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Coach Dan McKee is asking for a contract extension he hasn’t earned – The Boston Globe

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Coach Dan McKee is asking for a contract extension he hasn’t earned – The Boston Globe


Not even the Rhode Island Democratic Party could find space in its “Monday Messaging” newsletter to mention the governor, and Chairwoman Liz Beretta Perik wouldn’t say whether she supports the incumbent for reelection.

This is what you call a slow start.

McKee likes to refer to himself as the coach of Rhode Island, a nod to his days as a successful youth basketball coach. But as governor, he seems to be the last person to recognize that he’s increasingly losing the locker room.

A poll from the AFL-CIO released last week found that just 29 percent of Rhode Island voters believe the state is heading in the right direction. Even among Democrats, only 42 percent believe the state is moving in the right direction.

The Civic Health and Institutions Project, which has been tracking executive approval in every state since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, had McKee’s approval rating at 24 percent in October and then 27 percent in January.

McKee’s low approval rating coupled with blunders like the failure of the westbound side of the Washington Bridge, and a messy education consulting contract the governor awarded at the beginning of his administration had led many pundits and ambitious politicians to speculate that he might not seek reelection.

We already know that Helena Foulkes, who lost in a Democratic primary to McKee in 2022 by 3 percentage points, is definitely running again next year.

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And House Speaker Joe Shekarchi, Secretary of State Gregg Amore, and Attorney General Peter Neronha have all flirted with the idea of jumping in the race. Shekarchi and Amore have said they won’t run if McKee’s name is on the ballot; Neronha seemed more destined to run for lieutenant governor, but he has a skip in his step this year since he started becoming one of the leading Democratic voices in the country challenging President Trump’s executive actions in court.

That’s all part of the reason McKee is announcing his reelection this early, according to Joe Fleming, a longtime Rhode Island pollster.

“He feels he needs to get his message out to the voters early, and not just hear the negative,” said Fleming, who conducted the AFL-CIO poll.

While tempers have begun to fade around the Washington Bridge, McKee’s handling of the situation in the first three months after its closure in December 2023 seems like a gift to Foulkes’ TV ad makers.

He bristled at questions, fought with reporters, and repeatedly gave wrong information about the status of the bridge. To date, no one at the state Department of Transportation has lost their job, and McKee has never apologized for the inconvenience caused to Rhode Islanders. There is still no timeline for when a new bridge for this primary artery into and out of Providence will be in place.

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But it’s not just the bridge Rhode Islanders should be concerned about.

Where McKee is needed – like helping to save the state’s fragile health care system – he comes across as disinterested.

Where McKee’s voice could be useful – like challenging a president with an autocratic fetish – he’s disengaged.

Where McKee could have a direct impact – like righting the ship on the state takeover of Providence schools, the results have been disappointing.

So what has Coach McKee done to earn a contract extension?

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McKee’s theory is that he has put Rhode Island in a better position than when he took over at the peak of the pandemic. He argues that he helped reopen the economy and he prioritized school attendance to begin improving student outcomes.

He has released a plan called Rhode Island 2030 that lays out a series of goals for the state by the time he leaves office, including catching Massachusetts in student test scores and raising average incomes by $20,000.

The question is whether McKee deserves a chance to meet those goals, and that’s difficult to justify.

McKee has repeatedly proven that he’s too small to meet the moment, that he doesn’t have the network or resources to combat the challenges ahead, and that he lacks the creativity to build a more innovative state.

On top of the state’s existing challenges, Rhode Island could soon face unimaginable disruption, with a combination of devastating cuts in federal aid (in the short term) and artificial intelligence (in the coming years) that are threatening to upend everything about the economy.

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With those odds, even the most forgiving fans would be looking for a new coach.


Dan McGowan can be reached at dan.mcgowan@globe.com. Follow him @danmcgowan.





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Rhode Island

One Big Question After RHORI Renewal

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One Big Question After RHORI Renewal


Bravo cameras will be rolling in Rhode Island once again this summer.

The Real Housewives of Rhode Island has officially been renewed for season two—and honestly, it’s no surprise. The newest addition to the Housewives franchise quickly became a fan favorite, thanks to strong ratings and early award buzz.

READ MORE: RHORI Earned Two Critics’ Choice Award Nominations

Still, not everyone may be celebrating this news.

It didn’t take long for viewers to get hooked on the Ocean State edition, especially with the intense drama that unfolded just a few episodes in.

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The Infidelity Allegations That Drove the Season

At the center of it all? The allegations of infidelity involving Rulla Nehme Pontarelli’s husband, Brian—a storyline that quickly became the season’s biggest talking point.

The situation even left Rulla questioning her future on the show, saying she would have to “think very long and hard about” returning for another season.

Will Rulla Return for Season 2?

Now that season two is officially happening, the big question is: will Rulla be back?

Fans certainly hope so. Rulla has been one of the most talked-about cast members on social media, and her storyline has driven much of the conversation around the show.

READ MORE: Fans React to First Look at Real Housewives of Rhode Island Cast

As of now, Rulla is expected to return alongside Alicia Carmody, Rosie DiMare, Ashley Iaconetti, Liz McGraw, Kelsey Swanson, and Jo-Ellen Tiberi.

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Bravo via Facebook

Bravo via Facebook

When and Where Filming Will Begin

If production follows last year’s schedule, filming will likely kick off in mid-June and run through mid-September—once again showcasing Rhode Island at its summer best.

For now, fans seem thrilled. The announcement sparked more than 100 excited comments on Facebook, with viewers eager for more drama, more glamour, and more Ocean State moments.

So don’t be surprised if you spot Bravo cameras popping up around Rhode Island again very soon.

40 Photos Of Real Housewives Of Dallas Stars Home For Sale

Built & owned by actress, celebrity chef & Real Housewife, D’Andra Simmons-this stylish & stunning award winning two story,5 bedroom modern is on a corner lot in prestigious Highland Park and its on sale for $5.2 Million.

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Gallery Credit: Christine McKenny, Agent/ Allie Beth Allman & Associates

A Real Housewives Star Just Made $7.7M On Her Ridiculous Colorado Home

Kyle Richards, from the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, just sold this ridiculously gorgeous home in Aspen, Colorado, for $7.7 Million. You’ve gotta see these pix…

Gallery Credit: Aspen MLS

The Gorga’s of The Real Housewives of New Jersey Put Their Jersey House Up For Sale

We learned from Patch.com that the couple is ready to get rid of their beautiful house in Toms River, New Jersey.
The stunning house is going for $2,450,000. It’s a beautiful house with a view of the bay.

It has 7 bedrooms 5 bathrooms and a pool but really it will be better if we show you this celebrity home that is up for sale in the Jersey Shore.

Gallery Credit: EeE

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Lieutenant governor candidate wants the office to be RI’s inspector general

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Lieutenant governor candidate wants the office to be RI’s inspector general


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  • Republican candidate John Loughlin proposes transforming the Rhode Island lieutenant governor’s office into an inspector general.
  • Loughlin aims to use the office’s staff and budget to investigate government waste, fraud, and corruption.
  • The state’s lieutenant governor role currently has few official duties beyond succeeding the governor if necessary.

Republican candidate for lieutenant governor John Loughlin wants the office to become the Rhode Island inspector general his party has been seeking in vain for years.

Loughlin, a former state representative, said on May 11 that, if elected, he would staff the underutilized office with people who would help him expose “fraud, waste, abuse, and government corruption.”

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“Rhode Islanders are sick and tired of watching their tax dollars disappear into a black hole of inefficiency, cronyism, and outright corruption while the General Assembly talks a big game but delivers nothing − year after year after year,” Loughlin said in a news release. “For more than two decades, the legislature has failed to create a true Inspector General with real investigative power. Enough is enough. If they won’t do it, the Lieutenant Governor’s Office will − starting on day one.”

Why turn the lieutenant governor into an inspector general?

The Rhode Island Constitution gives the lieutenant governor little to no authority beyond being available in case the governor is unable to finish their term. That’s prompted some to call it a “do nothing” office and others to propose abolishing it.

“Frankly, the current workload of the office leaves ample time and resources to do far more for taxpayers than ceremonial appearances and ribbon-cuttings,” Loughlin said in his news release. “Rhode Islanders deserve a Lieutenant Governor’s Office that works every day to protect their money and hold government accountable.”

The lieutenant governor’s office has a budget of $1.4 million, which Loughlin said is enough to staff and run an effective investigative team made up of “certified auditors, investigators, and compliance professionals” to review state agency spending and contracts.

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He acknowledged that the lieutenant governor does not have subpoena power, but believes that investigations can be completed utilizing public records requests and gathering publicly-available data.

Loughlin, who ended his talk radio show earlier this year when he announced his campaign for governor, said he would communicate his findings through “RI Report” publications, news briefings and podcasts.

He said he would also make the office’s resources available to city and town leaders.

Republicans have been fighting for an inspector general

Rhode Island Republicans have for years promised to lower state spending by rooting out government waste, fraud and abuse. The last GOP Rhode Island governor, Donald Carcieri, launched a “Fiscal Fitness” program that aimed to save money and find efficiencies.

Democrats criticized Carcieri’s tenure for featuring exorbitant privatization and outsourcing.

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Since Carcieri, the idea of creating an independent inspector general similar to those in other states has become a holy grail for Rhode Island Republicans, but the Democratic General Assembly has had little interest in it.

“If our office saves just 1% from Rhode Island’s bloated state budget, the savings would return more than ten times the entire cost of the Lieutenant Governor’s Office to taxpayers – and that’s only the beginning,” Loughlin said in the news release.



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RI Lottery Numbers Midday, Numbers Evening winning numbers for May 10, 2026

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

Here’s a look at May 10, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Numbers numbers from May 10 drawing

Midday: 9-9-9-0

Evening: 5-5-0-9

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Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Wild Money numbers from May 10 drawing

01-13-14-16-32, Extra: 02

Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 10 drawing

01-03-20-35-46, Bonus: 05

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

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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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