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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Three Rhode Island teachers have been recognized for sparking curiosity and creativity in their students through innovative and engaging lessons.
The R.I. Department of Education (RIDE) and the STEAM Center at Rhode Island College surprised the recipients of the 2025 RI STEAM Educator Awards on Tuesday. The annual awards honor educators who integrate Science, Technology, Engineering, Art + Design, and Mathematics into their classrooms.
This year’s honorees are Tiffany Risch of Coventry High School, Christopher Colson of Goff Middle School in Pawtucket and Erin Giuliano of Park Elementary School in Warwick.
Each educator received a $1,000 classroom grant and a $500 personal award, which were funded by the PPL Foundation and Rhode Island Energy.
According to RIDE, the awards are presented in memory of Carol Giuriceo, who served as the STEAM Center’s director for nearly a decade.
Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green attended Tuesday’s presentation to congratulate the elementary division’s recipient. Giuliano said it is a key personal priority to bring every element of STEAM into her second-grade classroom.
“We work on teamwork, perseverance, trying to act like engineers and solve problems,” Giuliano said. “It’s definitely a highlight of what I do as an educator and it teaches them so much I’ve seen them grow and learn so much from the activities we do.”
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The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Feb. 14, 2026, results for each game:
23-43-58-60-64, Powerball: 24, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
14-17-30-43-48, Lucky Ball: 10
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Midday: 6-9-0-5
Evening: 0-2-9-6
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
08-21-23-27-30, Extra: 02
Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
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.
The first quarter saw George Mason flexing their rebounding muscles, especially on the offensive end, grabbing eight offensive boards. Hawa Komara’s relentless work in the paint paid off with crucial second-chance points, including a tip-in at 7:59. Komara also set a personal best with 16 rebounds, leading the charge on the glass. The lead seesawed between the Patriots and Rams, with a late layup by Louis Volker tying the game at 13. However, a 3-pointer by Valentina Ojeda at 0:22 gave Rhode Island a slight 16–13 edge to end the quarter.
In the second quarter, the Green & Gold showed grit, highlighted by Volker’s steal at 8:34 that sparked a brief scoring run. Yet, the Rams held their ground, building their lead with steady inside scoring. Kennedy Harris kept the Patriots in the fight, sinking a jumper at 3:45 and adding two free throws just before halftime. The Patriots headed into the break trailing 36-25.
George Mason mounted a spirited comeback in the third quarter, driven by more offensive rebounds and second-chance opportunities, with Komara leading the charge under the basket. Her pivotal tip-ins, including one at 6:01, helped trim the deficit. Harris was clutch from the line, making all her free throws during the quarter. Despite their efforts, the Patriots were outscored 20-18 in the period, with the Rams holding a 56-43 advantage heading into the final quarter.
In the fourth quarter, George Mason pushed to close the gap, highlighted by Zahirah Walton’s effectiveness inside. MJ Johnson added a crucial tip-in at 7:10, converting a three-point play to keep the Patriots in the hunt. But the Rams’ offensive firepower, with Vanessa Harris making key plays, proved too much. The game wrapped up with Rhode Island securing the 79-63 victory.
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The Patriots host a rematch with the Richmond Spiders on Monday, February 16 at 4 p.m. A live stream will be available on ESPN+.
STATE HOUSE — Lawmakers moved swiftly this week on a series of bills touching everything from hospital stability and property taxes to vaccine access and ranked-choice voting.
Topping the list: a last-minute backstop to secure the sale of Roger Williams Medical Center and Fatima Hospital. The General Assembly approved — and the governor signed — legislation setting aside $18 million from the state’s supplemental rainy day fund to reassure bondholders if the nonprofit Centurion Foundation defaults. Supporters say the move is critical to protecting the two safety-net hospitals and the patients who rely on them.
On the criminal justice front, House Speaker Pro Tempore Brian Patrick Kennedy introduced a bill to make deed theft a felony. The proposal would target scammers who use forged documents, including fraudulent quitclaim deeds, to steal homes by recording fake property transfers.
Health care also took center stage. Sen. Linda Ujifusa and Rep. Susan Donovan filed legislation requiring state-regulated insurers to cover vaccines recommended by the Rhode Island Department of Health without cost-sharing, aiming to safeguard access amid federal uncertainty. Separately, Rep. Enrique Sanchez introduced a bill to guarantee health care workers earn overtime pay for Sundays and holidays.
For seniors, Rep. Megan Cotter proposed allowing homeowners 62 and older — as well as permanently disabled residents and disabled veterans — to defer property taxes until their home changes hands. Rep. Marie Hopkins introduced a measure to ensure seniors who pay by paper check can receive the same automatic payment discounts offered to others.
Lawmakers also hosted a “candy election” to demonstrate how ranked-choice voting works, as companion bills are introduced to bring the system to presidential primaries and local elections.
Other proposals would allow residents to use an app to report vehicles illegally parked in accessible spaces, permit nurses to provide routine foot care to homebound patients, and require crisis hotline numbers on student ID cards.
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