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Good morning, Newport!

🗓️ Today is Tuesday, July 29, the 210th day of 2025. There are 155 days left in the year.

🚨 You need to know

The City of Newport is recruiting residents to serve on various boards, commissions and authorities that play vital roles in municipal government operations.

The city is currently accepting applications for three newly established commissions: the Academic Integration Advisory Commission, Youth Advisory Commission and Charter Review Commission. Applications are being processed for these positions.

“Newport may be a world-renowned destination, but we’re also a diverse community that depends on an actively engaged citizenry,” according to the city’s website. “Our City’s Boards and Commissions play a vital role in our civic life and are a crucial element in our municipal government.”

The volunteer bodies assist with functions ranging from zoning and historic preservation oversight to maintaining parks and beaches and ensuring smooth election operations. The city welcomes residents regardless of their experience level who are interested in contributing to the community.

Current volunteer opportunities span multiple areas of city operations. Residents can serve on boards including the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Review. Commission options include the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission, Historic District Commission, Waterfront Commission and Beach Commission, among others.

The city also offers positions on the Canvassing Authority and Housing Authority.

“Whether you’re interested in bike and pedestrian safety, Newport Harbor, or Historic Preservation, there’s more than likely a board or commission that could benefit from your involvement,” the city states.

Interested residents can apply online through the city’s website or download a paper application. The city provides printable guides to Newport’s boards and commissions to help residents understand the various opportunities available.

For questions about specific boards or commissions, or assistance with the application process, residents can contact the Mayor’s Office at (401) 845-5437.

Applications and additional information are available on the City of Newport’s website under Government > Boards & Commissions.

Here’s what else you should know

🏘️ Seventeen homes traded hands last week across Newport County. Tyler Bernadyn has a look at What Sold.

🎬 Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress Christine Baranski will appear at The Elms on Aug. 7 for a special edition of the annual John G. Winslow Lecture, where she’ll discuss HBO’s “The Gilded Age” and her career.

⚠️ The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has issued an air quality alert for Newport and Washington counties Tuesday, warning that ground-level ozone is expected to reach unhealthy levels for sensitive groups.

✊ Community members will rally this evening to oppose the potential closure of the only labor and delivery unit on Aquidneck Island. Note – The rally has been moved from the Great Friends Meetinghouse to in front of Newport City Hall.

🚲 Bike Newport will celebrate the installation of solar power at its Big Blue Bike Barn with a community event this evening.

🗓️ On tap this weekend and weekend: Newport Jazz Festival, The Big Lebowski Party, Made in Newport Film Series, and more. Get the full rundown here.

📰 The Latest from What’sUpNewp

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📈 Yesterday’s most-read

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

  1. Obituary: Domonick Knight
  2. Obituary: Aaliyah Hightower
  3. Obituary: William Meikle
  4. Kenny Loggins takes Newport by storm!
  5. Things to do in Newport County this week and weekend: July 28 – Aug. 3
  6. Air quality alert issued for Newport, Washington counties Tuesday
  7. Carpionato still interested in developing Casino property
  8. Letter to the Editor: Middletown residents should support Affordable Housing Committee’s recommendation on August 4
  9. Newport Folk Festival showcases student talent through growing Music Lab program
  10. ‘Hairspray’ at Theatre by the Sea: A rare musical exception

📅 What’s Up Today

Weather Forecast

  • Heat Advisory until July 30, 8 PM
  • Air Quality Alert
  • Today: Patchy dense fog before 8am. Otherwise, partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 86. Southwest wind 6 to 10 mph.
  • Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 70. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
  • Tomorrow: Sunny, with a high near 83. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.

Sun, Moon & Tide

  • Sunrise at 5:37 am. Sunset at 8:04 pm. 14 hours & 27 minutes of sun.
  • High tide at 12 pm. Low tide at 4:55 am & 5:17 pm.
  • The lunar phase is a Waxing Crescent.
  • The coastal water temperature is 70 degrees.

Things To Do

Live Music & Entertainment

Newport County Public Meetings

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...