Good morning, Newport! Today is Wednesday, July 9, the 190th day of 2025. There are 175 days left in the year.

🚨 You need to know

Comedy legend Jay Leno is set to light up Newport this week with a four-night stand-up comedy residency at Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling Co., running from Wednesday, July 9th through Saturday, July 12th. The former “Tonight Show” host, who maintains a part-time residence in Newport, will perform nightly at 8:00 p.m. as part of the venue’s Summer Series.

The intimate shows promise an evening of Leno’s signature observational humor in the relaxed atmosphere of the local craft brewery, complete with artisan cocktails, cold brews, and gourmet food offerings. Tickets are priced at $125 per show, with all proceeds benefiting the MLK Community Center, continuing Leno’s longstanding commitment to supporting Newport’s charitable causes.

This marks another chapter in Leno’s ongoing relationship with the City by the Sea, where he has previously graced the stages of The Firehouse Theater and the Jane Pickens Film & Event Center for various fundraising events. His willingness to perform for local charities has made him a beloved figure in Newport, demonstrating his dedication to giving back to the community he calls home.

All four shows have sold out, reflecting both Leno’s enduring popularity and the venue’s intimate capacity. Each performance runs from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

Here’s what else you should know

🚧 The Mount Hope Bridge will be completely closed to traffic for nearly four days next month as crews work to install a new road surface, the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority announced Wednesday.

❌ The Rhode Island Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Management are urging the public to stay away from Almy Pond in Newport after detecting a harmful algae bloom that poses health risks to humans and animals.

🦞 What began as a laid-back Sunday tradition, just a handful of friends gathering at O’Brien’s Pub for lobster rolls, mudslides, and weekend recaps, has since transformed into one of Newport’s most impactful (and energetic) grassroots fundraisers. Tyler Bernadyn has more on the upcoming Lobby Muddy Fest and tells you how you can get involved.

👉 Newport City Council will host a Regular Council Meeting this evening at 6:30 pm at City Hall. Here’s what’s on the docket.

👉 Among the items on the Council’s docket is a resolution that revises the Rules of the Council. Councilor Stephanie Smyth, who is introducing the resolution with Councilor Ellen Pinnock, explains the purpose behind the revisions in this Letter to the Editor.

🗓️ Here’s our roundup of all that’s happening this week and weekend for events, live music, and entertainment.

📰 The Latest from What’sUpNewp

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📈 Yesterday’s most-read

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

  1. Newport Mansions opens new dining experience at The Elms Carriage House
  2. What Sold: Despite a short holiday week, 18 properties traded hands across Newport County
  3. Mount Hope Bridge to close for weekend resurfacing project
  4. Letter to the Editor: UnitedHealthcare cuts major RI hospitals from network – patients face higher costs
  5. 57 arrested for DUI during Fourth of July holiday weekend in Rhode Island
  6. Obituary: Alan Thompson
  7. Obituary: Lorraine McBride
  8. On This Day in RI History: July 8, 1663 – King Charles II grants Rhode Island charter
  9. New fitness studio brings pilates-inspired workouts to Middletown
  10. From Concert Halls to Tennis Courts: Newport County serves up a week of world-class entertainment

📅 What’s Up Today

Weather Forecast

  • Today: Isolated showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Patchy fog before noon. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. South wind 3 to 7 mph. The chance of precipitation is 20%.
  • Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3 am. Patchy fog. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 68. Southeast wind around five mph, becoming calm after midnight. The chance of precipitation is 30%—new rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.

Marine Forecast

  • Today: Variable winds less than 5 kt becoming SSW around 6 kt in the afternoon. Isolated showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Patchy fog before noon. Seas 1 ft or less.
  • Tonight: Variable winds 5 kt or less. A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3 am. Patchy fog. Seas 1 ft or less.
  • The coastal water temperature is 69 degrees.

Sun, Moon & Tide

  • Sunrise at 5:20 am. Sunset at 8:20 pm. 14 hours & 59 minutes of sun.
  • High tide at 7:28 am & 7:48 pm. Low tide at 1:13 am & 12:45 pm.
  • The lunar phase is a Waxing Gibbous.

Things To Do

Live Music & Entertainment

  • Buskers: Open Mic with Mike Warner at 9 pm
  • Fastnet Pub: Trivia at 9 pm
  • JPT Film & Event Center: The Phoenician Scheme at 5 pm, Materialists at 7:30 pm
  • Landing: Mike Milazzo at 12:30 pm, Nick Sproviero at 4 pm, Jim Devlin at 8 pm
  • Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling Co.: Jay Leno at 8 pm
  • Newport Vineyards: Two Can Play at 5 pm
  • O’Brien’s Pub: Eoin Egan on the patio at 4:30 pm
  • One Pelham East: Karaoke at 9 pm
  • Ragged Island Brewing Company: David Tessier All Stars at 6 pm
  • Sakonnet Vineyard: Hurricane at 6 pm

Newport County Public Meetings

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...