Rhode Island
Law barring vets from treating animals via telemedicine is outdated | Opinion
Rescuers wear owl mask so chicks don’t imprint on human caretakers
Lexi Figore, chief of staff at Congress of the Birds, feeds a baby owl while wearing an owl mask. Rescuers wear the mask while feeding the owlets so they don’t imprint on their human caretakers. Imprinting on humans would make it impossible for the raptors to return to the wild. Video by Sheida Sole
Provided by Congress of the Birds
Telehealth has become a mainstream mode of health care – safely and conveniently connecting people with medical professionals, with no clinic visit required unless the health care provider determines the patient needs to be seen in person. While telehealth is widely available to physicians and their human patients, including babies and nonverbal adults, an outdated Rhode Island law prevents veterinarians from treating animals using telemedicine technology unless the veterinarian has physically examined the pet.
This antiquated approach means that pet owners are forced to wait for hard-to-get appointments so that veterinarians can examine an animal in person as a prerequisite to providing any care via telehealth, including in situations when such an exam may not be necessary or pet owners face barriers to getting pets into clinics.
Fortunately, legislation has been introduced to expand access to safe, convenient veterinary telemedicine, helping to bridge gaps in care caused by the ongoing veterinary shortage. Sponsored by Sen. Melissa Murray and Rep. Jon Brien, House Bill 5555 would empower state-licensed veterinarians to use telemedicine technology, giving them another tool to provide high-quality, accessible care, especially for pet owners who face financial, geographical or physical obstacles to seeing a veterinarian in person.
A nationwide veterinary shortage has made it harder than ever for pets to get care, and many pet owners in Rhode Island and beyond are struggling to access veterinary services. National data indicates that approximately one-third of pets do not regularly see a veterinarian for a variety of reasons: finances; transportation problems; because they have large, fearful, or travel-phobic animals; or because they live in a community that has few or no veterinarians. Lane closures and construction delays on Rhode Island’s bridges and roadways have made it increasingly difficult to get pets to the veterinarian. Telemedicine would help pets receive some of the care they need without having to leave home.
Many animal conditions can be safely treated through telemedicine, giving veterinarians and pet owners more choices when it comes to accessing important common medications for parasite prevention, treating itchy skin, ear issues, travel or separation anxiety as well as other behavioral problems, nutritional issues, veterinary hospice care, and more. Virtual appointments can sometimes even be more telling than in-person appointments because veterinarians can see the animal’s movement, behavior and environment while the animal is calm and comfortable in its own home rather than stressed in a clinic.
Lack of access to veterinary care is among the top reasons families are forced to make the heartbreaking decision to relinquish a pet to a shelter. In recent years, the Potter League has invested millions of dollars to improve access to veterinary care in our state, but even that huge investment is not enough to keep all Rhode Island pets safe, healthy and in their homes, where they belong. Expanding access to veterinary telemedicine would be an indispensable tool and could mean the difference between affordable access to care or no care at all.
At the Potter League for Animals and the ASPCA, we believe that highly educated, licensed veterinarians should be entrusted to assess when pets need to have an in-person examination, as well as those situations when telemedicine is a safe and satisfactory treatment decision.
Please join us in urging the General Assembly to pass Proposed Sub A for House Bill 5555 to empower veterinarians with another tool to provide high-quality, accessible care and ensure more pets can access the care they need.
Brad Shear is CEO of Potter League for Animals. Jennifer Hobgood is senior director of Access to Care Policy, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Rhode Island
GoLocalProv | Politics | Providence On Sunday Is One of the Sites for a National Protest Against ICE
Saturday, January 10, 2026
Protest in Providence in June against ICE PHOTO: GoLocal
Organizers in Rhode Island and across the country are mobilizing against ICE after a pair of shootings in the past few days.
Organizers locally said, “Rhode Islanders will gather on Sunday to honor the life lost, make visible the human cost of ICE’s actions, and demand that state and federal leaders reject local contracts with ICE, take every action possible to stop ICE from operating in Rhode Island, and hold ICE agents accountable when they break the law.”
The RI event begins at 2 PM at the State House on Sunday.
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Nationally, it was a announced on Friday that, “A broad national coalition, including Indivisible, MoveOn Civic Action, the American Civil Liberties Union, Voto Latino, United We Dream, 50501, the Disappeared in America Campaign of the Not Above the Law coalition, and partner organizations across the country, is calling for a coordinated ICE Out For Good Weekend of Action.
“The mobilization comes in response to the escalation of ICE violence in our communities, the killing of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old wife and mother of three, and the months-long pattern of unchecked violence and abuse in marginalized communities across America. Across the country, communities will gather in nonviolent, lawful, and community-led actions to honor the life lost, demand accountability, and make visible the human cost of ICE’s actions,” said organizers.
Organizers added, “Good and the Portland victims are part of a broader and deeply alarming pattern of unchecked violence and abuse by federal immigration enforcement agencies. In September, ICE reportedly shot and killed Silverio Villegas González, a father and cook from Mexico living in Chicago. In 2025 alone, more than 30 people have reportedly died in ICE detention.”
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Rhode Island
Rhode Island General Assembly Begins 2026 Session With Focus on Affordability – Newport Buzz
PROVIDENCE — Rhode Island lawmakers opened the 2026 legislative session this week with a focus on health care affordability, housing costs and economic stability, as leaders in both chambers warned of uncertainty tied to federal budget changes.
House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi outlined House priorities centered on expanding access to health care while lowering costs, calling it the chamber’s top agenda item for the year. He also said lawmakers will continue addressing housing shortages and rising home energy costs, emphasizing the need for community input as policy decisions move forward.
In the Senate, President Valarie J. Lawson convened the chamber by urging bipartisan cooperation and announcing plans to introduce legislation supporting education, small businesses and the state’s health care system. Stabilizing hospitals and strengthening the primary care workforce were identified as key goals.
Both chambers paused to honor victims of the Dec. 13 shooting at Brown University, passing resolutions recognizing the victims and commending first responders. Lawmakers also observed a moment of silence.
New legislation introduced by Rep. Joseph M. McNamara would require the Department of Education to adopt a zero-tolerance hazing policy in partnership with the Rhode Island Interscholastic League, mandating clear and consistent discipline statewide.
Meanwhile, Reps. David Morales and Jennifer Stewart called on Gov. Dan McKee to fully fund public libraries in the upcoming state budget.
Speaker Shekarchi also announced several committee leadership changes, appointing Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee as chairwoman of the House Judiciary Committee and Rep. Mary Ann Shallcross Smith as chairwoman of the House Small Business Committee.
The week also marked the first Senate session for Sen. Stefano V. Famiglietti, who received committee assignments following his election to fill a vacant seat.
Legislative leaders capped the week by joining faith leaders at the 18th annual Rhode Island Interfaith Poverty Vigil at the State House, calling attention to legislation aimed at reducing poverty statewide.
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Rhode Island
RI Lottery Lucky For Life, Numbers Midday winning numbers for Jan. 8, 2026
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 8, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 8 drawing
05-12-13-39-48, Lucky Ball: 13
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Numbers numbers from Jan. 8 drawing
Midday: 9-9-1-3
Evening: 0-9-6-6
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from Jan. 8 drawing
01-07-12-30-35, Extra: 26
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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