Rhode Island
Do New Englanders approve of their governors? Here’s how they’re faring as 2025 begins. – The Boston Globe
If Tuesday’s State of the State address was effectively Governor Dan McKee’s kickoff to his reelection campaign, he now has a better idea of where he stands with the voters as he begins the nearly two-year marathon to the Democratic primary.
A new survey from Morning Consult shows that McKee finished 2024 with a 44 percent approval rating and a 40 percent disapproval rating, which makes him the least-popular governor in New England but still largely contradicts much of the conventional wisdom in Rhode Island politics that he is a sitting duck in 2026.
Morning Consult conducts online surveys on the approval ratings of governors every three months. McKee’s 44 percent approval rating in the fourth quarter of 2024 is similar to previous quarters, although he was above 50 percent approval in the second and third quarters of 2023.
Here’s a breakdown of approval ratings for New England governors for the fourth quarter of 2024.
Vermont Governor Phil Scott (R)
75 percent approve / 18 percent disapprove
New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu (R)
65 percent approve / 29 percent disapprove
(Sununu did not seek reelection, and Governor Kelly Ayotte was sworn in this month.)
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont (D)
63 percent approve / 30 percent disapprove
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey (D)
60 percent approve / 29 percent disapprove
Maine Governor Janet Mills (D)
54 percent approve / 39 percent disapprove
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee (D)
44 percent approve / 40 percent disapprove
The bigger picture: McKee would obviously much rather be in the position of any of his counterparts in New England, but he continues to see a path to reelection.
No one is basing their political future on polling from Morning Consult, but this is one of those classic cases where anyone interested in being Rhode Island governor can find a silver lining.
⚓ If you’re McKee, it’s “See, I’m not in as bad shape as the local media wants to believe.”
⚓ If you’re likely Democratic rival Helena Foulkes, it’s “McKee is trending in the wrong direction, and I haven’t spent a dime to remind voters of any of his mistakes.”
⚓ If you’re House Speaker Joe Shekarchi, it’s “Let’s see where McKee is in nine months.”
This story first appeared in Rhode Map, our free newsletter about Rhode Island that also contains information about local events, links to interesting stories, and more. If you’d like to receive it via e-mail Monday through Friday, you can sign up here.
Dan McGowan can be reached at dan.mcgowan@globe.com. Follow him @danmcgowan.
Rhode Island
Wicked Tulips announces move to North Kingstown
Wicked Tulips announced it is opening a new location in North Kingstown.
Its new location on 140 Exeter Rd. is double the size of its previous location.
The business said it will be keeping its second location in Preston, Connecticut.
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The farm is projected to open on April 22, 2026.
Rhode Island
RI Lottery Mega Millions, Numbers Midday winning numbers for March 10, 2026
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at March 10, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from March 10 drawing
16-21-30-35-65, Mega Ball: 07
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Numbers numbers from March 10 drawing
Midday: 9-1-3-0
Evening: 4-2-1-9
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from March 10 drawing
11-12-16-27-34, Extra: 05
Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 10 drawing
03-27-43-45-49, 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.
Rhode Island
Thousands drop public health insurance coverage in RI after premiums spike
Health care premiums set to rise as ACA subsidy deal collapses
Obamacare subsidies are set to expire after Congress failed to reach a deal, leaving millions facing higher health care costs.
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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