As expected, the Westerly Town Council last night (Monday) approved sending a series of charter revisions to voters in a May special election, changes that would double the length of council terms, and allow an unnamed councilor to seek the Ethics Commission’s permission to sidestep the state’s revolving door legislation. If voters approve the charter […]
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
Westerly Councilors look to extend terms; seek exception to ethics regulation
To seemingly reverse the will of the people and give themselves an opportunity to extend their terms in office, the Westerly Town Council Monday night will vote on a resolution that calls for a special May election to revise the council’s length of terms. Additionally, the resolution asks voters to allow a “former” councilperson to […]
Posted inCity & Government
Election 2022: Top Rhode Island 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. Today, we begin a column that will appear regularly, wrapping up some of the top political stories of the day. Former Cranston mayor, gubernatorial candidate Alan Fung enters Congressional race […]
Posted inNews
Keri Anne O’Donnell Memorial Fund: ‘You have to keep going until the music stops’
Since its founding some 12 years ago, the Keri Anne O’Donnell Memorial Fund has provided tens of thousands of dollars for performing arts scholarships, inspiring more than 200 recipients who embrace the passion for the arts that had meant so much to Keri Anne. “We’re lucky enough to watch them grow and get better in […]
Posted inOpinion
Just my Opinion: Remembering the Blizzard of ‘78
This story was originally published on February 5, 2018, it has been republished because of its historical significance. The predictions were far less than the outcome. As the storm was forming 44 years ago on February 5, 1978, it was supposed to be heavy, ending on the evening of Feb. 6. It didn’t. It went […]
Posted inCity & Government
Neary becomes fifth Democrat to enter race for Rhode Island 2nd District House Seat
Michael Neary, who describes himself as a former national political strategist, is the fifth candidate to enter the race for the second district House of Representatives seat in Rhode Island, a position being vacated at the end of this term by Rep. James Langevin, who recently announced his retirement. Neary worked for Republican John Kasich, […]
Posted inCity & Government
Abney top fundraiser among area legislators
Aquidneck Island legislators added significantly to their campaign finance accounts, with State Rep. Marvin Abney, D-Dist. 73, representing Middletown and Newport, leading the way, increasing his campaign coffers to more than $184,000. Abney, who chairs the powerful state House of Representatives Finance Committee, was mentioned last fall as a possible treasurer candidate, but so far […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Black History Month: Letters from the State Archives
During Black History Month, we are sharing some of the content on the Secretary of State’s website that chronicles some of the history of the “African American Experience in Rhode Island.” We’re printing these with the permission and encouragement of Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea. Besides the section on African Americans, the Secretarhy of State […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Foulkes raises nearly $1 million in first few weeks of her gubernatorial campaign
Former CVS executive Helena Buonanno Foulkes, who entered the Democratic primary election sweepstakes in October has raised nearly $1 million in the first several weeks of her campaign, far outraising all other contenders. Foulkes, who has said she expects the campaign to cost millions, reported a fund balance of $830,896 at the deadline last night […]
Posted inColumns
Just My Opinion: Snowstorm further challenges state’s blood supply, already at critical levels
Blood collection agencies across the country, Rhode Island included, are suffering from what the Red Cross calls “the worst blood shortage in a decade.” This weekend’s snowstorm has only made matters worse. Weather events are a nightmare for blood collection agencies, with blood centers closed for storms, blood drives non-existent, and donors slow to re-schedule […]
Posted inColumns, Opinion
Just My Opinion: Reaching out during Blizzard of 2022
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 […]
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
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
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
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 […]