By MARK SHERMAN Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Thursday struck down affirmative action in college admissions, declaring race cannot be a factor and forcing institutions of higher education to look for new ways to achieve diverse student bodies. The court’s conservative majority effectively overturned cases reaching back 45 years in invalidating admissions plans at Harvard […]
City & Government
A look at What’s Up in city and government in Newport, Rhode Island, and beyond.
The Supreme Court’s biggest decisions are coming. Here’s what they could say
By JESSICA GRESKO and MARK SHERMAN Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is expected to announce major decisions Friday on President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness program and a case that impacts gay rights. It’s the court’s final day before the justices go on their summer break. Already this week the justices have released important […]
In affirmative action and student loan cases, advocates fear losses for racial equality
By ANNIE MA and AARON MORRISON Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — As a Black student who was raised by a single mother, Makia Green believes she benefited from a program that gave preference to students of color from economically disadvantaged backgrounds when she was admitted over a decade ago to the University of Rochester. As […]
AARP awards grants to Bike Newport and three other Rhode Island organizations as part of its Nationwide Program to make communities more livable
Today, AARP Rhode Island announced four organizations throughout the state will receive 2023 Community Challenge grants – part of the largest group of grantees to date with $3.6 million awarded among 310 organizations nationwide. Grantees will implement quick-action projects that help communities become more livable by improving public places; transportation; housing; digital connections; diversity, equity and […]
Air Quality Alert – Health Advisory issued for June 29 due to wildfire smoke
PROVIDENCE, RI – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is notifying the public that smoke from Canadian wildfires will be impacting the area, with an Air Quality Alert being issued for Thursday June 29, 2023. An alert is being issued for UNHEALTHY fine particles on the Air Quality Index. Smoke impacts are expected to increase throughout the day, heaviest late, as smoke plumes to our west and northwest are transported into Rhode Island. Expect periods of wood burning odors, haze, and unhealthy fine particles readings on local air quality monitors throughout the state. At this time, this smoke is anticipated to linger into Friday.
The fine particles in smoke are so small that they can get past the body’s natural defenses and get deep into the lungs. Breathing particle pollution can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and shortness of breath. Some people are more likely to experience health effects from poor air quality, including people with asthma or other lung disease, people with heart disease, older adults, and children and babies.
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) recommends people who are sensitive to particle pollution should take the following actions to protect their health:
• Stay indoors with windows closed during the times significant smoke is affecting your area.
• Additionally, for people outdoors, N95 masks can reduce exposure to pollutants in smoke plumes. Choose less strenuous outdoor activities and shorten the amount of time you are active outdoors.
• Air quality can change throughout the day. Use AirNow.gov or download the AirNOW application for smart phones to check the current air quality and decide if it is a good time to be active outdoors.
• Particle pollution can make asthma and lung disease symptoms worse. People with asthma should carefully follow their asthma management plan on days when pollution levels are high.
• For people with heart disease, breathing in particle pollution can increase their risk of heart attack. Be on the lookout for symptoms like chest pain or tightness, fast heartbeat, feeling out of breath, or being more tired than usual, and contact a doctor.
As mentioned, if the smoke is reaching the ground, you will smell wood burning with reduced visibility. Elevated fine particles from smoke are expected to remain into possibly Friday.
For detailed information, please refer to DEM’s air quality forecast page.
https://dem.ri.gov/environmental-protection-bureau/air-resources/air-quality-forecast
Additionally, EPA’s Fire and Smoke Map has detailed information on current air quality readings in your area, including DEM and RIDOH air quality monitors, along with the network of regional low-cost sensors.
https://fire.airnow.gov/
WUN-ON-ONE: Newport School Superintendent joins What’sUpNewp for a review of the past year, look at challenges ahead
Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain joined WUN’s Ryan Belmore and Frank Prosnitz on the first day of summer school vacation to recap the year that was, talk about the challenges ahead, and more. Watch or listen to our conversation below.
Bill clarifying public shoreline access now law
STATE HOUSE – Visiting the Ocean State’s 400 miles of shoreline this summer just got a little more relaxing. Legislation 2023-H 5174A, 2023-S 0417A) sponsored by Rep. Terri Cortvriend and Sen. Mark P. McKenney to more clearly delineate the public area of the shore has been signed into law by Gov. Dan McKee. The new law establishes […]
DEM is encouraging Rhode Islanders to report sightings of wild turkeys
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is again asking the public to report sightings of wild turkeys as part of its annual Wild Turkey Brood Survey. Biologists from DEM’s Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) are asking Rhode Islanders to submit observations of females (hens) with or without poults (chicks) and males (gobblers, toms, jakes) to […]
Newport Police warning against scam phone calls
The Newport Police Department advises residents to beware of scam phone calls involving individuals impersonating Newport Police Department personnel or claiming to be affiliated with The Newport Police Department. The Police Department has received several complaints regarding phone calls from individuals impersonating Police Officers and requesting money. If you receive a call and have any […]
Legislation to improve RI’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure signed into law
STATE HOUSE– Legislation sponsored by Sen. Frank Lombardo III and Rep. Michelle E. McGaw to better prepare Rhode Island for the rapid growth of electric vehicles on the state’s roadways has been signed into law. The legislation (2023-H 5159aa, 2023-S 0988aa), which passed the General Assembly June 16 and was signed into law by Gov. Dan […]
Road Report: Schedule of lane closures and road construction projects (June 24 – 30)
The following road and lane closure notices have been scheduled by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) and Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA). All schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change. Rhode Island Turnpike & Bridge Authority June 24 – 30, 2023 No schedule published. Rhode Island Department of Transportation June 24 […]
City of Newport: 2022 Newport Water Division Consumer Confidence Report is now available
The City of Newport’s Water Division has announced that the 2022 Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) is now available on the City’s website at www.cityofnewport.com/ccr22. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Safe Drinking Water Act requires water systems to provide this annual report to all its consumers. The EPA established the requirements for report content, […]
Newport City Council will host a Regular City Council Meeting on June 28, here’s what’s on their agenda
Newport City Council will host their next Regular Council Meeting on Wednesday, June 28 at 6:30 pm in the Council Chambers at Newport City Hall. The meeting is open to the public. Here’s a look at what’s on the agenda; This story was updated on June 26 due to the agenda being revised. CITY OF […]
First RI Mosquito Report of 2023: No West Nile Virus or EEE Findings; State reminds public to ‘Fight the Bite’
PROVIDENCE, RI – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today announced that the first set of mosquito samples of the 2023 season tested by the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) State Health Laboratories has confirmed no positive isolations (findings) of West Nile Virus (WNV) or Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). These results are from the 101 pools (samples) collected from 26 traps set statewide on June 5 and 12. To date, neither Connecticut nor Massachusetts has reported any EEE or WNV findings.
WNV is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States and is much more prevalent than EEE. Cases of WNV occur during mosquito season, which starts in the summer and continues through fall. There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat WNV in people. Fortunately, most people infected with WNV do not feel sick. About one in five people who are infected develops a fever and other symptoms. About one out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness. DEM and RIDOH advise Rhode Islanders to reduce their exposure to mosquitoes until the first hard frost. (A hard frost is when the air and the ground freeze below 32°F for three hours or below 28°F for two hours.)
During the 2022 testing season, one EEE detection was made: from a mosquito sample from a trap set in South Kingstown on Aug. 9. Three mosquito samples tested positive for WNV detections during the season: two from Westerly traps set on Aug. 9 and Aug. 23 and one from a trap set in North Kingstown on Sept. 7. During the 2022 season, there was one human case of WNV involving a Providence County resident in their 70s that was reported on Sept. 26 and two human cases of Jamestown Canyon Virus, one involving a Washington County resident in their 50s reported on Aug. 1.
National Mosquito Control Awareness Week, taking place June 18-24 this year, is an annual campaign developed by the American Mosquito Control Association that sheds light on the critical importance of managing mosquitoes in local communities and reducing the prevalence of locally transmitted mosquito-borne diseases. Local communities voluntarily participate with mosquito control through DEM’s larvicide distribution program, which provides municipalities with a limited free supply of mosquito larvicide briquettes that release environmentally-benign bacteria over a 90-day period in underground stormwater catchment basins that are prime breeding areas of mosquitoes, requiring only one application per season.
Residents can participate in mosquito control by removing backyard larval habitat. The Asian Tiger Mosquito has become prevalent in Rhode Island urban environments, and it is expected to be common again this season. It is notable as a daytime biter encountered in shaded backyards. It has a striking black and white pattern evident to the naked eye. It develops from eggs laid in artificial containers, so residents are urged to remove standing water from containers such as buckets, pots, wheelbarrows, boats, and pools. Clogged rain gutters and puddles formed on tarps also can support the larvae of this species. The Asian Tiger Mosquito is known to transmit several diseases, including WNV.
Personal protection is the first line of defense against mosquitoes that may carry WNV, EEE, or other diseases – and the most effective way to avoid infection. The following precautions are advised.
Protect yourself
o Put screens on windows and doors. Fix screens that are loose or have holes.
o At sunrise and sundown (when mosquitoes that carry EEE are most active), consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. If you must be outside, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants and use bug spray.
o Use EPA-approved bug spray with one of the following active ingredients: DEET (20-30% strength), picaridin, IR3535, and oil of lemon eucalyptus or paramenthane. Always read the label and follow all directions and precautions.
o Do not use bug spray with DEET on infants under two months of age. Children should be careful not to rub their eyes after bug spray has been applied on their skin. Wash childrens’ hands with soap and water to remove any bug spray when they return indoors.
o Put mosquito netting over playpens and baby carriages.
Remove mosquito breeding grounds
o Remove items around your house and yard that collect water. Just one cup of water can produce hundreds of mosquitoes; an unused tire containing water can produce thousands of mosquitoes.
o Clean your gutters and downspouts so that they can drain properly.
o Remove any water from unused swimming pools, wading pools, boats, planters, trash and recycling bins, tires, and anything else that collects water, and cover them.
o Remove or treat any shallow water that can accumulate on top of a pool cover. Larvicide treatments, such as Mosquito Dunks can be applied to kill immature mosquitoes. This environmentally friendly product is available at many hardware and garden stores and online.
o Clean and change water in birdbaths at least once a week.
Best practices for horse owners
Horses are particularly susceptible to WNV and EEE. Horse owners are advised to vaccinate their animals early in the season and practice the following:
o Remove or cover areas where standing water can collect.
o Avoid putting animals outside at dawn, dusk, or during the night when mosquitoes are most active.
o Insect-proof facilities where possible and use approved repellents frequently.
o Monitor animals for symptoms of fever and/or neurological signs (such as stumbling, moodiness, loss of appetite) and report all suspicious cases to a veterinarian immediately. If you are unsure if your horse is properly vaccinated, you should consult with your veterinarian.
Visit health.ri.gov/mosquito for additional mosquito prevention tips, videos, and local data. Mosquitoes are trapped weekly by DEM and tested at the RIDOH State Health Laboratories. DEM issues advisories on test results from June through September, with additional reports as necessary. Typically, positive test results trigger additional trapping to assess risk.
For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Facebook, Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates.
Governor McKee kicks off the 2023 Providence-Newport Ferry Season
Governor Dan McKee, Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) Director Peter Alviti, Jr., Federal Highway Administration Rhode Island Division Administrator Derek Torey, Rhode Island Commerce Chief Marketing Officer Anika Kimble-Huntley, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley, and Seastreak President James Baker today kicked off the 2023 Providence-Newport Ferry season. The popular service returns for its eighth season […]
New law will allow low-speed vehicles on Rhode Island roads
STATE HOUSE – A new law sponsored by Sen. Louis P. DiPalma and Rep. Terri Cortvriend will establish rules of the road for low-speed vehicles. Low-speed vehicles, particularly electric models, are a growing transportation option in the United States. They are typically small with a top speed of 20 to 25 miles per hour. They […]
Law enacted to provide tax relief to year-round Newport residents
STATE HOUSE – Newport’s new tax structure to encourage owner-occupied housing is now finalized, after legislation sponsored by Rep. Lauren H. Carson and Sen. Dawn Euer to authorize it was signed into law. The legislation (2023-S 1092, 2023-H 6356), which is specific to only Newport, provided the required state authorization of the two-tier residential tax rate […]
Kazarian/Euer bill to protect domestic violence victims signed into law
STATE HOUSE – A bill sponsored by Sen. Dawn Euer and House Majority Whip Katherine Kazarian that would protect domestic violence victims from abusive litigation filed by abusers has been signed by the governor. “Once a domestic violence survivor ends an abusive relationship and tries to move on, abusers will often file frivolous lawsuits just […]
Package of bills to combat childhood lead poisoning becomes law in Rhode Island
STATE HOUSE – A package of three bills to reduce childhood lead poisoning by ensuring landlords comply with lead-safety laws has been signed into law. The bills were sponsored by Sen. Dawn Euer, Sen. Valarie Lawson, Sen. Tiara Mack, Rep. Mia Ackerman, Rep. David Morales and Rep. Matthew Dawson. The bills were passed by the […]
Newport School Superintendent’s weekly Community Update
Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain shared today’s weekly community update with parents, families, and staff.
Letter – Barbara VonVillas: The perspective that I will continue to bring in my return to the Middletown Town Council
To the Editor: Thank you to those who supported my candidacy in November and made it possible, as a result of unforeseen circumstances, for me to again represent Middletown on the Town Council. For 14 previous years, I brought a “big picture” perspective to every issue. I never thought of myself as a representative of […]
VonVillas appointed to Middletown Town Council
By Matt Sheley, Town of Middletown MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (JUNE 20, 2023) – Barbara A. VonVillas is back on the Town Council. During a brief ceremony Monday night in Town Hall, VonVillas was appointed to fill the seventh seat on the town’s top elected body. The longtime councilwoman was named to take over the vacancy created by […]
Undocumented immigrants eligible for driver privilege cards, July 1
Undocumented immigrants will be able to apply for the equivalent of a driver’s license in Rhode Island, beginning July 1. The law was enacted last year and is effective July 1. Rhode Island becomes the 20th state, plus the District of Columbia to enact a law that allows undocumented immigrants to receive the driver privilege […]
Governor McKee signs legislation allowing cannabis dispensary advertising into law
STATE HOUSE – Governor Daniel McKee has signed into law legislation (2023-S 1009, 2023-H 5829) sponsored by Sen. Jonathon Acosta and Rep. Scott A. Slater which would allow the state’s recreational cannabis dispensaries to advertise their products. Currently, Rhode Island’s cannabis businesses cannot advertise by law, although dispensaries in other states, such as Massachusetts, can advertise within […]
Governor McKee signs legislation establishing Juneteenth as a State Holiday in Rhode Island
PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee signed legislation (2023-S 0444A, 2023-H 5380A) today to establish Juneteenth National Freedom Day as an official state holiday in Rhode Island beginning in 2024. The Governor was joined for the signing by Lt. Governor Sabina Matos, bill sponsors Representative Brianna E. Henries and Senator Tiara Mack, Juneteenth RI President Helen Baskerville-Dukes, […]