Good morning, Newport! Today is Friday, Sept. 26, the 269th day of 2025. There are 96 days left in the year.

🚨 You need to know

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center will begin in-person registration for its annual Holiday Help programs on Tuesday, Oct. 14, offering meal assistance and gifts to families throughout Newport County for the upcoming holiday season.

Registration will be available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center, located at 20 Dr. Marcus Wheatland Blvd. The deadline to register for Thanksgiving assistance is Friday, November 14, while registration for Christmas meal assistance and Santa’s Workshop closes on Friday, December 12. Online registration is not available.

The Holiday Help programs provide crucial support to thousands of local families. Last year, 901 families, representing 2,320 individuals, received Thanksgiving meal ingredients, while 1,033 families, totaling 2,978 people, received gift cards for Christmas dinners. Santa’s Workshop, which serves children from birth to age 17, provided gifts to 1,327 kids in 2024, allowing parents to select items based on their children’s preferences rather than receiving generic donations.

“Children have gifts on Christmas morning because of people who organize toy drives in their neighborhoods, businesses, and schools,” said Heather Hole Strout, executive director of the MLK Community Center. “Each holiday season we help thousands of people thanks to the generosity of our community. Without this generosity, the holidays would look different for a lot of families in Newport County.”

Those seeking assistance or wishing to donate can visit mlkccenter.org/holiday-help. Donations can be dropped off at the center’s loading dock Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, contact Community Programs Manager Erin Patel at 401-846-4828, ext. 124, or epatel@mlkccenter.org.

Here’s what else to know

Newport City Council Meets Tonight – The rescheduled meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers after last week’s Sept. 24 session was canceled due to improper public notification. This marks the second cancellation this month. Tonight’s agenda includes harbor ordinance revisions, major infrastructure contracts (Martin Rec HVAC, City Hall retaining wall, LED sports lighting, Perrotti Park landing), and a resolution on a natural gas hookup moratorium for Aquidneck Island. The Board of License Commissioners will also reconvene a show cause hearing for the Pyramid Club operating without a valid alcoholic beverage license.

Two Cruise Ships Dock Today – The Allura and Norwegian Getaway arrive in Newport Harbor this morning at Perrotti Park, bringing thousands of visitors to explore downtown shops, restaurants, and historic attractions.

This Week’s Cruise Ship Schedule:

  • Today (Monday, Sept. 29): Allura, Norwegian Getaway
  • Wednesday, Oct. 1: Crystal Serenity
  • Friday, Oct. 3: Enchanted Princess
  • Saturday, Oct. 4: Queen Mary 2

Audrain Newport Concours Kicks Off This Week – The prestigious automotive celebration begins October 2-5 with an expanded lineup of participants and sponsors. This year’s Motor Week features rare and exotic cars, exclusive events, and automotive excellence throughout Newport’s scenic streets.

Newport Chowder Company Goes National – Local family-owned business announces major US Foods partnership, bringing their Chowder Hall of Fame-winning recipe to restaurants nationwide. The expansion marks a significant milestone for the beloved Newport brand.

Also in today’s news: IC37 Championship decided by single point at NY Yacht Club Harbour Court. Red Sox-Yankees Wild Card Series begins Tuesday. Newport County fire departments receive over $758,000 in federal grants. Newport hosts state cybersecurity summit. Pleasant fall weather continues with highs near 75°F.

📰 The Latest from What’sUpNewp

Comic – Sour Grapes: Mist

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📈 Yesterday’s most-read

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

  1. Obituary: Joseph Alves
  2. Newport Chowder Company goes national with major US Foods partnership
  3. Netflix star’s real estate firm expands to Rhode Island
  4. Obituary: Antonio Walker
  5. Obituary: Steven J. Lalli
  6. RIPTA bus overturns on Newport Bridge, multiple injuries reported
  7. Newport County fire departments receive over $758,000 in federal grants
  8. Michele Gallagher: Hispanic Heritage Month spotlights Newport’s growing Latino community
  9. On the Market: A look at 60 Homes hosting Open Houses in Newport County (Sept. 27-28)
  10. Counties with the oldest homes in Rhode Island

📅 What’s Up Today

Weather Forecast

  • Today – Increasing clouds, with a high near 75°F. North wind 5 to 8 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
  • Tonight – Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61°F. West wind 3 to 5 mph.
  • Tuesday – Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75°F. Northeast wind 6 to 11 mph.
  • Tuesday Night – Partly cloudy, with a low around 55°F. Northeast wind 10 to 13 mph.

Marine Forecast

  • Today – NNE wind 5 to 7 kt becoming variable and less than 5 kt. Increasing clouds. Seas 1 ft or less.
  • Tonight – Variable winds 5 kt or less. Mostly cloudy. Seas 1 ft or less.
  • Tuesday – N wind 5 to 10 kt becoming NE in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy. Seas 1 ft or less.
  • Tuesday Night – NNE wind 9 to 11 kt. Partly cloudy. Seas 1 ft or less.

Sun & Tide Information

  • Sunrise: 6:40:29 a.m., Sunset: 6:30:26 p.m.
  • Daylight: 11 hours and 49 minutes
  • Moon Phase: Waxing Crescent
  • Low tides: 6:12 a.m., 7:39 p.m. High tides: 1:11 a.m., 1:33 p.m.

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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...