Morning Notes: Rogers High School teacher wins prestigious Presidential Award

Good morning, Newport! Today is Thursday, May 29, the 149th day of 2025. There are 216 days left in the year.

Today: Showers are likely, mainly before 3 pm. Cloudy, with a high near 62. East wind 8 to 11 mph. The chance of precipitation is 70%—new precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch are possible.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Northwest wind around six mph, becoming southwest after midnight.

🚨 You need to know

Brian Colahan, a physics teacher at Rogers High School, has received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). This award is the highest honor for K-12 teachers in science, technology, engineering, and math across the United States.

The National Science Foundation presents this prestigious award, which comes with some impressive perks. Winners get a certificate signed by the President, a trip to Washington D.C. for special events and professional development, and a $10,000 cash prize.

School officials are thrilled, saying, “Congratulations Mr. Colahan, and thank you for everything you do for our students!”

Here’s what else you need to know

🗓️ On this day in 1790 (235 years ago), Rhode Island became the 13th and final of the original 13 colonies to ratify the United States Constitution.

👉 The Newport City Council on Wednesday night approved a resolution supporting the design and construction planning for the Middle Passage Port Marker Memorial at a new location on state-owned land at America’s Cup Avenue. The council also backed a resolution to install a flagpole at Murphy Field in honor of Private Michael Murphy, a World War I veteran killed in action in 1918.

The council also heard a presentation from the Newport Prevention Coalition about concerns regarding hemp-derived THC beverages being sold in local liquor stores with minimal regulation. Meeting Recap

💰 Newport City Council has a workshop on its schedule this evening at 5:30 pm. The purpose of the workshop is for “FY 2026 FY 2027 Biennial Budget Overview,” according to a meeting notice.

🏫 Newport Public Schools is entering its final weeks of the school year with a packed calendar of events and preparations for the long-awaited opening of the new Rogers High School this fall.

“We have a lot of good things going on,” Jermain shared with What’sUpNewp during her monthly one-on-one live conversation, highlighting upcoming events including honors night at Rogers High School, spring concerts, and the Pell Spring Fest where families will gather to celebrate the end of the school year. Read More/Watch Meeting

📅 What’s Up Today

Next up on the cruise ship schedule: The Europa 2 on Friday, May 30

Things To Do

11 am: Winery Tours at Newport Vineyards & Restaurant
3 pm: Connect Over High Tea: Women in World Trade NE’s Inaugural RI Event at Chinese Tea House
5 pm: Salon Series at The Brenton Hotel
6:30 pm: Epoxy Board Class at Newport Harbor Island Resort
7:30 pm: WEEI’s Greg Hill Road Show Meet & Greet at Landing

Live Music & Entertainment

Antonio’s Pizza By The Slice: Trivia at 6 pm
JPT Film & Event Center: The Surfer at 4:30 pm, Heat at 7:30 pm
Landing: Justin Pomfret at 12:30 pm, Jay Parker at 4 pm, Timmy Smith at 8 pm
Narragansett Cafe: Michelle Saylors at 5 pm
Newport Craft: Trivia at 7 pm
O’Brien’s Pub: DJ CNote at 9:30 pm
One Pelham East: Sugarbabies at 8 pm
Ragged Island Brewing Company: Trivia at 6 pm

Newport County Public Meetings

Jamestown: Town Council at 5:30 pm
Little Compton: 350 at 6:30 pm
Middletown: Tree Commission at 4 pm, School Building Committee at 5 pm
Newport: Affirmative Action Commission at 4:30 pm, City Council at 5:30 pm

The following were yesterday’s most-read What’sUpNewp articles.