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DOJ and states were back in RI court over federal funding freeze. When is a ruling expected?

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DOJ and states were back in RI court over federal funding freeze. When is a ruling expected?


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  • A federal judge heard arguments Friday in Providence on whether to extend an order blocking the federal government from freezing funds allocated to states.
  • Democrat-led states argued that the freeze on “categorical” funding is unlawful and has caused chaos and uncertainty for important programs.
  • A Justice Department lawyer argued that the states’ complaint is overly broad and that the president has the authority to pause spending.
  • The judge said he hopes to issue a ruling in the coming week and has left in place an order to keep federal money flowing to states.

PROVIDENCE – A federal judge heard arguments Friday in the high-stakes battle about whether to extend an order blocking the federal government from freezing money states rely on for services ranging from child care to disaster relief to Medicaid payments.

U.S. District Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr. weighed a request by close to two dozen Democratic states to block the federal government from withholding billions in aid until agencies ensure that all spending aligns with President Donald Trump’s priorities on “woke” gender ideology, climate goals and foreign aid.

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States operate on “carefully orchestrated” payment systems that depend on promised and appropriated federal aid for their budgeting, Rhode Island Assistant Attorney General Sarah Rice told the court Friday.

The “categorical” federal funding freeze enacted shortly after Trump took office, creating chaos and throwing child care services and Head Start programs into disarray and uncertainty, is contrary to the law, Rice said.

“We don’t know how long these pauses might have gone on” without court intervention, Rice said.

Despite McConnell’s previous court orders halting any freeze, “an outage has continued to this day,” she said. The harm, she said, is irreparable, impacting crucial services, programs and payrolls.

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“The people who provide the care need to be paid,” Rice said.

Federal response: States’ complaint is ‘abstract’

A U.S. Department of Justice lawyer urged the court to reject the states’ request, faulting it as overly broad, “abstract” and “across-the-board.” If the court grants an injunction, federal agencies will be hamstrung from making spending choices based on their own discretion, he said.

“The president is allowed to tell an agency if you have the discretion to pause if you should pause,” Department of Justice Special Counsel Daniel Schwei said.

Schwei drew parallels between Trump’s funding directive and former President Joe Biden’s decision to halt money for a border wall.  Executives have regularly exercised their power to halt spending based on their priorities, he said.

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The pause, he said, at most impacted the timing of payments and had been withdrawn within days, a step the government has argued makes the case moot.

‘A political term of art’

McConnell questioned how the government’s order to ensure it aligned with Trump’s priorities shouldn’t be viewed as arbitrary in itself. The judge noted that it referred to a Green New Deal – which in reality doesn’t exist. 

“It’s a political term of art,” McConnell said.

Schwei said the order was only directing agencies to use their own discretion to save money.

He hit back, too, against McConnell’s reference to a Trump press secretary’s comments implying that the federal government wasn’t complying with the court’s previous court orders. 

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McConnell granted the states a temporary restraining order in late January and later a second “emergency” order directing the federal government to comply or face possible contempt.

Schwei said the breadth of those orders make it difficult for the government to comply.

Neronha: ‘He could have gone to Congress’

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha, whose office is leading the states’ lawsuit, said after the proceedings that he thinks the injunction will be granted because the states have a good case.

“Trump’s executive orders and the subsequent memos sent to federal agencies have ‘sidelined’ Congress, and to an extent the courts, and if Trump wanted to reallocate the funds, he could have gone to Congress, which his party controls, to move the funds through the recision process,” Neronha said.

The injunction is necessary because the federal government can’t be trusted to keep its word and to prevent the Trump administration from issuing a similar memo later, he said.

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McConnell said he hopes to issue a ruling in the coming week on the state’s bid for an injunction and left in place an order to keep federal money flowing. 

Travel of the case

The states’ challenge to Trump’s freeze on spending landed in federal court in Rhode Island last month after authorities directed agencies to ensure spending complied with the administration’s priorities. 

McConnell agreed to indefinitely block the freeze on federal spending, calling the president’s claims of executive authority “constitutionally flawed.” Days later, the court directed the federal government to comply with with the order after states complained that money continued to be withheld. McConnell warned that the government could be found in criminal contempt. 

The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down the government’s bid for a stay of McConnell’s orders, finding that the judge had left room for officials to seek relief, if necessary. 

With reports from Wheeler Cowperthwaite

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Rhode Island

RI Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life winning numbers for June 9, 2025

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The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at June 9, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from June 9 drawing

30-33-40-43-52, Powerball: 25, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from June 9 drawing

03-07-17-29-46, Lucky Ball: 15

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Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Numbers numbers from June 9 drawing

Midday: 4-3-1-0

Evening: 6-9-7-2

Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Wild Money numbers from June 9 drawing

02-05-13-32-34, Extra: 03

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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 Lucky for Life top prize of $1,000 a day for life and second prize of $25,000 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.
  • 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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Trump actions could force a recession for colleges, R.I. higher ed leader says – The Boston Globe

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Trump actions could force a recession for colleges, R.I. higher ed leader says – The Boston Globe


Brown University is facing the most pressure, with dozens of research grants cancelled and Trump threatening to halt $510 million in funding to the Ivy League college. Egan said all of Rhode Island’s private colleges have faced some level of cuts, and accused Republican leaders of trying to “force a recession on higher education.”

“They’re well on the way to achieving that,” Egan said.

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The Trump administration has cut scores of research, particularly involving race and LGBTQ+ people, arguing it amounts to diversity, equity and inclusion and does not serve public health. The cuts include studies seeking to stop the spread of HIV.

The crackdown on DEI, plans to block international student visas, and proposed changes to student aid could all imperil universities, Egan said.

“Clearly there’s a desire to change the way higher education operates,” Egan said. “There will be an opportunity or a chance that great harm will be inflicted on the sector going forward.”

Brown president Christina Paxson has declined interviews about the Trump cuts, citing the uncertainty around future funding. Egan, who lobbies for Brown and the other colleges, said House Republicans’ proposed increase to the endowment tax could cost tens of millions for Brown, on top of the other funding cuts.

Layoffs would be likely if all of the proposed cuts come to fruition, Egan said. A Brown spokesperson said Friday the university has still not received “any demands or formal notification” about the $510 million proposed cut.

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“That will harm small businesses, local businesses, local communities, when folks are no longer working and part of the community and part of the economic engine that is higher ed,” Egan said.

Rhode Island’s other colleges do not yet meet the threshold for their endowments to be taxed under the proposal.

Asked about Brown’s high price tag of $92 million a year and a perception that Brown is not contributing enough to Providence, Egan said most students don’t pay the full price tag because of scholarships and aid. He called the $177 million in voluntary payments from the four private colleges in Providence a “phenomenal gift” to the city, considering the universities are tax-exempt as nonprofits.

He said higher education has a major impact on the economy as one of the top employment sectors in the state.

“For those that question the economic impact, you need to go look at some of those local businesses, the pizza shops, the dry cleaners,” Egan said.

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Financial woes for New England colleges predate Trump, Egan noted. A lower birthrate in the Northeast compared to other regions of the country means fewer students are turning college-aged each year. Johnson & Wales University recently announced layoffs, citing decreasing enrollment.

In Trump’s spending package, dubbed the “Big, Beautiful Bill,” Egan said he is most concerned about proposed cuts to Pell Grant eligibility — which would make it harder for part-time students to receive the college aid — and the cap on the amount of money graduate students can borrow.

The Trump administration has said the loan limits are “reasonable,” and called the Pell changes “critical reforms” to “prioritize students who truly need financial assistance while promoting completion.”

The Pell Grant, started by a US senator from Rhode Island, provides grants to low-income students that don’t need to be paid back.

Egan also noted that international students tend to pay the full price tag for college, unlike American students who can access federal aid, so blocking student visas would further hurt the universities’ bottom line.

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“I find it ironic that around the globe we’re the envy of the world in higher education, but yet in our own country, from not only our leaders but the general public, we’re not seen in even a similar or equal light,” Egan said.

Watch the RI PBS Weekly interview in the player above, or listen to an extended version on the RI Report podcast.


Steph Machado can be reached at steph.machado@globe.com. Follow her @StephMachado.





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Morning Notes: Rhode Island Wind Ensemble to kick off Touro Park Summer Concert Series – What's Up Newp

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Morning Notes: Rhode Island Wind Ensemble to kick off Touro Park Summer Concert Series – What's Up Newp


Good Morning, Newport! Today is Sunday, June 8, the 159th day of 2025. There are 206 days left in the year.

🚨 You need to know

Get ready for some outdoor music in Newport this summer. Touro Park is kicking off its free concert series today.

The Rhode Island Wind Ensemble, led by Dr. Robert Franzblau, will start things off at 5 p.m. for the Touro Park Summer Concert Series.

The two-hour show will be at the corner of Bellevue Avenue and Pelham Street.

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Our Touro Park Summer Concert Series kicks off on Sunday, June 8, with the Rhode Island Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Robert Franzblau.

The concert starts at 5:00pm and is free and open to all. Bring a blanket and have a nice picnic dinner while you enjoy a fantastic evening of music in historic Touro Park.

Stop by our tent before or after the concert and see our Mobile Museum Exhibit on music and the Old Stone Mill.

For more information and the full schedule, visit https://www.historicmusicofnewport.org/events/the-rhode-island-wind-ensemble-at-touro-park-ygx8l.

📈 Yesterday’s most-read

The following were yesterday’s most-read What’sUpNewp articles.

  1. Unwanted student ‘treasures’ help stock largest yard sale on Aquidneck Island
  2. On the Market: A look at 44 homes hosting Open Houses this weekend in Newport County (June 7 – 8)
  3. Provence sur Mer serves up elegant French-inspired hospitality 
  4. Mah Jongg tournament to raise funds for Newport Mental Health
  5. Morning Notes: Newport Police seek accreditation renewal, public input invited
  6. Newport native graduates from U.S. Naval Academy
  7. Portsmouth High School celebrates Class of 2025 graduation
  8. Tiverton High School celebrates Class of 2025 graduation
  9. Obituary: Alfaretta Massey
  10. Volpe homers and then forced from game when hit by pitch as Yankees beat Red Sox 9-6

📅 What’s Up Today

Weather Forecast

  • Today: Areas of fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. North wind 6 to 11 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
  • Tonight: A slight chance of showers after 1am. Patchy fog between 10pm and 2am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Northeast wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Marine Forecast

  • Today: NNE wind 5 to 10 kt becoming E in the afternoon. Areas of fog before 9am. Seas 1 ft or less.
  • Tonight: NE wind 6 to 9 kt. A slight chance of showers after 1am. Patchy fog between 10pm and 2am. Seas 1 ft or less.
  • The coastal water temperature is 58 degrees.

Sun, Moon & Tide

  • Sunrise at 5:11 am. Sunset at 8:18 pm. 15 hours & 6 minutes of sun.
  • High tide at 6:38 am & 6:59 p.m. Low tide at 12:13 am & 11:45 am.
  • The lunar phase is a Waxing Gibbous.

Things To Do

Live Music & Entertainment

Newport County Public Meetings

  • No meetings are scheduled.

Cruise Ship Schedule

Next up on the cruise ship schedule is Volendam on June 10.

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Patriots overcome weather delays to defeat East Greenwich 15-6 at Brown University


The British Motorcars of New England made a grand display in BristolThe British Motorcars of New England made a grand display in Bristol

The British Motorcars of New England (BMCNE) made its annual appearance in Bristol this weekend, June 6-7.

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Teen dies in tragic building collapse at Portsmouth Graduation PartyTeen dies in tragic building collapse at Portsmouth Graduation Party

Three others seriously injured as front stairwell of Portuguese American Citizens Club gives way; 75 people were inside at the time of the incident


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