Term limits, four-year terms for city councilors, a strong mayor system – all items under consideration by the Newport Charter Commission, as it prepares to present its recommended charter revisions to the City Council next month. The commission has been meeting since last December, with considerable input from the public, reviewing the charter, provision by […]
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 inCity & Government
Election 2022: Foulkes wants tax relief, waiting for Neary, the lineup
Foulkes calls for a one-time middle-class tax cut Democratic gubernatorial candidate Helena Buonanno Foulkes is calling on Gov. Dan McKee to give a one-time $500 tax cut to anyone earning less than $100,000. “Our state is seeing an unprecedented surplus, but Rhode Islanders’ budgets are tighter than ever,” Foulkes said. “Every day I talk to […]
Posted inCity & Government
Mayor Napolitano will join What’sUpNewp to answer your questions on Thursday
When Mayor Jeanne-Marie Napolitano joins WhatsUpNewp’s Thursday noontime videocast, we’ll explore all the questions you’ve sent to us, plus get her take on what appears to be renewed interest in merging Newport and Middletown Schools. We’ll also want to know all about her recent trip to Newport’s sister city in Ireland, and how these relationships […]
Posted inCity & Government
Merger talks on again? We’ll ask when Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain joins us Wednesday for her monthly videocast
It appears school merger talks are on again between Middletown and Newport officials, and now we’d like to learn more. Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain joins WhatsUpNewp for her monthly videocast tomorrow (Wednesday) at 1:30 p.m. We’ll ask for particulars as the two systems move toward what is being called a merger of “organizational […]
Posted inCity & Government
Election 2022: FBI investigation, candidate arrested in Ohio, end of financial reporting period nears, inside polls (?)
Typically, the headlines have been about endorsements and policy statements. Then, of course, there are candidates’ accusations about opponents. Lots of claims, lots of noise. But what isn’t typical, is one candidate being arrested in Ohio, and the FBI investigating what has been labeled a “controversial education contract.” FBI reported investigation education contract This week […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Performing Arts Center scraps re-design plans; focusing on fundraising
Faced with escalating costs, the non-profit Newport Performing Arts Center has abandoned plans to streamline its initial design, and instead is looking for ways to trim its budget, without sacrificing the audience’s experience. John Cratin, the organization’s board chair, said the contractor is “very focused” on infrastructure and utilities, hopeful of finding savings to offset […]
Posted inCity & Government
Election 2022: Kalus enters gubernatorial race; Pacheco exits congressional race; Diossa names campaign manager
GOP has a gubernatorial candidate – Ashley Kalus Ashley Kalus, a transplant from Illinois, as expected officially kicked off her campaign today to become the Republican nominee for governor. Kalus, 39, who moved to Newport less than a year ago and registered to vote in Rhode Island in January, promised to “run a campaign of […]
Posted inNews
Choice Wineries says an apple winery is Rhode Island’s best
When choosing Rhode Island’s best wineries, you begin, of course, with the grapes. The quality of the grapes. Unless it’s apples. The Tapped Apple in Westerly was just named Rhode Island’s top winery by Choice Wineries, an online publication that ranks the best wineries in each state. The Tapped Apple, which produces apple wines and […]
Posted inCity & Government
Election 2022: de la Cruz enters CD2 race; Magaziner wins nurses endorsement; GOP head warns Dems ‘no Democratic seat is safe’
State Sen. de la Cruz formally announces candidacy Republican state Sen. Jessica de la Cruz kicked off her Congressional campaign, announcing Wednesday at a campaign event in Cranston. She described herself as an alternative to “millionaires” and “career politicians.” The race for the U.S. House of Representatives has attractive several candidates from both the Republican and Democratic […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Celebrating Florence K. Murray on this St. Patrick’s Day and Women’s History Month
As we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day today, and as we celebrate Women’s History Month, no one exemplifies the accomplishments of women and the Irish more than Florence K. Murray, who distinguished herself in the military, in government, and in the courtroom. During this month, we have been highlighting women who have played significant roles in […]
Posted inCity & Government
Election 2022: Matos, Magaziner, Diossa win endorsements; Gorbea wants to suspend gas tax
Building Trades Council Endorses Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos for Re-election The Rhode Island Building & Construction Trades Council (RIBCTC) has endorsed Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos for reelection. The endorsement comes just days after the council endorsed Gov. Dan McKee for reelection. McKee and Matos have been campaigning as a team. Both took office about a […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Muralists celebrating the relationship of beer and farming at Exeter’s Tilted Barn Brewery
Bringing nature indoors and celebrating the importance of farming in the development of … BEER!! That’s the goal of two California muralists who will be at Exeter’s Tilted Barn Brewery beginning Monday March 14 through Wednesday March 16. They will be painting a 200 square foot mural that they say will capture the essence of […]
Posted inCity & Government
Election 2022: Foulkes unveils education plan; Magaziner, McKee win endorsements
This is our regular column that wraps up some of the top political stories of the moment. This year will be among Rhode Island’s most active and fiery elections, from local races to crowded gubernatorial and U.S. House of Representative campaigns. This is our regular column that wraps up some of the top political stories […]
Posted inNews
Announcements promise a vigorous election, with still three months until the deadline to declare candidacies
Campaign 2022 is well underway, with competitive races in high profile offices, and the expectation of millions of dollars being raised and spent by candidates. And we’re still three months from when candidates must declare their intentions. The Democratic gubernatorial primary election will be competitive for major offices, including governor and the second Congressional district […]
Posted inNews
Election 2022: Diossa picks up endorsements for treasurer; Congressional candidate Neary hires staff
This is our regular column that wraps up some of the top political stories of the moment. This year will be among Rhode Island’s most active and fiery elections, from local races to crowded gubernatorial and U.S. House of Representative campaigns. This is our regular column that wraps up some of the top political stories […]
Posted inNews
Election 2022: Magaziner picks up endorsements, Rhode Island GOP hires executive director
This year will be among Rhode Island’s most active and fiery elections, from local races to crowded gubernatorial and U.S. House of Representative campaigns. This is our regular column that wraps up up some of the top political stories of the moment. Rhode Island GOP Hires an Executive Director The Rhode Island Republican Party has […]
Posted inColumns
Just My Opinion: Images on a wall
Images on the Wall. In the small rustic apartment in a kibbutz, a few miles outside of Jerusalem, a picture of three young women stands out. Sarah It was years ago that I was in Israel, on a journalists’ mission. I remained after the mission to visit with a great aunt. She lived in a […]
Posted inCity & Government
State owed millions by politicians and political organizations for filing finance reports late, or not filing reports at all
More than a hundred politicians and political organizations owe the state Board of Elections nearly $5.4 million after failing to file financial election reports or filing them late. Officials acknowledge, however, that a considerable amount of the fines are uncollectable. The amount grows each quarter, up 9 percent from a year ago when fines totaled […]
Posted inCOVID-19, News
Newport Schools expected to follow state lead and end mandatory masking in schools
Newport schools are expected to follow the state’s lead and end mandatory masking for kids in school, according to School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain. The state’s mandate ends on March 4, and when the Newport School Committee meets next week, Jermain said she anticipates it too will vote to end mandatory masking but give the […]
Posted inNews
Former Rhode Island General Treasurer Anthony Solomon dies after a lengthy illness
Former Rhode Island General Treasurer Anthony Solomon, 89, who served in the position for more than 11 years, died yesterday after a lengthy illness. A lifelong resident of Providence, Anthony operated a pharmacy in Olneyville for many years before running for the state House of Representatives (11th district) in 1966. He served in the […]
Posted inNews, People & Profiles
One on WUN: A conversation with Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain
With the state’s school masking mandate ending next week, will Newport’s public schools also lift the mandate? We’ll learn more today at 1:30 p.m. when School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain joins WhatsUpNewp for her monthly videocast.We’ll also learn more about the school department’s effort to cover increasing costs for its school building project – additional […]
Posted inCity & Government
Election 2022: Governor McKee announces run for reelection
Gov. Dan McKee formally announced his candidacy for governor yesterday, promising to build on leadership that has been “right-sizing a listing ship.” “The state was taking on water, that’s what that means — and it was,” McKee said. “Our economy was struggling. We were at the peak of the pandemic. We had the lowest vaccination […]
Posted inCity & Government
Election 2022: Governor McKee to announce run for reelection
In what is no surprise, Gov Dan McKee today is scheduled to formally announce that he’s running for reelection at 9:15 a.m. at Igus, Inc. in East Providence. McKee is expected to talk about his vision for the next four years to grow jobs, lower costs for hardworking families, support small businesses, and put money […]
Posted inColumns
Just My Opinion: What’s next for Lifespan and CNE, now that merger is presumably ‘dead’
Brilliant business strategy, bad healthcare solution? That’s the headline in an analysis of hospital mergers by the national group, Drugwatcher. And it’s certainly the question of the day after the announcement by Attorney General Peter Nerohna that he has denied the application to merge the state’s largest healthcare network, Lifespan, with its second largest, Care […]
Posted inCity & Government
Election 2022: Magaziner, Diossa pick up endorsements; Foulkes promises bold leadership on gun safety
This year will be among Rhode Island’s most active and fiery elections, from local races to crowded gubernatorial and U.S. House of Representative campaigns. Here’s our wrap-up of some of the top political stories of the moment. Magaziner’s union endorsements General Treasurer Seth Magaziner, Democratic candidate for Rhode Island’s Second District House of Representatives seat, […]