Rhode Island

St. Mary’s, Washington Bridge closure will get a closer look from lawmakers in coming weeks

Published

2 years ago

January 10, 2024

St. Mary’s, Washington Bridge closure will get a closer look from lawmakers in coming weeks

PROVIDENCE – A legislative probe of what happened that required the immediate closing of the westbound lanes of Interstate 195 West on December 11 is moving up on the legislative agenda.

In an interview this week, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi told The Journal he anticipates the first House Oversight Committee hearing this year will happen in the “next week or two” and it will focus on St. Mary’s Home for Children, in the wake of a newly released report on “significant safety concerns and abusive living conditions” there.

“It will be followed by an oversight at DOT,” he said of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, headed since 2015 by Peter Alviti.

What is the goal of the oversight hearing?

Asked what he hopes will come from a House Oversight Committee hearing, Shekarchi said: “I just think it needs to have a full vetting of the story – what happened, why it happened if they know … what they are doing to find out those answers and … when we expect it to be fixed.”

And even more basically: “What happened? What actions have they taken?”

“We have kind of heard that in dribs and drabs along the way,” he continued. “I think it’s good we hear a comprehensive report and update on the bridge … 30 to 45 days since it happened.”

Will it be a joint hearing with the Senate?

Shekarchi said he has asked Senate leaders if they would like to hold a joint hearing. When? “Before the February break,” he said of the legislature’s Feb. 19-23 week off. It remains to be seen if the Senate will go along.

When asked, Senate spokesman Greg Pare said: “Our intention is to have Senate oversight hearings at the appropriate time. The President and Speaker have discussed doing so jointly, but no determination has been made at this time.” (He did not respond to follow-up questions on what would be the “appropriate time.”)

What is going on with the Washington Bridge?

In December, both Shekarchi and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio said there was merit in waiting for the Federal Highway Administration to do their own investigation first of how the bridge so quickly deteriorated less six months after its last recorded inspection.

But when asked on Wednesday what the FHWA has done so far, DOT spokesman Charles St. Martin said: “We have had no indications from FHWA regarding a site visit nor any requests for records.”

More: Investigation into the Washington Bridge’s condition is coming. What will happen next.

That means the only investigation underway in the month since the abrupt closure of the westbound span of the bridge is the “forensic analysis” being done by one of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation’s regular bridge-inspection contractors. The question: how did anchor rods holding it together break sometime between July and December?

The initial forensic analysis is being done by WJE as a subcontractor to Michael Baker Co., which DOT spokeswoman Lisbeth Pettengill has described as “our regular bridge-inspection company.”

The McKee administration has in recent days, however, given a contract to the Connecticut-based McNary Bergeron & Johannesen, LLC to do what is broadly described as a “forensic structural engineering analysis and inspection on Washington Bridge” at a cost of $27,019.83.

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Rhode Island

RI Lottery Numbers Midday, Numbers Evening winning numbers for March 5, 2026

Published

3 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Press Room

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

Here’s a look at March 5, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Numbers numbers from March 5 drawing

Midday: 8-6-6-2

Evening: 8-1-9-8

Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Wild Money numbers from March 5 drawing

03-08-09-14-30, Extra: 31

Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 5 drawing

17-20-23-30-33, Bonus: 05

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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Rhode Island

Attorney General Neronha endorses Democrat Helena Foulkes for Rhode Island Governor

Published

15 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Attorney General Neronha endorses Democrat Helena Foulkes for Rhode Island Governor

(WJAR) — Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha endorsed Democrat Helena Foulkes in her bid for Rhode Island Governor on Thursday.

Neronha spoke at a campaign event with Foulkes.

The term-limited Attorney General says he hadn’t been comfortable endorsing people because of his position.

Neronha said he had gotten to know Foulkes after she reached out to him about health care, an issue Neronha has been vocal about.

“I found Helena to be a great listener, a great thought partner, a person of integrity and character, and that is foremost why I’m endorsing her today,” he said.

“What Rhode Island needs today and into the future is strong capable leadership,” he said. “This is not a state that can afford to keep muddling around in the four, eight, ten, fifteen years.”

He said Foulkes could offer bold leadership.

Neronha has publicly admitted to having a strained relationship with Gov. Dan McKee.

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This story will be updated.

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Rhode Island

RI Lottery Powerball, Numbers Midday winning numbers for March 4, 2026

Published

1 day ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

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

Here’s a look at March 4, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 4 drawing

07-14-42-47-56, Powerball: 06, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Numbers numbers from March 4 drawing

Midday: 2-7-4-4

Evening: 7-6-0-2

Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Wild Money numbers from March 4 drawing

08-11-12-18-24, Extra: 15

Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 4 drawing

12-13-36-39-58, 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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