Rhode Island
Matos campaign worker charged with falsifying nomination papers | ABC6
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A campaign worker for Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos was charged with falsifying nomination papers in the official’s failed run for U.S. Congress last year.
A spokesperson for the Office of the Attorney General said 43-year-old Christopher Cotham was charged for his alleged role in the gathering of fraudulent signatures to benefit Matos’s campaign.
In August of last year, the Rhode Island Board of Elections revealed it looked into all 1,285 signatures gathered, approving 726 and disqualifying 559.
The board reported that, among those disqualified, 29 were blank, four were duplicates, 281 of the signatures were unregistered voters, 38 were ineligible, 126 signatures did not match, and 81 were in the wrong district.
Matos maintained that she had collected “more than enough” signatures to be on the ballot for the 1st Congressional District special election.
Representative Gabe Amo went on to win the primary, with Matos receiving just 8% of the vote.
On Monday, Cotham was charged with with two counts of falsely making a nomination paper while knowing it to be falsely made, and two counts of submitting nomination papers to election officials containing information known to be false.
Matos released the following statement regarding the charges:
“It is vital that the people who demeaned Rhode Island’s democratic process are held accountable for their actions. As I’ve said from day one, this is a serious crime that was perpetrated against Rhode Islanders’ confidence in our state’s free and fair elections, and I am more invested than anyone in a thorough and public investigation.
“I’m glad to learn that the Attorney General has taken this important step forward in that process. I will continue to support our justice system in any way I can to ensure the truth comes to light, as well as supporting reforms to the reporting structure to protect our democratic process.”
Officials said a pre-trial conference for Cotham is scheduled for April 11 at 10:30 a.m.
Rhode Island
Jamestown Swarm Chaser has unique talent for catching, moving bees
JAMESTOWN, R.I. (WJAR) — It was just a normal day at a home on Sloop Street in Jamestown until Stephen Santoro happened to glance up.
“I looked up at the peak and saw a very large nest of bees,” Santoro said.
Thousands of them.
“Well, I don’t mind honeybees, but just not that many,” he said.
That’s when he knew he had to call the Jamestown Swarm Chaser, Jim Turenne.
NBC 10’s Patrice Wood reports on the unique talents of the Jamestown Swarm Chaser.
Turenne is a beekeeper and member of the Rhode Island Beekeepers Association.
You can often find Turenne collecting honey at the Godena Farm, Conanicut Island Land Trust.
“They’ve actually been considered to be the most important species on the planet. They pollinate about one-third of the food we eat,” Turenne said.
But when someone needs help, the Swarm Chaser jumps into action, climbing up the side of the house on Sloop Street.
“The swarm basically had moved into the person’s house here,” Turenne said.
Turenne removed those on the outside and another beekeeper cut into the house to get the rest.
“That was one of the biggest clusters I’ve ever seen. That had probably 20,000 to 30,000 bees,” he said.
The homeowner was relieved.
“Oh, I’m extremely grateful,” Santoro said.
Swarm-catching is a unique talent.
Turenne has had 14 swarm rescues so far this year, all volunteer.
Nominate someone in your community volunteering to make our community better by filling out the short nomination form for “Community Treasures”
Rhode Island
Providence mayor, City Council dispute over RENT fund program
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.”
Rhode Island
RI Lottery Mega Millions, Numbers Midday winning numbers for July 14, 2026
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.
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