A lot has been written about blizzards in Rhode Island, from 1978 (the granddaddy of all) to what will now become the blizzard of 2022. What weaves these catastrophic events together, is the toll it takes on our seniors, those physically impaired, and the homeless. Just this week, volunteers scoured our neighborhoods in search of […]
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
Finding Rhode Island’s Homeless
Each year, beginning January 26 and lasting a few days, officials in each state conduct a count of homeless persons, a Point in Time count that the Department of Housing and Urban Development requires of communities receiving funds from a federal homeless grants program. That count began in Rhode Island today, and according to Russell […]
Posted inCity & Government, What's Up Newp Live Stream
Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain joins What’s Up Newp for a live conversation on Wednesday
How are Newport Schools addressing a shortfall of reportedly $12 million needed for the Rogers High School re-construction? We’ll learn that and more when School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain joins What’s Up Newp for her monthly live virtual video conversation on Wednesday at 1:30 pm. We’ll also ask about progress on the elementary school project, […]
Posted inCity & Government, News, What's Up Newp Live Stream
Gubernatorial Candidate Helena Foulkes joins What’s Up Newp for a live conversation on Wednesday
In the crowded Democratic race for governor, Helena Foulkes hopes that her business background, and political pedigree, propel her to become the next governor of Rhode Island. We’ll learn more about Foulkes at 12:30 pm on Wednesday when she joins a What’s Up Newp for a live virtual video conversation. Helena Foulkes Foulkes is a […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Rhode Island’s 2022 election getting expensive
When U.S. Rep. James Langevin, D-RI, who represents the second district, announced last week that he would not run for reelection, it opened a flood gate of speculation of names of Democrats and Republicans who might consider running, and certainly made the 2022 Rhode Island election much more expensive. The five Democrats expected to be […]
Posted inCity & Government, Columns, News, Opinion
Just My Opinion: Jim Langevin – Courage, decency, honesty
Perhaps Jim Langevin will be remembered most for his courage. An 11-term Congressman from Rhode Island’s second district, he announced today, at the age of 57, that he would not run for reelection. Things might have turned out differently, had he not been severely injured in an accidental shooting when he was just 16. The […]
Posted inCity & Government, COVID-19, What's Up Newp Live Stream
Mayor Jeanne-Marie Napolitano joins What’sUpNewp for a live virtual video conversation on Friday
Newport Mayor Jeanne-Marie Napolitano joins What’sUpNewp for a live virtual video conversation at noon on Friday, January 14. We’ll speak to Mayor Napolitano about how COVID is impacting city services, expectations for popular events, including the cherished St. Patrick’s Day Parade. We’ll also speak to the Mayor about budget talks with the school department, progress […]
Posted inNews
Worst blood shortage in more than a decade
Blood supplies remain at a critical level in Rhode Island, and nationwide, with supplies at perhaps a fraction of what they should be, and blood collection agencies wary of their ability to provide adequate blood products in case of emergencies. It’s the worst blood shortage in more than a decade, according to the American Red […]
Posted inBusiness, News
Small Business Administration extends deadline for annual awards nominations
The Small Business Administration has extended its deadline for submission of nominees for its prestigious local Small Business Awards to January 28. The awards recognize outstanding companies or individuals in several categories. “If you or someone you know has an inspiring small business success story to tell or maybe they’ve played a supporting role in […]
Posted inCOVID-19, News
Yale New Haven medical director believes Omicron wave will pass by March
The Chief Medical Officer for Yale New Haven’s Lawrence & Memorial and Westerly Hospitals said today that he is “hopeful” the latest COVID wave passes by March. Dr. Oliver Mayorga, appearing on WBLQ radio’s Morning Show with Frank Prosnitz, spoke about a wide range of COVID related issues, including hospital staff shortages, any anticipated future […]
Posted inNews
Newport Area Career and Technical Center to host an event for eight and ninth-graders and their families on Jan. 12
The Newport Area Career and Technical Center is reaching out to eighth and ninth graders and their families in the seven communities it serves, to introduce them to the nine programs it offers. NACTC is holding an event on January 12 from 6 pm – 7:30 pm at the Rogers High School Auditorium, 15 Wickham […]
Posted inColumns
Just My Opinion: What’s ahead in 2022
It seems like everyone, at least in the media, is doing its top lists at this time of year – top stories of the past year, people to watch, people who we watched, stories we expect to dominate in 2022, or is that 2020 too. No, No, No, please. We had enough of 2020 for […]
Posted inBusiness, News
Mitchell named AARP Volunteer State President
Marcus Mitchell of Providence, has been named AARP Rhode Island Volunteer State President, according to a press release released by the local organization. Mitchell replaces Phil Zarlengo, whose term expires Dec. 31. Mitchell is the founder of Shere Strategy Enterprises, a boutique strategic solutions company which focuses on crisis management, small business start-ups and conflict […]
Posted inNews
Leno wraps up five nights of celebrating local police
With laughter and grace, Jay Leno closed out his five-night run at Newport’s Firehouse Theater, playing to sold-out crowds each night, in what was a fundraiser for the local Fraternal Order of Police. He entertained the crowd in this gem of a theater with his stand-up comedy, trying out some new jokes, while mixing in some sure-fire standards, and […]
Posted inArts & Culture, News
Newport Performing Arts Center board ‘reframing’ the project; hopeful of a late 2023 re-opening
More than two decades after the non-profit Newport Performing Arts Center bought the former Newport Opera House, promising to return it to its previous opulence, the building remains shuttered, while the group “reframes” the project. After years of trying to raise the $26 million it initially believed was needed to renovate the more than 150-year-old […]
Posted inNews
‘Thank You,’ Leno tells cops at sold-out comedy show
At a time when laughter seems elusive and policing is often under siege – Jay Leno, the one-time king of late-night tv, brought laughter to this 90-seat Newport theater and an appreciative audience of primarily local policemen. [ Dec. 24 – ‘5 Nights of Leno’ raises $18,000 for Newport Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #8 […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Legislative Survey: Rep. Deb Ruggiero, D-Dist. 74, Middletown, Jamestown
WhatsUpNewp reached out to Newport County legislators to get their perspective on where we have been and what they hope to achieve in this next legislative session. Rep. Deb Ruggiero, D-Dist. 74, is the second legislator to reply. Representative Ruggiero chairs the House Committee on Innovation, Internet, and Technology. She also chairs the Coastal Resource […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles, What's Up Newp Live Stream
Will tourism rebound in 2022; Discover Newport’s Evan Smith joins WUN for a live interview on Wednesday
No industry has suffered more than tourism during the pandemic, and no community in Rhode Island is more reliant upon tourism than Newport. Evan Smith, executive director of Discover Newport, joins What’s Up Newp for a live virtual video interview at 2 pm tomorrow (Wednesday) to look back at 2021 and to look ahead to next […]
Posted inCity & Government, News, People & Profiles
WUN-ON-ONE: Councilor Ceglie joins WUN for monthly live interview on Wednesday
Update – Since publishing this, the Mayor’s office has made us aware that Lynn Underwood Ceglie, Vice-Chair and At-Large Councilor, will be filling in for Mayor Napolitano. Newport Vice-Chair, At-Large Councilor Lynn Underwood Ceglie, on the heels of a divisive City Council meeting over North End zoning, joins What’s Up Newp for a live virtual […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Two former mayors, likely foes in the General Treasurer race
Former Central Falls Mayor James Diossa, a Democrat, announced today that he’s running for General Treasurer, setting up a potential general election with former Cranston Mayor Alan Fung. Both former mayors were term-limited, and both have ambitions of holding statewide office. Fung, who twice ran unsuccessfully for governor, has strongly indicated his interest in running […]
Posted inBusiness
SBA calls for 2022 Small Business Award Nominations
The Small Business Administration has put out its annual call for nominees for its prestigious Small Business Awards, in which it recognizes outstanding companies or individuals in several categories. Rhode Island winners then compete regionally and nationally with company and individual winners from other regions. Awards are presented at ceremonies during Small Business Week, which […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island Blood Center declares critical blood shortage
The Rhode Island Blood Center today declared its third blood emergency this year, with a one-to-two-day supply, well below what it said is its ideal inventory of seven days. It joins blood centers across the nation that are experiencing similar shortages, described by a Red Cross official in Tennessee of “causing hospitals to actually reconsider […]
Posted inNews, What's Up Newp Live Stream
WUN-On-One: Newport School Superintendent joins WUN on Wednesday for a virtual conversation
Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain joins WUN for her monthly videocast at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Among the issues we’ll discuss: We’ll talk about the lingering impact of the pandemic and how the school system is trying to make up for lost learning. School construction projects – progress, timing, funding, and any changes to the […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
What’s Up Newp Legislative Survey: Rep. Lauren Carson
For the last few years, What’s Up Newp has reached out to Newport area state legislators in advance of the Rhode Island legislative session. This last year has been a year like none other, defined by the pandemic and divisiveness, all feeding into distrust of government on all levels. Are our local legislators up to […]
Posted inColumns
Just My Opinion: What are you thankful for in 2021?
It’s been a tough year – the pandemic, violence, a nation divided. We see state after state, district after district, attempting to enact voter suppression laws and to rewrite history in a way that erases discrimination then … and now. Tough year. Tough couple of years … or longer. So, I asked, what are you […]