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R.I. Senate confirms former majority leader McCaffrey as state judge – The Boston Globe

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R.I. Senate confirms former majority leader McCaffrey as state judge – The Boston Globe


Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Mathew L. LaMountain, a Warwick Democrat, spoke in support of McCaffrey’s nomination.

“Mr. McCaffrey possesses the experience, the temperament, and the devotion to public service that we seek in our judges,” LaMountain said. “Over the course of his time in the General Assembly, I believe he did more to advance criminal justice reform in the state of Rhode Island than any other single individual who has ever served in these halls.”

Senator Jake Bissaillon, a Providence Democrat and former Senate chief of staff, seconded McCaffrey’s nomination, emphasizing that he spent the bulk of his career as an attorney practicing in District Court. “Despite rumors and innuendo, Michael’s experience most directly aligns with the needs of our justice system in Rhode Island’s District Court,” he said.

Bissaillon said that when McCaffrey chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee, he played a key role in creating a veterans treatment court, which connects veterans facing criminal charges with counseling and treatment. And as majority leader, McCaffrey was instrumental in establishing and funding the District Court’s mental health calendar, he said.

“ In between 2011 and 2022, Michael’s work on criminal justice reform was second to none in his chamber,” Bissaillon said.

Senator Dawn Euer, a Newport Democrat, voted against McCaffrey’s nomination, saying his appointment was “a return to politics as usual, where connections matter more than merit and transparency.”

“Unfortunately, his appointment underscores a hard truth: historic efforts to create a merit-based judicial selection system are failing,” she said.

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Euer emphasized that state courts wield immense power over daily life, deciding who stays housed through eviction calendars, who is protected through restraining orders, and who can vote.

“The integrity and independence of those courts cannot be treated as a political afterthought, and appointments should not be treated as a political bargaining chip,” she said. “As we face attacks on rule of law, democracy, and civil rights at the federal level, our state courts will be the frontlines protecting Rhode Islanders.”

Senator Samuel W. Bell, a Providence Democrat, voted for McCaffrey’s nomination although he had voted against McCaffrey as a Senate leader in the past because of his conservative views on abortion, LGBTQ rights, and guns.

Bell suggested that McCaffrey’s views on those issues have evolved over time, and he said, “There are two areas where he has always had solid progressive views, even when the rest of his views were much more conservative, and those just happen to be criminal justice and civil law.”

Bell said many of his constituents are concerned McCaffrey could some day become a Rhode Island Supreme Court justice. “It was very important to my constituents that when we get a Supreme Court nominee, they not only be willing to express support for LGBTQ rights and abortion rights, but actually be willing to demonstrate (that support).”

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Besides Euer, those voting against McCaffrey were Democratic Senators Jonathon Acosta of Central Falls, Meghan E. Kallman of Pawtucket, Tiara T. Mack of Providence, Linda L. Ujifusa of Portsmouth, Bridget Valverde of North Kingstown, Lammis J. Vargas of Cranston, and Samuel D. Zurier of Providence.

Senator Walter S. Felag Jr., a Warren Democrat, recused himself from the vote because McCaffrey has represented him as an attorney. Senators Ryan W. Pearson, a Cumberland Democrat, and Senator Victoria Gu, a Westerly Democrat, were not present for the vote.

On Jan. 28, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 13 to 1 to recommend McCaffrey’s confirmation, with Euer casting the lone “no” vote.

In 2022, McCaffrey announced he would not seek reelection after 28 years in the Senate. At the time, he was seen as a potential successor to then-Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio, who died in April.

McCaffrey served as Senate Judiciary Committee chairman before becoming Senate majority leader. He has been a practicing lawyer since 1989 and is now a partner in the McCaffrey & McCaffrey law firm in Warwick.

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By a vote of 35 to 1, the Senate also confirmed Shannon G. Signore for the state Superior Court seat left vacant by the retirement of Judge Daniel A. Procaccini. Senator Tiara Mack, a Providence Democrat, cast the lone “no” vote.

Signore has worked in the state attorney general’s office since 2002, and is now an assistant attorney general in the Special Victims Unit. She was a 2016 Beau Biden Foundation Fellow, and was recognized with the Crime Victim Service Award in 2019.

By a vote of 36 to 0, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Family Court Magistrate Alberto Aponte Cardona Sr. for the Family Court judgeship left vacant by the retirement of Judge Patricia K. Asquith.

Cardona was the first Latino appointed to the Family Court bench in 2019, and previously served as commissioner of the Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights. He was an associate justice in the Central Falls Municipal Court.

By a vote of 35 to 1, the Senate also confirmed the nomination of Family Court Magistrate Andrea Iannazzi for the Family Court judgeship left vacant by the retirement of Judge Debra E. DiSegna. Senator Samuel W. Bell, a Providence Democrat, cast the lone “no” vote.

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Iannazzi has been presiding over domestic, child welfare, juvenile justice, and child support cases. She previously worked as a staff lawyer and mediator in the Rhode Island Family Court system, and served on the Cranston School Committee for a decade. She was deputy executive counsel to former governor Gina M. Raimondo.


Edward Fitzpatrick can be reached at edward.fitzpatrick@globe.com. Follow him @FitzProv.





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A 1788 Rhode Island home that houses the ‘oldest gingerbread ovens in America’ for $754k

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A 1788 Rhode Island home that houses the ‘oldest gingerbread ovens in America’ for 4k


Real Estate

In the basement, Stephen “Baker” Greene created his beloved gingerbread that, in the 1800s, earned him acclaim throughout South County, Rhode Island.

1724 South Road. courtesy

From the wide-plank floors to the five fireplaces, 1724 South Road in Kingston is steeped in history. But the biggest clue of its storied past lies in its basement. 

There, you’ll find the oldest gingerbread ovens in America, where Stephen “Baker” Greene created his beloved gingerbread that, in the 1800s, earned him acclaim throughout South County, Rhode Island, historic documents confirm.

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‘Baker’ Greene’s gingerbread oven. – courtesy

The 1,803-square-foot home dates back to 1788 and is currently listed for $754,000, is a three-bed, one-and-a-half bath home, dubbed the “Gem at Little Rest.” (Little Rest is the original name for the town of Kingston.)

“When we bought it, it was in bad shape. There was wallpaper peeling off the walls. Plaster was coming down, but the structure itself was in good shape,” said owner Chris England, who has lived in the home for 13 years with his wife, Emily, and their four children.

Pull through the old horse gate onto the property that’s surrounded by 18th-century stone walls. Stroll the walkway up to the back foyer, which was originally the back porch of the house back in the 1700s. It features slate floors and wood walls. You’ll find the downstairs bedroom with an outside entrance, which was added in the 1930s as a garage for a Model T, and is now ideal as an in-law space or guest room.

The first-floor bedroom. – courtesy

Follow a narrow hallway, and on your right, you’ll find the library, where a giant working fireplace and a small beehive oven are tucked within the inglenook under a built-in bookshelf mantlepiece made of hand-planed wood.

The library. – courtesy

Keep going straight to the kitchen, where the countertops are made of the original wide pumpkin pine boards used by Baker Greene to bake his gingerbread. A stove is tucked away in a small, separate nook, and there’s a center island that sits under a chandelier. The cabinets are pumpkin pine wood, adorned with iron hinges. Back in the hallway, you’ll find a powder room on the left, which has a stacked washer and dryer that’s included in the sale of the home. 

In the dining room, a wall of curved multi-paned windows streams in natural light. The black oak floors are illuminated by sconces, and a large working fireplace creates a centerpiece that reminds us why the space is meant for conversation. The front foyer, which is completely original, features a stairway, as well as the entrance to the original basement that’s the size of the entire house. In addition to the gingerbread oven, there’s a fireplace in the basement that’s almost seven feet wide, which was used to heat the entire house throughout the winter. 

The dining room. – courtesy

Back on the main floor, the living room features the original 18th-century raised panel fireplace wall. Everything there is also “largely original,” said England. The space overlooks the front of the house, which looks out onto South Road.

The living room. – courtesy

Upstairs, you’ll find two bedrooms. The first is the primary, a strong remnant of its time with low, sloping ceilings and wide-plank floors. It features a fireplace, two closets, and storage spaces. The second bedroom overlooks the natural wooded setting, and the upstairs bathroom features a full bathtub with a shower. 

The front foyer. – courtesy
The primary bedroom. – courtesy
The primary bedroom. – courtesy

Outside the home, the right side of the house has been cleared for a dye garden, which was traditionally used to grow plants and herbs used to dye wool. The back of the house is surrounded by woods and welcomes wildlife ranging from deer and foxes to owls and turkeys. On the left of the house, a rolling lawn space is a peaceful setting. 

The carriage house, which functions as a separate two-car garage, also has a heated office space.

The backside of the house. – courtesy
The carriage house. – courtesy

“It’s largely original, but the electric, plumbing, and major systems have been updated,” England said of the home, which is currently listed by Edward H. Berube of FLAGSHIP Real Estate Advisors and FORBES Global Properties. 

As for England and his wife, they’re taking off for sunnier pastures: They’re leaving for their condo in Honolulu, where their youngest son is currently in college.


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Megan Johnson

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Megan Johnson is a Boston-based writer and reporter whose work appears in People, Architectural Digest, The Boston Globe, and more.





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Fire at home in West Warwick

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Fire at home in West Warwick


A home caught fire in West Warwick Sunday evening.

The West Warwick Fire Department said that the fire was so intense it required three alarms to be struck.

The house partially collapsed but there were no injuries.

NBC 10 News crews on Epworth Avenue saw flames coming from the roof and a first story window of the home as firefighters responded.

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The cause of the fire was under investigation.



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RI Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life winning numbers for Feb. 7, 2026

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

Here’s a look at Feb. 7, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Feb. 7 drawing

25-36-42-51-58, Powerball: 06, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Feb. 7 drawing

08-30-31-37-38, Lucky Ball: 05

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Numbers numbers from Feb. 7 drawing

Midday: 2-4-9-5

Evening: 3-8-1-3

Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Wild Money numbers from Feb. 7 drawing

10-13-20-27-29, Extra: 26

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.



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