Rhode Island

LEOBOR reform is long overdue. Why the General Assembly needs to act | Opinion

Published

2 years ago

January 13, 2024

LEOBOR reform is long overdue. Why the General Assembly needs to act | Opinion

Andrew Dunphy
| Guest columnist

Andrew Dunphy is a retired federal agent and a second-year law student at Roger Williams University School of Law. He is a fellow with the American Bar Association Police Practices Consortium.

Two recent cases involving police officers should cause state legislators to question whether the Rhode Island Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights adequately serves its citizens. LEOBOR affords protections to officers accused of misconduct on duty, and at least 20 other states have versions of it.

The Rhode Island LEOBOR, among other provisions, limits how police misconduct information can be shared with the public and affords officers a hearing before a panel of active or retired police officers before any discipline greater than a two-day unpaid suspension can be imposed. Proponents view LEOBOR as necessary because of the stressful, split-second decisions officers are forced to make and the high stakes of those decisions. Critics say it shields police from accountability, protects them from meaningful discipline and places unnecessary restrictions on release of public information. Two recent Rhode Island cases exemplify their concerns.

More: Ex-RI state cop sues, saying he was wrongly fired amid mental-health crisis. What to know.

In 2018, a Woonsocket police officer was charged in Massachusetts with breaking and entering and assault with a dangerous weapon. In Massachusetts court, the officer admitted to the facts underlying those offenses. The court continued his case for a year, after which it agreed to drop the charges. Soon after the officer made his admissions in court, the City of Woonsocket terminated him. He appealed the termination, the panel of active and retired police officers sided with him, and a Rhode Island court found that Woonsocket violated the LEOBOR. In November 2023, the Woonsocket City Council agreed to pay the officer $500,000 to settle his legal claims against the city.

In 2021, an off-duty Pawtucket officer in his personal vehicle saw a teen speeding and followed him into a parking lot to have a “fatherly chat.” Not in uniform, the officer approached the vehicle with his weapon drawn. Afraid of an unknown man approaching with a gun, the teen backed away and allegedly bumped the officer with his car. The officer fired his weapon and struck the teen in the shoulder. Charged with assault with a deadly weapon, the officer testified during his trial that he fired in self-defense, and he was acquitted. Assistant Attorney General John Corrigan said the officer “was lying through his teeth” when he said he shot in self-defense.

In November 2023, the officer resigned from the Pawtucket Police Department as part of a negotiated settlement after the city paid him nearly $124,000. Acknowledging how unfair the decision appeared, Mayor Donald G. Grebien lamented that “going to LEOBOR” would likely have cost the city substantially more.

More: Providence police officer Lugo to keep his job despite efforts to terminate him

A number of other states are wrestling with the efficacy of LEOBOR laws. In 2021, Maryland became the first state to repeal its LEOBOR statute. Amid promises of LEOBOR reform, a proposal wound its way through the Rhode Island General Assembly early in 2023. Thought sensible reform by many, the bill nevertheless died in the House in June.

Law enforcement officers across the country serve honorably every day in an often dangerous and unpredictable environment. Mistakes can occur, and well-intentioned officers deserve protection. However, those who engage in criminal behavior are a blight on the profession and a danger to society. When LEOBOR protects them instead of holding them accountable, it has failed.

It’s time for the General Assembly to stop talking about LEOBOR reform and instead act on it.

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Rhode Island

50 kids who’ve survived cancer to walk the runway at annual RI gala

Published

3 hours ago

May 2, 2026

Press Room

50 kids who’ve survived cancer to walk the runway at annual RI gala

Next month, 50 kids from across New England will be dressed in their best as they walk the runway at this year’s Glimmer Gala.

It’s an evening for childhood cancer survivors to feel like celebrities.

“For them, not only do they get to feel like a normal kid doing a normal activity, but they get to feel larger than life,” said Alison Hornung, founder and CEO of the Glimmer of Hope Foundation. “I hear the kids go into their classrooms after and say, ‘I got to walk the runway show and I got to do a photo shoot.’”

Breanna Marie

That photo shoot and shopping spree are something each child, like 6-year-old Bella Berg from Lexington, gets to take part in.

“For everything that they go through and that loss of identity, it really makes them feel like they’re beautiful and strong, inside and outside,” Hornung said.

The Glimmer of Hope Foundation started six years ago. It brings hope to families whose children are battling cancer. This year’s gala is expected to be their biggest yet, with at least 500 people expected to attend.

The goal is to give the kids confidence and make them feel special.

“They get to be alongside kids that are going through the same thing as them, so they don’t feel different,” said Hornung. “They just feel seen and understood.”

The Glimmer Gala takes place Saturday June 13 at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Click here for more.

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Rhode Island

RI Lottery Mega Millions, Numbers Midday winning numbers for May 1, 2026

Published

15 hours ago

May 2, 2026

Press Room

The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at May 1, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 1 drawing

16-21-27-41-61, Mega Ball: 24

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Numbers numbers from May 1 drawing

Midday: 5-4-5-8

Evening: 5-1-7-5

Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Wild Money numbers from May 1 drawing

08-09-17-31-33, Extra: 15

Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 1 drawing

17-24-26-28-55, 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.

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Rhode Island

Real Housewives of Rhode Island midseason preview gets even juicier

Published

1 day ago

May 1, 2026

Press Room

Real Housewives of Rhode Island midseason preview gets even juicier

On Friday, May 1, Bravo posted a mid-season preview to YouTube, giving fans a glimpse at the drama still to come during the franchise’s first season in the Ocean State.

Enjoying “The Real Housewives of Rhode Island” so far? Buckle up – it’s about to get even juicier.

On Friday, May 1, Bravo posted a mid-season preview to YouTube, giving fans a glimpse at the drama still to come during the franchise’s first season in the Ocean State. As expected, the season will continue to follow major developing plotlines, including the fallout from Rulla Pontarelli’s reported husband’s affair and the strained relationship between Rosie DiMare and Kelsey Swanson.

However, the trailer also hints that the season will take some unexpected twists and turns, with new arguments rising between friendly cast members and personal issues coming to a head for many of the women.

Here’s a sneak peek at the rest of Season 1 of “The Real Housewives of Rhode Island.”

What happened in ‘The Real Housewives of Rhode Island’ mid-season preview?

According to the mid-season preview, the rest of “The Real Housewives of Rhode Island” Season 1 will include many more fights between the cast members. Swanson and DiMare’s screaming matches will continue, with the trailer showing DiMare telling Swanson “Everyone in f***ing Rhode Island knows you f*** married men.”

Surprisingly, disagreements will also rise between LizMcGraw and Alicia Carmody, as well as McGraw and Jo-Ellen Tiberi. McGraw is shown telling Tiberi to get out of her face, with Tiberi storming after her yelling “what did I do?”

Meanwhile, Ashley Iaconetti will continue to struggle under the financial and emotional burden of Audrey’s, with her and husband Jared Haibon discussing their decision to renew the lease or not. After her breakup, Swanson will have to decide if her new man is worth giving up her financial comfort, while Tiberi will finally have a tough conversation with her mother.

As for Pontarelli, it seems that Tiberi will make good on her episode five promise of finding concrete proof of Brian Pontarelli’s reported affair, with multiple housewives discussing video proof in the trailer. After Pontarelli reveals to the group that Brian was arrested for tracking her, the trailer ends with the question looming over everyone’s heads: “Rulla, what are you gonna do?”.