Rhode Island
Shekarchi for governor?; Taylor Swift house; Giovanni’s back on air: Top stories this week
The first all-female chess tournament held Saturday in East Providence.
Students Aanya Ritesh Tichkule and Nina Yang participate in RI Open Girl’s Championship at St. Mary’s Academy, Bay View
Here are some of The Providence Journal’s most-read stories for the week of Jan. 12,supported by your subscriptions.
Here are the week’s top reads on providencejournal.com:
A funny thing happened on the way to the 2026 rematch between Gov. Dan McKee and Helena Foulkes:
House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi entered the chat.
Shekarchi, tacit head of the state Democratic Party and keeper of the largest campaign war chest in Rhode Island, is not publicly saying he wants to be governor. He’s also not saying that he doesn’t want to be governor.
And so when lawmakers and lobbyists returned to the State House last week for the start of this year’s General Assembly session, the most whispered-about political variable on their minds − besides Senate President Dominick Ruggerio‘s health − is whether Shekarchi might turn the 2026 field on its head.
Read this edition of Political Scene to see how the Shekarchi X factor is affecting the gubernatorial calculations.
Political Scene: How Shekarchi’s shadow looms large in the 2026 RI governor’s race
Taylor Swift’s house in Rhode Island is being renovated. See what she’s having done.
Taylor Swift is expanding her famous waterfront home in Westerly’s Watch Hill neighborhood, town records show.
According to a building permit issued by the town of Westerly last month, contractors are building an addition to Swift’s home that will include a new bedroom and bathrooms. An existing kitchen will also undergo renovations.
Recently, some eagle-eyed fans have spotted the beginning stages of construction on the property, including a crane and wood framing off the side of the house.
The home, which Swift has owned since 2013, is the subject of her 2020 song “The Last Great American Dynasty” and has been the site of many star-studded Fourth of July parties over the years.
Celebrities: Taylor Swift’s house in Rhode Island is being renovated. See what she’s having done.
Nicholas Schorsch has made a $100 million investment in restaurants in Newport. In less than a year, he’s contracted to buy or purchased the iconic Flo’s Clam Shack, the popular Brick Alley Pub and Red Parrot, the waterfront restaurant The Reef, Broadway’s Caleb & Broad and the historic Vanderbilt hotel.
The volume of purchases by his Heritage Hospitality Group has made some people uncomfortable and questioning the businessman’s motives. The local owners who’ve sold their restaurants say many people ask them why they sold to him.
With Schorsch and his hospitality group committed to adding still more restaurants, it seems fair to ask – Why is he buying so many restaurants?
How does Schorsch react to this skepticism about his intentions? And what do people who’ve done business with him say about the experience? Journal food editor Gail Ciampa has the story.
Dining: Nick Schorsch keeps expanding restaurant portfolio. Behind the scenes of Audrain’s growth.
Another iconic Thayer Street store is moving on.
The Berk family, which has run Berk’s shoes for 50 years, decided it’s time. One of Rhode Island’s renowned commercial strips has lost another mainstay.
Nevertheless, Journal columnist Mark Patinkin is pleased to report that Thayer is still going strong, with a shift toward food more so than retail outlets. Join him on a nostalgic stroll back to some of the places he loved best that are no longer with us, from IHOP to the Army/Navy Surplus.
Mark Patinkin: There’s lots to miss on an ever-changing Thayer Street, but it’s still hopping
PROVIDENCE – Longtime Rhode Island radio host Giovanni has returned to the airwaves less than a year after he signed off following a 50-year career with WPRO.
Giovanni started Monday and is hosting weekdays from 3 to 7 p.m. at B101 (WWBB-FM).
“Giovanni is a Rhode Island legend,” Adam Rivers, program director for B101, said when announcing Giovanni’s addition to the iHeart Media station. “To have him back on the airwaves entertaining commuters during their ride home across Southern New England is nothing short of tremendous. We’re thrilled to have him on the B101 team.”
Media: Back ‘On Air’: Longtime radio host Giovanni heads to RI’s B101. Here’s when to listen.
To read the full stories, go to providencejournal.com. Find out how to subscribe here.
What will RI look like in 2050? RI GOP leader fears rising spending
25 years into the new millennium, we asked, ‘What will the next 25 years bring’? House minority leader says it’s not too late to change trajectory
Rhode Island Republican Party chairman Joe Powers will resign effective Jan. 15, the party announced on Saturday, Jan. 3.
“Chairman Powers is stepping down due to the increased demands of his professional workload and an extensive travel schedule that no longer allow him to give the Chairmanship the full attention the position requires,” the party said in a news release. “The role of Chairman demands constant focus, and daily engagement especially moving into an election year, neither of which Chairman Powers can provide at this time.”
Powers a, real estate agent and unsuccessful 2022 candidate for a Cranston Senate seat, was elected to lead the state’s Republican Party in March 2023. He was reelected to a second two-year term in March.
During his tenure, Powers “oversaw meaningful organizational progress, including the successful update of the Party’s ByLaws and the full staffing of Party committees for the first time in over 20 years, establishing a strong and durable foundation heading into the next election cycle,” the GOP news release said.
Powers will remain on the GOP’s state Central Committee as chairman emeritus and will “continue to support Rhode Island Republicans in a smaller capacity,” the release said, thanking him “for his leadership and service.”
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 28, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 28 drawing
12-17-25-34-42, Lucky Ball: 09
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Numbers numbers from Dec. 28 drawing
Midday: 5-2-7-6
Evening: 9-5-9-8
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from Dec. 28 drawing
01-13-20-24-34, Extra: 16
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.
Claudia Wack talks about what housing will look like in 25 years
Neighbors Welcome! RI President Claudia Wack predicts what the housing landscape will look like in 25 years in Rhode Island.
Predicting the future isn’t easy. Back in 2000, who would have thought that by 2025 the Pawtucket Red Sox would no longer exist, or Rhode Island’s first female governor would be telling people to “knock it off” as a pandemic shut down the state?
Now, as we embark on the second quarter of the 21st century, what could Rhode Island look like in 2050? The staff at The Providence Journal asked leaders in their field for their thoughts on what Rhode Island will look like in 2050. Here’s what they had to say.
Name: Claudia Wack
Hometown: Providence
Title: President, Neighbors Welcome! RI, a housing advocacy group
What will Rhode Island look like in 2050?
“My optimistic vision is I think Rhode Island will actually do a good job, eventually over the next 25 years, of getting back to our roots and really allowing more housing and more vibrant walkable neighborhoods in village centers and city centers,” she said.
“I think we will actually infill some of the city and village centers that maybe people don’t realize the extent to which some of these areas have actually been depopulated compared to what they used to be. You know, the city of Providence has a smaller population now than it did historically.”
“There’s neighborhoods that, when you think about zoning, you couldn’t replicate today under modern zoning,” she continued. “And so to some extent, I think the 2050 vision that is possible is actually a return to our roots in some ways of allowing that infill in central areas.”
On a slightly more “pessimistic note,” Wack said that she anticipates the state having to grapple with a “managed retreat” in coastal areas that will be affected by sea level rise, erosion and increased hurricane risks.
“I think we will see less housing being built in certain coastal areas, if only because it’s going to be harder and harder to insure housing in those areas,” she said. “I think in certain communities we will see shifts in where housing is being built and seeing housing production sort of migrate away from at-risk areas and toward areas where it’s going to be more sustainable.”
2 killed, 1 seriously injured in NH crash
Though down from previous month, New Jersey online casinos post November revenue record in 2025
The Roundhouse Report: Bernie Sanders praises New Mexico
North Carolina lawmakers react to Venezuela strikes, Maduro capture
Today in History, 1970: North Dakota faces population decline with the hope of a new decade
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Kamala Harris blasts Trump administration’s capture of Venezuela’s Maduro as ‘unlawful and unwise’
US Republicans back Trump on Venezuela amid faint MAGA dissent
Who is Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s leader after Maduro’s capture? | CNN
Trump says US will ‘run Venezuela’ after seizing President Maduro in military assault | BBC News
He can make anything out of toothpicks (1983)
-
Entertainment1 week agoHow the Grinch went from a Yuletide bit player to a Christmas A-lister
-
Connecticut1 week agoSnow Accumulation Estimates Increase For CT: Here Are The County-By-County Projections
-
World6 days agoHamas builds new terror regime in Gaza, recruiting teens amid problematic election
-
Indianapolis, IN1 week agoIndianapolis Colts playoffs: Updated elimination scenario, AFC standings, playoff picture for Week 17
-
Southeast1 week agoTwo attorneys vanish during Florida fishing trip as ‘heartbroken’ wife pleads for help finding them
-
World1 week agoSnoop Dogg, Lainey Wilson, Huntr/x and Andrea Bocelli Deliver Christmas-Themed Halftime Show for Netflix’s NFL Lions-Vikings Telecast
-
World1 week agoBest of 2025: Top five defining moments in the European Parliament
-
Business1 week agoGoogle is at last letting users swap out embarrassing Gmail addresses without losing their data