The Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles has announced an appointment only schedule starting tomorrow (Monday), with only its Cranston office at 600 New London Ave. open. Paul Grimaldi, a spokesman for the department, said they will take no walk-ins, and reservations are full for tomorrow (Monday). He expects the policy to remain in effect […]
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
A projected robust cruise season comes to a halt as Newport faces tens of millions of lost tourism dollars
The waters outside the hotels – new and old – in Newport, are turbulent these days, as what had been a likely robust cruise season falls victim to a global virus. The hotels are virtually empty, the restaurants and attractions closed. And for Newport, which could anticipate 3.3 million visitors this year, some 200,000 from […]
Posted inArts & Culture, People & Profiles
Celebrating Women’s History Month: ‘remember the women before you who broke ground for us.’
March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of women in all aspects of our society. WhatsUpNewp reached out to successful women in several professions, asking just a few questions. We are running the responses throughout the month. Donna Lee, former Providence Journal food editor WUN: What one, two or three women […]
Posted inColumns
Just My Opinion: Recognizing the threats and our weaknesses, the opportunities and our strengths
Earlier I had written an angry column, berating those politicians who were late to the game, who delayed taking definitive action that would have begun to test people earlier to determine if they had contracted the coronavirus, and those who were timid about shutting down or postponing events, and closing some businesses. I discarded that […]
Posted inNews
Myth Busting – COVID-19
One thing is certain about any crisis, particularly a health care issue – like the coronavirus pandemic – is the proliferation of misinformation, denial, under and overestimating the threat. Much of the misinformation is spread by individuals with little or no knowledge of the condition. We’ve had no shortage of misstatements, from government offices to […]
Posted inBusiness, News
Rhode Island’s Commerce Secretary providing resources for businesses during coronavirus crisis
As the nation and Rhode Island continue to struggle and make efforts to contain the coronavirus (COVID-19), it’s doing so by shutting down major institutions and events, urging people to stay at home, and putting tremendous strain on the nation’s and Rhode Island’s business communities. Stefan Pryor, Rhode Island’s Secretary of Commerce, has reached out […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Newport Mayor Bova says city might consider coronavirus restrictions
Newport Mayor Jamie Bova, informed of Providence’s declaration of a state of emergency, said Newport might consider some of the same restrictions that Providence is enacting as the nation continues to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza said the city is revoking all event entertainment licenses — for night clubs, concerts, and […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Newport parade moves ahead, in spite of state recommendation
Update – Newport’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade canceled amid coronavirus disease concerns As the state was reporting its fourth and fifth cases of the coronavirus, soon after the governor declared a state of emergency, and while cities and towns across the country were canceling or postponing large celebrations, the Newport City Council voted 4 to […]
Posted inNews
Celebrating Women’s History Month: ‘my mother lived a life of gratitude’
March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of women in all aspects of our society. WhatsUpNewp reached out to successful women in several professions, asking just a few questions. We will run their responses throughout the month. Former Rhode Island Attorney General Arlene Violet WUN: What one, two or three women […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles
Celebrating Women’s History Month: ‘I always appreciate women who came before me and helped to clear the path’
March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of women in all aspects of our society. WhatsUpNewp reached out to successful women in several professions, asking just a few questions. We will run their responses throughout the month. Rep. Deborah Ruggiero, D – District 74 (Jamestown, Middletown WUN: What one, two or […]
Posted inCity & Government, People & Profiles
Under The Dome: Senator Dawn Euer
With the start of the legislative session, I reached out to the area’s legislative delegation to survey what legislation is important to each of them, the challenges ahead, and their perspective on the upcoming legislative session. Initially, I expected to wrap the answers into a single story. But the responses were so extensive and informative […]
Posted inCity & Government, People & Profiles
Celebrating Women’s History Month: ‘helping others along the way’
March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of women in all aspects of our society. WhatsUpNewp reached out to successful women in several professions, asking just a few questions. We will run their responses throughout the month. Newport Councilwoman Jeanne Napolitano WUN: What one, two or three women have inspired you? […]
Posted inNews
Celebrating Women’s History Month: ‘Life is learning: no one knows everything’
March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of women in all aspects of our society. WhatsUpNewp reached out to successful women in several professions, asking just a few questions. We will run their responses throughout the month. Sen. Dawn Euer, District 13 – Jamestown and Newport What one, two or three women […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles
Celebrating Women’s History Month: ‘Morality … Challenges … Belief’
March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of women in all aspects of our society. WhatsUpNewp reached out to successful women in several professions, asking just a few questions. We will run their responses throughout the month. Linda Levin, retired chair of the journalism program at the University of Rhode Island […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Extraordinary Women of the East Bay: Exhibit opening reception, Women’s Suffrage panel coming to Jamestown on March 9
The traveling exhibition “Extraordinary Women of the East Bay” opens at the Jamestown Philomenian Library on March 9 with a reception and panel discussion, “Women’s Suffrage 100 Years Later.” The reception from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and panel discussion, beginning at 6:30 p.m., are sponsored by the library in conjunction with the Jamestown Historical […]
Posted inColumns, People & Profiles
Celebrating Women’s History Month: ‘I learned that women are leaders’
March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of women in all aspects of our society. WhatsUpNewp reached out to successful women in several professions, asking just a few questions. We will run their responses throughout the month. Rep. Lauren H. Carson, D – District 75 (Newport) WUN: What one, two or three […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Grow Smart RI Power of Place Summit focuses on key statewide development issues, including Aquidneck Island growth
Grow Smart RI, the Ocean State’s leading advocate for sustainable and equitable economic growth, will focus on critical development issues, including Aquidneck Island’s future growth, at its biennial Power of Place Summit on March 27. The Summit, held at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, addresses cissues, from transportation to sustainability through general sessions […]
Posted inColumns, People & Profiles
A Bridge to the Future: Irma Valdez – ‘we need love in this world’
When you meet Irma Valdez, you hear in her voice an excitement about the opportunities that her children now have, about a commitment to her country and community, and about appreciation, adulation for a father who more than 20 years ago courageously left the fields of Veracruz, Mexico coming to the United States in search […]
Posted inCity & Government, Columns, News
Westerly, Newport wrestle with school construction needs
Nearly three years ago, a Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) study, the Jacobs Report, identified schools throughout the state needing hundreds of millions of dollars in improvements just to bring them to a safe level, and billions to make them safe and ready for 21st century learning. The report underscored what many communities already […]
Posted inCity & Government
Portsmouth receives grant from Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank
Portsmouth will receive a $339,000 grant from the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank, among programs sharing $1 million in grants to implement climate resilience plans they developed as part of the bank’s Municipal Resilience Program. According to the Infrastructure Bank, Portsmouth will use its grant for rehabilitation and stabilization of the Melville Dam, and three flood […]
Posted inCity & Government
Under The Dome: Representative Dennis Canario
With the start of the legislative session, I reached out to the area’s legislative delegation to survey what legislation is important to each of them, the challenges ahead, and their perspective on the upcoming legislative session. Initially, I expected to wrap the answers into a single story. But the responses were so extensive and informative […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Under The Dome: Senator James Seveney
With the start of the legislative session, I reached out to the area’s legislative delegation to survey what legislation is important to each of them, the challenges ahead, and their perspective on the upcoming legislative session. Initially, I expected to wrap the answers into a single story. But the responses were so extensive and informative […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Leading economist believes recession likely in Rhode Island in 2020
Rhode Island has a better than 50-50 chance of dipping into a recession by the end of this year, according to a leading Rhode Island economist whose monthly index tracks the strength of the state’s economy. Lardaro A slowing Rhode Island and national economy, jobs reports that mask true employment, and growing deficits are among […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Under The Dome: Rep. Deborah Ruggiero
With the start of the legislative session, I reached out to the area’s legislative delegation to survey what legislation is important to each of them, the challenges ahead, and their perspective on the upcoming legislative session. Initially, I expected to wrap the answers into a single story. But the responses were so extensive and informative […]
Posted inCity & Government
One Year Later: Gas Crisis – ‘A perfect storm of errors’
A year after more than 7,000 gas customers on Aquidneck Island were left without heat on a day that saw temperatures drop to 2 degrees, legislators are resolute to find solutions that will assure there will be no repeat of the outage that lasted several days. Even though some corrective steps were taken, some legislators […]