Rhode Island
R.I. attorney general calls for replacing coastal council, citing its handling of golf course seawall – The Boston Globe
“I’m grateful that the Army Corps has stepped up and seen the problem at Quidnessett,” Neronha said. “I will say that our office is looking at that matter very, very closely. And if we need to intervene in any action, or bring an action, then we will do that.”
The country club has filed a petition asking the state Coastal Resources Management Council to change the classification of the waters near the golf course and to thereby provide permission for the seawall after the fact. The council has begun a rule-making process to entertain that proposal.
But Neronha said the council should have dismissed the club’s petition and taken decisive enforcement action.
“To change it to Type 2 waters, which in theory would allow this thing, I mean this is doing legal gymnastics to try to bless an end run around Rhode Island law to the detriment of Rhode Islanders,” he said. “Frankly, it’s outrageous.”
He said voters should be asking their elected leaders where they stand on this issue. “Far too often on issues that really impact Rhode Islanders, leadership in some quarters is far too quiet,” he said.
The country club’s lawyer has told state regulators that the uses of the waters where the wall was built have changed since they were originally designated as so-called Type 1 conservation waters. The club contends the waters should be designated as Type 2, or low-intensity-use, and those types of waters have fewer restrictions.
The Coastal Resources Management Council has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking, gathering public comments and recommendations about the country club’s petition.
But Neronha said, “The answer is not to change the rules after the fact, to try to make legal what is in the first place illegal.”
Rather, he said, “This is the way this should work: They build the wall without permission, they get a notice of violation, they get an order to remove it. If they don’t remove it, the attorney general joins the action, we go to court, we try to get a court order to remove it. If we can’t get the court order to remove it, then we take it to the (Rhode Island) Supreme Court.”
He said the Coastal Resources Management has a track record of ignoring staff recommendations and making these kinds of controversial decisions. For example, he cited a years-long legal battle over a failed proposal to expand a Block Island marina.
“The amount of work that my office spends trying to fix the CRMC’s poor decision making is far too many,” Neronha said.
The long-term solution, he said, is to pass the legislation proposed by Senator Victoria Gu and Representative Terri Cortvriend.
“What that will mean is a professional agency that can do its work without the interference of a council that, frankly, doesn’t know what it’s doing,” he said, “or it is listening to people and voices that frankly, it shouldn’t be listening to.”
Topher Hamblett, executive director of Save the Bay, called for House and Senate leaders to act on those bills in the closing weeks of this year’s legislative session.
“This is about good government in the Ocean State,” Hamblett said. “The CRMC structure needs to go. It is a thick layer of politics that hangs over the professional staff of experts. The council causes delays in permitting and invites abuse. There’s no accountability.”
No one is publicly opposing the legislation that would replace CRMC with an executive branch agency, Hamblett said. But in the State House hallways, he said he hears concerns that the proposal is a “radical reform.”
“To that, I say, ‘The CMC structure itself is radical and it’s bad,’” he said. “Rhode Island is an outlier. The other New England states that have coasts — which is all but one — have coastal management agencies firmly planted in the executive branch.”
Hamblett said he also hears concerns about the cost of the proposal. But he said the costs would essentially be “a wash” because while the proposal calls for hiring a full-time attorney, the council now pays a private law practice. “Our coastal agency is way too important to not have a full-time staff attorney that’s fully dedicated and focused on the business of the agency,” he said.
Cortvriend, a Portsmouth Democrat, said she cannot understand why the Coastal Resources Management Council is not structured like the state Department of Environmental Management, as a regulatory state agency.
“I don’t understand this political process,” she said. “It’s inappropriate and and it’s outdated. And I think it’s really important that we move this bill forward.”
Gu, a Charlestown Democrat, said fishermen and those involved in aquaculture are often on opposite sides of issues but they agreed on the need to change the Coastal Resources Management Council structure.
“They both agree that the current system is not working,” she said. “So I think the question now is: Who is the system working for? I don’t think it’s working for Rhode Islanders, and we need this bill to make sure the CRMC can do its work to serve the people of Rhode Island.”
Edward Fitzpatrick can be reached at edward.fitzpatrick@globe.com. Follow him @FitzProv.
Bravo cameras will be rolling in Rhode Island once again this summer.
The Real Housewives of Rhode Island has officially been renewed for season two—and honestly, it’s no surprise. The newest addition to the Housewives franchise quickly became a fan favorite, thanks to strong ratings and early award buzz.
READ MORE: RHORI Earned Two Critics’ Choice Award Nominations
Still, not everyone may be celebrating this news.
It didn’t take long for viewers to get hooked on the Ocean State edition, especially with the intense drama that unfolded just a few episodes in.
The Infidelity Allegations That Drove the Season
At the center of it all? The allegations of infidelity involving Rulla Nehme Pontarelli’s husband, Brian—a storyline that quickly became the season’s biggest talking point.
The situation even left Rulla questioning her future on the show, saying she would have to “think very long and hard about” returning for another season.
Will Rulla Return for Season 2?
Now that season two is officially happening, the big question is: will Rulla be back?
Fans certainly hope so. Rulla has been one of the most talked-about cast members on social media, and her storyline has driven much of the conversation around the show.
READ MORE: Fans React to First Look at Real Housewives of Rhode Island Cast
As of now, Rulla is expected to return alongside Alicia Carmody, Rosie DiMare, Ashley Iaconetti, Liz McGraw, Kelsey Swanson, and Jo-Ellen Tiberi.
Bravo via Facebook
When and Where Filming Will Begin
If production follows last year’s schedule, filming will likely kick off in mid-June and run through mid-September—once again showcasing Rhode Island at its summer best.
For now, fans seem thrilled. The announcement sparked more than 100 excited comments on Facebook, with viewers eager for more drama, more glamour, and more Ocean State moments.
So don’t be surprised if you spot Bravo cameras popping up around Rhode Island again very soon.
40 Photos Of Real Housewives Of Dallas Stars Home For Sale
Built & owned by actress, celebrity chef & Real Housewife, D’Andra Simmons-this stylish & stunning award winning two story,5 bedroom modern is on a corner lot in prestigious Highland Park and its on sale for $5.2 Million.
Gallery Credit: Christine McKenny, Agent/ Allie Beth Allman & Associates
A Real Housewives Star Just Made $7.7M On Her Ridiculous Colorado Home
Kyle Richards, from the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, just sold this ridiculously gorgeous home in Aspen, Colorado, for $7.7 Million. You’ve gotta see these pix…
Gallery Credit: Aspen MLS
The Gorga’s of The Real Housewives of New Jersey Put Their Jersey House Up For Sale
It has 7 bedrooms 5 bathrooms and a pool but really it will be better if we show you this celebrity home that is up for sale in the Jersey Shore.
Gallery Credit: EeE
A new era for State Troopers in southern RI
Closing the State Police barracks facilities in Wyoming and Wickford marks the end of an era in community policing
Republican candidate for lieutenant governor John Loughlin wants the office to become the Rhode Island inspector general his party has been seeking in vain for years.
Loughlin, a former state representative, said on May 11 that, if elected, he would staff the underutilized office with people who would help him expose “fraud, waste, abuse, and government corruption.”
“Rhode Islanders are sick and tired of watching their tax dollars disappear into a black hole of inefficiency, cronyism, and outright corruption while the General Assembly talks a big game but delivers nothing − year after year after year,” Loughlin said in a news release. “For more than two decades, the legislature has failed to create a true Inspector General with real investigative power. Enough is enough. If they won’t do it, the Lieutenant Governor’s Office will − starting on day one.”
Why turn the lieutenant governor into an inspector general?
The Rhode Island Constitution gives the lieutenant governor little to no authority beyond being available in case the governor is unable to finish their term. That’s prompted some to call it a “do nothing” office and others to propose abolishing it.
“Frankly, the current workload of the office leaves ample time and resources to do far more for taxpayers than ceremonial appearances and ribbon-cuttings,” Loughlin said in his news release. “Rhode Islanders deserve a Lieutenant Governor’s Office that works every day to protect their money and hold government accountable.”
The lieutenant governor’s office has a budget of $1.4 million, which Loughlin said is enough to staff and run an effective investigative team made up of “certified auditors, investigators, and compliance professionals” to review state agency spending and contracts.
He acknowledged that the lieutenant governor does not have subpoena power, but believes that investigations can be completed utilizing public records requests and gathering publicly-available data.
Loughlin, who ended his talk radio show earlier this year when he announced his campaign for governor, said he would communicate his findings through “RI Report” publications, news briefings and podcasts.
He said he would also make the office’s resources available to city and town leaders.
Republicans have been fighting for an inspector general
Rhode Island Republicans have for years promised to lower state spending by rooting out government waste, fraud and abuse. The last GOP Rhode Island governor, Donald Carcieri, launched a “Fiscal Fitness” program that aimed to save money and find efficiencies.
Democrats criticized Carcieri’s tenure for featuring exorbitant privatization and outsourcing.
Since Carcieri, the idea of creating an independent inspector general similar to those in other states has become a holy grail for Rhode Island Republicans, but the Democratic General Assembly has had little interest in it.
“If our office saves just 1% from Rhode Island’s bloated state budget, the savings would return more than ten times the entire cost of the Lieutenant Governor’s Office to taxpayers – and that’s only the beginning,” Loughlin said in the news release.
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 10, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Numbers numbers from May 10 drawing
Midday: 9-9-9-0
Evening: 5-5-0-9
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from May 10 drawing
01-13-14-16-32, Extra: 02
Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 10 drawing
01-03-20-35-46, Bonus: 05
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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