Senator Sheldon Whitehouse is pushing for significant reforms to the U.S. Supreme Court, proposing two bills aimed at addressing ethical concerns and introducing term limits for justices. The Rhode Island Democrat, in a wide-ranging interview, outlined his plans to enhance accountability and transparency within the nation’s highest court. “I’ve got two bills that I think […]
People & Profiles
Posted inArts & Culture
WUN-ON-ONE: A conversation with Trudy Coxe, CEO & Executive Director of The Preservation Society of Newport County
Trudy Coxe, CEO & Executive Director of The Preservation Society of Newport County, will be interviewed live on WUN on Friday, November 1 at 3 pm. The conversation will focus on the organization’s work in preserving Newport County’s historic architecture, landscapes, decorative arts, and social history; a conversation about this weekend’s Newport County days; and […]
Posted inNews
Newport School Superintendent provides updates on Rogers High School Construction and teacher negotiations
Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain provided updates on several key issues during her monthly interview with What’s Up Newp on Wednesday. The new Rogers High School construction project is progressing well, Jermain said. The building’s exterior is nearly finished, with brick work almost complete and utilities being connected. “It’s a stunning building,” Jermain said. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
International Tennis Hall of Fame hosts intimate Q&A with Wimbledon Champion Pat Cash
As a lifelong passionate tennis fan, I’ve seen my fair share of awesome matches. Several stand out, and Pat Cash’s exuberant win over Ivan Lendl at the 1987 Wimbledon is one of them. So of course I was thrilled that the Australian player was headlining a talk at the International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHF) […]
Posted inArts & Culture
A conversation with Jacques Pépin: Cooking, happiness, and bringing people together
The Jacques Pépin conversation event at the Newport Wine and Food Festival was understandably sold out this year. For gourmands, who wouldn’t want to listen to the television personality talk about his 75-year experience in the industry? It was an incredible treat to hear from Pépin and his daughter, Claudine Pépin, about his career and […]
Posted inCity & Government
WUN-ON-ONE: A conversation with Representative Lauren Carson
Representative Lauren Carson (D. Dist. 75, Newport) will join WUN for a one-on-one conversation at 10 am on Tuesday, October 22. Tune in to watch live as the conversation happens or anytime afterward on whatsupnewp.com. Have a question for our guest? Please leave it in the comments.
Posted inArts & Culture
Christie’s Americas’ Chairman Emeritus, Stephen Lash, is bringing his love of ocean liners and the era of art deco to Redwood Library
Stephen S. Lash has been an avid collector of artifacts from the great ocean liners from the art deco era of the 1920’s and 30’s. Having served at Christie’s for over 40 years—including his current stint as the Chairman Emeritus—the Boston native has developed a discerning eye for art, the sea and architecture. Lash was […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Manager addresses utility billing, early voting, and bond referendum
Newport City Manager Colin Kennedy addressed several pressing issues during his monthly chat with What’sUpNewp on Wednesday, October 16, including utility billing concerns, early voting procedures, and the upcoming bond referendum. Kennedy reassured residents about the delayed September utility bills, urging them to wait for the October bills before taking action. “The October bills will […]
Posted inNews
Ask The City Manager: Colin Kennedy joins What’sUpNewp to discuss the bond question and more on Oct. 16
Newport City Manager Colin Kennedy will spend thirty minutes with What’sUpNewp on Wednesday, October 16, at 10 am, answering our and your questions about what’s happening in the City. October 16 is the first day of early voting for the upcoming General Election, and I plan on asking the City Manager questions and diving deeper […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport School Committee candidate Elizabeth “Beth” Cullen emphasizes new approaches, collaboration
Elizabeth “Beth” Cullen, a candidate for Newport School Committee, is emphasizing the need for new educational approaches and improved collaboration between city officials and educators as she campaigns for one of the open seats in the upcoming election. Cullen, a self-proclaimed fourth-generation Newporter with 30 years of experience in the local school system, believes her […]
Posted inElection
Incumbent Stephanie Winslow seeks re-election to Newport School Committee
Stephanie Winslow, an incumbent Newport School Committee member, is seeking re-election for what would be her third term. Winslow, who was initially appointed to fill a vacancy in March 2020, has been a key figure in policy reform and equity initiatives within the Newport Public Schools system. Winslow, a Newport native and computer programmer by […]
Posted inElection
Becky Bolan seeks re-election to Newport School Committee to see Rogers High School project through completion
Newport School Committee Chair Becky Bolan has announced that if she is re-elected in November that her next term would be her last, citing a desire to see the Rogers High School project through to completion. Bolan, who has served on the committee for approximately 17 years, made the announcement during an interview with Ryan […]
Posted inElection
Newport School Committee candidate Dr. Robert B. Power emphasizes need for auto tech and cosmetology at Rogers High School
Dr. Robert B. Power, a candidate for Newport School Committee, is making the inclusion of vocational programs at the new Rogers High School a central issue in his campaign. Power, who has a doctorate in school administration and has served as superintendent in three Rhode Island school districts, says he entered the race primarily to […]
Posted inCity & Government
Mark Aramli seeks re-election to Newport City Council, emphasizes financial challenges and tourism management
Mark Aramli, seeking re-election to Newport’s City Council At-Large, is sounding the alarm on the city’s financial challenges and calling for a new approach to managing tourism. In a interview with What’sUpNewp on Thursday, October 3, Aramli highlighted the fiscal imbalance he discovered during his first term and outlined his priorities for addressing these issues […]
Posted inBusiness
Salve Regina professor awarded NIH grant to research new treatments for common infection alongside undergraduate students
Salve Regina University today announced that Dr. Susan Meschwitz, a chemistry professor at the university, has been awarded a grant from the National Institute of Health to research treatments for urinary tract infections — which are experienced by 50-60% of women in their lifetime and highly recurrent. More from the announcement According to the National Institute […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Folk Festival taps Nathaniel Rateliff for new pioneering role
Newport Folk Festival today announced the creation of its Stewardship Program, appointing Nathaniel Rateliff as its inaugural steward. The program aims to identify individuals who enrich and support the festival’s legacy, challenging and celebrating the “Folk Family” through meaningful initiatives. Rateliff, chosen for his artistry, perseverance, and allyship, will serve a three-year term. He plans […]
Posted inElection, People & Profiles
Penny Hunt hopes to bring funding and leadership experience to Newport School Committee
Penelope “Penny” Billington Hunt, a newcomer to Newport politics, is running for a seat on the Newport School Committee with a focus on addressing funding challenges and leadership needs in the district. Hunt, who moved back to Newport in 2020 after living in the Boston area for 15 years, brings a background in nonprofit fundraising […]
Posted inCity & Government
Talkin’ Tourism: A conversation with Evan Smith, President & CEO of Discover Newport
Evan Smith, the President and CEO of Discover Newport, will join What’sUpNewp for a one-on-one live video conversation on Thursday, September 26, at 10:30 am. During this conversation, we’ll discuss the 2024 summer travel and tourism season, what’s ahead for the fall and winter, travel and tourism trends, the impacts of tourism and traffic, and […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Manager addresses infrastructure, $98 million bond, and residents’ concerns during What’sUpNewp conversation
Newport City Manager Colin Kennedy addressed residents’ concerns about utility bills and infrastructure needs during What’sUpNewp’s Wednesday monthly “Ask the City Manager” session. What’sUpNewp’s newsletter allows supporters to listen to this conversation as a podcast. Become A What’sUpNewp Supporter Kennedy acknowledged the city “missed the mark” in rolling out recent changes to sewer and stormwater […]
Posted inBusiness
Aquidneck Community Table names Tuni Schartner as its first Chief Innovation and Development Officer
Today, the Aquidneck Community Table (ACT) announced Tuni Schartner’s appointment as its first Chief Innovation and Development Officer. The nonprofit said in a press release, “ACT is laser focused on building a local food system and economy in Newport County that is fair, resilient, and reflective of the diverse communities it serves. ” Schartner is […]
Posted inCity & Government, News, People & Profiles
Ask The City Manager: Colin Kennedy joins What’sUpNewp for a one-on-one interview on Sept. 18
Newport City Manager Colin Kennedy will spend thirty minutes with What’sUpNewp on Wednesday, September 18, at 10 am, answering our and your questions about what’s happening in the City. What questions do you have for the City Manager? Post them below or here. Loading… Watch the interview live or anytime afterward below. Ask The City […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up Interview: Comedian Tom Cotter on ‘No Apologies’ tour, coming to Jane Pickens Sept. 26 with comics Jim Florentine and Tammy Pescatelli
Comedian Tom Cotter makes no apologies … except for the time he had to apologize for a joke about the Pope. More on that later… The Providence native shared a few laughs earlier this week when I spoke to him on a call from his home in New York. With a career going back to […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
What’s Up Interview: ‘Prescription for Pain’ author Philip Eil, appearing at Charter Books on September 10
The opioid epidemic in the United States continues to destroy American lives and families. Over the past 25 years, more Americans have died from opioid abuse (over 750,000) than American soldiers killed in combat since World War I. It’s no longer a dirty little secret – the epidemic has been chronicled in books, articles, and […]
Posted inNews
Concert recap and photos: 2024 Rhode Island Folk Festival a big hit down by the river
The Rhode Island Folk Festival celebrated its 10th anniversary on Sunday, August 26, with over 40 performers, dozens of vendors and food trucks, and a guitar giveaway at Crescent Park in East Providence. The free festival enjoyed its largest crowd yet, with an estimated 2,500 fans in attendance. Fans young and old filled the sprawling […]
Posted inBusiness
Stories From The Garden: How the Maher Garden Center is reblooming into success
The roots Residents of Aquidneck Island may be familiar with the Maher Garden Center from their hand-made wreaths and Christmas trees. But the roots of the center run much deeper than the Christmas season. “The Maher Center itself started 76 years ago as a resource for parents with special needs kids,” Lynn Maher, the executive […]