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RI offers state workers with botched W-2s reimbursement for tax filings

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RI offers state workers with botched W-2s reimbursement for tax filings


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  • Rhode Island is offering state employees up to $200 in reimbursement for costs related to refiling their taxes.
  • The reimbursement follows a series of payroll glitches and botched W-2 forms caused by a new state accounting system.
  • Problems with the new system included underpayments, overpayments, and incorrect employer information on tax documents.

The McKee administration is offering up to $200 to any state employee who incurred any additional expense in filing, and then having to refile, their taxes because of a series of botched paychecks and W-2s.

How did we get here? On April 15, also known as Tax Day, Patrick Crowley, the president of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, called on the McKee administration to reimburse public service workers who had to refile their taxes because of a series of several payroll glitches.

On May 4, Thomas Verdi, the acting director of the Department of Administration, sent state workers a “Dear Colleagues” email that said:

“We recognize that the W-2 corrections released by the state may have resulted in additional tax preparation costs for individuals who had to amend their tax returns.

“To assist with this expense, the state will provide a one-time reimbursement for up to $200 for tax preparation and filing costs an employee incurred to amend a federal and/or state tax return directly related to the W-2Cs issued by the State of Rhode Island.”

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The latest in a litany of financial issues with state’s payroll system

The Department of Administration has not yet responded to Journal inquiries about the projected cost to the state.

But the list of well-publicized problems goes on and on.

They have included underpayments, overpayments, botched W-2s that misidentified their employer as the “Rhode Island Umbrella Company,” and a problem with Health Savings Account contributions where the employer and employee contributions were reported separately, instead of combined and will require new W-2Cs to go out to impacted employees. according to Department of Administration spokeswoman Karen Greco.

And about $220,000 in union dues inadvertently wound up in employee paychecks instead of being withheld from them.

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Most, though not all, of the glitches were attributed to problems with the state’s buggy new $99 million finance and accounting system known as Enterprise Resource Planning, or ERP, which launched in late 2025.

A Department of Administration spokeswoman told The Journal on April 15 that “significant progress has been made to ensure employees who required paycheck corrections are made whole,” but Crowley said his members “shouldn’t pay for mistakes they didn’t make.”

“That is why we are calling on the state of Rhode Island to reimburse state workers who have incurred expenses for refiling their taxes or may have to do so before problems are corrected.”

Olivia DaRocha, a spokeswoman for Gov. Dan McKee, said at that time that the administration was looking at potential ways to support impacted employees.

The email from Verdi to state workers included an “affidavit” for state workers to sign to verify how much, if anything, additional they had to pay to amend their tax returns.

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84-Year-Old Man Found Unresponsive In Water Off Warwick Pronounced Dead At Hospital: Cops

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84-Year-Old Man Found Unresponsive In Water Off Warwick Pronounced Dead At Hospital: Cops


Warwick police officers and firefighters responded to the Masonic Youth Center shortly before 4 p.m “following a report of a male on the beach who was found unresponsive in the water,” the police department said in a media release.

Life saving measures immediately began,” the release said. “The male, 84, was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.”





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RI Lottery Mega Millions, Numbers Midday winning numbers for July 3, 2026

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

Here’s a look at July 3, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from July 3 drawing

05-09-29-47-57, Mega Ball: 16

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Numbers numbers from July 3 drawing

Midday: 2-0-5-4

Evening: 0-8-2-8

Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Wild Money numbers from July 3 drawing

07-09-10-36-37, Extra: 17

Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from July 3 drawing

07-08-24-42-47, Bonus: 03

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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Water worries mount, outdoor water use banned in some parts of RI

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Water worries mount, outdoor water use banned in some parts of RI



The state is in a drought watch for the first time since 2002

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  • Rhode Island’s governor has issued a statewide drought watch due to low precipitation and declining water levels.
  • The state has received 13 inches less precipitation than average over the past year.
  • Officials are urging residents and businesses to conserve water as the state enters the highest-demand season.

Concerns about the supply of fresh water are growing as Governor Dan McKee declared a drought watch on Wednesday and outdoor water use has been banned in some communities.

Westerly announced a ban on Friday, July 3, a few days after bans were implemented for Veolia Rhode Island water customers in South Kingstown and Narragansett.

On Wednesday, July 1, McKee issued a statewide drought watch on the recommendation of the state’s Drought Steering Committee, his office announced. It is the first drought watch for the state since 2002.

The watch followed an advisory last month, his office said. According to McKee’s office, a watch is the second of the following four progressive drought declarations: advisory, watch, warning and emergency.

According to McKee’s office, the committee recommended the watch based on “prolonged precipitation deficits extending back to June 2025, record-breaking low and steadily worsening stream flows, and rapidly declining groundwater levels across the state, with increasing dry conditions heading into the months of highest water demand.”

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Summer brings highest demand for water

McKee said, “While our water supply is designed to withstand some level of drought, Rhode Islanders should be aware of the current conditions. As we head into the summer, which is the highest-demand season for water use, we strongly encourage residents and businesses to implement conservation measures now.”

Meredith Brady, chair of the Drought Steering Committee, said, “Rhode Island has received 13 inches less precipitation over the past 12 months than expected in an average year, which is having a profound impact on our groundwater aquifers.”

She said groundwater reservoir and streamflow patterns are at levels typically seen in August, not June.

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Rhode Island is in its first heat wave of the season and under an extreme heat warning until 8 p.m. July 4. The Providence area had just 2.38 inches of rain in June, well below the normal of 3.81 inches, according to the National Weather Service.

Rain is possible late Sunday into Tuesday

The heat wave should end Sunday, and the region could see some “much needed rain” late Sunday through Tuesday, the weather service said in its forecast discussion.

Westerly enacted an emergency water ban on the use of all residential outdoor water use because of drought conditions and increased water use because of the heat, the town said.

“Prohibited activities include the watering of lawns, filling of pools, and washing of vehicles, homes or decks,” the town said in announcing the ban on Friday, July 3.

The ban is in effect until further notice, the town said.

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Westerly is asking for cooperation but will watch for violators

The town said it’s “asking all residents and visitors for their cooperation in this effort to restore critical water levels within our system.”

But it added that town staff will monitor all parts of town for violations, and those who violate that ban will be subject to penalties and fines.

The Westerly restriction comes three days after a ban was implemented for Veolia Rhode Island water system customers in South Kingstown and Narragansett.

“A mandatory ban is currently in effect on all outdoor water use until further notice,” the water company said. “This watering ban is being enacted in response to current drought conditions in Rhode Island, and to protect our aquifer from depletion. The ban will help ensure sufficient water reserves remain available for fire protection and essential customer needs. We ask our customers to please use water wisely.”

On Thursday, July 2, the day before implementing the ban, Westerly said it had been “aware of some concerns over low water pressure in some areas of town.”

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At that point, it said town officials were “evaluating the potential need to initiate an odd/even water ban.”



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