R&B/Soul singer-songwriter and Providence native Blu Cantrell was born Tiffany Cobb on March 16, 1976. Her mother, Susi Franco, a former “Mrs. Rhode Island,” was an actress and jazz artist. From Wikipedia: Cantrell rose to fame in 2001, with the release of her debut single, “Hit ‘Em Up Style (Oops!)”, which peaked at number two […]
People & Profiles
Posted inPeople & Profiles
This Day in RI History: March 13, 1799 -Oliver Shaw born in Newport
Oliver Shaw was one of the first important American classical composers. Due to a childhood accident and later a case of yellow fever, he was totally blind when he composed many of his most notable works. His works included many references to local places including “Taunton,” “Bristol” and “Trip to Pawtucket.” Shaw also composed numerous […]
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Newport’s Lady Hibernians honor two women with joint award for 2026
The Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians of Newport couldn’t choose just one — so they chose both. Paula Silvia and Sandy Gallagher have been named co-Lady Hibernians of the Year for 2026, a joint honor the organization said reflects the pair’s decades of quiet, tireless service to the Newport community. “They’re known as the ‘background […]
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This Day in RI History: March 7, 1707 – Stephen Hopkins born in Providence
March 7, 1707, was the birthday of Stephen Hopkins, perhaps the most famous Rhode Islander from the colonial period. One of the most accomplished politicians in the state’s history, Hopkin’s resume was impressive. It included four terms as Governor of the Rhode Island colony, President of the Scituate Town Council, Chief Justice of the Rhode […]
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Choreographing consent: Meet Rhode Island’s intimacy director
Valerie Remillard is an Intimacy Director. What’s that, you ask. Read on… Just prior to the pandemic, she directed a production of “Almost, Maine” at the Community Players in Pawtucket. The show is actually nine short plays stapled together, exploring love and loss in a mythical Maine town called Almost. “There is intimacy in every […]
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Newport schools superintendent discusses budget gap, retirement, and merger talks
Newport Public Schools Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain joined What’sUpNewp on Wednesday for her monthly one-on-one conversation, the first in several months after weather and scheduling conflicts forced postponements. Owner and publisher Ryan Belmore and editor Frank Prosnitz led the discussion, which covered the blizzard’s impact on the school calendar, a projected budget shortfall, the ongoing […]
Posted inCity & Government
Xay Khamsyvoravong enters Rhode Island lieutenant governor’s race
Former Newport Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong entered the race for Rhode Island lieutenant governor Monday, becoming the latest Democrat to join a crowded primary field ahead of the state’s Sept. 8 primary. Khamsyvoravong, the son of a Laotian refugee and a Providence pediatrician, framed his campaign around economic anxiety and what he called government’s failure to […]
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Michele Gallagher: Frederick Douglass’ legacy in Rhode Island
Though Frederick Douglass has been extensively chronicled — by himself and by modern-day historians such as David W. Blight — his Rhode Island oratory during the second half of the 19th century deserves renewed attention. Born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey in Talbot County, Maryland in 1818, Douglass as a young boy endured family separation, brutal […]
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Newport Mental Health names Dr. Joshua C. Brown as new medical director
Newport Mental Health has appointed Joshua C. Brown, M.D., Ph.D., as its new medical director, the organization announced Thursday. Brown, a dual-trained psychiatrist and neurologist, will lead a team of psychiatrists and clinical nurse specialists and play a key role in guiding the future development of behavioral health programs across the organization. “Dr. Brown brings […]
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Newport Restoration Foundation names Hilary Fagan as new executive director
The Newport Restoration Foundation has appointed Hilary Fagan as its next executive director, the organization announced Wednesday. Fagan, a Newport native with a background in Rhode Island economic development and financial services, will assume the role March 9. The foundation’s board of directors selected Fagan following a national search, citing her energy, her experience across […]
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The power of your story: Kim Fuller and the beautiful, messy relevance of being seen and heard
Telling personal stories has a measurable positive effect. They help us feel seen and remind us that we are seen. As we grow older, and older still, it can begin to feel as though our stories are fading. In reality, they’re right where they’ve always been. Sometimes, it’s something simple. A snowy day can bring […]
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On This Day In History – February 25, 1842: Ida Lewis born in Newport
Lighthouse keeper and hero Ida Lewis was born on this day in Newport in 1842. Lewis made countless rescues during her time, she made her first rescue at the age of 12 and her last recorded rescue at the age of 63. She is credited for saving at least 18 lives. In 1869 she became […]
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Westerly’s Jen Christina is living her best life in ‘Six’
Westerly’s Jen Christina spent three years on tour with the traveling company of “Annie.” “I was very happy being home in Rhode Island,” she said in our recent phone interview. “I was finally settled in after being on the road for three years, settling into my groove.” But after six months being home, she got […]
Posted inBusiness
Newport Vineyards names new executive chef
Newport Vineyards & Taproot Brewing Co. has hired Kyle Johnson as its new executive chef, the vineyard announced on its Facebook page Feb. 6, tapping a Johnson & Wales University graduate with a resume that includes stints at some of Boston’s most acclaimed restaurants. Johnson replaces Andy Teixeira, who stepped down in October after nearly […]
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Michele Gallagher: America’s love affair with coffee dates back to Colonial times
A friend recently gifted me Robert Mastin’s newly published book, Liberty Call: When Newport Was Home to the Atlantic Fleet. As an enthusiastic student of local history — and someone raised in a military family — I read every word. Much has been written about Newport’s Colonial and Gilded Age eras. Far less has been […]
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Hundreds gather in Middletown to celebrate the life of Carrigan Nelson
Hundreds of family members, friends, medical professionals and musicians gathered Sunday at the Wyndham Hotel to celebrate the life of Carrigan Nelson, a 24-year-old Portsmouth woman who became a nationally recognized childhood cancer advocate during her seven-year battle with osteosarcoma. Nelson passed away on Christmas Day at Boston Children’s Hospital surrounded by loved ones and […]
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Standing at the CUSP of Newport’s Art Scene: Curtis Speer, CUSP Gallery, and the Newport Artists Collective
For 2026, on the advice of a wise mentor, I’m expanding the scope of my WUN Voices column from exclusively spotlighting women-led organizations’ “Voices” to include the Voices of all Rhode Islanders doing ground-breaking work that is making an outsized impact in the smallest state.” Enter Curtis Speer I recall sitting at a Greater Newport […]
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Keeping the new year’s SPARRK lit after January: Gail Lowney Alofsin on momentum, meaning, and mindset
Gail Lowney Alofsin is Newport’s own energizer bunny. She is everywhere—starting each day at the gym at 5:30 a.m., moving through “hour of power” coffees and back-to-back meetings, commuting to and from the University of Rhode Island campus, where she serves as Associate Director of Corporate Partnerships for the Office of Strategic Initiatives, teaching at […]
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Down 50 pounds, Liam Coen’s personal transformation mirrors Jacksonville’s dramatic turnaround
By MARK LONG AP Pro Football Writer JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Liam Coen remembers sitting in his new Jaguars office last January, crushing energy drinks and stuffing his face with junk food while trying to put together a coaching staff. It was a stressful time for sure. Long days that stretched into late nights, and […]
Posted inCity & Government
Legislative Outlook: Carson sees healthcare and housing as critical issues
With the Rhode Island General Assembly now in session, WhatsUpNewp has reached out to the area’s legislators to learn what they see as the most pressing issues facing Rhode Island in 2026, and legislation they are planning to introduce. Today, we focus on State Rep. Lauren Carson, D-Dist. 75, who is a Deputy Majority Leader. […]
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Newport Scout completes Eagle project at Norman Bird Sanctuary
A Newport Scout has achieved Scouting’s highest honor after leading the restoration of a weathered bridge at the Norman Bird Sanctuary. Ethan Hoag of Scouting America Troop 3 Newport completed his Eagle Scout Service Project by rebuilding the Shady Glade Bridge, a popular feature along one of the sanctuary’s trails that had become unsafe over […]
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Legislative Outlook: Gu – Key concerns—primary care access; ripple effects from ending ACA subsidies
With the Rhode Island General Assembly session scheduled to begin today (Jan. 6), WhatsUpNewp and WBLQ have reached out to the area’s legislators to learn what they see as the most pressing issues facing Rhode Island in 2026, and legislation they are planning to introduce. State Senator Victoria Gu, D-Dist. 38 Today, we focus on […]
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Adequoyah Kamali Josephine Mathews on growing whole thoughts on the cost of silence
“Now is the time to step up, speak out, and lead with conviction. Be the change. Be the voice. Be the difference.” The call is timeless; the voice behind it belongs to 17-year-old Rhode Islander, Adequoyah Kamali Josephine Mathews. As our conversation unfolded it became clear to me that she doesn’t look at life through […]
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The wit and wisdom of Rhode Island women, and how they plan to navigate a new year
It is a universal fact that the new year is a time of reflection on past events, present obligations, and future hopes and plans. Setting resolutions for the new year is an age-old tradition dating back to the ancient Babylonians from over 4,000 years ago, who made promises to their gods that were focused on […]
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Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain joins WUN for a one-on-one conversation on Dec. 18
Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain will join What’sUpNewp for her monthly one-on-one conversation on Thursday, December 18, at 1:30 pm. Have a question for the Superintendent? Ask It Here.