Frank Prosnitz

In a recent poll, WhatsUpNewp readers overwhelmingly showed their support for proposed legislation that would make Roe v. Wade, which upholds a woman’s constitutional right to abortion, the law in Rhode Island, even if overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. More than 84 percent of the nearly 400 readers responding to the poll, voted yes […]

Snow lines the banks of most roadways in New England, but pitchers and catchers are now in Florida. How far away can Spring really be? Only a few weeks, and while most baseball fans will be consumed by reports out of Spring Training, there are those in Rhode Island who are awaiting a definitive answer […]

In Washington, the mood of the country is changing. President Donald Trump has nominated a conservative to the U.S. Supreme Court, Neil Gorsuch, and the president has avowed his opposition to abortion, saying he would seek to overturn Roe v. Wade. He has already taken certain steps:  “… Donald Trump has withdrawn funding from the […]

The Rhode Island Supreme Court today rejected an appeal by a neighborhood association, bringing closer the Newport Preservation Society’s plans to build a $5.2 million visitor center at the Breakers, a 70 – room mansion that has been called the “crown jewel” of Newport’s summer cottages. In a 15-page decision the Supreme Court saw no […]

The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, through its Re-Build RI tax credit program, has awarded The Innovate Newport project $2.1 million, completing the capitalization stage and paving the way for final design and construction bidding, according to Scott A. Gibbs, president of The Economic Development Foundation of Rhode Island. Innovate Newport, Gibbs said, involves the rehabilitation […]

Well, we’re well into 2017 already – memories are being made. But most of all, we’re entering a year of great uncertainty on a national level, with considerable ramifications for states and local communities. We’re wondering how you view the year ahead. [os-widget path=”/ryanbelmore/the-year-ahead-your-opinion” of=”ryanbelmore” comments=”false”]

Sinclair Broadcast Group, the parent company of WJAR TV Channel 10 in Rhode Island, has vehemently denied allegations that they provided then presidential candidate, now president-elect Donald Trump with preferential treatment in interviews on several of their local affiliates. Politico and other media outlets reported that Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, told a business group at […]

While some legislators and city and town officials from Providence to Newport explore ways to curb panhandling in Rhode Island, many of you, in a WhatsUpNewp and WhatsUpRhode Island poll, have made it clear that you want to see panhandlers disappear from city and town street corners. Overwhelmingly you said that panhandlers pose a safety […]

The parent company of WJAR TV (Channel 10) in Providence, Sinclair Broadcasting Group, reportedly made a deal with Donald Trump’s presidential campaign that resulted in greater access to the candidate in exchange to broadcast the interviews without commentary. This is not unusual for the broadcasting group, which is described as conservative and which was apparently […]

Ask area residents what they hope happens to the Newport Grand property, and they’ll likely tell you it should be retained as some sort of recreation, tourist or entertainment center. It’s a question that will need to be answered, as Newport Grand’s owners, Twin River Management Group, prepares to move the slots parlor to Tiverton, […]

As most of you know, panhandling has become an issue for some in elective office in Newport. Now, it’s becoming an issue statewide as two legislators are preparing to introduce legislation that could essentially eliminate panhandling. As in Newport, the two legislators believe it’s a safety issue. [os-widget path=”/ryanbelmore/panhandling-poll” of=”ryanbelmore” comments=”false”]

A coalition that includes the Rhode Island State Council of Churches will once again try to convince legislators to approve a series of justice reforms aimed at reducing the prison population. Rev. Dr. Don Anderson, executive minister of the Council of Churches, said in an interview this week that the group expects to have introduced […]