Gregory M. Huet, 61, a career Naval officer is running for the Middletown Town Council for the first time, saying he’ll be an advocate for affordable housing and education, among his priorities. Huet retired as a Naval Captain in 2011, after 26 years in the Navy. WhatsUpNewp has asked each of the candidates throughout Newport […]
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
Election 2020: Hamilton seeking seventh term on Portsmouth Council
Keith Hamilton, 51, a member of the Portsmouth Town Council since 2008 is the lone Republican running for Portsmouth Council this year. WhatsUpNewp has asked each of the candidates throughout Newport County to their positions, and their vision, all helping voters to make important election day decisions. If you are a candidate for office and have […]
Posted inNews
2020 Voter Guide – Candidate Profile: Leonard Katzman, Portsmouth Town Council
Leonard Katzman, 61, Director of Business Development at Brown University for 13 years, is running for a third term on the Portsmouth Town Council. A Democrat, he was previously elected to the council in 2004, 2006 and 2018. WhatsUpNewp has asked each of the candidates in Newport County about their backgrounds, accomplishments and vision for […]
Posted inCity & Government
Covering the 2020 General Election
As we approach what promises to be among the most intriguing and important general elections in recent memory, WhatsUpNewp will be exploring races throughout Newport County and statewide. We will leave the presidential campaign to the major networks. Already we have seen some upheaval in the primary election, where progressives defeated some incumbents, including some […]
Posted inNews
Primary election today to choose candidates for Newport Council and Representative races
Voters today will be narrowing the field in spirited Newport City Council and state Representative races throughout Aquidneck Island. Polls open at 7 a.m. in all towns this morning and close at 8 p.m. It is unlikely races will be decided until all absentee and mail-in ballots are counted. Voters can refer to the Secretary […]
Posted inNews
Just My Opinion: Celebrating Labor and Labor Day
At outdoor barbeques today, at family gatherings, at the beaches and everywhere that Americans spend their Labor Day holiday, few will reflect upon the sacrifices that made this a national holiday, and on the achievements of labor over more than a century that have provided workers with a lot more than a day off at […]
Posted inNews
Primaries in three House races on Aquidneck Island
Primary election candidates in three of the five House of Representative districts in Southeastern Rhode Island are bracing for a spirited finish, with only a few days left until the election. All are Democratic primaries, and some clearly pit a growing progressive Democratic wing against more moderate Democrats. That progressive wing is also taking aim […]
Posted inOpinion
Just My Opinion: Reporting on campaign finances is a media responsibility
From local city and town council and school committee elections to the battle for the White House, fundraising has become an important element for many campaigns. Having an adequate “war chest” allows candidates to spend money on everything from advertising and political signs to campaign staff. We have seen in past elections where even council […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport Councilor takes issue with publication of campaign finance records
When WhatsUpNewp published a story recently listing campaign funds available for each of the City Council candidates, it did so only as a matter of information. The figures came directly from reports each of the candidates filed with the state Board of Elections. The reports are public records. In many elections the amount of money […]
Posted inCity & Government
Money Talks – sometimes
Money talks – often in elections. Those candidates with the most robust campaign funds can find multiple ways to reach voters and deliver their message and gain name recognition. In this era of COVID-19 you would think that a well-funded campaign could reach voters through multiple media messages, brochures, lawn signs, and the like. Door […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Election 2020: Our plan, and Newport City Council Race, Ward 1
With less than three months to the General Election, and even less to the Primary Election, What’s Up Newp begins its comprehensive coverage of not only elections in Newport County, but also key statewide legislative races. Surveys were emailed to candidates in Newport County. We have received several responses, with still more coming in. If […]
Posted inNews
Discover Newport closes Visitor Center; Concentrates efforts as a sales and marketing agency
After 32 years, the Newport Visitors Center has closed, significantly changing the way Discover Newport operates, reducing its budget and number of employees. What was once a robust $4 million budget is now $1.4 million, and only four administrative employees remain from the sales and SEO services staff, and none from the visitors’ bureau, which […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Westerly’s Virtu Art Festival to return in late August
Westerly’s Virtu Art Festival, among the largest art festivals in the region, has now been scheduled for late August, after being postponed earlier because of the coronavirus. Lisa Konicki, president of the Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the event, said the festival will comply with all coronavirus related regulations and will be held […]
Posted inCity & Government
Middletown’s crowded field of candidates for council and school committee
Middletown’s 2020 class of political candidates is crowded, with 17 individuals qualifying to run for seven Town Council seats, and five for the two School Committee positions that are up for election this year. At a time of great indecision and divisiveness, a major worldwide health crisis and a Black Lives Movement, individuals are looking […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Newport’s crowded field for council and school committee
Newporters are assured of an active election campaign, as nearly all candidates that had filed to run for election submitted papers today with the required number of signatures that will put their names on the ballot. Only one candidate for council or school committee, Laurie Love running for the Ward 2 seat on Newport City […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Progressives aim to dislodge top state Senate leaders
Progressives are taking on some top state Senate Democrats in September’s primary election, seeking to expand their influence within the state legislature. Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, President Pro Tempore Harold Metts, Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin, and Senate Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey, all have challengers that would be considered Progressives in the Sept. 8 Democratic Primary. […]
Posted inCity & Government, Columns
Influencing the Influencers
As a member of the state Senate or state House of Representatives winning not only your election, but one of the coveted leadership positions can be quite lucrative. A review of several legislators, particularly those in leadership positions, shows that those with increased influence are rewarded mightily by those who covet that influence. We looked […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Deadline approaching for candidates to declare
In most election years, with a week to the deadline for declaring candidacies, there would be a flurry of activities, rumors flowing, and considerable speculation about who is or who is not planning on running for office. But this is not a typical year. It is one that has challenged leaders as local communities, states […]
Posted inNews
Leading cruise ship provider cancels all reservations for 2020
What had once been expected to be a robust cruise ship season in Newport, with more than 100 ships visiting the harbor, has now likely ended. Discover Newport has been notified by Destinations North America, a leading provider of a variety of services to cruise ships that it is canceling “all reservations we have with […]
Posted inColumns
Frank Prosnitz – Just My Opinion: We owe them
This story was originally published on May 23rd. We’re re-running this column today on the 76th anniversary of the invasion of Normandy – D-Day We owe them. They stormed the beaches at Normandy – Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword. They fought battles at sea, in the air, and on the ground. And they liberated […]
Posted inSports, Things To Do
Newport Polo gets state ok – to open on schedule
This story was originally published at 7:02 pm on June 5th, it has been updated. The ponies will be running at Glen Farm this summer, beginning today when a scaled down version of Newport Polo opens, with significant modifications that convinced the governor and various state agencies to give the popular attraction a last-minute reprieve. […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up Podcast: A conversation with Keith Stokes
Keith Stokes says it is time to “reach across the aisle and learn from one another.” It is something he has said often while advocating for better race and religious relations. He is hopeful that in the aftermath of protests, sparked by the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis policeman, that people turn those […]
Posted inThings To Do
Less than a week before its first scheduled match and still no word from polo about its season
With just a few days before what is supposed to be its opening match of the season, against a team from Switzerland, there has been no word from Newport Polo whether that match or any other this season will be played. Governor Gina Raimondo had canceled events that attract large crowds, but Polo has fought […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
RIDE approves Newport school project
With considerable concern about the state’s ability to fund hundreds of millions of dollars in school construction projects, the Rhode Island Department of Education’s Council on Elementary and Secondary Education today approved what it termed the “necessity” of Newport’s $106.3 million school construction proposal, along with several other projects.. The caveat is that before anything […]
Posted inCity & Government
RIDE to vote on Newport’s $106.3 million proposal to renovate Pell and replace Rogers High School
The Rhode Island Department of Education’s Council on Elementary and Secondary Education will vote late this Wednesday afternoon whether to approve Newport’s proposal to upgrade Pell Elementary School and replace Rogers High School, a combined $106.3 million proposal. Update to this story – RIDE approves Newport school project The proposal is one of five Stage […]