Legislators on Rhode Island’s South Coast are focusing on climate change, shoreline access, funding for education, and veterans, among issues they hope to address during this legislative session. What’sUpNewp reached out to several South Coast legislators, as we did with Aquidnick Island legislators (published earlier), to learn their legislative priorities. We also realize that this […]
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 inNews
Gas Crisis: Can it happen again?
It was four years ago when the gas stopped flowing to thousands of Newport and Middletown households and businesses. The frigid temperatures forced many families to flee the island, pipes burst and local officials were searching for answers. It didn’t take long for officials to place blame on a system failure, rather than extraordinary cold […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Theater Review: Gamm’s production of The Faith Healer is masterful
The Faith Healer, a masterpiece by Irish playwright Brian Friel, is performed masterfully at the Gamm Theater. It only plays through January 29 and should not be missed. The story is told in four monologues, the opening and closing by Frank (Tony Estrella), the faith healer; his loyal wife, Grace (Jeanine Kane); and manager, Teddy […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles
Podcast: A conversation with University of Rhode Island Economist Len Lardaro
University of Rhode Island Economist Len Lardaro, author of a monthly Rhode Island economic index, believes there is a 60 percent chance of what he calls a “vanilla” recession in 2023 and 70 percent in 2024. In this interview, he touches on immigration and its impact on employment, the economic importance of affordable housing, and […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles
Podcast: A conversation with former URI President Robert L. Carothers
Robert L. Carothers came to the University of Rhode Island, in the worst of times, and when he left 18 years later, URI and the state of Rhode Island were much better for his having been there. We catch up with Bob Carothers, as he now contemplates a second retirement, this one from College Unbound, […]
Posted inColumns
Just My Opinion: Governor McKee likely to name former Commerce Secretary as Rhode Island’s Housing Czar
We’re hearing that former Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor will likely be named the new Rhode Island Housing Secretary early this week, after the resignation last week of Josh Saal, who had been in the job for only a few months. Saal had come under criticism from Rhode Island House and Senate leadership, as Gov. Dan […]
Posted inNews
Some Homeless Shelters consider purchasing motels to combat homelessness
Some non-profit homeless shelters in Rhode Island are considering the purchase of motels and hotels to accelerate efforts to develop more short-term and permanent affordable housing, according to a prominent industry executive. Russ Partridge, longtime executive director of the WARM Center in Westerly and Welcome House in Wakefield, said that with grants and state funds, […]
Posted inNews
Westerly to explore developing a solar farm at its closed landfill
Westerly Town Council President Ed Morrone has proposed initiatives that he hopes can preserve forest land, provide for alternative energy sources, and protect the town in the event of drought and severe storms that result from climate change. He’s asked town officials to explore the possibility of developing a solar farm at the site of […]
Posted inCity & Government
DiPalma to focus on issues of identity theft, artificial intelligence, technology
For state Sen. Lou DiPalma, D-12 (Middletown, Little Compton, Newport, and Tiverton), the 2023 legislative session will be an opportunity to focus on a number of technology-related issues. Senator DiPalma His focus on technology is hardly unexpected, as his bachelor’s degree from the University of Bridgeport is in computer engineering and his master’s degree is […]
Posted inCity & Government
Legislators Ujifusa, McGaw focus on environmental issues
The environment is among the top priorities for both Representative Michelle E. McGaw, D-Dist. 71 and newly elected Sen. Linda Ujifusa, D-Dist. 11, during the legislative session that began this week. The two legislators are among those Representatives and Senators to whom What’sUpNewp reached out in the Newport County area and on the South Shore, […]
Posted inCity & Government
Legislators Carson, Finkleman share plans for 2023 legislative session
With the 2023 legislative underway, hundreds, maybe thousands of bills will be introduced with the intention of solving some of the state’s most pressing issues. What’sUpNewp reached out to legislators from the Newport County area and on the South Shore, asking for their vision for this upcoming legislative session. There are clearly similarities in the […]
Posted inCity & Government
Local legislators’ plans as 2023 session begins this week
As legislators prepare for the start of the legislative session this week, many are looking to complete work left unfinished from the last session, with legislators on both the East and West Bay focusing on climate and shoreline access among their key issues. What’sUpNewp reached out to legislators from the Newport County area and on […]
Posted inNews
Big winner in RI in 2022 – School building projects
After all the votes were counted in 2022, from the governor’s race to dog catcher (actually I don’t think anyone elects a dog catcher), the most impactful outcomes were likely the billion dollars in school construction projects that voters authorized across Rhode Island. The result is an infusion of not only dollars but enthusiasm and […]
Posted inCity & Government
Millions left in legislators’ campaign accounts
Rhode Island politicians, fresh from expensive primary and general elections, still have millions of dollars left in their campaign accounts. And those in powerful legislative positions are leading the way. Speaker of the House Joseph Shekarchi, D-Dist. 23 has amassed a robust campaign fund of nearly $1.7 million, according to the latest campaign finance report. […]
Posted inCity & Government
Shoreline access expected to be among legislatures top priorities when it convenes in January
When the Rhode Island State Legislature convenes on Jan. 4, it’s certain that shoreline access will be among its top priorities. In the 2022 session, the House of Representatives unanimously approved a shoreline access bill, only to see the Senate fail to consider the legislation. The shoreline access bill did not pass the House until […]
Posted inColumns
Just My Opinion: Three celebrations, one underlying message
The flame from Chanukah’s first candle flickers, the star atop a Christmas tree sheds its light elegantly, and the candles of Kwanzaa’s kinara speak of hardship and hope. Light. It seems to unite these three celebrations, the first of which begins on Sunday, December 18 with the lighting by Jews worldwide of the first (of […]
Posted inCity & Government
Lt. Gov. Matos joins What’sUpNewp on Dec. 14 for a discussion of her priorities as she enters her first full term in office
When Sabina Matos was a candidate for her first full term as lieutenant governor, she set her priorities as affordable housing, broadband, and tourism. Now, we’ll ask her how she hopes to address each of these issues during a 4 pm videocast on Wednesday, December 14. Matos was appointed as the 70th Lieutenant Governor of […]
Posted inCity & Government
Ethics in Rhode Island? Common Cause executive director, joins WUN for a live conversation on Thursday
Since its founding in Rhode Island more than 50 years ago, Common Cause Rhode Island has consistently been at the forefront of ethics reform, serving as a significant watchdog over local and state government in Rhode Island. John Marion, Common Cause executive director, joins WUN for a 4 p.m. videocast on Thursday, December 8. We’ll […]
Posted inNews
Newport Performing Arts Center Board hires national consultant, hopeful of reviving fundraising effort
The board of the Newport Performing Arts Center has hired a national theater consultant, hopeful of revitalizing its fundraising efforts to restore the historic Opera House on Washington Square to its former opulence. The restoration project has been ongoing for more than two decades, a massive project that once was projected to cost $26 million, […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport School Superintendent Jermain joins WUN for a conversation on Wednesday
For Colleen Burns Jermain, Newport’s School Superintendent, it has been a challenging time — from the failed regionalization vote to revelations of expected substantial cost overruns for the Rogers High School construction project. Colleen joins WhatsUpNewp at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday) for her monthly live virtual video conversation with us. Is regionalization dead? Or does […]
Posted inBusiness
Deadline Dec. 8 for SBA Award nominations
Nominations for the prestigious Small Business Administration’s annual awards is slightly more than a week away (Dec. 8), with awards given on a local, regional, and national level. The SBA presents awards in several categories, meant to celebrate small businesses across the country, and locally. Specific information about the nomination process is available at sba.gov/nsbw […]
Posted inNews
Pete and Ron Cardi join WUN on Nov. 22: Giving back to the community
When Pete, Ron and Nick Cardi’s father opened a small furniture store in Cranston decades ago, he could have never imagined the dynamic growth of the store into one of the leading furniture stores nationwide, and the impact Cardi’s has had in its support of numerous non-profit organizations. With the holidays upon us, Cardi’s is […]
Posted inReal Estate
Home sales off 40 percent in two years
The number of single-family homes sold in Rhode Island in October was nearly 40 percent less than two years ago, while house prices remained relatively steady this year, although up more than 17 percent from October 2020, according to the Rhode Island State-Wide Multiple Listing Service. According to the organization’s data, over the last three […]
Posted inCity & Government
Progressives had tough elections in Rhode Island in 2022
It would appear that one major takeaway from the 2022 election – nationally, statewide and locally – is that the extremes did not do very well. In Rhode Island, while Democrats took all statewide general officer positions and again solidly maintained control of the state Senate and state House of Representatives, members of the Rhode […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Gamm Theatre’s ‘Sweat’, a mirror into economic hardship, race, and disintegrating friendships
Sweat, now playing at the Gamm Theatre in Warwick, is a powerful play that explores friendships and friendships gone awry, race, economy, all set in the troubled community of Reading, Pennsylvania. Lynn Nottage won a Pulitzer for Sweat, and the play was nominated for Tony awards on Broadway for Best Play, and two of its […]