Rhode Island

Hackers worked undetected in RI’s benefits system for months before being found. What we know.

Published

7 months ago

May 15, 2025

Press Room

Hackers worked undetected in RI’s benefits system for months before being found. What we know.

Cybersecurity firm Crowdstrike was unable to determine how Brain Cipher stole the credentials of a Deloitte employee
Around 115,000 people whose data was believed to be stolen last year, and received state warning letters were probably not exposed, but 107,000 weren’t warned may have had data stolen
Attorney General Peter Neronha is investigating whether the state will sue Deloitte

Hackers infiltrated Rhode Island’s public benefits portal in early July 2024, five months before the state was alerted about the attack and eventually shut the system down, according to findings from an investigation of the breach.

The hack resulted in the personal data of 644,000 Rhode Islanders being posted on the dark web, slightly fewer than the 650,000 initially estimated to be affected.

How did hackers get into the RIBridges system?

The group Brain Cipher gained access to the RIBridges computer network on July 2 of 2024 by getting the credentials of an employee of Deloitte, the contractor that runs the system for the state, the report from cybersecurity firm Crowdstrike said.

Crowdstrike was not able to determine how Brain Cipher got the Deloitte employee’s credentials.

Once inside the RIBridges system, the hackers worked undetected by Deloitte until early December, when the hackers contacted the information technology vendor and threatened to release personal information downloaded from the system.

Between November 11 and Nov. 28 of last year, Brain Cipher transferred large amounts of data from the RI Bridges system. After the hackers contacted Deloitte, the vendor told state officials about the hack on Dec. 4 and the system was shut down on Dec. 13.

RI in the early states of replacing, possibly suing, Deloitte

Gov. Dan McKee told reporters Thursday that Attorney General Peter Neronha’s office is now looking into a possible state lawsuit against Deloitte for failure to adequately protect resident data.

“Well, obviously we’re not pleased by it and we’re acting accordingly,” McKee said at a State House news conference. “That’s why the attorney general is looking into the implications there. I can say that under the circumstances … that this would be undetected for that period of time is something that is just unacceptable.”

The state is in the early stages of seeking proposals from vendors to replace Deloitte and the system, also known as the Unified Health Infrastructure Project, that has had numerous problems since it launched in 2016.

People who thought they were in the clear may have had their data stolen

The composition of the people whose data was stolen has also changed from last December when the system was shut down.

Around 115,000 people whose data was believed to be stolen last year, and received state warning letters, were probably in the clear, state Chief Digital Officer Brian Tardiff said.

On the flip side, 107,000 people whose data was not previously suspected of being stolen may have actually had their data stolen and will now receive a new round of warning letters.

Those newly discovered vulnerabilities include people who had were hired to new jobs and had their employment status verified by the Department of Labor and Training. A handful of people whose information was contained in child support database and whose filed passed through the Department of Children Youth and Families were also compromised.

Those who have data is exposed in the hack are eligible for free credit monitoring.

Tardiff said the state has not paid any ransom connected to the attack.

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Rhode Island

RI Lottery Mega Millions, Lucky For Life winning numbers for Dec. 16, 2025

Published

5 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Press Room

The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 16, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Dec. 16 drawing

20-24-46-59-65, Mega Ball: 07

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 16 drawing

03-04-19-24-39, Lucky Ball: 11

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Numbers numbers from Dec. 16 drawing

Midday: 0-5-9-8

Evening: 8-5-3-5

Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Wild Money numbers from Dec. 16 drawing

03-14-15-29-38, 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

RI schools urged to review safety protocols in wake of Brown University shooting

Published

17 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

RI schools urged to review safety protocols in wake of Brown University shooting

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.

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Rhode Island

RI Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life winning numbers for Dec. 15, 2025

Published

1 day ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

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.

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