As Rhode Island’s public schools emerge from the pandemic they face “numerous challenges,” from declining enrollment and rising absenteeism to mental health issues and a “tight educator labor market,” according […]
Frank Prosnitz
Frank Prosnitz brings to WhatsUpNewp several years in journalism, including 10 as editor of the Providence (RI) Business News and 14 years as a reporter and bureau manager at the Providence (RI) Journal. Prosnitz began his journalism career as a sportswriter at the Asbury Park (NJ) Press, moving to The News Tribune (Woodbridge, NJ), before joining the Providence Journal. Prosnitz hosts the Morning Show on WLBQ radio (Westerly), 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monday through Friday, and It’s Your Business, also on WBLQ, Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Prosnitz has twice won Best in Business Awards from the national Society of American Business Editors and Writers (SABEW), twice was named Media Advocate of the Year by the Small Business Administration, won an investigative reporter’s award from the New England Press Association, and newswriting award from the Rhode Island Press Association.
Posted inCity & Government
State Board of Elections ‘forgiving’ millions in campaign fines
The State Board of Elections is “forgiving” millions of dollars in fines previously levied against candidates filing late campaign finance reports, or not filing reports at all. Quarterly, the Board […]
Posted inColumn
Just My Opinion: What’s missing? A robust discussion about campaign finance reform
On this election eve, there’s much to ponder, about what we’ve heard from candidates, and what we haven’t. Tomorrow voters will decide who will end up in November running for […]
Posted inNews
Portsmouth ranked among the best Rhode Island high schools
On the eve of school openings across Rhode Island, U.S. News and World Report has released its annual rankings of high schools, with Portsmouth rated fourth best in Rhode Island, […]
Posted inBusiness
SBA offers workshops to help small businesses
The Small Business Administration has announced a series of workshops for small businesses that will help business owners with everything from their QuickBooks expertise to helping minority and women-owned businesses […]
Posted inCity & Government
Westerly Town Council President abruptly resigns
Westerly Town Council President Ed Morrone has abruptly resigned from the council, alleging that most council members have prevented citizens from being heard on specific issues, been divisive, and “callous.” […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport Canvassers ask police to investigate questionable signatures
Newport Board of Canvassers this morning asked Newport Police to investigate possible fraudulent signatures submitted on behalf of Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos for her candidacy for the vacant District 1 […]
Posted inCity & Government
Fifteen qualify for House District 1 Primary
Some 15 candidates – 13 Democrats and two Republicans, have qualified to appear on the primary election ballot for the U.S. House District 1 seat. The Secretary of State’s office […]
Posted inCity & Government
More than half of declared candidates for House District 1 apparently fail to acquire adequate signatures to run
With the deadline past for filing papers to run for House District 1, more than half of the 35 that initially declared apparently failed to collect the required number of […]
Posted inCity & Government
House District 1 candidates begin filing signatures, hopeful of qualifying for the ballot
(This story is an update as of 11 p.m. today, July 14) At what appears to be the close for filing nomination papers, 15 of the 34 candidates who declared […]
Posted inBusiness
Yale New Haven names new CEO at Westerly, Lawrence + Memorial Hospitals
Yale New Haven Health Systems (YNHS) has named Richard Lisitano the new president of Westerly and Lawrence + Memorial Hospital (New London, CT), replacing Patrick Green, who left Yale New […]
Posted inCity & Government
House District 1 candidates face important deadlines
The nearly three dozen declared candidates for the now vacant first U.S. House of Representative seat in Rhode Island face a series of deadlines that should substantially reduce the field. […]
Posted inCity & Government
35 file to fill the District 1 Congressional seat
There’s a gaggle plus of people who apparently want to succeed David Cicilline in Congress, at least according to the filings in the Secretary of State’s office by today’s 4 […]
Posted inColumn
Just My Opinion: Home fireworks displays sent more than 10,000 to hospital in 2022
You know those sparklers, the ones you love to give to kids to twirl around, to celebrate the Fourth of July and the days before and after … remember them? […]
Posted inCity & Government
WUN-ON-ONE: Newport School Superintendent joins What’sUpNewp for a review of the past year, look at challenges ahead
Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain joined WUN’s Ryan Belmore and Frank Prosnitz on the first day of summer school vacation to recap the year that was, talk about the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
WUN-ON-ONE: Salve grad discusses his latest novel, ‘Glass Bottle Season’
“Fletcher Michael’s GLASS BOTTLE SEASON is a closely observed coming-of-age tale set against the backdrop of the insular culture of Newport royalty. This boozy, immersive novel will resonate with anyone […]
Posted inNews
RI DMV plans to open a mobile DMV office to replace closed offices in Warren and Westerly
The Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles expects to roll out a mobile DMV office to replace two permanent part-time branch offices that have been closed for three years, according […]
Posted inCity & Government
Undocumented immigrants eligible for driver privilege cards, July 1
Undocumented immigrants will be able to apply for the equivalent of a driver’s license in Rhode Island, beginning July 1. The law was enacted last year and is effective July […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
WUN-ON-ONE: Author Will Sofrin joins What’sUpNewp for a live virtual video conversation on June 16
Imagine as a 21-year-old, a wooden boat builder and yacht enthusiast; you sign on with some 30 crew members to sail from Newport to California on a replica yacht that […]
Posted inBusiness
Just My Opinion: It’s customer service, customer service, customer service
You ever see that Jonathan guy – you know the one on TV touting very reasonably priced life insurance for older people, telling all who would listen that it’s about […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Westerly Council rejects attempt to have it endorse anti-obscenity bill
The Westerly Town Council last night rejected, after more than three hours of public comment, an effort to have it endorse a bill that would have expanded an anti-obscenity bill […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Westerly Council asked to endorse anti-obscenity bill
The Westerly Town Council has been asked to endorse a bill at its meeting tonight that would follow many of the most restrictive morality bills passed or suggested in so-called […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles
Facing education’s challenges: a conversation with Newport School Superintendent Jermain
For Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain, the 2022-23 school year has been one with considerable challenges, as the school system looks to the next school year to improve upon […]
Posted inNews
Mental health crisis in our schools, communities
One in four children in Rhode Island, ages three to 17, suffer from mental health issues, while a third of those have trouble getting treatment, according to the latest version […]
Posted inNews
Only 10 percent of Rhode Islanders can afford childcare for even one child
It’s no surprise that Kids’ Count has found that only about 10 percent of Rhode Island families can afford to pay childcare for even one child, presenting a significant obstacle […]