On this, the ninth anniversary of WhatsUpNewp, it is easy to reflect upon Journalism’s evolution from the all-important town crier, the main source of news in what was a primarily illiterate world, to online publications, like WhatsUpNewp. We have seen the development … and decline … of print publications, with circulations plummeting, staffs rapidly declining. […]
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 voters back to the polls in two months voting on road and school bonds
In less than two months, Westerly voters will be back at the polls voting on $13 million in local bond issues, with much larger bond proposals likely to follow, possibly as soon as the fall. Like all Rhode Islanders, Westerly voters were asked last week to decide on $400 million in statewide bond issues, all […]
Posted inNews
Voting on $400 million of state bonds concludes on Tuesday
Perhaps thousands of jobs are at stake as voters wrap up voting on Tuesday on seven bond issues, totaling $400 million that call for numerous construction projects, from port development to affordable housing. Thousands of Rhode Islanders have been voting since February 10 when early voting began at local city and town halls. The final […]
Posted inColumns, Opinion
Just My Opinion: Bond issues: Where oh where have the governors been?
Within a few short days, a small minority of Rhode Island voters likely will decide whether the state borrows $400 million for projects ranging from economic development to higher education to affordable housing. Can the state afford it? Can the state afford to not vote in favor of these referenda? We look to our leaders […]
Posted inNews
Watch Live: What’s Up Newp explores Housing Bond with HousingWorks RI
For many Rhode Islanders finding affordable housing – ownership or rental – is a struggle, forcing them to make critical choices between health care needs, food on the table, heating costs and mortgage or rent payments. Affordable housing is a critical issue in Rhode Island, and among the bond issues on the March 2 ballot. […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles
WUN’s Author Series continues with novelist Regina Andrews
What’s Up Newp continues its authors’ series on Tuesday morning at 11:30 when award-winning novelist Regina Andrews of Providence joins us for a videocast. She is the author of numerous works and 2010 winner of AKW Books eBook of the Year Award for fiction for her novel, Destiny’s Designs. Andrews grew up Barrington. After graduating […]
Posted inColumns, Opinion
Just my Opinion: Raising the Minimum Wage
Those who oppose a $15 an hour minimum wage, please stand up. If you oppose a hike in the minimum wage because you believe it would cost jobs, remain standing. Now, if you you’re still standing, those who never use a self-serve check out aisle at the supermarket or other retailer – you can sit. […]
Posted inNews
General Treasurer Seth Magaziner to discuss upcoming bonds on WhatsUpNewp videocast on Thursday
In a little over two weeks, Rhode Islanders will be asked to vote on seven referenda, $400 million in spending to improve higher education, transportation, affordable housing and several other areas. Can we afford it? Can we afford not to approve all seven? Helping us understand the referenda and whether we can afford them will […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up Newp live video conversation to explore $60 million Industrial Facilities Bond
Gavin Black, president of the Rhode Island Ports Coalition, joins WhatsUpNewp for a videocast on Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 2 p.m. to talk about the $60 million Industrial Facilities Infrastructure bond issue that is part of the $400 million March 2nd bond referenda. If approved, the Industrialization bond will provide $40 million to “replicate Quonset’s […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Music Festival’s new executive director joins WUN for a live video conversation, Feb. 17
Gillian Friedman Fox, the newly appointed executive director of the Newport Music Festival, joins WhatsUpNewp for a videocast on Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 11 a.m. The Festival Board chose Fox to lead the festival in its 53rd season. She comes to Rhode Island from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, where she was Director of Contemporary & […]
Posted inNews
WhatsUpNewp’s Authors’ Series continues with novelist Christine Lajewski
Christine Lajewski, a horror novelist and short story writer, joins WhatsUpNewp for a videocast in its authors’ series at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday (Feb. 17). Born in Flint, Michigan, Christine lives in Cumberland, Rhode Island close to her adult daughter and son. She is a writer, a retired alternative high school teacher, a naturalist at […]
Posted inNews
Possible gubernatorial candidates raising substantial campaign funds
While Lt. Gov. Dan McKee is poised to assume the governorship upon Gov. Gina Raimondo’s confirmation as U.S. Secretary of Commerce, it will only add more intrigue to what assuredly will be a spirited campaign for governor. With the mayor of Providence and all general officers – except attorney general – term limited at the […]
Posted inNews
WhatsUpNewp’s Authors’ Series continues with novelist Christine Lajewski
Christine Lajewski, a horror novelist and short story writer, joins WhatsUpNewp for a videocast in its authors’ series at 11 a.m. on Wednesday (Feb. 10). Please note – Feb. 10: Due to unforeseen circumstances, this conversation has been postponed. We’ll update this story with the new date and time as soon as possible. What’s Up […]
Posted inNews
Secretary of State’s Website offers a window into the state’s Black History
The Rhode Island Secretary of State’s website is a treasure trove of information, connecting Rhode Islanders with important documents about people and events in Rhode Island history. In this, Black History Month, the website offers another important resource, chronicling “the history of the African American experience in Rhode Island.” We reached out to Secretary of […]
Posted inNews
Just My Opinion: Time to get serious about campaign finance reporting
The news was a bit startling – a former Providence Councilman, convicted of embezzlement just a few years ago, lands an important government job in Central Falls, while also still owing the state Board of Elections more than $50,000 in fines for some 60 citations of failing to file campaign finance reports, or filing them […]
Posted inSports
Former Pawsox Manager Ron Johnson dies of COVID-19
Former Pawtucket Red Sox Manager and Boston Red Sox first base coach, Ron Johnson, has died of complications from COVID-19 in Tennessee, according to the Virginia-Pilot. The newspaper said family sources confirmed his death. Johnson, 64, was a former major league first baseman and popular minor league manager with a career record of 1,752 wins […]
Posted inColumns
Just My Opinion: Will Rhode Island change the way it chooses its lieutenant governor?
When Gov. Gina Raimondo heads to Washington in the next few weeks – or less – to become President Biden’s Commerce Secretary, she’ll leave a state struggling to find adequate vaccine supplies to bring COVID-19 under control, the state’s economy ravaged by the virus, and a state budget with a projected deficit of hundreds of […]
Posted inNews
Just My Opinion: The words and lessons of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Friday was Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, which we celebrate on Monday as a federal holiday. It comes on the heels of the storming of the U.S. Capitol that took lives, caused physical damage to a building revered as a symbol of our Democracy, and raised questions of whether our form of government can survive. […]
Posted inNews
AARP calls on Governor Raimondo to prioritize Rhode Islanders 50 and older for COVID vaccine and increase COVID vaccination transparency
The AARP in Rhode Island is asking the state to prioritize residents over the age of 50 to receive COVID-19 vaccinations, giving greater weight to not only those in extended care facilities, but also those receiving long-term support in their homes. Additionally, the association is calling for more transparency, urging the state to consistently post […]
Posted inNews
Feds reopening Paycheck Protection Program for thousands of small businesses on Jan. 11
Local businesses next week will be able to apply for funds under the federal Paycheck Protection Program, which is reopening January 11, according to a posting on the local Small Business Administration website. The program, according to the announcement, will be open to new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. The effort, according to the […]
Posted inNews
Magaziner, Gorbea congratulate Raimondo on her nomination as Commerce Secretary
General Treasurer Seth Magaziner and Secretary of state Nellie Gorbea both issued statements praising Gov. Gina Raimondo, congratulating her on her nomination by President Elect Joe Biden to be U.S. Secretary of Commerce. President-elect Biden announces Governor Raimondo as nominee for Secretary of Commerce Lt. Gov. Dan McKee will become governor, once Raimondo is confirmed […]
Posted inNews
With Raimondo to Washington, McKee to the governorship, DiPalma eyes lieutenant governor’s position
With Gov. Gina Raimondo headed to Washington and a spot in the Biden administration, and Lt. Gov. Dan McKee poised to become governor, Aquidneck Island state Senator Lou DiPalma is hoping to fill the lieutenant governor’s position. Senator DiPalma currently represents Senate District 12, which includes portions of Little Compton, Middletown, Newport and Tiverton. Raimondo […]
Posted inNews
A Look Back, A Look Ahead: Top stories of 2020, top issues of 2021
Any local, statewide news in 2020 was clearly overridden by national and international events – a pandemic that remains with us, an assault on our Democracy. As we enter 2021, these same issues will dominate the news sites, pages, and airwaves for months. It is impossible to separate the events of 2020 from the vision […]
Posted inNews
People to Watch in 2021 – Newport County
As this bizarre year ends, we have compiled our top lists. To help us, we asked some current legislators, current and former general officeholders, retired journalists, and individuals active in some of the state’s most connected non-profits. Over the next few days, we will list, beginning today, the people to watch statewide in 2021 (yesterday), […]
Posted inNews
Top This: People to Watch in 2021 – statewide
As this bizarre year ends, we have compiled our top lists. To help us, we asked some current legislators, current and former general officeholders, retired journalists, and individuals active in some of the state’s most connected non-profits. Over the next few days, we will list, beginning today, the people to watch in 2021 (today), the […]