Three time Grammy winner Tom Chapin, described in the New York Times as “one of the great personalities in contemporary folk music,” comes to the Narragansett Community Center, 53 Mumford Road, Narragansett, for a 7:30 p.m. performance on Saturday, July 28. The performance is part of Congregation Beth David’s summer entertainment series, which concludes on […]
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 inArts & Culture, Business
A hidden gem: The Newport Playhouse
Set in what is best described as an industrial area, far from the glamorous houses of Newport and beachfront bistros, is a theater that for 35 years has claimed its place among the most beloved attractions on Aquidneck Island. Overcoming recessions and adversities like a burst pipe in mid-winter this year, the Newport Playhouse has […]
Posted inCity & Government
Election 2018 taking shape from the State House to City and Town Halls
Election 2018 in Rhode Island promises to be as competitive as any in recent history, from the State House to city and town halls. Voters will be challenged to learn about a plethora of candidates, and candidates will be challenged to get their message in front of voters. As with many elections, campaign finances will […]
Posted inCity & Government
Candidates file declarations of candidacy
Beginning tomorrow (Monday, June 25) candidates for statewide and local office will begin filing their declarations of candidacy, a process that runs through Wednesday (June 27) for local candidates and Thursday for federal and statewide general officeholders.. It is the first major step in a process that will culminate in the General Election on November […]
Posted inCity & Government
Roselli withdraws from Dem Gubernatorial Primary, giving his support to former Sec. of State Matt Brown
With Paul Roselli’s exit from the Democratic gubernatorial primary race, the field has narrowed somewhat as the deadline approaches for candidates to officially file if they intend on running for office in the upcoming election. All candidates must file declarations of candidacy on either June 25, 26 or 27. The Secretary of State’s website has […]
Posted inCity & Government
Summer: A time of hunger for many children
For a kid, summer should be a time for fun, for sports and camps, for swimming and family barbeques, for family vacations and carefree afternoons. But for many children in Rhode Island and across this nation, summertime, and with it the end of school lunch programs, is instead a time of hunger. Consider a third […]
Posted inNews
One in five Rhode Island children live in poverty
While finding some reasons to be hopeful, the 2018 Kids Count Factbook says nearly 20 percent of children in Rhode Island are living in poverty, and large disparities exist when it comes to minorities – Native Americans, Hispanic and Black Children – and Asian and White Children. Kids Count also found that the average rent […]
Posted inCity & Government
Gov. Raimondo seeks support for a billion-dollar school reclamation program and $48.5 million Green Economy and Clean Water bond
Gov. Gina Raimondo called upon Rhode Island’s civic, business and government leaders to get behind her efforts to rebuild the state’s aging public schools – a five-year $1 billion investment – and a $48.5 million Green Economy and Clean Water bond issue. Both need approval from the state legislature before going to voters in the […]
Posted inOpinion
Just My Opinion: Freedom is stronger than fear
On this weekend, when we celebrate both Passover and Easter, we are reminded of those who today – in our country and around the world – are struggling for freedom. I think the words of Elie Wiesel in the preface to his Passover Haggadah are particularly relevant today and equally applicable to both Jews and […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport’s Visitors Center wins Grow Smart RI Award
Newport’s Transportation and Visitors Center was among several award winners at Grow Smart RI’s Power of Place Summit earlier today (Thursday, March 29). The awards were presented at Grow Smart’s Power of Place Summit, held at the Rhode Island Convention Center and attended by some 500 business, civic, and elected leaders. The Visitors Center was […]
Posted inNews
Podcast: John Marion, Common Cause Rhode Island
John Marion, Executive Director of Common Cause in Rhode Island, joined me on The Open Forum on AM 1540 WADK to discuss important voting and ethics issues before the General Assembly, and issues of transparency at the local level. Specifically, he talks about bills that would allow for early voting, require independent redistricting, and reforming the […]
Posted inCity & Government
Secretary of State Gorbea to run for a second term
Rhode Island Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea is running for reelection. “Absolutely, I’m definitely going to run again,” she said, in answer to a question during an appearance on WADK’s Open Forum. “It’s been a blessing to be Rhode Island’s Secretary of State.” No other candidates have announced for Secretary of State. In Rhode Island, […]
Posted inNews
In wake of failed merger talks, South County Health promises a “major new program”
South County Health is expected to make an announcement within a month of a “major new program,” said CEO Louis Giancola in the wake of the collapse of merger talks between the hospital and Yale New Haven Health, the parent of Westerly Hospital. The announcement of the breakdown of talks that began some 10 months […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
For Willie Rios, and thousands of aspiring major leaguers, it’s the season of ‘sweet optimism’
It begins, of course, in the Spring. The evenings grow lighter The air sweeter and all the world is filled With sweet optimism. – John F. McCullagh And so, it was yesterday, and in the few days ahead, as major and minor leaguers filter into their Spring training camps – major leaguers by today, minor […]
Posted inCity & Government
Paiva Weed files campaign finance report (Updated)
This story was originally published at 13:52 on February 12th, it has been updated (where indicated). Former state Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed filed her campaign finance report Sunday evening, several hours after WhatsUpNewp reported that her campaign had not met the Jan. 31 deadline to file for the last quarter of 2017. The Board […]
Posted inCity & Government
Paiva Weed joins those missing campaign finance reporting deadline (Updated)
Update: According to Board of Election records, Teresa Paiva Weed’s campaign filed its report on Sunday, Feb. 11, after the publication of this article. An update to this story can be found here – Paiva Weed files campaign finance report Former state Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed has joined the ranks of those failing to file […]
Posted inCity & Government
In race for lieutenant governor, Aaron Regunberg wants to become the “people’s lobbyist”
At 27 and in only his second term in the state House of Representatives, Aaron Regunberg, a progressive Democrat, has seen enough. He sees a Statehouse dominated by wealthy and influential lobbyists, with no one advocating for the common Rhode Islander, a job he thinks should be assumed by the lieutenant governor. He wants to […]
Posted inOpinion
Just My Opinion: Three Celebrations, One Underlying Message
The flame from Chanukah’s first candle flickers, the star atop a Christmas tree sheds its light elegantly, and the candles of Kwanzaa’s kinara speak of hardship and of hope. Light. It’s the light that seems to unite these three celebrations that have all come together in 2017 – Chanukah ended on December 20th, Christmas takes […]
Posted inNews
Kids Count calls on Rhode Island legislature to increase foster care age to 21
Kids Count, the statewide children’s policy organization, today called upon the Rhode Island State legislature to restore foster care services to youth from 18 to 21, a population that Kids Count believes is at significant risk for failure in schools and the workplace, and more likely to engage in criminal activity. The recommendation was among […]
Posted inNews
Are Rhode Island’s Campaign Finance Laws tough enough?
Over the last 15 years, since enactment of legislation levying fines in Rhode Island for delinquent campaign finance filings, only a small fraction of the fines has been paid, leaving in question the effectiveness of the process. There appears to be little incentive for delinquent filers to make good on the fines, or even a […]
Posted inBusiness
Artificial Intelligence to dominate the workplace; revolutionize education
Don’t feel too secure in your job. It might not be there in a few years. Frame that diploma? Maybe, but the college you went to might also disappear over the next several years. The technological revolution is changing the way we learn, the way we work, the way we play, and the way we […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Podcast: A conversation with Doug Key, founder of Rogue Island Comedy Festival
“Comedy, we may say, is society protecting itself – with a smile.” – J.B. Priestley There will be plenty of smiles later this week with the start of the annual Rogue Island Comedy Festival. Doug Key, the festival’s founder, and director joined me on AM 1540 WADK Newport on October 3rd to talk about the […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Rogue Island Comedy Festival features TJ Miller, sometimes known as the “Mucinex Man”
So how is it that someone can go from earning a degree in psychology, to becoming the most famous ball of mucus on the planet? Well, that’s been comic TJ Miller’s journey, and it’s one that’s taking him to Newport’s Jane Pickens Theater on Sunday (October 8) as the headliner of this year’s Rogue Island […]
Posted inArts & Culture, News
Gladstone Elementary fifth graders receive instruments from Festivals Foundation
Sevastien Emmanuel carefully lifts the violin out of its case, holds it to his ear, plucking the strings. Around him, other fifth graders at Cranston’s Gladstone Elementary School cradle trumpets, clarinets, flutes, and one cello. The look on their faces tells it all. In the background, clarinetist Ben Marcoux, Newport Jazz Assembly Band Leader, plays […]
Posted inNews
Podcast: Discussion with Chris Maxwell, President of Rhode Island Trucking Association
Chris Maxwell, President of the Rhode Island Trucking Association, join me today on AM 1540 WADK to update us about the opposition to the truck only tolls that state officials believe will go into effect later this year. He continues to anticipate the national trucking association will eventually file suit that will either derail the […]