Portsmouth Police officers pose for a group photo following the department's 11th annual awards and swearing-in ceremony Thursday evening at Glen Manor House. The ceremony recognized officers for their dedication to public safety and included promotions and various service awards. (Portsmouth Police Department)

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 Portsmouth Police Department recognized officers for their dedication and service during its 11th annual awards and swearing-in ceremony Wednesday evening at Glen Manor House.

The ceremony celebrated officers who demonstrated commitment to public safety while serving the town of Portsmouth, with department leadership emphasizing the recipients embody the core values of honesty, integrity and pride.

Officer William Silvia received the Lifesaving Award, while Officer Jeffrey Gosselin was honored with the Meritorious Service Award. Detective Caleb McQuaide was named Officer of the Year for 2024, and Detective Sergeant James Thulier earned the Top Shot Award.

Chief’s Awards were presented to Sergeant Ryan Stinson, Sergeant Clinton Spurlock and Detective Austin Szczepaniak. Spurlock also received the DUI ’50’ Pin for his enforcement efforts.

The ceremony included the ceremonial swearing-in and badge pinning of five officers: Administrative Lieutenant James Francis, Lieutenant Shawn Churchill, Detective Sergeant James Thulier, Sergeant Jacob Robitaille and Detective Caleb McQuaide. The event highlighted the department’s recognition of both veteran officers advancing in rank and those distinguished for exceptional service to the community.

Here’s what else to know

On This Day: Australia II Wins America’s Cup – 42 years ago today, September 26, 1983, Australia II made history in Newport waters, coming from behind to defeat the United States 4 races to 3. The victory ended the longest winning streak in sporting history and marked the end of American domination in sailing’s most prestigious competition.

RIPTA Bus Overturns on Newport Bridge – Multiple injuries reported in Thursday crash as Jamestown and Newport fire departments responded to the accident. The incident highlights ongoing transportation safety concerns on the Pell Bridge.

Newport Polo Season Finale This Weekend – The 34th season concludes Saturday with the Turkish Airlines Finals at Glen Farm. A Grammy-nominated opera singer will perform the anthem, and the grand prize winner receives international travel courtesy of Turkish Airlines.

Hallmark Movie Showcases Bowen’s Wharf – “A Newport Christmas” features our historic waterfront prominently, with the romantic time-travel story filmed at one of Newport’s most iconic locations. The movie premieres November 2 on Hallmark Channel.

Broadway Street Fair Returns October 11 – The eighth annual event promises 200+ vendors, Willie Nile & The Ravers, food trucks, and family activities. One of Newport’s largest community celebrations continues to grow each year.

Also in today’s news: Newport ranks 4th on Travel + Leisure’s best East Coast places to live list. Audrain Newport Concours grows with expanded automotive celebrations October 2-5. Two cruise ships – Allura and Norwegian Getaway – arrive Monday bringing thousands of visitors downtown. Pleasant weather returns after Thursday’s storms.

📰 The Latest from What’sUpNewp

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📈 Yesterday’s most-read

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

  1. RIPTA bus overturns on Newport Bridge, multiple injuries reported
  2. Obituary: Steven J. Lalli
  3. Newport ranks 4th on Travel + Leisure’s best East Coast places to live list
  4. What to know about the opposition around renaming new Pell grants after Trump
  5. Notes: Bowen’s Wharf takes center stage in Hallmark’s “A Newport Christmas”
  6. Obituary: Mary Fougere
  7. Discover coastal living at Aquidneck Village: Open house this Sunday 
  8. Obituary: Maria Alves
  9. Notes: Newport police clarify e-bike laws following safety concerns
  10. IYRS to host Holly Jolly Weekend holiday festivities in December

📅 What’s Up Today

Weather Forecast

  • Today – Partly sunny, with a high near 77°F. Southwest wind around 8 mph.
  • Tonight – Mostly clear, with a low around 63°F. West wind around 6 mph becoming north after midnight.
  • Saturday – Mostly sunny, with a high near 75°F. North wind around 7 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
  • Saturday Night – A chance of showers, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63°F. Southeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
  • Sunday – A chance of showers, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72°F. East wind 5 to 7 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
  • Sunday Night – Partly cloudy, with a low around 62°F. Southwest wind around 6 mph becoming northwest after midnight.

Marine Forecast

  • Today – W wind around 7 kt becoming SW in the afternoon. Partly sunny. Seas 1 ft or less.
  • Tonight – Variable winds 5 kt or less. Mostly clear. Seas 1 ft or less.
  • Saturday – N wind around 6 kt becoming SE in the afternoon. Mostly sunny. Seas 1 ft or less.
  • Saturday Night – Variable winds 5 kt or less. A chance of showers, mainly after midnight. Seas 1 ft or less.
  • Sunday – Variable winds less than 5 kt becoming S around 6 kt in the afternoon. A chance of showers, mainly before noon. Seas 1 ft or less.
  • Sunday Night – Variable winds 5 kt or less. Partly cloudy. Seas 1 ft or less.

Sun & Tide Information

  • Sunrise: 6:37:21 a.m., Sunset: 6:35:35 p.m.
  • Daylight: 11 hours and 58 minutes
  • Moon Phase: Waxing Crescent
  • Low tides: 4:08 a.m., 4:53 p.m. High tides: 11:15 a.m., 11:37 p.m.

Cruise Ship Schedule

  • Monday, September 29: Allura, Norwegian Getaway

Things To Do

Live Music & Entertainment

City Information & Meetings

  • No public meetings are scheduled.

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...