From Marisa Albanese, KIDS COUNT Board Chairperson Elizabeth Burke Bryant, who over her 28 years as executive director of KIDS COUNT has made the organization Rhode Island’s premier child advocacy organization, is stepping down as executive director, the organization announced this afternoon. “During her tenure, Elizabeth has been one of Rhode Island’s most influential leaders […]
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 inPolitics
Kalus cancels WUN videocast
Republican gubernatorial candidate Ashley Kalus has canceled her appearance today on a WhatsUpNewp videocast, which was scheduled for 3 p.m. According to campaign staffer Matt Hanrahan, there was a “change to Ashley’s schedule” that necessitate canceling the interview. We are hopeful of rescheduling but will submit some questions to her that we had planned to […]
Posted inNews
Election 2022: General election begins
When Gov. Dan McKee defeated two high-profile females for the Democratic nomination for governor it assured that Ashley Kalus, the Republican nominee, would focus on winning the female vote. Both Kalus and Republican state chair Sue Cienki came out swinging, depicting McKee as a misogynist. Meanwhile McKee won a key endorsement from a female political […]
Posted inPolitics
Election 2022: Primary election – no surprises, lackluster turnout – tough day for Progressives
The table is now set for the November election, after a primary campaign that produced few surprises, attracted few voters, was expensive, and showed Rhode Island’s Democratic Party to be more centrist than progressive. It also proved that sports and politics share one certain truth – timing. In all sports you want your team to […]
Posted inCity & Government
It’s Primary Day – Get Out and Vote
It’s Primary Election Day, and after all the rhetoric, advertising and tons of money spent to persuade voters to support one candidate or another … now, it’s the voters turn. And for the victors, then comes the big dance, the General Election, in November. Those looking for voter information, should visit the Secretary of State’s […]
Posted inColumns
Just My Opinion: Searching for the truth in a deluge of campaign rhetoric
With just a few days left before the primary election, candidates have been slinging accusations, deflecting blame, overstating achievements … and spending lots and lots of money on advertising, signs, mailers, and more. It’s hard to remember an election season like this. Five candidates vying for the Democrat gubernatorial nomination, half a dozen looking to […]
Posted inCity & Government, Politics
Many RI state legislators running unopposed in 2022
When the dust settles after next week’s primary election, more than 30 percent of legislators will be running unopposed in the General Election. In the state Senate seven of the 38 Senators will be unopposed in the General Election, and in the House of Representatives 29 of 75 candidates, most incumbents, will be unopposed. Many […]
Posted inNews
As school regionalization vote approaches, officials explore ways to address concerns
It’s still possible long-term that the facilities configuration of a merged Middletown and Newport School system results in one high school and one middle school. That’s one idea being discussed as the communities move closer to a regionalization vote in November. Newport Schools’ Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain raised the prospect in a phone interview recently […]
Posted inNews
Celebrating the real meaning of Labor Day
While many people and families celebrate Labor Day with picnics, and as simply a day off from work, while media outlets are quick to talk about current workforce statistics, there are some that recognize Labor Day’s real origins, a holiday created at a time of widespread abuse of American workers in factories across the country. […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles
Newport woman selected for statewide minority leadership program
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 […]
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 […]