Rhode Island

Beware costs of truck tolls on RI roads: Letters

Published

1 month ago

January 30, 2026

Beware costs of truck tolls

You think that food prices are high now, just wait until Gov. McKee starts up those truck tolls again. I can’t believe that our politicians are so dense that they think that the truckers are going to pay those tolls. Oh, sure, they will pay them up front, but they will just jack up their delivery prices to the stores; then the stores will jack up their price increases to “guess who”, the Rhode Island taxpayers, you and me. It’s just another tax on us. It won’t be long before we all have to go to the food pantries to get food. When will Rhode Island politicians stop saying spend, spend, spend and say cut, cut, cut? Oh, that’s right they will probably blame Trump for the hikes.

Thayer Donovan, Middletown

Your home’s value is under attack, unless you act

Rhode Island’s legislature recently passed laws that are likely to lower your home’s value, limit your control of your community’s future and reduce your quality of life.

The legislature has very quietly enacted roughly 30 laws that all but end the ability of local communities to control their own zoning and place it firmly in the hands of state agencies. Their goal is to force Rhode Island’s 39 municipalities to allow more high-density housing.

These laws mean we residents now have much less control over how our community will look in the future. This loss of local control of zoning is almost certain to cause a decline in home values as three-story multifamily housing is fast-tracked in formerly single-family zoned neighborhoods. Falling property values plus greater demand on municipal services from a spike in population are likely to cause municipalities to raise taxes.

These laws were passed quietly without the participation of or even communications with the state’s municipalities or residents. Why? Probably to minimize resistance that would likely rise if it became widely known control of local zoning was being taken away. Who wants local zoning in the hands of remote state agencies?

One of the principles clearly stated in Rhode Island’s constitution is local control. Power is to remain in local hands except where it must be exercised at the state or federal levels. These new state laws violate this long-standing principle that enables communities to tailor laws to meet residents’ wishes. The laws also raise serious state and federal constitution violation issues.

What can you do to stop this bureaucratic power grab?

1. Tell your town or city council you want them to fight for your zoning rights. For example, Portsmouth’s Town Council has drafted a resolution seeking a court injunction to stop enforcement of the new zoning laws. The Council is also contacting other municipalities to join forces in opposing the state takeover.

2. Write letters to the editor. The Newport Daily News (450-word limit), editor@newportri.com. The Providence Journal (250 words), letters@providencejournal.com.

3. Contact your state legislators. Tell them you want control of zoning returned to local government.

4. Let Speaker of Rhode Island’s House of Representatives K. Joseph Shekarchi know how you feel, rep-shekarchi@rilegislature.gov. It is highly unlikely these laws would have passed without Speaker Shekarchi’s blessing, if not instigation.

Regaining control of your community’s future requires your immediate action. If you do nothing, your community may soon be unrecognizable and unaffordable.

Bill Welch, Portsmouth

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Rhode Island

Thousands drop public health insurance coverage in RI after premiums spike

Published

11 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Thousands drop public health insurance coverage in RI after premiums spike

Thousands of Rhode Islanders dropped their health insurance plans after federal subsidies expired.
Enrollment in HealthSource RI, the state’s marketplace, fell by 20% in early 2024.
The average premium for enrollees more than doubled as federal funding ended.

Thousands of Rhode Islanders dropped health insurance coverage through Rhode Island’s public insurance marketplace instead of maintaining plans with rising premiums and lower subsidies, HealthSource RI said.

Enrollment through HealthSource, Rhode Island’s “Obamacare” exchange, plunged 20% between the end of last year and the close of the annual enrollment period a month later, as federal funding for premium tax credits expired, according to a HealthSource new release.

There were 48,060 individual and family enrollments on Dec. 31 of last year, the day the premium subsidies from the American Rescue Plan and Inflation Reduction Act ended.

On Feb. 1, there were 38,557 enrollments.

Before this drop, HealthSource has posted enrollment increases almost every year since Affordable Care Act exchanges launched in 2013.

How did we get here?

Last year, the Republican-controlled federal government declined to extend premium tax credits after a protracted budget battle with congressional Democrats, who are now negotiating to restore the health insurance subsidies.

The lapse in subsidies coincided with an increase in premiums, driven by a combination of factors, which sent the total cost of coverage climbing.

The average premium across HealthSource enrollees more than doubled (101%,) the exchange said, or $111 per person, per month.

Many enrollees opted for cheaper insurance plans despite their higher deductibles and out-of-pocket costs.

Others dropped coverage altogether.

“The increase in premiums, combined with the decrease in federal supports, makes this an incredibly challenging year for folks depending on HealthSource RI for health coverage,” HealthSource Director Lindsay Lang said in the release. “Having health coverage helps protect against one bad turn of luck becoming years of financial burden. We will work with every customer to find options that are best for their needs and budget, and continue to work with state leaders and our federal delegation to find long-term solutions.”

Could help be on the way?

Gov. Dan McKee included $9.5 million in his proposed state budget for the year starting July 1 to subsidize coverage for some of the lowest-income exchange enrollees.

The enrollment declines show that may be too little for some Rhode Islanders, and too late for others.

“It is disheartening but not surprising that, as President Trump’s policies have caused health insurance costs to skyrocket, more Rhode Islanders are struggling to pay for health coverage,” McKee said.

Since the exchange opened in 2013, Rhode Island’s uninsured rate has declined by two thirds, down to 2.2%, HealthSource said.

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Rhode Island

RI Lottery Powerball, Numbers Midday winning numbers for March 9, 2026

Published

23 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 9, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 9 drawing

22-23-28-36-54, Powerball: 13, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Numbers numbers from March 9 drawing

Midday: 5-7-4-4

Evening: 2-1-3-2

Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Wild Money numbers from March 9 drawing

02-14-16-34-35, Extra: 10

Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 9 drawing

06-16-26-41-43, Bonus: 03

Check Millionaire for Life 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 Millionaire for Life top prize of $1,000,000 a year for life and second prize of $100,000 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.
Millionaire for Life: 11:15 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

Spring And Summer Concert Guide: 10 Can’t-Miss Shows In Rhode Island

Published

1 day ago

March 9, 2026

Press Room

Spring And Summer Concert Guide: 10 Can’t-Miss Shows In Rhode Island

Whether with a stop on a national or international tour or a regional favorite, the spring and summer concert calendar is filling up in Rhode Island.

The Ravers, Newport’s reggae band, comes to Rhode Island in April. There are plenty of concerts in the area that will have you dancing all spring and summer long, including some regional favorites.

We’ve rounded up 10 concerts in Rhode Island that are worth getting on the calendar. And speaking of calendars: Are you planning an event this spring? Feature it, so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!

Here’s what you need to know about upcoming concerts:

Candlelight: Tribute to Queen and The Beatles, March 20, Bishop McVinney Auditorium, Providence
Soulful Sounds in Pawtucket, April 3, Hope Events on Main, Pawtucket
Ravers Night! April 11, Newport Vineyards & Winery, Middletown
Corvettes — Doo Wop Revue, April 19, Courthouse Center for the Arts, Kingstown
“Dancing at the Forty Steps” – Newport Irish Heritage Month flagship event, March 29, the Forty Steps on Cliff Walk, Newport
Newport Classical: Yevgeny Kutik & Llewellyn Sanchez-Werner, April 10, Newport Classical Recital Hall, Newport
Newport Classical: Zijian Wei performs Ravel and Liszt, May 8, Newport Classical Recital Hall, Newport
Newport Classical Finale: Amir Hoshang Farsi and Chelsea Wang, June 5, Newport Classical Recital Hall, Newport
An Evening With John Legend, April 26, Providence Performing Arts Center, Providence
Ani DiFranco with Special Guest Valerie June, May 8, Providence Performing Arts Center, Providence

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