Rhode Island
GoLocalProv | News | Florida Reverses Course on Rhode Island Drivers Being Ineligible in the Sunshine State
Tuesday, July 11, 2023
An example of a RI license that was initially ruled invalid in Florida. PHOTO: State of Florida
The State of Florida had declared that driver’s licenses from states that provide undocumented immigrants licenses would be invalid in the Sunshine State.
More than 400,000 Rhode Islanders would be impacted, but late on Monday afternoon, Florida pulled a U-turn and changed policy.
In an email to GoLocal, a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles announced the reversal.
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“Rhode Island was removed from the list of out-of-state driver license classes that are invalid in Florida, originally published on the FLHSMV website on July 1, 2023, after receiving information from the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles that their standard (non-Real ID compliant) cards are the same as those issued to illegal immigrants without proof of legal presence in the United States,” said Molly Best, the Director of Communications for the Department told GoLocal.
Florida First Ruled
Previously, Florida’s policy would have impacted about half of Rhode Island’s 800,000 drivers.
“The governor said some states are allowing undocumented migrants to get licenses and now some of them are no longer valid in Florida,” reported Local 10 in Miami.
Last week, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles had put out a list of five states, and the specific types of licenses that were “invalid,” and the listed states were Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Vermont, and Rhode Island.
In accordance with legislation passed in the 2022 Rhode Island legislative session, “Driver Privilege Cards” began being available for issuance beginning in July of 2023.
PHOTO: File License Issues Unvaild 
The problem is that the licenses for undocumented drivers look just like those of Rhode Islanders who are U.S. citizens who have yet to get the “REAL ID” designation, that now does not go into effect until 2025.
According to Florida’s initial ruling, if you hadn’t gotten a REAL ID, and your Rhode Island license said “Not for Federal Identification” — you then also technically couldn’t drive in Florida, whether you were a citizen or not.
On Monday morning, Best had sent the following statement to GoLocal regarding the issue.
“Here is the picture that is listed on our website for the Rhode Island license class(es) that are not valid in Florida,” Best told GoLocal. “Additionally, here is the link: Visiting Florida Frequently Asked Questions – Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (flhsmv.gov)
“If a Rhode Islander has a valid driver’s license, does not have one of the below-pictured classes listed on it, and is a legal U.S. citizen, then they can travel as normal in Florida,” said Best.
Example provided by Florida officials
The only problem? Nearly half of all registered Rhode Islanders’ driver’s licenses contained the verbiage — and for documented U.S. citizens.
“I know the matter is under review by state’s lawyers. We’re looking at an appeal to have Rhode Island removed from their list,” DMV spokesperson Paul Grimaldi told GoLocal Monday morning. “We have roughly 400,000 people [in Rhode Island who] have that on their license, who for whatever reason didn’t get a REAL ID.”
Grimaldi said that because the license for citizens and undocumented immigrants both have the ‘Not for Federal Identification’ verbiage, Florida would then be banning them both.
“They won’t be able to tell the difference between the 63-year-old grandmother from Cranston and an undocumented immigrant,” he said.
For now, Rhode Island is off Florida’s list, and snowbirds and Disney visitors from Rhode Island can drive without penalty.
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NEWPORT, RI (WLNE) — The Newport Police Department said crews extinguished a fire on Green Street on Tuesday afternoon.
Around 2:22 p.m. Newport police were notified by the fire department of smoke coming from the basement of a home.
On the scene, crews reported a working fire, which was later extinguished.
Officials said the residents of the home were safety evacuated.
There are no reported injuries, according to police.
The cause of the fire, as well as where or how it started is under investigation.
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 24, 2024, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from Dec. 24 drawing
11-14-38-45-46, Mega Ball: 03, Megaplier: 3
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 24 drawing
16-22-24-43-47, Lucky Ball: 11
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Numbers numbers from Dec. 24 drawing
Midday: 0-9-5-1
Evening: 2-0-2-3
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from Dec. 24 drawing
08-21-26-33-38, Extra: 36
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.
How NORAD tracks Santa on Christmas Eve
Every year, for the past 68 years, NORAD tracks the global progress of Santa and his sleigh. John Cornelio from NORAD explains how they track this highly anticipated mission.
It was the night before Christmas and all through the house, the children were wondering where’s that guy Claus?
If you’re looking to track Santa Claus’s flight over Providence and Rhode Island’s other cities and towns this Christmas Eve, there are a few ways you can track the big guy with nearly the same accuracy as a late Amazon package.
The military is on it with the NORAD Santa Tracker, and Google, which often feels all-knowing, is also on the case with its own Santa Tracker.
Check out the trackers to see Santa’s location:
See Santa’s location with the NORAD Santa Tracker
NORAD is the most reliable name in Santa tracking. On the job since 1955, when a young child from Colorado Springs accidentally called in (he meant to call a number advertised by a local department store), they’ve been following Santa’s journey using their radar technology ever since.
Now, NORAD, the joint U.S.-Canada command responsible for protecting the skies over both nations, staffs up for the big night, with a number available for children to call for status reports and an online tracker.
When does the NORAD Santa Tracker start?
On Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, of course.
How do I follow Santa’s journey with the NORAD tracker?
Santa is on the move, as you can see below. If it doesn’t load, it can be found at www.noradsanta.org
You can also call NORAD directly at +1 (877) HI-NORAD.
See Santa’s location on the Google Santa Tracker
In 2004, Google started tracking Santa as well, because, well, there’s a lot of interest in Old St. Nick. Google has a website. While you’re waiting around for Santa, Google’s guide includes a family guide, quizzes and various Christmas-themed games to play.
Why might the NORAD Santa Tracker and Google Santa Tracker disagree?
All of our tracking technology is made for mere mortals, but Santa is magic, and he likes to create a little bit of mystery. It wouldn’t do for children all over the world to be catching him as he comes down the chimney to deliver presents. He would never get any work done! So sometimes, to keep the magic alive, he throws off the trackers, just a little bit.
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