The Point Association and Rhode Island House Representative Lauren Carson are asking residents of Newport’s Historic Point Neighborhood to participate in a new survey focused on climate resilience, flooding, and sea level rise. The survey, open exclusively to Point Neighborhood residents, is designed to capture firsthand experiences and priorities related to stormwater flooding and sea […]
Ryan Belmore
Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020).
He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide.
Ryan is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, Online News Association, and Local Independent Online News Publishers. He is committed to the codes of ethics of these organizations: accuracy, independence, accountability, and transparency.
In Newport, Ryan served on the boards of the Fort Adams Trust and Potter League for Animals, and hosted a daily radio talk show for four years.
In 2021, Ryan moved to Alexandria, Virginia, to support his wife Jen's career. He launched The Alexandria Brief in 2025, applying what he learned in Newport to a new community. With the help of some talented on-the-ground contributors, he still runs What's Up Newp — and always will.
Contact: ryan@whatsupnewp.com.
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Boston saxophonist Seba Molnar brings contemporary jazz to NIMFest at King Park on August 2
The New England Music Organization will present The Seba Molnar Band and The John Monllos Trio at NIMFest 2026 on Sunday, August 2, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the King Park Gazebo, 125 Wellington Ave. The event is free and open to the public. Headlining the afternoon is The Seba Molnar Band, a Boston-based […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Classical announces 2026-2027 Chamber Series with twelve concerts starting in September
Newport Classical has announced its 2026-2027 Chamber Series, a twelve-concert season running from September through June at Newport Classical Recital Hall at 42 Dearborn St. Tickets go on sale to the public August 4 at newportclassical.org. The series opens September 18 with Invoke, a multi-instrumental quartet exploring American musical traditions from bluegrass and Appalachian fiddle […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Mansions’ “Sessions” series continues with BBMak acoustic performance at the Isaac Bell House
BBMak, the British trio that topped charts on both sides of the Atlantic in the early 2000s, recently recorded a three-song acoustic set at the Isaac Bell House as part of the Newport Mansions’ ongoing “Sessions” music video series. The video will be released Wednesday, July 30, on the Newport Mansions YouTube channel (@newport.mansions). The […]
Posted inNews
Newport Beach Fest to bring NFL legends, beach football, and live entertainment to Fort Adams over Labor Day weekend
Fort Adams State Park will host an inaugural two-day waterfront festival over Labor Day weekend, bringing professional beach football, NFL legends, live entertainment, and more than 1,000 tons of sand to one of New England’s most iconic event venues. Newport Beach Fest is scheduled for September 5-6 and will serve as the debut of the […]
Posted inNews
Biking to Newport Folk Festival hits all-time high with more than 5,000 bikes over three days
Newport Folk Festival 2026 set a new record for bicycle arrivals, with Bike Newport reporting 5,148 bikes over the three-day sold-out event at Fort Adams State Park — the highest three-day total ever recorded. Friday led the way with 1,816 cyclists arriving by bike, the highest single-day count in the festival’s history. Saturday drew 1,720 […]
Posted inPolice & Fire
Four arrested, 24 citations issued during law enforcement operation at Aquapalooza in Portsmouth
Four people were arrested and 24 citations issued during a multi-agency law enforcement operation at the 2026 Aquapalooza event held Saturday at Potter’s Cove, the Portsmouth Police Department announced Monday. Officers arrested Robinson Alves, 23, of Fall River, Mass., and Justin Taymes, 39, also of Fall River, each on charges of operating a watercraft while […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Jamestown Arts Center to host talk on Vermeer forgeries and the Van Meegeren affair
One of the most sensational scandals in art history comes to Jamestown Arts Center next week when renowned Vermeer scholar Arthur K. Wheelock Jr. takes the stage for a JAC Talk on Wednesday, August 5, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. In “Vermeer, Vermeer Forgeries, and the ‘Van Meegeren Affair,'” Wheelock will examine the 1947 trial […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Boil water advisory issued for Stone Bridge Fire District customers in Tiverton
The Rhode Island Department of Health has issued a precautionary boil water advisory for customers of the Stone Bridge Fire District public water system following a water main break Monday on Lawton Ave that caused a loss of water pressure. A drop in pressure can allow bacteria to enter the system. Stone Bridge Fire District […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport Democratic City Committee endorses Helena Buonanno Foulkes for governor
The Newport Democratic City Committee has endorsed Helena Buonanno Foulkes in the race for Rhode Island governor, the latest show of support for the former CVS executive making her second bid for the state’s top office. “I’m grateful to have the support of the Newport Democratic City Committee,” Foulkes said. “From the cost of housing […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Folk Festival closes out with Nathaniel Rateliff, Dave Matthews, Joan Baez, and Mavis Staples in unforgettable Sunday finale
The 2026 Newport Folk Festival went out in style Sunday at Fort Adams State Park, closing its sold-out three-day run with a finale that few in attendance will soon forget. Nathaniel Rateliff & Friends headlined the Fort Stage to close the weekend, but it was the surprise guests that sent the crowd into a frenzy. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Folk Festival Day 2: The Lumineers close out a packed Saturday at Fort Adams
NEWPORT — Day 2 of the sold-out 2026 Newport Folk Festival delivered another full slate of music Saturday at Fort Adams State Park, with The Lumineers closing out the Fort Stage to cap an afternoon and evening that built steadily toward one of the weekend’s most anticipated headliners. Gillian Welch & David Rawlings turned heads […]
Posted inInstagram
Newport Folk Festival opens with Hayley Williams, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Courtney Barnett and more
The 2026 Newport Folk Festival kicked off Friday at the sold-out Fort Adams State Park, delivering a full day of music across more than three stages from morning through evening. The Fort Stage headliners set the tone for the weekend, with Courtney Barnett, Lucy Dacus, and Hayley Williams & Friends closing out the night. Ms. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
newportFILM and Newport Jazz Festival to present world premiere of documentary on pioneering photographer John Shearer
newportFILM, the Newport Jazz Festival, and the Newport Restoration Foundation will present the world premiere of John Shearer: American Moments on Thursday, July 30, at Rough Point, the historic Newport estate of philanthropist Doris Duke. The evening will also feature a live performance by the Alison Shearer Quartet, led by saxophonist Alison Shearer — daughter […]
Posted inInstagram
newportFILM raises over $375,000 at 16th anniversary summer benefit
newportFILM’s 16th Anniversary Summer Benefit raised more than $375,000 last weekend to support the organization’s year-round documentary film programming and educational initiatives. Hundreds attended the July 18 event at IYRS’s Restoration Hall. The evening was presented by the flyGATEWAY Aviation Institute, with additional support from The Newport Experience and BankNewport. Remarks were delivered by newportFILM […]
Posted inNews
Gansett Run Club bringing Ice Bucket Challenge back to Providence to benefit ALS Rhode Island
More than a decade after the Ice Bucket Challenge swept the internet and raised millions for ALS research, a Providence running club is bringing it back. Gansett Run Club, ALS Rhode Island, and Narragansett Brewery will host a community Ice Bucket Challenge on Wednesday, August 12, at the brewery’s Providence location at 271 Tockwotton Street. […]
Posted inThings To Do
Coggeshall Farm Museum takes visitors back to 1776 with new immersive program
Coggeshall Farm Museum will debut a new immersive experience this weekend that puts visitors in the middle of the American Revolution. Voices of a Revolution runs Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2, transporting guests to 1776 and the building tensions of a small New England community like Bristol during the fight for independence. Visitors […]
Posted inNonprofit
MLK Community Center hosts free dinner and art workshop next week
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center has two free community events on tap next week, including a sit-down dinner prepared by Stoneacre Hospitality and a poetry and art-making workshop led by a Jamestown Arts Center resident artist. On Tuesday, July 28, from 4 to 6 p.m., ceramic artist Kelly McDermott will lead participants […]
Posted inNews
Newport Public Schools names new Rogers High School principal, student services director
Superintendent Dr. Peter Sanchioni announced two senior leadership appointments Friday, naming a new principal for Rogers High School and a new executive director of student services as the district continues to build out its leadership team. Robert E. Young, Jr. has been appointed principal of Rogers High School, effective July 27, while Sarah Kraeger will […]
Posted inInstagram
Newport man dies after alleged drunk driver struck him in Memorial Boulevard crosswalk; DUI charge upgraded
A Newport man struck by an alleged drunk driver while crossing Memorial Boulevard in a motorized mobility scooter earlier this week has died, Newport Police announced Friday. John Miles, of 4 Chapel Terrace, Newport, was killed in the crash that occurred at approximately 10:39 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of Memorial Boulevard and Chapel Street. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Jamestown Arts Center hosts Indonesian batik artists for illustrated talk and trunk show July 30
Internationally recognized batik artists Agus Ismoyo and Nia Fliam will visit the Jamestown Arts Center on Thursday, July 30, from 6 to 8 p.m. for an illustrated artist talk and trunk show exploring the cultural, philosophical, and creative dimensions of Indonesian batik. Drawing on more than 40 years of artistic practice at their studio, Babaran […]
Posted inNews
Women’s Resource Center raises more than $85,000 at Seaside Celebration, with 100 supporters gathering on Newport Harbor
The Women’s Resource Center welcomed more than 100 supporters to its annual Seaside Celebration on Monday evening, raising more than $85,000 to support free and confidential services for survivors of domestic violence in Newport and Bristol Counties. Co-hosted by Elizabeth Leatherman and Susan Sipprelle on a tented dockside terrace overlooking Newport Harbor, the evening featured […]
Posted inNews
Newport Police identify suspect, seek second individual in July 19 Park Holm double shooting
Newport Police have obtained an arrest warrant for Tyquan Johnson, date of birth January 14, 2007, in connection with the double shooting that occurred July 19 in the Park Holm area near Truman Road, and are also seeking to identify a second individual connected to the incident. Johnson is wanted on charges of felony assault […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport NewWorks announces casts and directors for its second annual musical theater festival, August 2–16
Newport NewWorks has announced the casts and directors for the three original musicals making up its second annual Musical Theater Festival, running August 2–16 at the Casino Theatre, 9 Freebody St. The festival, founded by Academy Award-nominated producer Peilin Chou and theater producer Jeanne Hagerty, gives emerging and established writers a two-week residency to develop […]
Posted inNews
IYRS launches new Yacht Design program, training the next generation of designers on Newport’s working waterfront
IYRS School of Technology & Trades has launched a new Yacht Design program, giving students the chance to train as yacht designers in Newport — one of the world’s foremost centers for sailing, boatbuilding, and marine innovation. The project-based curriculum, led by veteran yacht design educator Roland Saucier, takes students through increasingly complex design projects […]
Posted inNews
Newport man arrested on DUI charges after striking mobility scooter rider in crosswalk on Memorial Boulevard
Update, July 24, 2026: John Miles, of 4 Chapel Terrace, Newport, the victim in this crash, has died from his injuries. Jose Monterroso Villagran now faces an upgraded charge of driving under the influence of liquor or drugs resulting in death, first offense. Read the full updated story here. A Newport man has been arrested […]
Posted inCity & Government
Governor McKee designates Sunday as Rhode Island’s 37th annual Bay Day — free state beach parking and saltwater fishing all weekend
Governor Dan McKee signed an executive order Wednesday at Rocky Point State Park designating Sunday, July 26, as Rhode Island’s 37th annual Governor’s Bay Day, offering free parking at all eight state surf beaches and free recreational saltwater fishing from Friday through Sunday. RIPTA will waive the round-trip fare on the South County Express Beach […]
Posted inNews
Race4Chase Youth Triathlon returns to Fort Adams on August 9 in memory of Sandy Hook victim Chase Kowalski
The Newport County YMCA and the CMAK Foundation will host the annual Race4Chase Youth Triathlon on Sunday, August 9, at Fort Adams State Park, bringing together young athletes for the culminating event of a summer-long fitness and confidence-building program. The Race4Chase program was established in memory of Chase Kowalski, one of the children killed in […]
Posted inNews
Quonset Business Park to add more than 140 workforce housing apartments in partnership with Moran Properties
Quonset Development Corporation and Moran Properties have announced plans to develop more than 140 workforce housing units at Quonset Business Park, marking the first residential development in the park’s history. QDC’s Board of Directors approved a 60-year ground lease with Moran Properties for a 6.89-acre parcel on Gate Road at its meeting Tuesday. The development […]
Posted inInstagram
Newport Police issue traffic advisory for Folk Festival weekend; Harrison Avenue northbound lane closed to vehicles daily
Newport Police have issued a traffic advisory for the sold-out Newport Folk Festival, running Friday, July 24, through Sunday, July 26, at Fort Adams State Park, with road closures and traffic pattern changes in effect each day. Beginning at 8 a.m. daily, the northbound lane of Harrison Avenue between the Fort Adams entrance and the […]
Posted inInstagram
Newport Harbormaster urges paddlers to wear life jackets and stay alert during Folk and Jazz Festival weekends
With Newport Folk and Jazz Festival weekends drawing thousands of visitors to the water, the Newport Harbormaster is reminding paddlers and boaters to take extra precautions on what becomes one of the busiest stretches of Newport Harbor all summer. Kayaks, paddleboards, sailboats, launches, ferries, and powerboats all share the harbor during festival weekends, creating challenging […]
Posted inBusiness
New York seafood company acquires Newport-based Endeavor Seafood
Mark Foods, a New York-based seafood importer and processor generating more than $1 billion in annual revenue, has acquired Endeavor Seafood, a Newport frozen seafood importer based at 110 William St. The acquisition completes a relationship that began in 2021 when Mark Foods made an equity investment in Endeavor. Financial terms were not disclosed. Endeavor […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
State agencies warn against all water contact at Lower Melville Pond in Portsmouth and Tiogue Lake in Coventry due to algae blooms
Rhode Island health and environmental officials are advising the public to avoid all contact with Lower Melville Pond in Portsmouth and Tiogue Lake in Coventry after harmful algae blooms were detected at both locations. The Rhode Island Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Management recommend avoiding swimming, fishing, boating, and kayaking at both […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport lifts boil water advisory after repairs completed and water tests clear
The Rhode Island Department of Health has cleared Newport Water customers to resume normal water use, lifting the precautionary boil water advisory that had been in effect since Sunday. The advisory was issued July 19 after a 24-inch main broke under West Main Road near the Home Depot shopping center, affecting approximately 2,000 customers. A […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Providence Restaurant Weeks returns for its 20th year with nearly 80 restaurants and two weeks of dining deals
Providence Restaurant Weeks celebrates its 20th anniversary this weekend, running July 26 through August 8 with nearly 80 participating restaurants offering prix fixe menus, lunch and dinner specials, seasonal dishes, and creative drink offerings across Rhode Island. The event, presented by GoProvidence and sponsored by Navigant Credit Union, has grown from a summer promotion launched […]
Posted inArts & Culture
NIMFest’s Songwriter Showcase returns to King Park this Sunday with Sweet Petunia, Natalie Paige, and Lainey Dionne
The New England Music Organization presents the second annual NIMFest Songwriter Showcase this Sunday, July 26, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the King Park Gazebo, 125 Wellington Ave., featuring three of the region’s most compelling emerging singer-songwriters. Sweet Petunia, the folk duo of Mairead Guy and Maddy Simpson — twice nominated for Boston Music […]
Posted inSports
Roger Federer narrates his path to tennis greatness in new video series ahead of his Newport induction this August
Before Roger Federer receives what the International Tennis Hall of Fame calls the Ultimate Honor in Tennis this August in Newport, the Hall of Fame is releasing a six-part video series in which the Swiss legend narrates his own rise from a young player in Switzerland to one of the most celebrated athletes in the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
BTS, Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, and Zach Bryan headline Gillette Stadium’s 2026 concert season
Gillette Stadium has announced its 2026 Concert Series presented by Dunkin’, a 10-show run from August through October featuring BTS, Chris Brown and Usher, Bruno Mars, Karol G, Ed Sheeran, and Zach Bryan. The season opens August 5 and 6 with BTS on the BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’, marking the first and largest headlining K-pop […]
Posted inCity & Government
Update: Newport boil water advisory expanded after second water main break overnight near Valley Road
This story was originally published at 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 19; it was updated at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, July 20. A second water main break overnight has expanded Newport’s boil water advisory to a second area near Valley Road, state health officials announced Monday, while repairs to Sunday’s original break on West Main […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Puddingstone Music closes its summer season with a Bill Evans tribute in Jamestown and a classical guitar evening at Rough Point
Puddingstone Music has announced two intimate salon-style concerts to close out its summer season, following its second annual festival at the Casino Theatre. On August 14, pianist Randy Ingram brings his trio to the Jamestown Arts Center for “Sound Within: A Celebration of Bill Evans,” with doors at 7 p.m. and music at 7:30 p.m. […]
Posted inNews
Update: Two Newport residents wounded in Park Holm shooting Sunday night; police say incident was targeted
Newport Police have released additional details on the shooting that occurred late Sunday evening in the Park Holm area, identifying the incident as targeted and isolated with no ongoing threat to the public. Officers responded at approximately 9:55 p.m. Sunday to a report of shots fired near Truman Street and Rosedale Avenue. Once on scene, […]
Posted inInstagram
Ryan Pearl and Chantalle Schultz Rathbun top the field at the 2026 Newport Beer Run at Fort Adams
NEWPORT, R.I. – Ryan Pearl of Hamden, Conn., and Chantalle Schultz Rathbun of St. Petersburg, Fla., claimed the top spots at the 2026 Newport Beer Run on Saturday at Fort Adams State Park, leading a field of 974 finishers through the 5K before celebrating with 40 breweries at the post-race festival. Formerly known as the […]
Posted inInstagram
Viking Hoops Basketball Camp celebrates 30th year — and a homecoming at Rogers High School
NEWPORT, R.I. — Viking Hoops Basketball Camp marked its 30th year this July with a homecoming at Rogers High School, returning to the place where the program’s founder spent more than two decades coaching the Vikings. Jim Psaras started Viking Hoops in 1995 with a straightforward goal: bring basketball to Aquidneck Island in an accessible […]
Posted inNews
Wildfire smoke returns to Rhode Island Saturday; air quality alert issued for sensitive groups
Rhode Island is under another air quality alert Saturday, July 18, as wildfire smoke that moved south of the state Friday recirculates back into the region under a southwest flow. The Department of Environmental Management forecasts unhealthy conditions for sensitive groups, with some improvement expected Sunday. Residents with asthma, heart conditions, or lung conditions are […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Rhode Island health officials issue food safety reminder as multistate Cyclospora outbreak is linked to Taco Bell lettuce
The Rhode Island Department of Health is reminding residents to follow food safety practices as federal health officials investigate a multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in five states. The CDC and FDA have advised consumers not to eat shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell locations in […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council to consider splash pad, playground, tennis court repairs, and drone program at July 22 meeting
The Newport City Council meets Wednesday, July 22, at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall, 43 Broadway, with a agenda that includes several infrastructure contracts and grant acceptances. Among the items from the city manager: The council will consider contracts for restoration of the Rogers High School tennis courts, replacement of the Aquidneck […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Two veteran singer-songwriters bound for Newport Folk Festival stop at Jamestown Arts Center on July 23
A pair of veteran singer-songwriters will make a stop at the Jamestown Arts Center on Thursday, July 23, just days before taking the stage at the Newport Folk Festival that Sunday. Logan Vath and Stephen Covell, both musicians supported by Operation Encore — a nonprofit that helps veteran and active-duty musicians advance their careers — […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Antique rug scholar Peter Pap brings illustrated lecture and trunk show to Tiverton Four Corners Arts Center in August
The Tiverton Four Corners Arts Center will host an illustrated lecture by internationally recognized rug scholar Peter Pap on Tuesday, August 4, followed by the arts center’s inaugural Antique Rug Trunk Show August 5–7. Pap’s lecture, Understanding Antique Rugs: Exploring the History and Learning the Finer Points of Color and Design in Rugs Woven Before […]
Posted inArts & Culture
The Jane Pickens Theater’s legendary Jaws Party returns this weekend with live music, beer tastings, and a 4K screening
The Jane Pickens Theater’s annual Jaws Party is back this weekend, bringing Steven Spielberg’s 1975 classic back to the big screen in a new 4K restoration for three nights of shark-fueled summer celebration. Tonight, Friday, July 17, The Teledynes — a surf rock and rockabilly trio of electric guitar, upright slap bass, and drums — […]
Posted inNews
On This Day In Newport History: July 17, 1954 – First Newport Jazz Festival Held
Photo of 1954 Newport Jazz Festival via Newport Jazz Festival The first Newport Jazz Festival, known as the First Annual American Jazz Festival, was held on July 17th and July 18th, 1954 at the Newport Casino. The two day event featured academic panel discussions and live music performances from Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Lee Konitz, […]
Posted inNews
Newport Gulls hosting bone marrow registry drive tonight for 5-year-old East Greenwich boy in need of a donor
A free bone marrow registry drive will be held tonight at Cardines Field during the Newport Gulls game, organized by the family of Jack Palms, a 5-year-old East Greenwich boy being treated for a rare and serious bone marrow condition. Jack has been diagnosed with Acquired Amegakaryocytic Thrombocytopenia (AAMT), a rare disorder that causes bone […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Rhode Island is on pace to exceed its annual average for rabid animals, state health officials warn
Rhode Island health and environmental officials are urging residents to avoid contact with wild animals after the state recorded 25 rabid animals in the first half of 2026 — already surpassing the annual average of 24 reported between 2021 and 2025. The Rhode Island Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Management issued the […]
Posted inCity & Government
Jamestown Democratic Town Committee endorses Foulkes for governor, Reed for U.S. Senate
The Jamestown Democratic Town Committee has announced its endorsements for the 2026 election cycle, backing Helena Foulkes for governor and incumbent U.S. Sen. Jack Reed for re-election, along with a full slate of state and federal candidates. The committee’s full list of endorsements: U.S. Senate: Jack Reed Governor: Helena Foulkes Lieutenant Governor: Sue Anderbois Attorney […]
Posted inArts & Culture
‘Bridging the Gap’ jazz dance and music festival returns to Salve Regina for a third year July 29–August 3
Salve Regina University will host “Bridging the Gap: A Jazz Dance and Music Festival” for the third consecutive year, bringing together jazz dancers, musicians, and educators for a week of performances and free community classes July 29 through August 3. The festival’s centerpiece is a Jazz Lounge at Ochre Court on Wednesday, July 29, at […]
Posted inBusiness
Kayak Centre of Rhode Island acquires Narrow River Kayaks, keeping a 35-year paddling institution alive
The Kayak Centre of Rhode Island has acquired Narrow River Kayaks, preserving one of the state’s most beloved paddling destinations as it enters its 35th season under new ownership. Narrow River Kayaks has operated on one of Rhode Island’s most scenic and ecologically sensitive waterways for more than three decades, introducing generations of residents and […]
Posted inInstagram
35 Kay Street sells for $3 million in highest multi-family sale in Newport this year
A historic multi-family property at 35 Kay Street has sold for $3 million, marking the highest multi-family sale in Newport so far in 2026 and the fifth highest on record in the city, according to Multiple Listing Service data. The circa-1880 property sits on more than half an acre in Newport’s Kay Street neighborhood and […]
Posted inNews
Air quality alert issued for Rhode Island today as wildfire smoke moves in from Minnesota
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has issued an air quality alert for Wednesday, July 15, as bands of heavy wildfire smoke from fires in northern Minnesota move into the region. Fine particle readings are expected to reach unhealthy levels for sensitive groups on the Air Quality Index beginning midday, with elevated readings continuing […]
Posted inNews
People’s Credit Union hosting free community shred day July 25 at its Wakefield branch
People’s Credit Union will host a free Community Shred Day on Saturday, July 25, from 9 a.m. to noon at its newly relocated Wakefield branch at 703 Kingstown Road. The event is open to everyone in the community. Residents can bring up to two boxes of sensitive documents — maximum size 24″ x 15″ x […]
Posted inHistory
On This Day In Newport History: July 15, 1876 – Margaret Van Alen Bruguiére is born in Newport
Photo Credit Margaret Van Alen Bruguiére, also known as Daisy Van Alen, was born on July 15, 1876 in Newport, Rhode Island. While the name may not be familiar to many, the socialite, art collector and philanthropist was considered by many during the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s as the leader of Newport’s social scene. She was once one […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Rhode Island Philharmonic brings free outdoor concert to Rosecliff lawn on August 9
The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra will perform a free outdoor concert on the back lawn of Rosecliff on Sunday, August 9, starting at 7 p.m., hosted by the Preservation Society of Newport County. Conducted by Troy Quinn, the program includes the “William Tell” and “1812” overtures alongside music from Phantom of the Opera, West Side […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Karla Bonoff, Garrison Keillor, and The Irish Tenors coming to the Jane Pickens Theater this fall
The Jane Pickens Theater has announced three new shows from Spectacle Live this fall and winter, with tickets going on sale Friday, July 17, at 10 a.m. at janepickens.com or by calling 1-800-657-8774. Singer-songwriter Karla Bonoff opens the run on Saturday, September 12, at 7:30 p.m. Bonoff has written hits recorded by Bonnie Raitt, Wynonna […]
Posted inNews
Newport Restoration Foundation names Miramar restoration and Bailey’s Beach clubhouse among 2026 Doris Duke Historic Preservation Award honorees
The Newport Restoration Foundation and the City of Newport have announced the honorees for the 20th annual Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards, recognizing two outstanding preservation projects in Newport County and a lifetime achievement honoree. The ceremony takes place Friday, September 11, at Rough Point. Tom Perkins receives this year’s President’s Award for lifetime excellence […]
Posted inInstagram
The Newport Show returns for its 19th year July 25-26 at St. George’s School
The Newport Show returns for its 19th year on July 25 and 26 at the St. George’s School Ice Rink in Middletown, with a Gala Preview Party kicking things off the evening of Friday, July 24. This year’s show features more than 30 dealers offering art, antiques, and furniture, including new exhibitors Spiral Haus of […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Today In Newport History: July 14, 1966 – Tanya Donelly Born In Newport
Photo Credit Singer, songwriter and guitarist Tanya Donelly was born on July 14, 1966 in Newport. Donelly co-founded Throwing Muses with her stepsister Kristin Hersh while attending Rogers High School in 1981. The band toured and recorded until 1997. Donelly was also a founding member of The Breeders with Kim Deal of the Pixies. She was also a member […]
Posted inNews
Women’s Resource Center hosts Seaside Celebration fundraiser July 20 at The Bohlin
The Women’s Resource Center will hold its signature summer fundraiser, Seaside Celebration, on Monday, July 20, at 5:30 p.m. at The Bohlin, 20 Commercial Wharf, on Newport Harbor. The event is co-hosted by Elizabeth Leatherman and Susan Sipprelle — the same Susan Sipprelle who recently wrote about RENEWport’s volunteer library program at Pell Elementary — […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island Foundation is offering three composers $30,000 grants — applications due Aug. 10
Rhode Island composers have until August 10 to apply for $30,000 fellowships from the Rhode Island Foundation, with three grants available to emerging and mid-career musicians looking to advance their work. The grants come through the Foundation’s Robert and Margaret MacColl Johnson Fellowship Fund and are unrestricted — meaning recipients can use the money however […]
Posted inNews
CCRI bringing enrollment help — and a comfort dog — to its Newport campus on July 16
The Community College of Rhode Island will host an Enrollment Day at its Newport County Campus on Thursday, July 16, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., offering prospective and returning students a one-stop opportunity to get ready for the Fall 2026 semester. Staff from admissions, advising, and financial aid will be available to help students […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Jane Pickens Theater launches ‘Sounds of Folk’ series this month with live tributes, documentaries, and an O Brother screening
The Jane Pickens Theater is marking Newport’s folk music season with a four-event Sounds of Folk Series running through the end of July, pairing live performances with documentaries and classic films celebrating the artists who shaped American roots music. The series opens Tuesday, July 21, with a live tribute concert marking the 50th anniversary of […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Rhode Island Blood Center declares blood emergency as supply falls below two-day level
The Rhode Island Blood Center has declared a blood emergency after the region’s blood supply dropped below a two-day inventory — well below the five-to-seven-day level considered healthy — as hospitals enter the height of summer trauma season. The shortage is part of a broader national crisis. America’s Blood Centers has issued a statement warning […]
Posted inSports
Jacob Fearnley rallies from the brink to win men’s singles title at 2026 Cerity Partners Hall of Fame Open
NEWPORT, R.I. — Jacob Fearnley saved six match points to complete one of the most dramatic comebacks in ATP Challenger final history Sunday, claiming the men’s singles title at the 2026 Cerity Partners Hall of Fame Open at the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Fearnley, representing Great Britain, defeated fourth-seeded Adam Walton of Australia 5–7, […]
Posted inSports
Sonny Gray gives Red Sox solid start after travel woes and Boston beats the Mets 6-2
By JERRY BEACH Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Sonny Gray shook off travel woes that led to the Red Sox making a late arrival to New York, pitching six strong innings as Boston beat the Mets 6-2 on Friday night. The game started at 7:51 p.m. EDT, 36 minutes later than scheduled, after Gray and the […]
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Kite festival at Brenton Point this weekend marks 40th anniversary; Newport Police warn of heavy traffic on Ocean Avenue
Newport Police are urging drivers to plan ahead this weekend as the Newport Kite Festival returns to Brenton Point State Park for its 40th anniversary, with an estimated 20,000 attendees expected over two days. Detours will be in place on Ocean Avenue at Harrison Avenue from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 11. Officers […]
Posted inNews
Newport Hospital’s Vanderbilt Rehabilitation Center earns CARF re-accreditation through 2029
Brown University Health’s Vanderbilt Rehabilitation Center at Newport Hospital has earned re-accreditation from CARF International, extending its recognition through June 30, 2029. The accreditation covers VRC’s Adult Inpatient Rehabilitation Program and Adult Stroke Specialty Program. CARF — the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities — evaluates programs against rigorous standards related to patient care, outcomes, […]
Posted inCity & Government
Lynn Ceglie withdraws from Newport City Council race, leaving Ward 2 contest to two challengers
Lynn Underwood Ceglie announced Friday morning that she is withdrawing her candidacy for re-election to the Newport City Council, ending a 12-year tenure representing the Second Ward. “Serving the residents of Newport and the Second Ward over the past twelve years has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Ceglie said in a […]
Posted inNews
Team Italy returns to Newport Polo this Saturday for its 14th appearance in the International Series
Team Italy returns to Newport Polo this Saturday, July 11, for its 14th appearance in the Newport International Polo Series, bringing with it a weekend of Italian-themed events and one of the summer season’s most anticipated international matchups. The visit follows last year’s USA vs. Italy match, which drew the largest crowd in the series’ […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Sandy Point Beach in Portsmouth reopens after bacteria levels return to safe levels
The Rhode Island Department of Health has cleared Sandy Point Beach for swimming after bacteria counts returned to safe levels, the agency announced Thursday. Third Beach in Middletown and City Park Beach in Warwick remain under swimming advisories due to high bacteria counts. Beach status may change as new water quality data becomes available. Up-to-date […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Sakonnet Vineyard fills July with free live music, yoga, and a murder mystery
Sakonnet Vineyard has a packed July calendar of free live music, fitness classes, and a murder mystery evening at its 169-acre Little Compton property. Local and regional musicians perform Thursday evenings from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 1 to 4 p.m. The remaining July music lineup is: Saturday, July 12: […]
Posted inNews
Newport Restoration Foundation brings ‘Keeping History Above Water’ symposium back to Newport for its 10th anniversary
The Newport Restoration Foundation will host the 10th anniversary edition of its nationally recognized Keeping History Above Water symposium in Newport this fall, bringing together historic preservationists, policy planners, and community leaders for three days of sessions, site visits, and hands-on demonstrations. Keeping History Above Water: Looking Back, Moving Forward runs October 21–23 at locations […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Health department recommends against swimming at Third Beach, Sandy Point, and City Park Beach
The Rhode Island Department of Health is recommending that swimmers avoid three local beaches due to high bacteria counts: Third Beach in Middletown, Sandy Point Beach in Portsmouth, and City Park Beach in Warwick. Beach status may change as new water quality data becomes available. Up-to-date information is available through RIDOH’s beaches telephone line at […]
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RIPTA marks 60 years of Rhode Island transit with yearlong celebration and look ahead
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority is marking its 60th anniversary this year with a yearlong celebration recognizing its history while laying out a vision for the future of public transportation in the state. In 2025 alone, RIPTA recorded more than 12.5 million passenger trips. Nearly two-thirds of those trips were made by riders who […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter to the editor: Pell Elementary has no full-time librarian. Volunteers are filling the gap
At the start of the 2025/2026 school year, RENEWport began a Morning Greeting Program at Pell Elementary School. We stood at the entrances and cheerfully greeted the children, “Good morning, welcome to school!” or “Have a good day!” We launched the program to help children understand that they are treasured by the broader community and […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Art Museum opens major Angel Otero exhibition this weekend
Newport Art Museum opens its most significant exhibition of the summer this weekend: Angel Otero: The Ocean Forgot Your Garden, a two-site show bringing together early and recent work by the Puerto Rico-born, New York-based painter across the Griswold House and the Cushing Memorial Building. The exhibition opens Friday evening, July 10, as part of […]
Posted inBusiness
Wayfinder Newport launches Polaroid camera lending program for guests
Wayfinder Newport has partnered with Polaroid to offer guests a film camera to borrow during their stay, inviting them to explore the city through an analog lens rather than a phone screen. The program, called Going Analog, launched today. Guests can check out a Polaroid camera at the hotel and use it throughout their visit; […]
Posted inBusiness
Newport Craft Brewing and WinterHawk Vineyards to receive state sustainability honors this week
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management will recognize two local businesses for sustainability leadership this week, with Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling Company receiving its honor Wednesday and WinterHawk Vineyards of West Kingston on Thursday. DEM Director Terry Gray will present Newport Craft with its BetterBev recognition Wednesday, July 8, at 2 p.m. at […]
Posted inNews
Audrain Automobile Museum to display Declaration of Independence and James Bond’s Aston Martin on July 19
The Audrain Automobile Museum will mark America’s 250th anniversary with a Declaration of Independence Archive Day on Sunday, July 19, giving the public a rare chance to view historic Declaration of Independence documents from Rhode Island’s archives alongside one of cinema’s most iconic automobiles. Admission is free from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event […]
Posted inNews
Free skin cancer screenings coming to Easton’s Beach and other Rhode Island beaches this summer
Rhode Island beachgoers will have the chance to get a free skin cancer screening this summer, with dermatologists from Brown Health Dermatology setting up at Easton’s Beach and four other locations across the state between mid-July and mid-August. The first local stop is Easton’s Beach in Newport on Friday, July 10, from 1:30 to 3:30 […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Providence indie favorites Lazy Trail headline NIMFest 2026 this Sunday at King Park
Lazy Trail, a Providence-based indie rock and bedroom pop project, will headline the opening concert of NIMFest 2026 this Sunday, July 12, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the King Park Gazebo, 125 Wellington Ave. Providence singer-songwriter Hey Rel opens the afternoon. Admission is free. Lazy Trail is the project of songwriter Emma Willer, whose […]
Posted inCity & Government
Cortvriend announces bid for fifth term representing Middletown and Portsmouth
Rhode Island House Representative Terri-Denise Cortvriend has announced she will seek a fifth term representing House District 72, which covers Middletown and Portsmouth. First elected in November 2018, Cortvriend has focused her tenure on environmental protection, climate resilience, shoreline access, small business support, and senior issues. She chairs the Legislative Study Commission on Climate Change […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Murder mystery event at Sakonnet Vineyard puts guests in the role of detective
Sakonnet Vineyard will host an interactive murder mystery dinner event this Saturday, July 11, giving guests the chance to channel their inner detective while sipping wine at New England’s oldest vineyard. “Whodunit?: Murder on the Petulant Express,” presented by WatermelonAlligator Theatre Co., is set aboard a 1930s luxury train and tasks guests with solving the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Theatre By The Sea brings marionettes, mermaids and SpongeBob to its 2026 Children’s Festival
Theatre By The Sea is marking 93 years with a summer Children’s Festival lineup that includes interactive sing-alongs, a Chinese folklore puppet show, a student-performed SpongeBob musical, and a bubble art spectacular. Performances run on select Fridays in July and August at the theatre, located at 364 Cards Pond Road. Tickets are $15, with group […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Firehouse Theater brings standup comedy to Newport this month with two shows
Newport’s Firehouse Theater is adding standup comedy to its July lineup, welcoming two comics to the stage this month before its regular weekend shows from The Bit Players. On Sunday, July 12, Boston-based comedian Andrew Mayer brings his new one-man show, Have Fun, Be Yourself, to the Firehouse ahead of a run at the prestigious […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport ‘Candidate Signature Events Tour’ reshuffles remaining dates due to weather
Weather has forced last-minute changes to the remaining stops on Newport’s “Candidate Signature Events Tour,” a series of park gatherings organized by City Councilor-at-Large Steph Smyth to give residents a chance to meet candidates and sign nomination papers. Monday’s scheduled event at Battery Park has been cancelled, as has Tuesday’s gathering at Miantonomi Park. In […]
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Qualifying heats up as Cerity Partners Hall of Fame Open opens in Newport
NEWPORT, R.I. — Grass-court tennis returned to the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Sunday as qualifying began at the Cerity Partners Hall of Fame Open, presented by the MARGARET Fund, kicking off Newport’s favorite summer tradition with fans buzzing around the historic grounds. New England’s only professional tennis tournament runs through July 12, coinciding […]
Posted inSports
Homers by Contreras, Gonzalez back Gray’s strong start in Red Sox’s 8-1 win over Angels
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Willson Contreras and Romy Gonzalez homered to back the superb pitching of Sonny Gray, who allowed one run and four hits in six innings of the Boston Red Sox’s 8-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday night. Wilyer Abreu added a two-run double, and relievers Jovani Morán, Greg Weissert […]
Posted inNews
Newport Restoration Foundation and Trinity Church to mark 50th anniversary of Queen Anne Square
Trinity Church, in collaboration with the Newport Restoration Foundation, will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Queen Anne Square with “Semicentennial on the Square,” a free community event on Thursday, July 10, from 5 to 7 p.m. The event will take place on Trinity Church’s campus and begin inside the church with a panel discussion of […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Contemporary Ballet presents Newport Dance Festival with a focus on freedom
Newport Contemporary Ballet will present the Newport Dance Festival from July 15 to 19, welcoming visiting companies from near and far for five evenings of dance at the Great Friends Meeting House Lawn. Each evening will feature a diverse lineup of works, including a world premiere by NCB’s own Emily Baker. As the country celebrates […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island Beer Club and Foolproof Brewing release Honey Hound to benefit animal rescue league
Rhode Island Beer Club has partnered with Foolproof Brewing Company to create Honey Hound, a limited-edition Honey Kölsch benefiting the Providence Animal Rescue League. The beer will debut Saturday, Aug. 1, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Foolproof Brewing Company in Pawtucket, with a portion of every pint and can sold supporting the rescue league’s […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
State agencies advise avoiding contact with three Rhode Island waterbodies over algae blooms
The Rhode Island Department of Health and Department of Environmental Management are advising people to avoid contact with three waterbodies, including Upper Melville Pond in Portsmouth, because of harmful algae blooms. The advisory also applies to Wenscott Reservoir in North Providence and Wilson Reservoir in Burrillville. Water samples were collected by DEM and tested by […]
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Wellington Resort listed for sale
The Wellington Resort, a landmark waterfront hospitality property at the intersection of Thames Street and Wellington Avenue, has been listed for sale by David Huberman and Mike Sweeney of Gustave White Sotheby’s International Realty. Occupying 5.27 acres in the heart of the waterfront district, the property offers panoramic views of Newport Harbor, Goat Island, the […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council to weigh school budget deficit, safety grant and Access Hub July 8
The Newport City Council will take up a range of items at its regular meeting Wednesday, July 8, including notice of a projected school budget deficit, a federal street-safety grant and the designation of a new “Newport Access Hub.” The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall, 43 Broadway. The meeting […]