Rhode Island
RI becomes first state to establish grocery self-checkout limits
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Rhode Island is now the first state in the country to implement self-checkout lane restrictions at grocery stores.
Gov. Dan McKee joined local workers and leaders in Providence Thursday to publicly sign the Restrictions on “Self-Service Checkout Stations Act” into law. It initially passed in the Senate last month, but a revised version was sent back by the House on June 10. The Senate passed the amended bill the next day, advancing it to McKee’s desk.
“Today, we’re protecting jobs and strengthening customer service,” McKee said. “Whether it’s helping a customer with an issue, assisting a senior, or ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities, this law is about preserving choice and keeping people at the center of the shopping experience.”
Under the new legislation, all grocery stores in the state will be required to have one manually staffed cashier lane for every three self-checkout stations. It also limits the tasks a worker can be assigned, stating that their employer must relieve them of all other duties — including running a manual lane — while monitoring self-checkout stations. Additionally, one manual cashier lane must always be open in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Grocery stores that violate the law can be fined based on the wages for one full shift at the highest hourly pay rate, up to $1,000 per day. If a store continues not to comply after being notified of a violation, it may face more penalties under the state consumer protection laws.
Employees and consumers are entitled to file complaints with the R.I. Department of Labor & Training without fear of retaliation if they notice a store is out of compliance, according to the legislation.
Senate President Valarie Lawson said she introduced the bill out of concern for cashier workers, as well as customers who might struggle with “frustrating” self-checkout experiences.
“We’ve all experienced an issue using a self-service checkout and had to wait for an overtaxed employee to come over to resolve it, an experience that can be far more challenging for elderly members of the community,” Lawson said. “This bill would provide options for the consumer by making sure staffed checkout lanes are always available while also improving the store environment for workers and consumers.”
Last week, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) and UFCW Local 328 released statements celebrating the bill’s passage, calling it a major win for workers and shoppers.
“UFCW Local 328 members in the grocery industry are often overburdened, having to monitor too many self-checkouts while shoppers face delays,” UFCW Local 328 Secretary-Treasurer Domenic Pontarelli said. “Staffing ratios fix this issue for all parties.”
“This technology has always been a raw deal for shoppers and workers, shifting the labor onto customers while taking hours away from workers,” UFCW International Vice President Ademola Oyefeso added. “We applaud the Rhode Island legislature for passing this bill, making it easier and faster for families to put food on the table, and we look forward to Governor McKee’s signature.”
Meanwhile, Scott Bromberg, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Food Dealers Association, expressed strong disdain for the measure, arguing that it puts traditional grocery stores at a “competitive disadvantage.”
“On behalf of the grocery industry, RIFDA has been vehemently opposed to self-checkout legislation,” Bromberg said in a statement to 12 News. “Our industry is being unfairly targeted, when checkout automation has spread to all retail environments including hardware stores, mass merchants, dollar stores, pharmacies, and even fast-food chains.”
Bromberg also said the bill will only make it more difficult for Rhode Island grocery stores to operate “as they see fit,” noting that it could lead to longer lines and higher prices.
“Grocery retailers run at razor thin margins and need flexibility to effectively and efficiently operate their stores, offer competitive prices, and provide great customer service,” he continued.
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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.”
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.
Lixeandro Andrade, 28, and Zahir Fortes, 19, were both arrested Monday on charges of carrying a pistol or firearm without a license and large capacity feeding devices prohibited, the state police said in a media release.
Andrade and Fortes were processed at the Lincoln Woods Barracks and arraigned, according to the release.
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