Rhode Island
More drama at the Rhode Island Junior Amateur quarterfinal match play. Here’s what happened.

PAWTUCKET — The top seed went down Tuesday. The three-time champion followed with an exit on Wednesday.
The drama continues on the boys side at the 105th Rhode Island Junior Amateur, with Ian Dunham providing the highlight in the match play quarterfinals at Pawtucket Country Club.
Dunham stormed from behind on the back nine and edged Max Jackson in 19 holes, a meeting of high school stars who will both continue in college this fall. None of the top four seeds remain entering Thursday morning’s semifinals, which will also feature reigning Interscholastic League champion Rocco Capalbo.
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More: Familiar names near top of leaderboard after Day 1 of Rhode Island Junior Amateur.
“It’s just such a grind to play a guy like that,” Dunham said to the Rhode Island Golf Association. “He hit so many good shots. That last stretch of holes — 14, 15, 16, 17 — I played some of the best golf.”
There will be no introductions necessary in the girls semifinals. Olivia Williams held off Adriana Eaton to capture the Women’s Amateur last summer. Lily Dessel and Claire McTaggart are Barrington High teammates who will now square off as opponents.
“If my wedge game and putting is on, then it should be a good match,” Eaton said. “Just treat it as another round of golf; don’t worry about the opponent and just play me against the course.”
“Try to keep the same mindset for any opponent,” Dessel said. “Play steady, be a tough opponent for them and just have fun with it.”
Jackson, the La Salle Academy star and Rutgers commit, was 3 up through 13 and seemed in control on his home course. Dunham turned the match by rolling in a 25-footer for birdie at the par-4 14th and capped his sudden run by stuffing a 6-iron to within 6 feet at the par-4 17th. Dunham converted on another birdie putt, giving the former Chariho standout and Franklin Pierce commit a 1-up lead.
“I was down most of the day — all through the first nine holes,” Dunham said. “Then on the back, he won 11 and 12. I missed a couple key putts from 5 or 6 feet and I couldn’t get anything going.”
Jackson made birdie on the par-4 18th to extend the match but couldn’t get down for par while replaying the first. Dunham two-putted to punch his ticket for a meeting with Brayden Dickinson, who also made a par at the 19th hole to outlast Eli Hamelsky. Neither player held more than a 1-up lead through the first 18, and Hamelsky made par at the last to force an extra hole.
Capalbo continued what has been a fairly routine week to date by handling Drew MacLeod, 4 and 3. The rising sophomore at Prout has extended his hot form to the summer, losing just one of the 15 holes he played in the quarterfinals. He’ll face Jesse Hellring in the semifinals after the No. 8 seed eliminated Tuesday hero Nick Emery, 6 and 5.
“You always hope the other player plays good,” Capalbo said. “But at the same time, you want them to make mistakes and not you. I think it’s very important.”
“I’m pretty confident,” Hellring said. “I like this course. It’s really a fair course — if you hit it good you’re going to have some chances.”
Eaton and Williams both eased to 5-and-4 wins in their quarterfinals. Eaton built a 5-up lead at the turn while taking out Emma Lockhart. Williams, the two-time defending champion, was 2 up through 11 against Elizabeth Kue before winning her last three holes.
“I’m feeling good after today,” Eaton said. “I like this course. It’s in very good shape and I feel like it’s a good length.”
Dessel won seven of nine holes on the front side to take immediate control against Ava Andoscia, cruising to an 8-and -7 win. McTaggart had to work a little harder against Julia Nault, losing an early 3-up lead before winning the 13th and 17th to secure a 2-and-1 triumph. The pair of Eagles will go out at 7:54 a.m. Thursday, starting eight minutes after the Williams-Eaton match.
“I just went into it trying to play steady,” Dessel said. “That was kind of my goal. That was pretty much what I did.”
Boys championship
Jesse Hellring def. Nick Emery, 6 and 5; Rocco Capalbo def. Drew MacLeod, 4 and 3; Brayden Dickinson def. Eli Hamelsky, 19 holes; Ian Dunham def. Max Jackson, 19 holes.
Girls championship
Olivia Williams def. Elizabeth Kue, 5 and 4; Adriana Eaton def. Emma Lockhart, 5 and 4; Lily Dessel def. Ava Andoscia, 8 and 7; Claire McTaggart def. Julia Nault, 2 and 1.
Boys first division
Connor Ahlborg def. Rich Cavanagh, 3 and 1; Luke Cavanaugh def. Noah Patel, 1 up; Connor Rabbitt def. Nick Adamonis, 2 and 1; Zachary Taraian def. Julien Kocatas, 5 and 4.
Boys 14U
Mitch McTaggart def. Nick Keefe, 7 and 6; Aidan Connell def. Ray Rainville, 2 and 1; Raj Mammen def. Logan Ferreira, 7 and 6; Nico Capalbo def. Kailer Louangxay, 1 up.
bkoch@providencejournal.com
On X: @BillKoch25

Rhode Island
General Assembly Raises Minimum Wage To $16 In 2026, $17 In 2027 – WarwickPost.com

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.
Rhode Island
RI Lottery Mega Millions, Lucky For Life winning numbers for June 17, 2025
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.
Rhode Island
RI Chef Named 2025 James Beard Winner

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
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