Rhode Island
Cost of living in RI, Biden’s ballots, golf courses worth the drive: Top stories this week
Taking a tour of the historic Pomham Rocks Lighthouse
Dennis Tardiff, captain and chairman of Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse, leads a tour of the historic Pomham Rocks Lighthouse
Here are some of The Providence Journal’s most-read stories for the week of July 21, supported by your subscriptions.
• It doesn’t get more Rhode Island than a tour of a lighthouse, except maybe if you brought along a Del’s. While some of the state’s lighthouses have been accessible for years, the Pomham Rocks Lighthouse – after years of renovations – is now open to view. The Journal’s Antonia Noori Farza recently toured the site and talked with the volunteers who made it happen.
• We finally got a break from the heat and humidity this week even if it meant a couple of gray days – apologies if you were on vacation – were in the mix. If you’ve grown tired of summer temperatures and are dreaming about sweater weather and pumpkin spice the Old Farmer’s Almanac says you might get some relief this fall.
• For the latest sports news, including The Providence Journal’s coverage of the Little League championships in softball and baseball as well as the latest in high school sports go to providencejournal.com/sports.
Here are the week’s top reads on providencejournal.com:
How expensive is it to live in Rhode Island?
How expensive is it to live in Rhode Island?
According to a new Forbes.com report, it’s really expensive and it’s housing costs – both mortgages and rent – driving up the cost of living in the state.
Forbes looked at several data sources to see how every state ranked in various measures ranging from cost of living to income taxes. Still, in Rhode Island, a lack of housing supply proved to be costly as rent and the cost to buy a house keep going up.
The good news? It is not as expensive as one of our neighbors.
Cost of living: Forbes pegs RI as one of the most expensive states to live in. Here’s what is driving that ranking.
Rhode Islanders who have a Rhode Island Energy account for electricity or natural gas will notice a slew of changes starting Aug. 19, the most noticeable of which will be that their bill will look different.
In addition to a different looking bill, RI Energy will have a redesigned website, a new bill-processing system and a single phone number to reach the company’s new 300-person customer service center in Cumberland.
Customers will also be able to send a text to alert the company about an electrical outage.
Here’s why these changes are happening.
Electricity: Big changes are coming for RI Energy account holders. Here’s what to know.
This headline is going to make some people laugh, but they don’t live here. They’re not like us.
If you’re from out of state and happen upon this, these golf courses are not out of the way. They’re actually all very convenient to get to compared to what you’re used to.
But if you’re from Rhode Island, the idea of playing one of these spots might give you a second thought. Only in the Ocean State is a spot that is not directly off the highway or takes more than 40 total minutes of driving considered “out of the way.” It’s a stereotype, but it’s a stereotype for a reason.
So who made the list? The Journa’s Eric Rueb has played all these courses at one point or another — including two recently — and can tell you, without a doubt these are the five courses that are worth the drive.
Golf: Ready for a road trip? Here are five out-of-the-way golf courses in RI you need to play
If you want to build a granny flat, a carriage house or an accessory dwelling unit here, what are the rules?
After a new state law passed legalizing what’s known as ADUs statewide, there are fewer rules than than city leaders would like.
“It put us in a bit of a tricky situation, as it didn’t give us any time to revise local ordinances,” Providence Deputy Planning Director Bob Azar said. “We will have to evaluate new applications based on what’s in state law.”
Providence is trying to craft an ordinance that still complies with the state law and will put some strictures and limits on accessory dwelling units. Here’s the plan.
Housing: With granny flats now legal, Providence looks to pass restrictions. Here’s what the city wants.
The biggest news of the week was President Joe Biden’s decision to drop out of the race for president.
The decision does raise the question for Rhode Islanders: Who will replace him on the ballot?
Biden quickly endorsed Harris as the Democratic nominee.
LeeAnn Byrne, chief of staff to Secretary of State Gregg Amore, said ballots have not yet been created in Rhode Island.
“September 12th is the deadline for each national party to certify to the RI Department of State Elections Division the names of individuals nominated as the party’s candidates for president and vice president,” Byrne said. “Federal law requires us to send ballots to military and overseas voters 45 days before the election, so those ballots are finalized well in advance of Election Day. Once those ballots are printed and sent to military and overseas voters, we would be unable to change the ballot.”
Election 2024: What happens to ballots in Rhode Island now that Biden has dropped out of the race?
To read the full stories, go to providencejournal.com. Find out how to subscribe here.
Rhode Island
RI Lottery Mega Millions, Numbers Midday winning numbers for April 24, 2026
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at April 24, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from April 24 drawing
07-16-32-35-40, Mega Ball: 12
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Numbers numbers from April 24 drawing
Midday: 0-4-5-0
Evening: 7-4-2-2
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from April 24 drawing
05-11-19-29-36, Extra: 02
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 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.
Rhode Island
Six animals test positive for rabies in Providence County, health officials warn – What’s Up Newp
At least six animals in Providence County have tested positive for rabies over the past six weeks, the Rhode Island Department of Health said Friday, prompting a renewed warning to residents to steer clear of wildlife and keep pet vaccinations current.
Since March 12, three raccoons in Burrillville, one bat and one coyote in Lincoln, and one raccoon in Providence have tested positive for the virus, according to the department, known as RIDOH. Test results on a raccoon from North Smithfield are pending.
Rabies vector species in Rhode Island include bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, coyotes, groundhogs and beavers, the department said. The virus attacks the central nervous system and, without prompt medical care after exposure, can cause fatal brain disease. Health officials stressed that treatment must begin as soon as possible after a suspected exposure and that people should not wait for symptoms to develop.
Residents who see a wild animal behaving erratically should not approach it and should contact their local animal control officer, RIDOH said. Anyone who has physical contact with a wild animal, or who wakes up to find a bat in their home, should call RIDOH’s Center for Acute Infectious Disease Epidemiology at 401-222-2577 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or 401-276-8046 after hours.
People bitten or scratched should wash the wound with soap and water for 15 minutes and seek medical attention immediately, the department said. Pet owners whose animals tangle with wildlife should contact their municipal animal control officer and RIDOH.
State law requires all dogs, cats and ferrets to be up to date on rabies vaccinations. Health officials said vaccinating pets protects the animals and prevents people from being exposed to the virus through them.
To reduce the risk of rabies, RIDOH recommends that residents avoid contact with stray or free-roaming domestic animals and wild animals, refrain from feeding either, and keep pet food indoors to avoid attracting wildlife. The department also urges owners to walk dogs on leashes or confine them to fenced yards, report all animal bites to local animal control, and secure garbage cans against scavenging animals.
More information is available at www.health.ri.gov/rabies.
Rhode Island
Silver Alert issued for missing man in Cumberland, RI
Police in Cumberland, Rhode Island, issued a Silver Alert for a missing 83-year-old man they say is endangered.
John “Jack” Thornhill was last seen around 7:30 a.m. Thursday at his home in the Branch Avenue neighborhood, police said. He is believed to have left on foot.
Thornhill is described as having white hair and brown eyes with glasses.
When he was last seen, Thornhill was wearing a red sweatshirt, grey gym shorts and Crocs.
Anyone with information is asked to call 401-333-2500 or dial 911.
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