Perhaps it is hope that is the overriding message in Anne Frank’s diary, hope that Anne held for more than two years as she and seven others hid from the Nazis. The Diary of Anne Frank, the story of this young girl who hid from the invading Nazis from 1942 to August of 1944, is […]
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
WUN-ON-ONE: A conversation with James L. Lathrop, candidate for General Treasurer
James Lathrop, the Republican candidate for General Treasurer, a career financial professional, hopes to bring his experience to what is perhaps the chief financial office in state government. And that’s exactly what his campaign, saying that what’s needed in the office is a professional financier, instead of a “career politician.” Lathrop’s opponent is former Central […]
Posted inNews
Voters to consider important statewide and local referenda
When voters go to the polls in less than two weeks, they will be voting on far more than local and statewide offices. There are three statewide bond issues, totaling some $400 million, and several local referenda, from legalization of retail marijuana sales to school construction and regionalization. Early voting begins Oct. 19, with election […]
Posted inCity & Government
Nearly a third of legislators running unopposed
While the statewide Republican Party represents itself as stronger than ever, it is still failing to offer candidates in nearly a third of the state’s legislative races. In the House of Representatives, 22 legislators are running unopposed. That’s 29.3 percent of the 75 members of the House that are facing no opposition in the General […]
Posted inPolitics
WUN-ON-ONE: A conversation with Zachary Hurwitz, Independent candidate for Governor
For most 18-year-olds the challenge around election time is getting them to vote – not so for Zachary Hurwitz. He’s taken it a step further, and at 18 is perhaps the youngest person ever to run for governor in Rhode Island. Zachary joined us on a WhatsUpNewp videocast on Tuesday at 2 p.m., the first […]
Posted inNews
Kalus cancels What’sUpNewp interview, doesn’t respond to requests to reschedule
When the Communications Director for GOP gubernatorial candidate Ashley Kalus asked What’sUpNewp if we could schedule Kalus for a WUN videocast we were anxious to comply. The request came shortly before the primary election, and we said we wanted to schedule the videocast after the primary, focusing our immediate coverage on what was a very […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport School Superintendent Jermain joins What’sUpNewp for a live virtual video conversation on Wednesday
In six weeks, voters in Middletown and Newport will determine the future course of the communities’ school systems, with regionalization on the ballot. Colleen Burns Jermain, Superintendent of Newport Public Schools, joins What’sUpNewp for a live virtual video conversation at 12:30 pm Wednesday, and we’ll learn whether there are more specifics of how this regionalization […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Gamm’s “Describe the Night” traces decades of Russian misinformation
Good Theater sometimes merely entertains, but at its best, it challenges. And so it is with “Describe the Night,” a play by Rajiv Joseph that spans nine decades of Russian efforts to misinform, manipulate facts, and spread conspiracy theories. Not only a window into Russia, but a window into our own society here, in the […]
Posted inPolitics
Election 2022: General election begins
General Treasurer Seth Magaziner, Democratic candidate for the second Congressional District wins support from GOP coalition, Former GOP Congresswoman Schneider and GOP coalition endorses Magaziner General Treasurer and congressional candidate Seth Magaziner has been endorsed by former Republican U.S. Congresswoman Claudine Schneider, former Republican State Senator Dawson Hodgson, former Republican State Representative Bob Nardillio, Cranston […]
Posted inNews
Elizabeth Burke Bryant to step down as KIDS COUNT executive director
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 […]
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 […]