Rhode Island
Taylor Swift’s Rhode Island Mansion Is Getting a Billionaire-Worthy Upgrade
Billionaire status calls for a bigger home and Taylor Swift isn’t wasting any time. The singer’s oceanfront estate in Westerly’s Watch Hill neighborhood—affectionately dubbed Holiday House—is about to become even more impressive with a $1.7 million expansion project. The historic property, once home to the eccentric socialite Rebekah Harkness (whose antics inspired Swift’s song The Last Great American Dynasty) maintains its status as Watch Hill’s most talked-about residence.
The palatial property, which Swift acquired in 2013 for $17.75 million (in cash, reportedly), is already stunning. Perched dramatically on a cliff with 700 feet of private beachfront, the 11,000-square-foot manor currently holds eight bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, and enough fire places (eight, to be exact) to keep every corner cozy during those New England winters.
The property has become legendary for hosting Swift’s star-studded soirées, including her famous “Taymerica” Fourth of July celebrations. Most recently, the mansion and stunning pool area hosted a gathering including Swift’s boyfriend, Travis Kelce, NFL star Patrick Mahomes, and A-List friends like Gigi Hadid and Blake Lively.
But what’s a coastal kingdom without a proper expansion? According to recently issued building permits—first reported by The Providence Journal—Swift is adding a generously proportioned 16-by-24-foot bedroom suite and additional bathrooms to her already expansive floor plan. The existing kitchen—presumably where she whips up those famous Fourth of July party treats—is also getting a complete makeover. The labor and materials for this latest enhancement are expected to cost $1.7 million, according to the permits.
Eagle-eyed fans have already spotted construction underway, with cranes and wood framing visible at the estate. While Harkness may have filled her swimming pool with Dom Pérignon, Swift’s enhancements are more practical—though equally luxurious.
Julia Cancilla is the engagement editor (and resident witch) at ELLE DECOR, where she manages the brand’s social media presence and covers trends, lifestyle, and culture in the design world. Her eye for emerging styles helps bring the latest in interior design to ELLE Decor’s audience across platforms. Julia built her background at Inked magazine, where she grew their social media audiences by two million, conducted interviews with A-list celebrities, and penned feature articles focusing on pop culture, design, and lifestyle. Over her five years of digital media experience, Julia has written about numerous topics, from fashion to astrology.
Rhode Island
RI schools urged to review safety protocols in wake of Brown University shooting
Authorities continue to search for Brown University gunman
Authorities are still searching for the gunman who opened fire on Brown University’s campus during finals.
The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) is urging local elementary and secondary schools to review safety protocols following the mass shooting at Brown University.
Days after two people were killed and nine others were injured in a shooting on the college campus, the department reminded schools statewide to ensure they are following existing safety policies, including keeping exterior doors closed and locked at all times.
“While the events of this weekend are tragic, they are also a reminder and an opportunity to re-train, reinforce, and go through the necessary safety steps, once more,” Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green said in a statement.
She emphasized the importance of following the protocols, including visitor policies, “as designed and written.”
In its latest announcement, RIDE also provided a list of resources for students, families, and school staff for “navigating difficult conversations” about topics such as violence and hate.
Rhode Island schools reminded to keep interior doors closed, exterior doors closed and locked
While all exterior doors should remain closed and locked, the department said, all interior doors should also remain closed. All visitors should go through a single, secure point of entry, according to RIDE.
In Providence, all elementary, middle, and high schools are also required to establish staff “crisis teams” and conduct 15 safety drills each year, according to the district’s existing safety protocols.
In the wake of the Brown University shooting on Dec. 13, Providence Public Schools said students should expect an increased police presence on and near their campuses.
All after-school activities, sporting events, and field trips at Providence schools planned for Monday, Dec. 15, and Tuesday, Dec. 16, were canceled out of an “abundance of caution.”
The district said that it would announce its plans for the rest of the week as soon as possible.
Rhode Island
RI Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life winning numbers for Dec. 15, 2025
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 15, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 15 drawing
23-35-59-63-68, Powerball: 02, Power Play: 4
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 15 drawing
12-16-27-34-41, Lucky Ball: 12
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Numbers numbers from Dec. 15 drawing
Midday: 4-9-8-3
Evening: 1-3-5-3
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from Dec. 15 drawing
10-13-28-33-37, Extra: 35
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.
Rhode Island
Brown University shooting: Who is RI Attorney General Peter Neronha?
Vigil in Lippitt Park for victims of mass shooting at Brown University
See the Dec. 14, 2025 vigil in Lippitt Park following the mass shooting at Brown University.
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha, along with Providence Mayor Brett Smiley and others, announced Dec. 14 that they were releasing the person of interest originally detained for the mass shooting at Brown University.
Neronha said that tips “led to us detaining a person of interest,” but that the evidence “now points in a different direction.”
“We have a murderer out there, frankly,” Neronha said.
As attorney general, Neronha and his office will play a large role in the investigation over the shooting. Here’s what to know about the top legal official in Rhode Island.
Who is Peter Neronha?
Neronha is Rhode Island’s 74th attorney general. He was sworn in on Nov. 6, 2018.
As attorney general, Neronha leads an office that “prosecutes criminal cases; represents state agencies, departments and commissions in litigation; initiates legal action when necessary to protect the interests of Rhode Islanders; and oversees the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation,” according to his office.
Previously, Neronha was the United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island from 2009 to 2017. He was appointed by former President Barack Obama.
He began his career in public service as a Rhode Island Special Assistant Attorney General in 1996. He was later appointed Assisted Attorney General, and then joined United States Attorney’s Office as an Assistant United States Attorney in 2002.
Neronha is a fourth generation native of Jamestown, Rhode Island. He has undergraduate and law degrees from Boston College.
Neronha’s relationship to Trump
During President Donald Trump’s second term, Neronha has sued the president and his administration over 40 times.
Some of the lawsuits that he has co-led include ones over withheld education funds and the dismantling of federal agencies like Health and Human Services and those that support public libraries and museums.
Neronha often criticizes the president in his lawsuits. In a press release announcing a lawsuit filed against the Trump administration Nov. 25 for reducing grant funds for projects that could help people experiencing homelessness, Neronha said that the administration continues to “punch down” on vulnerable Americans.
“The President and his Administration don’t care about making life easier or better for Americans; they only care about political capitulation, consolidating power, and further enriching the wealthy,” he said.
In a press conference earlier this year, Neronha said that he sues the Trump administration when the president has broken the law, when Americans have been harmed and when they have the legal standing to bring an action against the administration.
While it’s unclear if Trump has ever commented on Neronha specifically, he has often attacked judges who have tried to block his policies.
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