Rhode Island
Judge says sale of RI hospitals can move forward – TPR: The Public's Radio
Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital in North Providence have been losing money for years. According to Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha, that’s because the California hedge fund that owns them has prioritized investor returns over patient care.
California-based Prospect Medical is now trying to sell these two Rhode Island hospitals to an Atlanta-based nonprofit called the Centurion Foundation.
But Prospect, a national hospital chain based in Los Angeles, ended up filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last month before it could complete the sale. The company recorded debts up to $10 billion.
The bankruptcy filing meant a judge needed to approve the sale, and time was of the essence, because the company could not afford to keep running the hospitals.
Even so, various stakeholders opposed the sale for different reasons.
Rhode Island’s attorney general attached a list of 85 conditions that must be met before a new owner can take charge.
Federal regulators from the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services attached a laundry list of conditions too, as did the United Nurses and Allied Professionals (UNAP), the union representing 1,200 employees at the two hospitals.
At a hearing in Dallas Wednesday, Chief Judge Stacey G.C. Jernigan of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of the Northern District of Texas heard from state and federal officials, lawyers, bankers, and others before giving the green light.
“The court believes that all objections have been resolved, withdrawn, or overruled,” she determined. “So with that the court will approve the transaction.”
That means the sale can now go ahead, with a closing date set for 30-to-60 days time.
Centurion has not yet come up with financing for the deal, but Anne Wallace, an attorney for Sidley Austin LLC representing the hospital’s current owners, indicated that Centurion’s financing was contingent on a closing date.
Neronha said in a statement, “The bankruptcy court’s approval of this sale provides reason for cautious optimism.”
While Nehrona applauded the idea that the hospitals will no longer be owned by a private equity firm, he emphasized there is still work to be done to meet the conditions set out by the state.
“These safety-net hospitals are absolutely critical for maintaining delivery of safe, affordable and accessible health care services in Rhode Island. Roger Williams and Fatima provide services to largely underserved and underinsured communities, and we must maintain their viability. And in order for us to give these hospitals a fighting chance, our conditions must be met. If all parties meet our conditions as they say they intend to, today brings us one step closer to the finish line.”
Dr. Jerry Larkin, Director of Health for the Rhode Island Department of Health, issued a statement saying he was pleased by the court’s decision to allow the sale to go forward.
“While some steps in this transaction are still outstanding, we are committed to the two facilities having new ownership,” he said. “Rhode Island needs a stable network of hospitals that supports the health and wellness of every community in the state.”
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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — Providence Mayor Brett Smiley called on city councilors to take action so the city can launch the RENT fund program.
According to city officials, Rental and Essential Needs Transition (RENT) would provide one-time grants of up to $3,000 per household to prevent eviction during times of financial crisis.
At a Wednesday press conference, Smiley called on the Providence City Council to approve the ordinance before its summer recess so the program can launch in July.
“I am incredibly disappointed that the city council is blocking the final approval to launch the RENT fund. Providence families are struggling to stay in their homes. They need help now more than they need delays,” Smiley said. “This act by the council can’t be viewed as anything other than a baseless political ploy aimed at obstructing progress during an election year, while our neighbors are the ones that have to pay a price for it.”
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley called on city councilors to take action so the city can launch the RENT fund program. (WJAR)
In a statement, City Council members said they have not yet approved the RENT fund ordinance because it does not include enough protections for tenants.
“The Council supports direct rental assistance—we already approved $1 million to fund it. But after vetoing rent stabilization, Mayor Smiley wants us to pass a program that sends public money directly to landlords without requiring them to limit rent increases or halt evictions. A landlord could take a $3,000 check from the City on Friday and raise the rent or evict the tenant on Monday. We are not going to be pressured into yet another Brett Smiley landlord giveaway. The Council will take the time necessary to put real tenant protections into this ordinance so that taxpayer dollars actually provide stability for neighbors in crisis,” Councilor Miguel Sanchez said.
Council members also said that they will continue working through the recess to strengthen the proposal.
Mayor Smiley disputed that claim, saying the organization selected to run the program, Community Action Partnership of Providence (CAP), would help protect tenants.
According to Smiley, the agreement with CAP includes tenant protections, such as ensuring tenants remain housed after receiving assistance and requiring landlords to fulfill their lease obligations.
Smiley also said the city would take action if a landlord violated those obligations.
“If they had an issue with the ordinance, they’ve had multiple opportunities to fix this. This has been in their hands for months. We got a letter flagging these concerns last night,” Smiley said. “We believe these concerns have already been addressed in the agreement with CAP, and if they had these concerns, they should’ve asked in the last four months.”
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at July 14, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from July 14 drawing
02-04-10-48-56, Mega Ball: 22
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Numbers numbers from July 14 drawing
Midday: 2-0-6-9
Evening: 4-2-7-2
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from July 14 drawing
12-28-29-32-33, Extra: 25
Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from July 14 drawing
12-13-15-16-41, Bonus: 02
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.
Lixeandro Andrade, 28, and Zahir Fortes, 19, were both arrested Monday on charges of carrying a pistol or firearm without a license and large capacity feeding devices prohibited, the state police said in a media release.
Andrade and Fortes were processed at the Lincoln Woods Barracks and arraigned, according to the release.
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