STATE HOUSE — The General Assembly today approved legislation introduced by Rep. David A. Bennett and Sen. John Burke that would increase Rhode Island’s minimum wage from $15 to $17 over a two-year period.

The bill (2025-H 5029A, 2025-S 0125A) would increase the minimum wage to $16 on Jan. 1, 2026, and raise it to $17 on Jan. 1, 2027. The measure now moves to the governor’s office.

“Over the past few years we have increased our minimum wage to help offset the rising cost of living, helping our working families support themselves and keeping us competitive with our neighboring states. But it’s important for us to keep that progress going, because the cost of living continues to rise and our minimum wage is not scheduled to increase after this year,” said Representative Bennett (D-Dist. 20, Warwick, Cranston). “This legislation will keep our minimum wage rising in a predictable, stable way that allows Rhode Island’s businesses to comfortably plan for the coming increases, while keeping our commitment to livable wages for our constituents.”

The minimum wage in Rhode Island was last raised to $15 on Jan. 1, 2025. Massachusetts also has a current minimum wage of $15. Connecticut’s minimum wage, which is indexed to increase with inflation, is currently $16.35.

“Thousands of workers across Rhode Island earn less than a livable wage,” said Senator Burke (D-Dist. 9, West Warwick), who chairs the Senate Committee on Labor and Gaming. “Raising the minimum wage regularly, as the General Assembly has been doing, ensures that these workers can meet their basic food, housing and health care needs. It also tends to stimulate the economy by increasing their purchasing power.”

“Regular and affordable increases in the minimum wage are an important component to the Rhode Island economy. They increase economic security for working class Rhode Islanders who depend on wages for housing, health care, and meeting kitchen table requirements while also providing economic predictability for businesses across the Ocean State,” said Patrick Crowley, president of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO.

Representative Bennett, who is chairman of the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee, has been the primary sponsor of every law enacted to raise Rhode Island’s minimum wage since 2012, when minimum wage was $7.40.

Minimum wage in Rhode Island
The minimum wage in Rhode Island was last raised to $15 on Jan. 1, 2025. Massachusetts also has a current minimum wage of $15. Connecticut’s minimum wage, which is indexed to increase with inflation, is currently $16.35.

“Thousands of workers across Rhode Island earn less than a livable wage,” said Senator Burke (D-Dist. 9, West Warwick), who chairs the Senate Committee on Labor and Gaming. “Raising the minimum wage regularly, as the General Assembly has been doing, ensures that these workers can meet their basic food, housing and health care needs. It also tends to stimulate the economy by increasing their purchasing power.”

“Regular and affordable increases in the minimum wage are an important component to the Rhode Island economy. They increase economic security for working class Rhode Islanders who depend on wages for housing, health care, and meeting kitchen table requirements while also providing economic predictability for businesses across the Ocean State,” said Patrick Crowley, president of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO.

Representative Bennett, who is chairman of the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee, has been the primary sponsor of every law enacted to raise Rhode Island’s minimum wage since 2012, when minimum wage was $7.40.

The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at June 17, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from June 17 drawing

16-23-39-46-55, Mega Ball: 12

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from June 17 drawing

04-07-28-36-46, Lucky Ball: 02

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Numbers numbers from June 17 drawing

Midday: 1-9-4-2

Evening: 1-2-3-4

Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Wild Money numbers from June 17 drawing

15-22-28-30-32, Extra: 37

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.

PROVIDENCE, RI — Sky Haneul Kim, of the restaurant Gift Horse in Providence, was honored at Monday’s James Beard Foundation Awards ceremony at the Lyric Opera in Chicago.

The awards, regarded as the Academy Awards of the U.S. restaurant industry, honor excellence across a range of categories, from fine dining to casual gems.

Kim won the award for Best Chef in the Northeast.

Gift Horse is a full-service raw bar and restaurant from chef/owner Benjamin Sukle, of Oberlin, a Providence restaurant that was also named a James Beard finalist. Gift Horse has a “strong focus on local shellfish, seafood, and daily catches from New England waters via raw bar dining in a style distinctive of Chef Sukle’s approach to seasonality, as well as the cultivated relationships he has with farmers and fishermen alike,” according to the restaurant’s website.

2025 is the 35th anniversary of the prestigious culinary awards that recognize eateries and chefs who create exceptional food, food media content, and better food systems, according to the James Beard Foundation. Awards also recognize a demonstrated commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive.

This year in celebration of the pivotal anniversary, the 2025 Restaurant and Chef Awards were presented across 25 categories, with an expanded focus on beverages, introducing three new categories: Best New Bar, Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service, and Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service.

Other categories include outstanding restaurateur, outstanding chef, outstanding restaurant, emerging chef, best new restaurant, outstanding bakery, outstanding pastry chef or baker, outstanding hospitality, outstanding wine and other beverages program, outstanding bar and best chef.

Other Rhode Island restaurants and chefs were named semifinalists earlier this year were:

Outstanding Hospitality

• Robert Andreozzi, Pizza Marvin, Providence
• Subat Dilmurat, Jahunger, Providence
• Nick Rabar, Honeybird Kitchen & Cocktails, East Providence

Those from Rhode Island nominated as finalists included:

Outstanding Restaurant

Emerging Chef

• Nikhil Naiker, NIMKI, Providence

Best Chef (Northeast)

• Derek Wagner, Nicks on Broadway, Providence