Good morning, Newport! 👋 Today is Sunday, Aug. 17, the 229th day of 2025. There are 136 days left in the year.

🚨 You need to know

Newport Public Schools will welcome students and families back for the 2025-26 school year with a free community celebration next month.

The annual Back to School Bash will take place Tuesday, Sept. 2, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Elks Lodge #104, located at 141 Pelham St. The event is open to all K-12 students, families and community members in the Newport Public Schools district.

“Join the Bash!” organizers say, promising a fun-filled afternoon featuring a live DJ, information about afterschool and youth programs, and various free resources for families. Attendees can receive free school supplies, groceries and haircuts, along with prizes and other activities.

The event is hosted by Newport Community School with support from multiple local organizations, including Elks Lodge #104, Thompson Middle School PTO, Aquidneck Island Landscaping, RaNew Spa & Salon, Newport Public Education Foundation, Newport Public Schools League of Women Voters, Community Cookery and Thompson Middle School.

The bash serves as both a celebration and practical resource fair as students prepare to return to classes for the new academic year.

Credit: Newport Public Schools

What else you should know

☘️ The Newport Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 1 will celebrate its 125th anniversary in September with a series of public events highlighting the organization’s community service and Irish heritage.

✖️As of 7 am, Easton’s Beach is still closed due to bacteria levels. The beach has been closed since Friday.

👉 The Mount Hope Bridge reopened to traffic Saturday evening, more than 33 hours ahead of schedule, following completion of a resurfacing project.

📰 The Latest from What’sUpNewp

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📈 Yesterday’s most-read

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

  1. Two Newport beaches reopen as Easton’s Beach remains closed
  2. Two arrested for trespassing at The Clarke Cooke House
  3. Obituary: Carole Anderson
  4. Today In Newport History: August 17, 1790 – George Washington Arrives In Newport
  5. Morning Notes: Easton’s Beach remains closed for third day due to bacteria
  6. Mount Hope Bridge reopens ahead of schedule after resurfacing
  7. Things to do in Newport County this weekend: Aug. 15 – 17
  8. Helen Hames: Elder Abuse – The silent epidemic
  9. Historic horse-drawn coaches return to Newport streets next weekend
  10. Two Newport beaches closed due to high bacteria levels

📅 What’s Up Today

Weather Forecast

  • Today: Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 72. Northeast wind 15 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
  • Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. East wind 6 to 8 mph.
  • Tomorrow: Sunny, with a high near 73. Northeast wind 7 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.

Marine Forecast

  • Small Craft Advisory in effect from August 18, 4:33 AM until August 18, 1 PM
  • Today: NNE wind 13 to 15 kt, with gusts as high as 26 kt. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny. Seas 1 ft or less.
  • Tonight: E wind 5 to 7 kt. Mostly clear. Seas 1 ft or less.
  • Tomorrow: NE wind 6 to 9 kt becoming SE in the afternoon. Sunny. Seas 1 ft or less.
  • The coastal water temperature is 72 degrees.

Sun, Moon & Tide

  • Sunrise at 5:57 am. Sunset at 7:40 pm. 13 hours & 42 minutes of sun.
  • High tide at 3:49 am & 4:29 pm. Low tide at 9:14 am & 11:37 pm.
  • The lunar phase is a Waning Crescent.

Things To Do

Live Music & Entertainment

Newport County Public Meetings

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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...