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Rhode Island

Attendance Matters: How well our schools are doing – What's Up Newp

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Attendance Matters: How well our schools are doing – What's Up Newp


Since the pandemic, student absenteeism has skyrocketed across the country, sending education departments and school districts searching for solutions. It is a priority with the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) and every school district in the state. And, while results haven’t been dramatic, they are moving in the right direction.

Statewide, pre-pandemic absenteeism in Rhode Island schools was about 19 percent. It ballooned to more than 34 percent in 2021-22, dropping the following year to 28.9 percent, and in 2023-24 it was 24.7 percent. 

The same pattern is reflected in Aquidneck Island area schools. The Rhode Island Department of Education publishes a daily report on absenteeism for the more than 270 Rhode Island public schools, and certain patterns are clear. Wealthier communities have fewer absences, and it appears that greater absenteeism occurs in high and middle schools.

Newport Schools superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain says students in poorer communities face challenges of family responsibilies, housing and transportation issues. All three are recognized as significant issues nationally by Panorama Education, which says some students from “low-income families may need to stay home to care for younger siblings or work to support their families.”

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Chronic absenteeism national is defined as missing 10 percent of school days, or the equivalent of about two days. The consequences, says Panorama, range from health, dropout, social and behavioral, along with a negative impact on academics.

RIDE publishes a daily attendance tracker. Here’s a look at area schools, as reported in the November 25 attendance tracker, and listed by state rankings.

  • Howard Hathaway Elementary School, Portsmouth, with 412 students, ranked 25 with projected chronic absences of 31 (7.5 percent), a reduction of 2.9 percent from last year.
  • Melville Elementary School, Portsmouth, with 320 students, ranked 26 with projected chronic absences of 25 (7.8 percent), a reduction of 4.9 percent from last year.
  • Jamestown Middle School, with 189 students, ranked 36 with projected chronic absences of 31 (7.5 percent), a reduction of 2.9 percent from last year.
  • Portsmouth Middle School, with 607 students, ranked 42 with projected chronic absences of 58 (9.6 percent), a reduction of 2.9 percent from last year.
  • Aquidneck Elementary School, Middletown, with 302 students, ranked 44 with projected chronic absences of 29 (9.6 percent), a reduction of .3 percent from last year.
  • Wilbur and McMahon Elementary and Middle School, Little Compton, with 219 students, ranked 68 with projected chronic absences of 23 (10.5 percent), a reduction of 1.3 percent from last year.
  • Portsmouth High School, with 787 students, ranked 114 with projected chronic absences of 105 (13.3 percent), a reduction of 1.3 percent from last year.
  • Fort Barton Elementary School, Tiverton, with 133, students, ranked 98 with projected chronic absences of 16 (12 percent), an increase of .9 percent from last year.
  • Forest Avenue Elementary School, Middletown, with 300 students, ranked 112 with projected chronic absences of 40 (13.3 percent), a reduction of 1.6 percent from last year.
  • Tiverton High School, with 424 students, ranked 140 with projected chronic absences of 60 (14,2 percent), a reduction of 1.6 percent from last year.
  • Pocasset Elementary School, Tiverton with 31 students, ranked 150 with projected chronic absences of 31 (14.7 percent), a reduction of .4 percent from last year.
  • Gaudet Middle School, Middletown, with 434 students, ranked 181 with projected chronic absences of 31 (7.5 percent), an increase of .7 percent from last year.
  • Middletown High School, with 521students, ranked 209 with projected chronic absences of 107 (20.5 percent), an increase of 1.5 percent from last year.
  • Claiborne Pell Elementary School, Newport, with 662 students, ranked 221, with projected chronic absences of 147 (22.2 percent), a reduction of 2.4 percent from last year.
  • Frank E. Thompson Middle School, Newport, with 495 students, ranked 225 with projected chronic absences of 115 (23.2 percent), an increase of .6 percent from last year.
  • Tiverton Middle School, with 500 students, ranked 234 with projected chronic absences of 119 (23.8 percent), an increase of 11.3 percent from last year.
  • Rogers High School, Newport, with 600 students, ranked 246 with projected chronic absences of 183 (30.5 percent), a reduction of 5.7 percent from last year.

Frank Prosnitz brings to WhatsUpNewp several years in journalism, including 10 as editor of the Providence (RI) Business News and 14 years as a reporter and bureau manager at the Providence (RI) Journal. Prosnitz began his journalism career as a sportswriter at the Asbury Park (NJ) Press, moving to The News Tribune (Woodbridge, NJ), before joining the Providence Journal. Prosnitz hosts the Morning Show on WLBQ radio (Westerly), 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monday through Friday, and It’s Your Business, also on WBLQ, Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Prosnitz has twice won Best in Business Awards from the national Society of American Business Editors and Writers (SABEW), twice was named Media Advocate of the Year by the Small Business Administration, won an investigative reporter’s award from the New England Press Association, and newswriting award from the Rhode Island Press Association.

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Rhode Island

Judge says sale of RI hospitals can move forward – TPR: The Public's Radio

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Judge says sale of RI hospitals can move forward – TPR: The Public's Radio


Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital in North Providence have been losing money for years. According to Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha, that’s because the California hedge fund that owns them has prioritized investor returns over patient care.

California-based Prospect Medical is now trying to sell these two Rhode Island hospitals to an Atlanta-based nonprofit called the Centurion Foundation.

But Prospect, a national hospital chain based in Los Angeles, ended up filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last month before it could complete the sale. The company recorded debts up to $10 billion.

The bankruptcy filing meant a judge needed to approve the sale, and time was of the essence, because the company could not afford to keep running the hospitals.

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Even so, various stakeholders opposed the sale for different reasons.

Rhode Island’s attorney general attached a list of 85 conditions that must be met before a new owner can take charge.

Federal regulators from the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services attached a laundry list of conditions too, as did the United Nurses and Allied Professionals (UNAP), the union representing 1,200 employees at the two hospitals.

At a hearing in Dallas Wednesday, Chief Judge Stacey G.C. Jernigan of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of the Northern District of Texas heard from state and federal officials, lawyers, bankers, and others before giving the green light.

“The court believes that all objections have been resolved, withdrawn, or overruled,” she determined. “So with that the court will approve the transaction.”

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That means the sale can now go ahead, with a closing date set for 30-to-60 days time.  

Centurion has not yet come up with financing for the deal, but Anne Wallace, an attorney for Sidley Austin LLC representing the hospital’s current owners, indicated that Centurion’s financing was contingent on a closing date.

Neronha said in a statement, “The bankruptcy court’s approval of this sale provides reason for cautious optimism.” 

While Nehrona applauded the idea that the hospitals will no longer be owned by a private equity firm, he emphasized there is still work to be done to meet the conditions set out by the state.

“These safety-net hospitals are absolutely critical for maintaining delivery of safe, affordable and accessible health care services in Rhode Island. Roger Williams and Fatima provide services to largely underserved and underinsured communities, and we must maintain their viability. And in order for us to give these hospitals a fighting chance, our conditions must be met. If all parties meet our conditions as they say they intend to, today brings us one step closer to the finish line.”

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Dr. Jerry Larkin, Director of Health for the Rhode Island Department of Health, issued a statement saying he was pleased by the court’s decision to allow the sale to go forward.

“While some steps in this transaction are still outstanding, we are committed to the two facilities having new ownership,” he said.  “Rhode Island needs a stable network of hospitals that supports the health and wellness of every community in the state.”



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Rhode Island

RI Lottery Mega Millions, Lucky For Life winning numbers for Feb. 11, 2025

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The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Feb. 11, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Feb. 11 drawing

07-30-39-41-70, Mega Ball: 13, Megaplier: 3

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Feb. 11 drawing

08-25-28-41-46, Lucky Ball: 05

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Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Numbers numbers from Feb. 11 drawing

Midday: 2-5-5-1

Evening: 5-1-0-9

Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Wild Money numbers from Feb. 11 drawing

11-15-16-17-28, Extra: 33

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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

Gov. McKee and others will call for action on Assault Weapons Ban

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Gov. McKee and others will call for action on Assault Weapons Ban


FILE – Gov. Daniel McKee gives his victory speech during an election night gathering of Rhode Island Democratic candidates and supporters on Nov. 8, 2022, in Providence, R.I. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell, File)

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