Rhode Island

Senate Leaders join call for State of Emergency to assist those experiencing homelessness

Published

1 year ago

January 13, 2025

Senate Leaders join call for State of Emergency to assist those experiencing homelessness

From a Rhode Island Senate press release:

President of the Senate Dominick Ruggerio, Majority Leader Valarie Lawson, and Majority Whip David Tikoian today joined many of their colleagues in calling on Governor Daniel McKee to declare a State of Emergency to assist in addressing the State’s homelessness crisis.

They have also asked Housing and Municipal Government Chair Jacob Bissaillon and Government Oversight Committee Chair Mark McKenney to schedule a joint hearing on Tuesday, January 21, to review the State’s plan to address homelessness.

“A State of Emergency will grant the Governor the tools he needs to take immediate action to secure shelter for individuals throughout Rhode Island and overcome any further bureaucratic delays in the opening of Echo Village,” said Senate leadership. “Declaring a State of Emergency would empower the Governor to work across and through State agencies to mobilize resources, streamline solutions, and provide immediate relief to the growing number of individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The declaration will also serve as an important tool in overcoming any last-minute bureaucratic barriers and challenges to opening Echo Village and bringing its additional pallet shelters online during the winter months.”

Senate leadership noted that a State of Emergency would enable temporary exemptions to the fire code, for example. It encouraged the Governor to post a 24-hour fire detail at Echo Village until the fire suppression system is operational. The Senate leadership is encouraging expediting necessary inspections and working with RIPTA (Rhode Island Public Transit Authority) to provide fee-free transportation to shelters where beds are available.

Referring to a letter calling on the Governor to declare a public health emergency to address homelessness, which was signed by many members of the Chamber last week, Senate leadership said, “While we do not agree with all the language of the letter, we support our colleagues’ call for a State of Emergency. We look forward to working collaboratively with Governor McKee to support him in any way we can to get people off the streets and into shelters.”

Senator Bissaillon, whose District includes the Echo Village shelter, and Chairman McKenney joined the three Senate leaders calling on the Governor to declare a State of Emergency. They have scheduled a joint hearing of the Senate Committee on Housing and Municipal Government and the Senate Committee on Rules, Government Ethics, and Oversight for Tuesday, January 21, at 2 pm in Room 313. The agenda will focus on three topics:

The Department of Housing’s preparedness and response to homelessness;
the proposed reorganization of the Department of Housing; and,
the status of Echo Village.

In addition to the senators who signed a letter last week calling on Governor McKee to declare a State of Emergency, other senators joining in the leadership’s call to action include:

Senator Peter Appollonio Jr.
Senator Samuel Bell
Senator Jacob Bissaillon
Senator Robert Britto
Senator John Burke
Senator Frank Ciccone, III
Senator Andrew Dimitri
Senator Louis DiPalma
Senator Walter Felag, Jr.
Senator Hanna Gallo
Senator Victoria Gu
Senator Matthew LaMountain
Senator Mark McKenney
Senator Melissa Murray
Senator Todd Patalano
Senator Leonidas Raptakis
Senator Susan Sosnowski
Senator Brian Thompson
Senator Lori Urso
Senator Lammis Vargas
Senator Samuel Zurier

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Rhode Island

Weather Now: Showers, T’storm Today

Published

9 hours ago

May 14, 2026

Press Room

Good morning! Happy Thursday! Today will be pretty unsettled with the chance for showers and t’storms. Friday will still be damp with showers and drizzle, but the weekend still looks amazing!

The one good thing with the rain, for allergy sufferers at least, the pollen levels will be lower. In fact, both today and tomorrow, the tree pollen counts will be low locally. Do expect a spike in the pollen count for Saturday and Sunday with the dry weather.

INTERACTIVE RADAR: Live Pinpoint Weather 12 Radar »

“https://www.wpri.com/weather-now/weather-now-for-thu-5-14-26/” FLIGHT TRACKER

“https://www.wpri.com/weather-now/weather-now-for-thu-5-14-26/” POWER OUTAGES

TODAY

Hour-by-hour forecast for today…

Hour by Hour // A close look at the upcoming conditions »

We’ll have some showers around during the morning commute today, but the greatest chance for showers and t’storms will be after 9AM and before 5PM.

Showers and thunderstorms could slow travel around mid-day. Rain could fall heavily at times.

A line of showers and t’storms will be sweeping across the area through the afternoon as a slow-moving weather systems moves through the region.

Highs today will be in the upper 50s to lower 60s with southeast to east winds of 5-15mph.

“https://www.wpri.com/weather-now/weather-now-for-thu-5-14-26/” BEACH AND BOATING FORECASTS

TONIGHT

Showers are still possible this evening; although they won’t be as numerous.

TOMORROW

That low center will be nearby Friday morning, and we’ll be stuck with a damp, cool windflow. Expect drizzle and showers in the morning and possibly some lingering showers in the afternoon.

Highs Friday will only be in the 50s. The average high this time of year is in the upper 60s.

LOOKING AHEAD

Then…there’s the weekend. Saturday looks amazing with lots of sunshine and dry weather. It’ll be warmer, too, with highs in the 70s.

-Meteorologist T.J. Del Santo

T.J. Del Santo (tdelsanto@wpri.com) is the weekday morning and noon meteorologist for 12 News. Connect with him on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram and Threads and BlueSky.

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Rhode Island

Rhode Island Department of Health issues overdose alert for Johnston, North Providence

Published

21 hours ago

May 13, 2026

Press Room

Rhode Island Department of Health issues overdose alert for Johnston, North Providence

The Rhode Island Department of Health issued an overdose spike alert for Johnston and North Providence.

Health officials said over the past week, five Johnston and North Providence residents received medical care for a drug overdose.

According to RIDOH, these municipalities have historically lower overdose rates than the statewide average.

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Residents can visit Prevent Overdose RI connect with community harm reduction organizations and find treatment.

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Rhode Island

RI Lottery Mega Millions, Numbers Midday winning numbers for May 12, 2026

Published

1 day ago

May 13, 2026

Press Room

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

Here’s a look at May 12, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 12 drawing

17-32-35-40-47, Mega Ball: 17

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Numbers numbers from May 12 drawing

Midday: 1-5-2-0

Evening: 1-6-0-3

Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Wild Money numbers from May 12 drawing

23-27-29-31-35, Extra: 12

Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 12 drawing

19-21-35-38-53, Bonus: 01

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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