Niko Merritt of Newport is one of just 31 people statewide selected to participate in the Rhode Island Foundation’s Equity Leadership Initiative. The goal is to help build a pipeline of leaders of color for positions of influence throughout the state. Merritt is the founder and Executive Director of Sankofa Community Connection. Besides having worked for […]
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 inOpinion
Just My Opinion: Maybe physicians should attend patients’ funerals
Maybe they should make physicians go to the funerals of the patients they lose. For some it might give a better understanding of the people they treat, the families they meet, and the impact that their bedside manner has on everyone, from patient to family to nurse. Not that the medical treatment would be any […]
Posted inCity & Government
Nellie Gorbea will join What’sUpNewp for a live virtual conversation on Monday
Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, among five candidates vying for the Democratic Party’s gubernatorial nomination, joins What’sUpNewp tomorrow (Monday) for a 3 p.m. videocast. The gubernatorial race has been hotly contested, with Gorbea and Gov. Daniel McKee the front runners in recent polls, with former CVS executive Helena Buonanno Foulkes gaining in the polls, and […]
Posted inCity & Government
Court to rule on truck tolls in September
A federal court decision in the American Trucking Association’s lawsuit against the state of Rhode Island for what it claims are unconstitutional truck-only tolls for out-of-state tractor trailers is expected in September, according to Christopher Maxwell, executive director of the Rhode Island Trucking Association. The decision by Judge William Smith will come four years after […]
Posted inPolitics
Election 2022: Candidates sprint to the primary election finish line with endorsements, accusations, and suggestions
With the primary election less than three weeks away, candidates, mostly Democrats, are sprinting to the finish line. Competitive Democratic primaries are being hotly contested for governor, second Congressional district, lieutenant governor, and general treasurer. And lots of money is being spent on television ads, trying to convince you – the voters – of the […]
Posted inCity & Government
Bova seeks to delay regionalization vote
While other Middletown and Newport officials are touting the benefits ofregionalizing the communities’ schools, Newport Councilor Jamie Bova tonight will askthe Newport City Council to postpone the November regionalization vote. [Update – Bova’s resolution to postpone the vote failed 5 – 2. The two votes in support of the resolution were Bova and Angela McCalla.] […]
Posted inNews
Gubernatorial hopeful Luis Daniel Munoz joins WUN for a live virtual video conversation, Tuesday at 3 pm
Luis Daniel Munoz, a progressive who is battling four other better-funded Democratic gubernatorial candidates, will share his message with WhatsUpNewp when he joins us on a 3 p.m. videocast on Tuesday. A technology consultant and self-described community organizer, Munoz was born in New York City and raised in Central Falls. This is his second campaign […]
Posted inCity & Government
WUN-ON-ONE: A conversation with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Helena Buonanno Foulkes
Former CVS executive and gubernatorial candidate Helena Buonanno Foulkes joins What’sUpNewp for a videocast on Friday at 3:30 p.m. as we take a closer look at the Democrats who are vying for their party’s nomination in the Sept. 13 primary election. Foulkes has been outspoken on several issues, while touting her managerial experience in a steady stream of television […]
Posted inCity & Government
With school set to open in a few weeks, school districts facing staff shortages
Just a few weeks before the opening of schools throughout Rhode Island, many school districts are still trying to fill teacher and other vacancies, according to published reports and comments from leading state educators. But the teacher shortages in Rhode Island hardly compare with other states, where drastic measures are being considered to reduce the […]
Posted inNews
Election 2022: Primary election less than a month away
If you are wondering if the primary election is fast approaching, just turn on your television and watch the parade of political ads from Democratic candidates for governor and the second Congressional seat. Non-stop. Every subject, from elderly mothers to reproductive rights. Then take a peek at WPRI TV’s latest poll of slightly more than […]
Posted inNews
Election 2022: Endorsements and Foulkes offers drug affordability plan
Democratic Women’s Caucus endorses Diossa The Rhode Island Democratic Women’s Caucus has endorsed former Central Falls Mayor James Diossa for General Treasurer. Throughout his eight years as Mayor of Central Falls and now as a candidate for General Treasurer, James has been a vocal advocate for the rights of women, equal pay, the best possible […]
Posted inNews
Election 2022: Endorsements … Endorsements … and more Endorsements
The primary election just a month away, candidates for several offices are working feverishly to gain an edge over their opponents, whether through paid advertisements, appearances at events, or endorsements. Here are some of the latest: McKee wins Teamsters Local 251 endorsement Teamsters Local 251, which includes some 6,000 members, has announced it is endorsing […]
Posted inNews
Election 2022: Treasurer’s race: Diossa racks up endorsements, while Pryor has big fundraising quarter
Diossa receives several endorsements Former Central Falls Mayor James Diossa has received endorsements from several current officeholders, plus the Sierra Club Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza became the seventh Rhode Island mayor to endorse Diossa, all pointing to the former mayor’s fiscal achievements while mayor of Central Falls. House Finance Chair Marvin Abney, D-Newport and Middletown, […]
Posted inCity & Government
Gubernatorial candidates report finances as campaigns enter final stretch
Spin. It’s all how you discuss the second quarter financial reporting to the Board of Elections, the final quarterly report before the general election. For some, it’s the end balance they highlight, for others, it’s the total amount raised, and for others it’s about criticizing where opponents, or potential opponents’ funds are coming from. Bottom […]
Posted inNews
Election 2022: Gorbea urges McKee to back abortion legislation, McKee to be endorsed by healthcare union, Magaziner
Gorbea urges McKee to ensure passage of the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act.Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea yesterday (Tuesday) called on Governor Dan McKee to utilize every tool at his discretion to get the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act passed. Later in the day, McKee told the media that he would make passage of the […]
Posted inNews
Morgenthau, Segal qualify for Congressional race, Munoz for governor
The fields have once again expanded for governor and U.S. House of Representatives, as the Secretary of State’s election website continues to update postings for the number of signatures collected by candidates for offices across the state. Two candidates for the second Congressional district – Sarah Morganthau and David Segal — who appeared shy of […]
Posted inNews
Field narrows for Newport area council and legislative races
In Newport, all three ward council candidates are running unopposed, while four Newport County House of Representatives candidates are also running without opposition. Some last-minute withdrawals have also avoided a primary election for the four at-large council seats as the deadline passed at 4 p.m. Friday for candidates to file their nomination papers. Here’s a […]
Posted inNews
Field narrows for key statewide offices
In statewide and local elections, the field of candidates narrowed today as some candidates withdrew from races, and several others were unable to gather the necessary number of signatures on nomination papers that would have placed them on the September primary or November general election ballots. Nomination papers for statewide and Congressional officers were returned […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport Council likely to approve charter review and marijuana sales referenda
When Newport voters go to the polls in November, they will not only be faced with a competitive general election for statewide and local offices, but also important ballot questions, including school regionalization, whether Newport would support retail marijuana sales, and a host of charter changes that could have a significant impact on the town’s […]
Posted inNews
Election 2022: Magaziner supports windfall oil company profits tax, Gorbea’s new tv ad and UFCW endorsement, Middletown candidate drops out
Magaziner supports Big Oil Windfall Profits Tax General Treasurer and congressional candidate Seth Magaziner said he’s supporting legislation that would tax excess profits of the big oil companies and distributing the proceeds back to consumers. Magaziner also called on his Republican opponent, Allan Fung, to join him in supporting this measure. “In the first three […]
Posted inCity & Government
Election 2022: GOP endorses slate, candidates won’t discuss Trump, Congressional candidates differ on Roe v. Wade, next deadline for candidates
GOP state convention endorses slate As expected, Rhode Island’s Republican Party endorsed Ashley Kalus for governor and Allen Fung for the U.S. House of Representative for the District 2 seat, at its recent state convention. Also endorsed were Aaron Guckian for lieutenant governor, Pat Cortellessa for secretary of state, Chas Calenda for attorney general, James […]
Posted inColumns
Just My Opinion: Celebrating the Fourth of July safely
If history is a barometer for the future, then over the next several days, thousands of Americans will be treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries from illegal and legal home fireworks displays. And a few, perhaps a dozen, will die. A U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) study estimated that in 2019 there were […]
Posted inNews
Nearly 20 percent of RI House candidates running unopposed
Nearly 20 percent of the candidates who filed to run for the state House of Representatives are running unopposed, according to the Secretary of State’s Office, with all but one a Democrat. In the state Senate, only two candidates are running unopposed, one Democrat and one Republican. Political parties had the option to appoint candidates […]
Posted inCity & Government
Election 2022: Here’s who’s officially running for local, statewide office
Let the games begin. Monday was the first day for candidates to declare for office in the 2022 primary and general elections. Candidates were required to file the declaration papers by 4 pm on Wednesday, June 29. This story will continue to be updated. U.S. House of Representatives, District 2 General Treasurer Seth Magaziner (D)Spencer […]
Posted inCity & Government
Candidate filings begin Monday
Aside from general offices and Congress, few candidates have emerged in the runup to the candidate filing deadline next Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. That will certainly change as candidates file with their local Boards of Canvassers, and for statewide candidates with the Department of State’s Elections Division. Those filing will usher in what is expected […]