Rhode Island

Rhode Island’s former US attorney has a new job in private practice – The Boston Globe

Published

1 year ago

March 3, 2025

Rhode Island’s former US attorney has a new job in private practice – The Boston Globe

PROVIDENCE — Rhode Island’s former US attorney, who recently resigned at President Trump’s behest, has a new job.

Zachary Cunha joined the Providence office of prominent Boston-based law firm Nixon Peabody as a partner Monday, where he will focus on government investigations and white-collar defense.

Cunha, who was a federal prosecutor for 20 years, told the Globe he will be “representing individuals and companies who are either being investigated by government entities or facing complex litigation.”

He will work on both criminal and civil cases, he said. The cases may involve the Department of Justice, though he cannot take cases he personally worked on while he was US attorney.

“I think there are a lot of similarities in terms of trying to make sure that companies and individuals don’t find themselves at the crosshairs of government enforcement,” Cunha said of his transition from prosecutor to defense attorney.

Cunha confirmed the job at the law firm was in the works before he was directed to resign as US attorney for Rhode Island on Feb. 17. He was expecting to lose his job, as is customary when a new president takes office, and had already submitted a letter of resignation that would have taken effect days later.

“All of the remaining Biden-appointed US attorneys were informed by the White House that their service had come to a close,” Cunha said.

Cunha said he chose Nixon Peabody because a number of colleagues he worked with at the DOJ are now there, including Brian Kelly, a former Massachusetts federal prosecutor who tried the Whitey Bulger case.

As US attorney, Cunha sued CVS for allegedly contributing to the opioid crisis, accused R.I. leaders of warehousing children in state care at a psychiatric hospital, and prosecuted criminals who brought illegal guns into the community.

“You always wish you had time for more, but I’m proud not just of what the office has done, but where the office is and the fact that I’ve had the opportunity to bring on board some really terrific members of the staff,” Cunha said in a January interview with the Globe.

Trump has not yet named a replacement for Cunha. Sara Bloom, who was Cunha’s first assistant, is acting US attorney in the interim.

“Sara is a tremendously capable and talented career DOJ attorney,” Cunha said. “She’s eminently capable of running the office at the highest possible standard.”

Cunha declined to say if he’s considering running for R.I. attorney general next year, an idea that has been repeatedly floated by the current Attorney General Peter Neronha, a former US attorney himself, who is term-limited.

“My focus right now is on navigating this transition to private practice,” Cunha said. “As for the future, we’ll see what happens.”

Steph Machado can be reached at steph.machado@globe.com. Follow her @StephMachado.

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Rhode Island

Wondering how your pay stacks up to others in RI? See the data.

Published

11 hours ago

March 30, 2026

Press Room

Wondering how your pay stacks up to others in RI? See the data.

Rhode Island residents earn more money per hour, on average, than workers in most other states, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The agency released state-by-state figures for average hourly earnings, along with average weekly pay and hours worked, for December 2025, showing an overall increase in New England from earlier in the year.

In general, New England states had higher wages than those in the central U.S. and the South. But the state where people make the most per hour isn’t in New England.

Here are the average hourly earnings for Rhode Island residents and how they compare to other states.

What is the average hourly pay in Rhode Island?

On average, Ocean Staters earn $37.89 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This figure, which is not seasonally adjusted, is up from $36.38 in June 2025.

That translates to an average weekly pay of $1,269.32, compared with $1,229.64 in June 2025.

Rhode Island ranks 12th among states – and 13th overall when Washington, D.C. is included – for average hourly pay.

How many hours per week do people in Rhode Island work?

On average, Rhode Island residents work 33.5 hours per week, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is down slightly from 33.8 hours in June 2025.

How does Rhode Island compare to other New England states?

Rhode Island is the third-highest-earning state in New England. Here’s what the other states earn, as of December 2025:

Massachusetts: $42.90 (Up $0.90 from $42.00 in June 2025)
Connecticut: $39.97 (Up $0.99 from $38.98 in June 2025)
Rhode Island: $37.89 (Up $1.51 from $36.38 in June 2025)
New Hampshire: $35.73 (Up $0.55 from $35.18 in June 2025)
Vermont: $35.76 (Up $0.97 from $34.79 in June 2025)
Maine: $33.34 (Up $0.91 from $32.43 in June 2025)

Where do people earn the most per hour?

Employees in the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., earn the most money with an average hourly pay of $57.10 per hour. This is $19.21 per hour more than what workers in Rhode Island make.

The state with the second-highest hourly earnings is Washington, on the West Coast, with $43.53. This is $5.64 per hour more than what workers in Rhode Island make.

What state earns the least per hour?

Mississippi lands in last place for earnings per hour. Average hourly earnings in this southern state are $27.91.

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Rhode Island

This RI Garden Transforms Into a Fairy Wonderland

Published

24 hours ago

March 30, 2026

Press Room

This RI Garden Transforms Into a Fairy Wonderland

It’s New England’s largest indoor public garden and this spring it’ll once again be teeming with fairies.

The Fairy Garden Days return to the Roger Williams Park Botanical Garden this April with hundreds of handmade fairy houses hidden throughout the Garden’s four greenhouses, plus special events and activities planned for kids every day.

Running from April 11-26, 2026, it’s a great day trip during school’s upcoming April vacation or a wonderful weekend adventure to enjoy an early taste of spring.

What Is Fairy Garden Days in Rhode Island?

This annual event has been one of my favorites since my daughters were babies—and we still go back every year.

What Kids Can Do at Fairy Garden Days

Though if your young ones lose interest in the fairy gardens before you do, there are plenty of activities around the greenhouses too. Kids can get hands on at the texture table, create their own wand, pen letters to the fairies or write out wishes, which get released every Thursdays.

Don’t Miss These Outdoor Garden Attractions

Outside the greenhouses are a Japanese-style trail to wander, a rose maze to make your way through and an outdoor play area where the kids can let their imaginations run wild.

Meet the Goats Behind the Garden’s Cleanup Crew

Definitely don’t forget to stop by the goat house between greenhouses 1 and 2 to say hi to the three Nigerian Dwarf goats calling the Botanical Garden home. These three are an invasive plant removal team, helping to naturally rid the Garden grounds of unwanted plants.

The goats will also celebrate their 9th birthdays during Fairy Garden Days, with a special celebration planned for them on Sunday, April 12 from 1:30 – 3 p.m. Just one of the many special events planned throughout the Fairy Garden Days from April 11-26.

Special Events Happening During Fairy Garden Days

Various fairy visits and story times are planned over the two-week event, with face painting each Tuesday and Saturday and bubble shows every Friday. There will also be an animal encounter with Roger Williams Park Zoo on April 11, Greenhouse Jazz on Sunday, April 19, and a performance from the Toe Jam Puppet Band on closing day, April 26.

10 Beautiful Botanical Gardens Across the SouthCoast

When the season is right, there are several spectacular gardens around the SouthCoast that are blooming with rows and rows of beautiful flowers. Here are some of the most popular places to tiptoe through the tulips and so much more.

Gallery Credit: Nancy Hall

See Inside Gorgeous Gardens Hidden Away in Little Compton

For nearly 50 years the grounds of Sakonnet Garden have been growing in what might be the most private garden along the coast.

On certain days, at certain times you can make a reservation to walk among the hundreds of flowers and plants growing in hidden “rooms” on the grounds, or take a sneak peek right now.

Gallery Credit: Nancy Hall

Explore Peaceful Gardens and Towering Cliffs at Immersive Monet

Claude Monet created thousands of works of art over his decades as an artist. He traveled through Europe capturing gardens ,waterways, cathedrals and more. Now you can walk through the world Monet did and experience his artwork in a whole new way at Immersive Monet coming to Boston.

Here’s a taste of the artwork you could be surrounding yourself in.

Gallery Credit: Nancy Hall

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Rhode Island

401Gives Starts Tuesday!

Published

1 day ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

This is a big year for us – hiring a full-time reporter – and we need your help This week, East Greenwich News will participate in the 401Gives – an annual fundraiser organized by the United Way of Rhode Island to support nonprofits across the state. This year, 401Gives will run for two days, from […]

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