December 2025.

If approved by the full Senate, Turco will serve a three-year term as Hub CEO, expiring Jan. 15, 2028.

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Rhode Island

‘Just knock it off’: Neronha, Whitehouse urge RI to ignore Brown shooting conspiracy theories | ABC6

Published

7 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Press Room

‘Just knock it off’: Neronha, Whitehouse urge RI to ignore Brown shooting conspiracy theories | ABC6

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Law enforcement are urging Providence and Rhode Island residents to only trust information from official sources in the Brown University shooting.

This follows the doxxing of a student related to online speculation about the shooting suspect’s identity.

According to Brown University, a student’s personal information was shared online, and now Attorney General Peter Neronha is attempting to stem the flow of internet rumors.

Rumors gained more traction after information about the doxxed student was seemingly removed from Brown’s website.

Neronha said that any online rumors about political, religious or racial motivations behind the shooting are unfounded.

Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse didn’t mince words when he weighed in on the online discourse in the case.

“So whether it’s to protect the law enforcement investigation from a lot of unnecessary and ill-informed noise cluttering up the ability of the many agencies working on this to do their jobs, or whether it’s out simple courtesy and sympathy to the families who are going through this awful moment, just please shut up with the speculation,” said Whitehouse.

“All the conspiracy theories, all the creepy weird plot ideas, please, just knock it off.”

School officials said it is not unusual to take steps to protect a person’s safety in the event of online targeting.

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Rhode Island

RI Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life winning numbers for Dec. 17, 2025

Published

19 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Press Room

The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 17, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 17 drawing

25-33-53-62-66, Powerball: 17, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 17 drawing

11-13-20-40-41, Lucky Ball: 07

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Numbers numbers from Dec. 17 drawing

Midday: 3-3-9-5

Evening: 4-3-2-9

Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Wild Money numbers from Dec. 17 drawing

04-11-18-24-37, Extra: 30

Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
Winners of the Lucky for Life top prize of $1,000 a day for life and second prize of $25,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.

When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Rhode Island

Three thoughts on Rhode Island basketball’s labored win over Canisius

Published

1 day ago

December 17, 2025

Press Room

Three thoughts on Rhode Island basketball’s labored win over Canisius

SOUTH KINGSTOWN – Two different teams, two opposite halves, two ways of breaking down a respected opponent – call Tuesday night at the Ryan Center whatever you like.

It was ultimately a return to the win column for the University of Rhode Island men against Canisius, as the Rams buried the first 18 minutes of action in favor of the final 22.

Tyler Cochran sparked them to life early in the second half, and Jonah Hinton eventually gave URI the lead for keeps with 15:44 left. The Golden Griffins called a timeout to prevent an oncoming avalanche, one they ultimately couldn’t stop in a 62-45 slugfest.

The Rams were poor offensively in a loss to McNeese State and followed with another early struggle here. They entered halftime on a 5-0 run to face just a 27-22 deficit and started doing the little things out of the break that tend to mean victory.

“We weren’t playing freely,” URI coach Archie Miller said. “We weren’t playing confidently. Second half, much more in character in terms of how our group plays.”

URI entered off defeats against rival Providence and the Cowboys, who stole a 66-64 triumph here on a last-second jumper by Tyshawn Archie. The Rams had a week-long exam break to stew on the 15 turnovers they committed in the second half against McNeese State and carried that rancid form into the early going against Canisius. URI was just 6-for-29 from the field and gave the ball away 11 times before emerging from the locker room with a fresh approach.

“The first half was kind of going through the motions,” Cochran said. “We preached in the second half that we needed to come out as a better team, and I think we did a good job as a team.”

How did the Rams author what was ultimately a 27-point swing in this one? Here are three thoughts from the matchup, which was played in front of a season-low 2,895 fans in Kingston.

Tyler Cochran provided the spark

Cochran was exactly the spark URI needed to snap out of its funk.

His opening three minutes of the second half included an offensive rebound and putback layup, a dive to the floor for a loose ball and steal, a diagonal pass to Hinton for a 3-pointer and a jumper of his own from beyond the arc in the right corner.

That left the Rams in a 30-30 tie with 16:49 to play, the last of four in the game. Hinton followed with another deep jumper from NBA range, and Myles Corey connected on his own with 15:06 left. URI was up by two possessions and rarely pushed the rest of the way.

“In the first half it didn’t seem like we were having much fun,” Cochran said. “It seemed like we were just trying to get the game over with.”

Cochran finished with nine of his 12 points, three of his four rebounds, all four of his assists and all four of his steals after the break. He was plus-23 in 18 second-half minutes, which was a team best. It’s exactly what the Rams expected while recruiting Cochran to his fifth college stop.

“We talked about it at halftime – who’s going to ignite us?” Miller said. “And it wasn’t going to be scoring baskets.”

New-look starting five

URI (8-4) went almost exclusively with its new starting five in the second half.

Damone King played four minutes off the bench and Drissa Traore logged two. It was Cochran, Hinton, Corey, Keeyan Itejere and new addition Jahmere Tripp otherwise, with Hinton and Corey going the full 20 minutes.

RJ Johnson (illness) was dressed, but the Rams wanted to stay away from him after limited practice work leading into the game. Alex Crawford was benched for the final 22:33 after a turnover on an inbounds play led to the Golden Griffins (5-7) building their largest lead at 27-17.

“We were out there playing hard,” Corey said. “We were down a body. RJ was sick, so I had to step up.”

Tripp finished with nine points, five rebounds and a plus-24 rating in 29 minutes – that was a team best. He opened in favor of Crawford after entering the night with superior numbers in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, shooting, 3-point shooting and foul shooting.

“Jahmere has been very productive,” Miller said. “Trying to get him more minutes. Starting the game with him in the game is something we want to move towards.”

Rams made it harder than it had to be

URI made hard work of this one early.

The Rams committed 11 of their 13 turnovers in the first half and were just 6-for-29 from the field. They connected on only one of their first 14 attempts from 3-point range and sank into a double-digit hole just before halftime.

Anthony Benard followed a layup inside with a steal on the ensuing inbounds pass. He was fouled by Crawford and connected on a pair of free throws to extend the momentum Canisius built to that point.

“The first was really unwatchable at times,” Miller said. “We played a tight first half offensively getting adjusted to what they were doing.”

URI needed barely four minutes to match their 3-point total in the second half, hitting three of their first five from deep. The Rams also didn’t commit their first turnover until Cochran fumbled the ball out of bounds on a drive to the rim with 7:33 left. URI owned a 50-38 lead by that point and already had enough of a margin to ensure the final result.

“We just had to take the lid off the rim, really,” Corey said. “Our defense carried us and got us through the half.”

CANISIUS (45): Javante Edwards 1-2 0-0 3, Myles Wilmoth 0-4 0-0 0, Kahlil Singleton 1-4 4-4 6, Bryan Ndjonga 4-18 2-4 11, Mike Evbagharu 2-5 0-0 5, Chris Kumu 0-1 2-4 2, Anthony Benard 3-3 2-2 10, Brendan Oliver 0-0 0-0 0, King Ijeoma 4-10 0-0 8. Totals 15-47 10-14 45.

RHODE ISLAND (62): Jahmere Tripp 3-12 3-3 9, Jonah Hinton 6-18 4-4 20, Myles Corey 4-7 2-2 12, Tyler Cochran 5-11 0-0 12, Keeyan Itejere 2-5 2-4 6, Alex Crawford 0-5 0-0 0, Damone King 1-3 0-0 3, Drissa Traore 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 21-61 11-13 62.

Halftime – C, 27-22. 3-point FG – C 5-15 (Edwards 1-1, Wilmoth 0-1, Singleton 0-3, Ndjonga 1-6, Evbagharu 1-2, Benard 2-2), RI 9-34 (Tripp 0-5, Hinton 4-13, Corey 2-5, Cochran 2-5, Crawford 0-3, King 1-3). Rebounds – C 34 (Ndjonga 8), RI 43 (Itejere 11). Assists – C 10 (Benard 4), RI 10 (Cochran 4). Turnovers – C 19 (Benard 6), RI 13 (Tripp 3, Crawford 3). Blocked shots – C 2 (Ijeoma 2), RI 5 (Corey 2). Steals – C 8 (Evbagharu 4), RI 10 (Cochran 4). Attendance – 2,895.

bkoch@providencejournal.com

On X: @BillKoch25

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