Tamara Sacharczyk
Verified- Investigative Reporter and Anchor, WWLP-TV (Chicopee, MA)
- Anchor and Reporter, WJAR-TV (Cranston, RI)
Rhode Island
Anchor/ I-Team reporter for @nbc10 in #Providence 📺Retweets not endorsements. #EmersonCollege alum - Story ideas👉TJSacharczyk@sbgtv.com
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Articles by Tamara Sacharczyk
Rhode Island health insurers request double-digit premium hikes for 2027 Original
by TAMARA SACHARCZYK, NBC 10 NEWS Mon, June 15, 2026 at 11:17 AM File image of healthcare screenings and services. (WJAR) (WJAR) — Rhode Islanders who buy their own health insurance could be facing another year of significant premium increases. The Office of Health Insurance Commissioner announced Monday that health insurers have submitted their requested rates for 2027 coverage, and some plans are seeking double-digit increases.
Rhode Island lawmakers wrap up session with housing, education and criminal justice reform Original
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — From housing and education to criminal justice and immigration, Rhode Island lawmakers wrapped up the 2026 legislative session this week by approving a wide range of bills. Among them was a housing measure that limits how much parking cities and towns can require for multifamily developments located near public transit, a change supporters say could help encourage new housing construction, which has been lacking for years in Rhode Island.
Rhode Island DCYF discloses death of 1-year-old child Original
by TAMARA SACHARCZYK, NBC 10 NEWS Fri, June 12, 2026 at 12:44 PM Updated Fri, June 12, 2026 at 1:10 PM The Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families is the state's child welfare agency. (WJAR) (WJAR) — A 1-year-old child involved with the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families has died. A DCYF spokesperson said the incident occurred on Thursday, but did not go into detail about what happened to the child.
Powerful synthetic opioid detected in Rhode Island’s drug supply
Thu, June 11, 2026 at 3:28 PM Rhode Island Department of Health (WJAR) A powerful synthetic opioid that may be up to 10 times more potent than fentanyl has been detected in Rhode Island. The Rhode Island Department of Health has confirmed that N-Propionitrile Chlorphine, also known as cychlorphine, has been found in the state's drug supply. RIDOH spokesperson Joseph Wendelken said the drug has been detected in powder form in Rhode Island, both by itself and mixed with fentanyl.
On Your Dime: Rhode Island property taxes see largest increase in a decade
by TAMARA SACHARCZYK, NBC 10 NEWS Thu, June 11, 2026 at 2:43 PM Updated Mon, June 15, 2026 at 5:00 AM Rhode Island Income Taxes. (WJAR) (WJAR) — Rhode Island property taxes saw their largest increase in a decade during fiscal year 2026, according to a new report from the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council, or RIPEC. The report found the statewide municipal tax levy increased 3.7%, or $98.3 million.
Rhode Island overdose deaths fall to lowest level in more than a decade
Rhode Island is seeing a decline in overdose deaths, mirroring a broader trend unfolding across much of the country. Gov. Dan McKee and the state's Overdose Task Force announced Wednesday that deadly overdoses fell to their lowest level since 2013, surpassing Rhode Island's goal of reducing overdose deaths by 30% by 2030. According to state data, overdose deaths have declined 50% since 2022. In 2025, 219 people died from overdoses, down from 329 in 2024 and 436 in 2022.
Rhode Island overdose deaths fall to lowest level in more than a decade
by TAMARA SACHARCZYK, NBC 10 NEWS Wed, June 10, 2026 at 3:10 PM
Cranston doctor loses prescribing privileges after second run-in with regulators Original
CRANSTON, R.I. (WJAR) — A Cranston doctor is facing disciplinary action and fines for a second time after state regulators found deficiencies in his prescribing of opioid and stimulant medications. Dr. Frank Maggiacomo’s authority to prescribe controlled substances has been suspended by the Rhode Island Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline following investigations into his opioid and stimulant prescribing practices.
Rhode Island lawmakers pass expansion of felony expungement eligibility Original
by TAMARA SACHARCZYK, NBC 10 NEWS Wed, June 10, 2026 at 1:09 PM Rhode Island State House (WJAR) PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — More Rhode Islanders with nonviolent felony convictions could become eligible to clear their criminal records under legislation passed by the General Assembly this week. Current state law allows a person to seek expungement of a felony conviction if it is the only criminal charge on their record and at least 10 years have passed since they completed their sentence.
Judge appoints special master in Washington Bridge lawsuit
by TAMARA SACHARCZYK, NBC 10 NEWS Wed, June 10, 2026 at 1:05 PM Crews work on the foundation portion of the Washington Bridge construction project. (WJAR) (WJAR) — The judge overseeing Rhode Island’s case against contractors connected to the failed westbound Washington Bridge has named a special master to resolve discovery disputes.
Charter school moratorium bill advances to House floor in Rhode Island Original
by TAMARA SACHARCZYK, NBC 10 NEWS Tue, June 9, 2026 at 12:10 PM Rhode Island State House (WJAR) PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — A bill that would halt the creation and expansion of charter schools in Rhode Island for three years is headed to the House floor after winning approval from the House Committee on Education on Monday. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Mary Messier, would place a moratorium on new charter schools and the expansion of existing charter schools through the 2028-29 school year.
Rhode Island energy assistance program extends deadline amid surge in demand Original
by TAMARA SACHARCZYK, NBC 10 NEWS Tue, June 9, 2026 at 11:22 AM A rather high bill from Rhode Island Energy. (WJAR) (WJAR) — An energy assistance program designed to help Rhode Islanders struggling to pay utility bills has extended its application deadline amid rising demand for financial assistance. The United Way of Rhode Island announced that residents now have until June 30 to apply for aid through the Good Neighbor Energy Fund.
Burlingame State Campground announces opening date Original
by TAMARA SACHARCZYK, NBC 10 NEWS Mon, June 8, 2026 at 11:25 AM Burlingame State Campground. (WJAR) (WJAR) — A popular Rhode Island campground will begin accepting reservations this week after construction delays postponed an earlier opening. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management announced Monday that Burlingame State Campground in Charlestown will open for the 2026 season this Friday. Campers can begin making reservations at 9 a.m. on Wednesday.
NBC 10 I-Team: Inmate interview policy sparks transparency questions in Rhode Island
(WJAR) — For decades, on-camera interviews inside prisons and jails have exposed injustices, uncovered untold stories and, in some cases, helped overturn convictions or solve cold cases.
NBC 10 I-Team: Final report faults sheriffs, state for budget deficit in Massachusetts
(WJAR) — The Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General has released its final report on sheriffs' budgets and expenditures, describing the budgeting system for the state's 14 sheriff's offices as "chaotic" and "deeply flawed." It also makes some specific recommendations regarding correctional facilities under the authority of the Bristol County sheriff. The NBC 10 I-Team reported on the preliminary findings in March.
On Your Dime: Rhode Island mayors traveling across the country on public funds Original
(WJAR) — Rhode Island mayors are spending taxpayer dollars on out-of-state travel, attending conferences, summits, and networking events across the country while away from the cities they were elected to lead. Public records obtained by the NBC 10 I-Team shows the mayors of Providence, Pawtucket, and Central Falls used public funds for out-of-state travel between March 2025 and March 2026.
Wareham man sentenced in federal murderer-for-hire plot Original
by TAMARA SACHARCZYK, NBC 10 NEWS Thu, May 28, 2026 at 12:26 PM FILE - The seal of the Dept of Justice is shown on the podium, Aug. 1, 2023, at an office of the Department of Justice in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) (WJAR) — A Massachusetts man has been sentenced to eight years in prison in Rhode Island federal court after he admitted to participating in a murder-for-hire conspiracy that targeted a federal witness connected to a criminal matter.
On Your Dime: EV owners in Rhode Island hit with new registration costs
(WJAR) — Rhode Island drivers are facing more than high gas prices at the pump. Owners of electric and hybrid vehicles are now paying new registration fees that range from $50 to $200 annually. Battery electric vehicles are charged $200 a year. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are charged $100 a year. Hybrid electric vehicles are charged $50 a year. The fees were enacted as part of the state’s fiscal year 2026 budget legislation, passed by the General Assembly in June 2025.
NBC 10 I-Team: State cites rising costs, city funding in Providence schools deficit
The Rhode Island Department of Education, which oversees Providence Public Schools, is responding to the district’s $16.5 million budget deficit and more than 100 planned layoffs. “RIDE officials have been working closely with district leadership to identify savings and operational efficiencies, with a continued focus on minimizing any direct impact to schools and students’ learning experience,” RIDE spokesperson Victor Morente said in a statement to the NBC 10 I-Team.
On Your Dime: Over 100 jobs at risk as Providence Schools face $16.5M deficit
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — Layoffs are looming at Providence Public Schools amid a $16.5 million budget shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins July 1. An FY27 budget presentation for this week’s Providence School Board Finance Committee reveals 109 full-time positions are at risk, including 67 teachers.
NBC 10 I-Team: Providence Schools cuts nine administrative jobs amid budget deficit
by TAMARA SACHARCZYK, NBC 10 NEWS Fri, May 8, 2026 at 2:42 PM Updated Fri, May 8, 2026 at 2:46 PM The Providence Public School District will cut nine administrative positions. (WJAR) PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — Providence Schools will eliminate nine administrative positions as it grapples with a multi-million-dollar budget deficit.
Inside the Investigation: A burned body, a prime suspect, and a 13-year search for justice
(WJAR) — Thirteen years after a 22-year-old man’s body was found burning at the entrance to a Cranston cemetery, his family is still seeking justice. "The thing that we're looking for the most is at the Attorney General's office to open the case and look at it, do something with it," Kormelius Klah said. While Attorney General Peter Neronha's office confirms the case is still open, Klah worries it's not being actively investigated at the state level.
NBC 10 I-Team: Rhode Island woman wrongly declared dead, sparking financial turmoil
A Rhode Island woman said she was shocked to learn she had been mistakenly declared dead after a vendor error prompted weeks of financial turmoil. It all started when Debra Simone’s debit card was declined at Whole Foods a couple of months ago, even though she knew she had money in her account. She followed up with Bank of America after the declined transaction and was told she had been reported as deceased. “I said, ‘What do you mean I’m deceased?’ I was shocked,” Simone said.
NBC 10 I-Team: More doctors go concierge, leaving gaps in Rhode Island primary care
(WJAR) — After finding a doctor she adored, Suzanne Levasseur is now among many Rhode Islanders forced to make a change. "I've been with my doctor for about 20 years," Levasseur said. "I received a letter in the mail about a month ago explaining that he was changing his practice to a different model and it would be an annual fee." Levasseur’s doctor transitioned his primary care practice to a concierge model, which includes a $2,600 annual membership fee. "Honestly, it was a gut punch," she said.
NBC 10 I-Team: Dozens of landlords face fines as rental registry enforcement begins
(WJAR) — Dozens of Rhode Island property owners are facing fines for failing to comply with the state’s rental registry aimed at reducing lead exposure. The registry is intended to improve compliance with a lead safety law that has been in place for nearly 20 years. The NBC 10 I-Team has learned the Rhode Island Department of Health has begun issuing notices to property owners as part of the first phase of enforcement, with fines to follow.
NBC 10 I-Team: Uneven progress in Rhode Island as chronic absenteeism declines
(WJAR) — Rhode Island has been praised for cutting chronic absenteeism, but a recent report finds that progress is uneven across school districts. Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing at least 10% of school days, or 18 days in a 180 day school year. Statewide, the 2024-2025 chronic absenteeism rate was 22.1%, down from 34.1% in 2021-2022, but still above the pre-pandemic rate of 19.11%.
On Your Dime: Pothole damage claims to cost Rhode Island tens of thousands of dollars
(WJAR) — Pothole season is taking a toll on Rhode Island drivers and costing the state tens of thousands of dollars in damage claims. When a pothole damages a vehicle, drivers can file a reimbursement claim with the agency responsible for maintaining the road. In Rhode Island, the state will reimburse up to $300 per claim, a limit set by statute.
NBC 10 I-Team: Warwick man stuck with pricey repairs after solar company goes bust
by TAMARA SACHARCZYK, NBC 10 NEWS Wed, April 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM Updated Wed, April 8, 2026 at 5:26 PM Solar panels on a home. (WGME) WARWICK, R.I. (WJAR) — Black mold filled the attic of Michael Pella-Sabourin's home after a roof leak went undetected for months. "We're in the bathroom and there was a puddle of water on the floor," Pella-Sabourin said. "We ended up with black mold." A contractor's report found the costly damage was caused by improperly installed solar panels.
NBC 10 I-Team: Rhode Island considers 'second chance' bill to cut long prison sentences
(WJAR) — Prison sentences for some inmates could be reduced under a bill being considered at the Rhode Island State House. The Sentencing Reconsideration Act would allow inmates who have served at least 10 years to ask the Superior Court to review and potentially reduce their sentences. Supporters describe the proposal as a path to rehabilitation.
Bristol County sheriff argues $10M budget deficit is 'artificial' after new OIG report
(WJAR) — The Bristol County Sheriff’s Office spent $75.4 million last fiscal year, $10 million over budget, and is projected to run a deficit again this year. Sheriff Paul Heroux defended the office's spending after a preliminary report from the Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General found that sheriffs’ offices statewide ran a combined $110 million deficit in 2025. "It’s very misleading," Heroux told the NBC 10 I-Team. "Historically, sheriffs have been promised supplemental budgets.
NBC 10 I-Team: Brown shooting spurs push to arm campus police
The House Judiciary Committee heard a bill this week, filed by State Rep. William O'Brien, that would require public college police officers to carry firearms. Currently, the University of Rhode Island and Brown University are the only colleges in the state with armed campus police. Tamara Sacharczyk reports on a new bill being introduced that would arm campus police officers at Rhode Island public coleges.
NBC 10 I-Team: Federal grant could revive Greystone Bridge, but funding gap remains
(WJAR) — A federal grant could revive plans to rebuild the Greystone Bridge, one year after it was demolished. U.S. Rep. Gabe Amo secured $1 million in congressional spending to support reconstruction of the bridge that connected Johnston and North Providence. RIDOT closed the structurally deficient bridge in 2020, citing safety concerns. The agency initially estimated reconstruction would cost about $2 million, but later said the price had increased to between $10 million and $20 million.
NBC 10 I-Team: R.I. to issue corrected tax forms to about 3,200 higher education employees
by TAMARA SACHARCZYK, NBC 10 NEWS Fri, March 20, 2026 at 3:37 PM Rhode Island State House (WJAR) PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — The state of Rhode Island is issuing corrected tax forms to approximately 3,200 college and university employees after discovering an error in how retirement contributions were reported.
NBC 10 I-Team: Jeep owner stuck paying for recalled SUV with no fix
(WJAR) — A local Jeep driver is stuck in limbo after his leased vehicle was recalled for a potentially dangerous problem. Terence Coyne and his wife leased a 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe in October 2024. All was going well, until three separate recall letters showed up in the mail over a year later. “One had to do with the tire pressure monitoring system, which there’s a fix for.
NBC 10 I-Team investigation prompts bill to limit assisted-living charges
by TAMARA SACHARCZYK, NBC 10 NEWS Mon, March 16, 2026 at 11:26 AM Rhode Island State House (WJAR) (WJAR) — Legislation spurred by an I-Team investigation into assisted living facility fees will be heard Thursday at the Rhode Island State House. The NBC 10 I-Team helped a local family get a refund last year after an assisted living facility charged them a full months' rent following the death of a loved one.
NBC 10 I-Team: Miss Lizzie's Coffee faces eviction as owner defaults in separate lawsuit
FALL RIVER, Mass. (WJAR) — Legal troubles continue for Miss Lizzie’s Coffee in Fall River, a shop that markets itself as the “most haunted coffee shop in the world.” The coffee shop and its owner, Joseph Pereira, have defaulted in a federal trademark lawsuit filed by their neighbor, the Lizzie Borden House.
On Your Dime: Police costs climb as Washington Bridge work continues
(WJAR) — More than $6 million has been spent on police details for the Washington Bridge over the past three years, and costs are continuing to rise. An NBC 10 I-Team investigation found East Providence was reimbursed more than $853,000 by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation last year for bridge-related police details — a 22% increase from 2024, when the city was reimbursed $699,019.
On Your Dime: Blizzard of 2026 strains local budgets in Rhode Island, Massachusetts
(WJAR) — The blizzard of 2026, already being called the largest and most expensive snowstorm in Southern New England history, is now leaving cities and towns scrambling to cover mounting snow removal costs. Many municipalities had already exhausted their snow budgets before the storm arrived, forcing officials to search for additional funding to cover overtime, equipment and contractor expenses. “We had budgeted about $700,000 for the year.
On Your Dime: State pays thousands to insure vehicles that rarely leave the lot
(WJAR) — Rhode Island is paying thousands of dollars to insure hundreds of state-owned vehicles that rarely, if ever, hit the road in 2025. An I-Team investigation analyzing fuel records found the state spent more than $130,000 to insure 139 vehicles that likely were not driven at all in 2025, or were driven very little. Those vehicles did not refuel at state facilities during the entire year.
NBC 10 I-Team: Family says Swan Point grave marker vanished, later reappeared elsewhere
by TAMARA SACHARCZYK, NBC 10 NEWS Thu, February 19, 2026 at 8:47 PM Updated Thu, February 19, 2026 at 9:06 PM Marie Tetrault died in 2023 at the age of 83. (Tetrault) PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — A Providence woman says she’s still in disbelief after her grandmother's temporary grave marker disappeared from Swan Point Cemetery, only to resurface weeks later in a different location. Marie Tetrault died in 2023 at the age of 83. She was buried at Swan Point Cemetery in Providence in July 2023.
Lawsuit claims R.I. Hospital released wrong body after woman’s death
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — A Superior Court lawsuit accuses Rhode Island Hospital of giving the incorrect body to a local funeral home following a Providence woman’s death. The Severino family told the NBC 10 I-Team Emilia Severino died at Rhode Island Hospital on Dec. 30 following a Christmas Day fire. According to the lawsuit, when Bell Funeral Home went to pick up her body, Rhode Island Hospital gave them the wrong remains.
Inside the Investigation: Serial killer case brings first life sentence in Rhode Island
In June 1984, the body of 22-year-old Lori Carlucci was found in a vacant lot next to a construction site in Providence. Police quickly learned they were dealing with a violent suspect. Lori Carlucci, 22, was found dead in a vacant lot next ot a construction site in Providence in June 1984. (WJAR) When Carlucci's body was taken to the medical examiner's office, disturbing injuries were discovered. What initially appeared to be a broken clavicle turned out to be something far more frightening.
NBC 10 I-Team: DMV pause on vanity plates hits five years, return unclear
(WJAR) — Five years after the state stopped issuing vanity license plates, there’s still no timeline for when custom tags might return. The Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles halted new vanity plate applications in February 2021 after losing a federal court case over its enforcement of its profanity policy. A U.S. District Court judge ruled that part of the state law giving the DMV broad authority to reject plates deemed offensive was unconstitutional.
On Your Dime: Rhode Island spends millions sending foster children out of state
Rhode Island is spending tens of millions of dollars to place foster children in out-of-state facilities, a cost that goes beyond money and can take a heavy toll on families and the children themselves. Data from the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families show over 70 children in state care are currently placed in residential facilities miles away from their families. That represents about 6% of children in out-of-home placements.
Local solar companies shutter, leaving homeowners with unanswered questions
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — The solar industry is facing a wave of company closures across the country, raising concerns for homeowners who invested thousands of dollars in rooftop systems and now may be left without support. From Rhode Island to California, dozens of residential solar installers have gone out of business, many filing for bankruptcy.
NBC 10 I-Team: License plate cameras expand as privacy fears prompt pushback
Rhode Island State Police want to install dozens of license plate–reading Flock cameras across the state, but not every community is on board. State police have pitched the program in over 20 communities after receiving a federal COPS grant that includes $579,000 for 39 cameras. Flock cameras are automated license plate readers that photograph the license plates of passing vehicles, and record details such as time, location, color and vehicle type.
R.I. State Police Southern Complex on track to open soon
by TAMARA SACHARCZYK, NBC 10 NEWS Tue, January 20, 2026 at 6:00 PM Updated Tue, January 20, 2026 at 6:10 PM The Rhode Island State Police's Southern Public Safety Complex remains on schedule and within budget to open this summer, according to state police officials. (WJAR) WEST GREENWICH, R.I. (WJAR) — The Rhode Island State Police's Southern Public Safety Complex remains on schedule and within budget to open this summer, according to state police officials.
NBC 10 I-Team: No fines issued under Rhode Island's lead rental registry
(WJAR) — More than a year after Rhode Island launched a statewide rental registry to curb lead exposure, landlords who fail to comply are still not facing penalties. “Just a very, very small amount of lead can lead to lifelong consequences,” said DeeAnn Guo, a community organizer with the Childhood Lead Action Project said. Even a small amount of lead paint can cause irreversible harm to a child, from brain damage to developmental delays.
NBC 10 I-Team: Recalled sprinklers at center of new filings in Gabriel House fire lawsuit
(WJAR) — New court filings are shedding light on what went wrong at the Gabriel House Assisted Living Facility last summer, when a fire killed 10 residents. According to filings made by Fire Systems Inc. (FSI), Gabriel House failed to replace recalled sprinkler heads despite being notified 10 months before the deadly July 13 blaze. The sprinkler heads were recalled over 20 years ago.
NBC10 I-Team: New safeguards slash unemployment fraud in Rhode Island
Unemployment fraud in Rhode Island has plunged to levels not seen since before the pandemic, after reaching record highs and draining millions from the state’s trust fund. New data from the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training shows confirmed fraud made up 38% of unemployment claims in 2020. So far this year, it accounts for less than 1%. “We deal with fraud every day here at DLT," Director Matt Weldon said.
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