Paul F. Caranci, the author of 12 books, some chronicling Rhode Island’s most notorious episodes of political corruption, joins WhatsUpNewp for a videocast in its authors’ series at 3:30 p.m. today (Thursday). In 2015, Paul was awarded the Margaret Chase Smith American Democracy Award for Political Courage, the highest honor awarded by the National Association […]
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
Governing – Legislative Outlook 2021: Representative Lauren Carson
Wow, what a year. Last year when we sent out a legislative survey, no one could have imagined the impact or even the existence of a virus that would, at times, bring the world to a virtual standstill. Add to that the chaos in Washington, the reluctance of President Trump to concede to former Vice […]
Posted inNews
WUN Author Series continues with award-winning author Ed Delaney
We continue our authors’ series with a 1 p.m. videocast today (Wednesday) with Edward J. Delaney, an award-winning author, journalist, filmmaker, playwright, and educator. UPDATE: This conversation has had to be rescheduled. We will provide an update on when the conversation will happen. His books include the novels Broken Irish, Warp & Weft and Follow the Sun, […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Survey: How well are you following COVID-19 recommendations?
With COVID-19 raging in Rhode Island and throughout the country and states implementing tougher rules, we wanted to see how well you are following basic recommendations. Loading…
Posted inCity & Government
Governing – legislative outlook 2021: Rep. Deborah Ruggiero
Wow, what a year. Last year when we sent out a legislative survey, no one could have imagined the impact or even the existence of a virus that would, at times, bring the world to a virtual standstill. Add to that the chaos in Washington, the reluctance of President Trump to concede to former Vice […]
Posted inBusiness
Survey | COVID-19: How well are you doing as an individual, as a business owner?
With COVID-19 raging in Rhode Island and throughout the country, and states implementing tougher rules, we wanted to see how well you are doing, and whether you are accepting the government regulations. Answers to this survey may appear in a story on What’s Up Newp in the coming days. Loading…
Posted inArts & Culture
What’s Up Newp continues its author series this week
Read a good book lately? This week, What’s Up Newp continues its authors series, videocasts, with three Rhode Island authors, each very different. Whether it’s tales of the sea, a thriller, or a true mafia story, you’ll find something to your liking. On Monday at 2 p.m. we meet Don Deluca, whose fascination with boat […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Just My Opinion: Even in a year of COVID, political turmoil, and racial strife – there is reason to be thankful (Part 3 of 3)
As we approached Thanksgiving, in what at best can be considered a chaotic year, I wanted to know what it was for which we are grateful. We are amid a raging pandemic that is keeping families apart during this holiday season. Our country is divided, struggling to find our footing after a bitter election, a […]
Posted inColumns
Just My Opinion: Even in a year of COVID, political turmoil, and racial strife – there is reason to be thankful (Part 2)
This Thanksgiving it might seem difficult to find those things for which we are thankful. We are amid a raging pandemic that is keeping families apart during this holiday. Our country is divided, struggling to find our footing after a bitter election, a growing racial divide, and more Americans struggling to even put food on […]
Posted inColumns
Just My Opinion: Even in a year of COVID, political turmoil, and racial strife – there is reason to be thankful (Part 1 of 2)
Tomorrow will be Thanksgiving and it might seem difficult this year to find those things for which we are thankful. We are amid a raging pandemic that is keeping families apart during this holiday. Our country is divided, struggling to find our footing after a bitter election, a growing racial divide, and more Americans struggling […]
Posted inNews
Just My Opinion: With the holiday season almost upon us, businesses finding ways to survive
Thanksgiving is fast approaching, as is Black Friday, as is Small Business Saturday, as is Cyber Monday, and a holiday season that has many small retailers hoping for survival during a raging pandemic. Predictions have been grim. Many experts anticipate several small business and restaurant closures. While others suggest survival, and even prosperity, wrests with […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What’s Up Newp kicks off its authors’ series
Today (Monday at 2 p.m.) WhatsUpNewp kicks off its authors’ series, videocasts with writers from Rhode Island, or who have a Rhode Island connection. We’ll talk with novelists, short story, and non-fiction writers, sharing in their adventures. Our first author is Dr. Michael Fine, the former Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, who […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Senator Reed among those considered for Cabinet post
Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed, a West Point graduate and the leading Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, is among those in consideration for Secretary of Defense in the Biden Administration, according to a recent report from Politico. Politico listed who it sees as top candidates for all cabinet positions in a Biden administration. Reed, […]
Posted inCity & Government
Democrats likely to support a House Speaker open to reform
When Democrats support a new Speaker of the House tomorrow night at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick, it’s likely to be an individual who changes the way the House conducts business, ushering in an era that is more open and willing to bring issues to the House floor, one that embraces reform. Rep. Joseph Shekarchi […]
Posted inCity & Government
Election day is here – now it’s the people’s turn
It’s finally almost over. By sometime Tuesday night, the last votes will be in, the counting carrying on for a few more days. In some cases, there will be those who will go to bed Tuesday evening knowing they had won, but in most cases, it’s likely the outcome will remain in doubt for perhaps […]
Posted inNews
SBA celebrates National Veterans Small Business Week, Nov. 2-6
While most everyone is focused on Tuesday’s election – national, statewide and local – it’s also a week in which the Small Business Administration celebrates veteran owned small businesses. This is the seventh year, the SBA has focused on businesses owned by service veterans and members, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses. […]
Posted inBusiness
Discover Newport moving offices to Long Wharf Mall
Discover Newport, which for years occupied the Gateway Center as a marketing and visitors’ center, will move to smaller offices at 44 Long Wharf Mall, hoping to open the new offices in January. “We’re moving our sales and marketing office,” said Evan Smith, Discover Newport Executive Director, concentrating on what he said is the agency’s […]
Posted inNews
Just My Opinion: Those businesses most likely to survive COVID-19, are those with imagination
“The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease for ever to be able to do it.”― J. M. Barrie, Peter Pan One publication, from Scotland, ruminating on conditions for most businesses – calls it VUCA, “a world filled with volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity,” and that even before the pandemic. During this pandemic, as COVID-19 […]
Posted inNews
Turano seeks third term on Middletown Council
Dennis Turano, a businessman who was first elected to the Middletown Town Council in 2016, is running for a third term to the council in what is an extremely competitive election. Turano, 57, said he hopes, if reelected, to concentrate in this next term on affordable housing, education, and tax reform. WhatsUpNewp asked candidates throughout […]
Posted inCity & Government
Election 2020: Candidate Profile – Sen. Jim Seveney, D-Dist. 11
Sen. Jim Seveney, D-Dist 11 (Portsmouth, Bristol, Tiverton), running unopposed for re-election is promising to spend his next term concentrating on the economy, developing a health and social services safety net and working to ensure a safe and effective educational system. Seveney, 66, a retired Naval Officer, was first elected to public office in 2000 […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
State narrows budget deficit, but still projects huge shortfall
Rhode Island has apparently whittled down its projected budget deficit for the current fiscal year, once thought to be some $800 million, but just how much has been trimmed depends upon with whom you speak. The state Department of Administration, in response to a query from WhatsUpNewp, said that at the end of September the […]
Posted inNews
Affordable Housing remains elusive for thousands of Rhode Islanders
Affordable Housing remains elusive for thousands of Rhode Islanders, according to the 2020 Housing Fact Book, released today by HousingWorks RI (HWRI) at Roger Williams University. It found that more than a third of Rhode Islanders (146,000 households) are “housing cost burdened.” The wide-ranging report touches primarily on Rhode Islanders ability to afford housing, but […]
Posted inNews
Pfizer expands phase 3 COVID-19 vaccine trial, looks for end of year emergency authorization
One of the lead doctors associated with Pfizer’s efforts to develop a COVID-19 vaccine said yesterday on WBLQ’s Morning Show that Pfizer is expanding its clinical trial to include participants as young as 12, with no upper age requirement, and that the vaccine could receive emergency authorization by the end of the year. Dr. Onyema […]
Posted inCity & Government
House Speaker Mattiello flexes financial muscle in his effort to win reelection
State Representative Nicholas Mattiello, D- Cranston, speaker of Rhode Island’s House of Representatives and considered by many to be the most powerful politician on capitol hill, is in a battle for the seat he’s held for 14 years and is putting his financial resources to work. He’s been raising funds from some of the state’s […]
Posted inNews
Newport Council candidates ready for stretch run
Candidates for Newport’s three city council ward seats appear to be far more active raising and spending funds than those running for at-large seats, according to campaign finance reports filed on Oct. 6 with the state Board of Elections. The reports were due 28 days before the election. The most active fundraiser since the last […]