Swimmers at the starting line in Newport. (via Save The Bay)

Good morning, Newport!

🗓️ Today is Sunday, July 20, the 201st day of 2025. There are 164 days left in the year.

Weather Forecast

  • Today: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 9am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9am and noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 79. South wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
  • Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 67. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
  • Tomorrow: Sunny, with a high near 79. Northwest wind 13 to 15 mph.

🚨 You need to know

Nearly 300 swimmers plunged into Narragansett Bay’s East Passage Saturday morning for the 49th Save The Bay Swim, continuing a decades-long tradition that raises funds and awareness for one of Rhode Island’s most important environmental organizations.

At 8:05 a.m., 281 participants dove into the waves at the Naval War College in Newport, embarking on a challenging two-mile open-water swim to Potter Cove in Jamestown. The flagship fundraising event supports Save The Bay’s ongoing advocacy, habitat restoration, and education efforts aimed at protecting and improving the 1,705-square-mile Narragansett Bay watershed.

“Save The Bay was founded on the premise that a passionate, organized group of people can help Narragansett Bay recover from a century of pollution and neglect,” said Executive Director Topher Hamblett during the post-swim celebration in Jamestown. The organization has worked since 1970 toward its vision of a fully swimmable, fishable bay accessible to all.

The transformation has been remarkable. Nick Zerva, a 21-year-old triathlete from Cumberland, expressed amazement that the bay was unswimmable just 50 years ago. “I am participating in The Save The Bay Swim this summer because I have always had a deep-rooted desire to contribute to something greater than myself,” he said.

Saturday’s event celebrated not just environmental progress but also swimmer dedication. Hamblett presented awards to dozens of long-time participants, including Michael McGourty, who has completed the swim for 30 consecutive years. Daniel Force earned recognition for 25 years of participation, while 20 swimmers were honored for completing the event for five years running.

The swim drew 27 organized teams, ranging from the East Side YMCA to creatively named groups like the “Mischievous Mermaids & Friends” and “The Rainbow Narwhals.” Swim Ambassador Elizabeth Beisel acknowledged each team’s contribution to the collective fundraising effort.

For those unable to participate in the traditional swim, Save The Bay offers the “Save The Bay Open,” allowing athletes to choose their own physical challenge—whether kayaking, biking, or running—to support the cause. Participants have until August 31 to complete their chosen activity.

The event receives support from more than two dozen sponsors, including major regional businesses like Citizens Bank, Cox Communications, and Delta Dental, along with in-kind contributions from local establishments such as Ben & Jerry’s and Del’s Lemonade.

Founded in 1970, Save The Bay continues its mission to protect and improve Narragansett Bay through advocacy, education, and habitat restoration work. Those interested in supporting the organization can visit savebay.org/swim.

📰 The Latest from What’sUpNewp

Newport Jazz Festival unveils 2026 lineup

Herbie Hancock, Jon Batiste, Thundercat and Gary Clark Jr. headline the 72nd annual festival July 31-Aug. 2 at Fort Adams; discounted 3-day tickets on sale today for 48 hours

Comic – Sour Grapes: Basketball

Sour Grapes is a comic about “Aesop”, a miserable flying dog and his odd friends, all living in a problematic and troubled world.

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

📈 Yesterday’s most-read

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

  1. Multi-agency DUI enforcement operation targets North Kingstown this weekend
  2. Howard Johnson by Wyndham Newport/Middletown earns top corporate honors
  3. Obituary: Virginia Eagan
  4. What’s Up in Newport County this weekend: July 18 – 20
  5. Morning Notes: Summer Saturday delivers full slate of activities across Newport County
  6. Listing of the Week: 549 Aquidneck Avenue, Middletown
  7. Heidi List Murphy reimagines List Academy of Music to engage seniors and veterans in the healing power of music
  8. Newport utility system upgrade brings new features, temporary payment disruption
  9. Obituary: James Kalif
  10. Dr. Michael Fine: What’s crazy about maternity care

📅 What’s Up Today

Sunday, July 20

Things To Do

Live Music & Entertainment

Newport County Public Meetings

  • No public meetings are scheduled.

Organizing an event? Submit your event to What’sUpNewp’s Event Calendar.

Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020). He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide. Ryan...