Rhode Island
Childcare workers another critical part of RI’s infrastructure | Opinion
Rep. Susan R. Donovan (D-District 69, Bristol, Portsmouth) is chairwoman of the House Health and Human Services Committee. Sen. Sandra Cano (D-District 8, Pawtucket) is chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee.
In a recent commentary, early education advocates Lisa Hildebrand and Khadija Lewis Khan drew a very appropriate comparison between Rhode Island’s child care resources and the Washington Bridge, noting that both are critical infrastructure whose challenges create serious obstacles to working Rhode Islanders.
More: Education advocacy group unveils legislative agenda for 2024. Here’s what’s in it
We couldn’t agree more, and are just as committed to strengthening early education programs in our state as we are to ensuring a safe and swift solution to the bridge fiasco. But unlike the problems that led to the failure of the bridge, the causes and solutions to our child care problems are quite clear.
Simply put, it’s funding. It’s virtually impossible to provide the high-quality child care that working families need at a price they can afford. The result is a tug-of-war that no one is winning – families cannot afford child care and early educators cannot afford to live on their income, which is generally lower than entry-level fast food wages.
That is why we are making the Rhode Island Early Educator Compensation Stabilization Act (H7251, S2038) one of our highest priorities this legislative session. Our bill would sustain and strengthen existing workforce development and compensation programs for educators working in licensed child care and early learning programs statewide, funding the continuation of workforce development and retention bonuses for our state’s dedicated, valuable, yet incredibly underpaid early educators.
More: Everyone wants something from Rhode Island’s part-time lawmakers. Here’s the list.
The bill would continue the Child Care WAGE$ salary supplement program, as well as a pandemic-era quarterly retention bonus of $750 for the lowest wage early educators who work directly with children and have been consistently employed in the same program.
These programs have helped retain early education staff since the pandemic. Our state will face a child care crisis if funding ends this year.
We have been working to bolster support from our legislative colleagues and our chambers’ leadership for this important measure to help ensure that the devoted staff members of child care and early learning programs can afford to keep the jobs they love. If they can’t afford to work, neither can the families who depend on them.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — The Rhode Island State House was open for special Saturday hours ahead of Rhode Island Independence Day on May 4.
Lawmakers said the open hours were to let residents and visitors alike learn more about the state’s history as one of the first to declare independence from Great Britain.
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Some of Rhode Island’s 250th birthday exhibitions were on display during the open hours.
Next month, 50 kids from across New England will be dressed in their best as they walk the runway at this year’s Glimmer Gala.
It’s an evening for childhood cancer survivors to feel like celebrities.
“For them, not only do they get to feel like a normal kid doing a normal activity, but they get to feel larger than life,” said Alison Hornung, founder and CEO of the Glimmer of Hope Foundation. “I hear the kids go into their classrooms after and say, ‘I got to walk the runway show and I got to do a photo shoot.’”
Breanna Marie Breanna Marie
That photo shoot and shopping spree are something each child, like 6-year-old Bella Berg from Lexington, gets to take part in.
“For everything that they go through and that loss of identity, it really makes them feel like they’re beautiful and strong, inside and outside,” Hornung said.
The Glimmer of Hope Foundation started six years ago. It brings hope to families whose children are battling cancer. This year’s gala is expected to be their biggest yet, with at least 500 people expected to attend.
Breanna Marie Breanna Marie
The goal is to give the kids confidence and make them feel special.
“They get to be alongside kids that are going through the same thing as them, so they don’t feel different,” said Hornung. “They just feel seen and understood.”
The Glimmer Gala takes place Saturday June 13 at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Click here for more.
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 1, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 1 drawing
16-21-27-41-61, Mega Ball: 24
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Numbers numbers from May 1 drawing
Midday: 5-4-5-8
Evening: 5-1-7-5
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from May 1 drawing
08-09-17-31-33, Extra: 15
Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 1 drawing
17-24-26-28-55, Bonus: 04
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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