The Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County has named the Princess June Band the winner of the 2026 LeRoy White “Soul & Conscience Award,” presented in partnership with the White family. The $5,000 award, now in its fourth year, honors musicians who embody the character of LeRoy White, the Newport musician who built a […]
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 inSports
Newport Gulls host Little League Night at Cardines Field
The Newport Gulls will celebrate the next generation of baseball players during Little League Night at Cardines Field on Friday, June 12. All Little Leaguers receive free admission, and the team is encouraging young players to bring their teammates and wear their jerseys to the ballpark. Gates open at 5 p.m., with first pitch set […]
Posted inCity & Government
General Assembly passes Carson-Valverde bill strengthening school food waste diversion
The General Assembly has approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Lauren H. Carson and Sen. Bridget Valverde to strengthen a state law aimed at keeping school cafeteria food waste out of the landfill. The bill, which now goes to the governor, requires all school food service contracts to include provisions mandating the composting or recycling of […]
Posted inNews
People’s Credit Union marks 18th year sponsoring Newport Gulls’ reading program
For the 18th consecutive year, People’s Credit Union has partnered with the Newport Gulls to sponsor the FANatic About Reading Program, which promotes reading among elementary school students on Aquidneck Island. Players on the Gulls, a collegiate summer baseball team, volunteer their time reading books to children in local classrooms. As part of the program, […]
Posted inNews
Naval War College Foundation dedicates endowed chair in leadership and ethics
The Naval War College Foundation has dedicated the Andrew J. Zimbelmann Endowed Chair for Leadership, Ethics, and Character at the U.S. Naval War College. Established through a commitment from the Tony and Ann Ryan Family Foundation, the chair will provide permanent support for a senior faculty position focused on leadership, ethics and character education for […]
Posted inNews
Sweet Berry Farm withdraws development proposal, weighs smaller-scale plan
Sweet Berry Farm has withdrawn its application for a major development project at its Mitchell’s Lane property and is stepping back to consider a smaller-scale plan, the farm and the Aquidneck Island Land Trust said this week. The farm announced the decision in a statement posted to Facebook on Tuesday, telling supporters it had chosen […]
Posted inNews
Sail Newport to dedicate racing education center in memory of Jason Titunik
Sail Newport will dedicate the building at 60 Fort Adams Drive as the Jason Titunik Racing Education Center in a ceremony Wednesday, June 24, at 2 p.m. The building, located at the sailing center in Fort Adams State Park, was Sail Newport’s original main office and has recently been fully remodeled for use by racing […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Rhode Island issues another air quality alert for Thursday
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has issued a statewide air quality alert for Thursday, June 11, forecasting ground-level ozone that will reach unhealthy levels for sensitive groups. It is the third such alert the department has issued in under a week, as a stretch of warm summer weather continues to drive elevated ozone. […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Narragansett Beer marks 21 years since its revival with June 24 taproom party
Narragansett Beer will celebrate 21 years since its revival with a birthday party at its Providence taproom on June 24, marking the date in 2005 when founder Mark Hellendrung and a group of Rhode Island investors reacquired the iconic New England brand. The celebration at the Fox Point taproom will feature the release of a […]
Posted inNews
Bike Newport names Tuni Schartner director of partnerships and philanthropy
Bike Newport has named Tuni Schartner as its new director of partnerships and philanthropy. Schartner brings more than three decades of experience in community building, strategic partnerships, fundraising and organizational growth across Rhode Island’s nonprofit, entrepreneurial, economic development and civic sectors. In her new role, she will lead the organization’s efforts to strengthen philanthropic support, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Jane Pickens Theater to host Rhode Island premiere of ‘Mermaid’ with star Johnny Pemberton
The Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center will host the Rhode Island premiere of “Mermaid,” a SXSW selection, on Friday, June 12, with a special in-person appearance by the film’s star, actor and comedian Johnny Pemberton. After the screening, Pemberton will join a live onstage discussion and audience Q&A moderated by Rhode Island filmmakers the […]
Posted inNews
Pell Center survey links authoritarian attitudes to support for democratic norm violations
A new national survey from Salve Regina University’s Pell Center finds that Americans who score highest on a measure of authoritarian attitudes are the most likely to support political actions that violate democratic norms, even as such support remains relatively low across the population overall. The survey, directed by Pell Center Associate Director and Fellow […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council agenda for June 10 includes proposals on hotels, housing and tree preservation
The Newport City Council will meet Wednesday, June 10, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 43 Broadway, with a long agenda spanning policy resolutions, special event licenses and presentations from the city manager. Several resolutions sponsored by Councilor Steph Smyth are likely to draw attention. One would direct the city to […]
Posted inInstagram
Providence-Newport ferry service returns Friday with weekend stops in Bristol
Seastreak’s seasonal ferry service between Providence and Newport returns Friday, June 12, with multiple trips daily and weekend service to Bristol, the company announced. The one-hour route, run in partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, offers passengers views of lighthouses, the Newport Pell Bridge and the Providence port. Adult fares start at $12 […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Jane Pickens Theater marks America’s 250th with ‘American Character(s)’ film series
The Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center will mark the 250th anniversary of the United States with “American Character(s),” a film series exploring the figures and stories that have defined American cinema, running June 10 through July 7. The series brings together Hollywood classics and documentaries that examine both the characters in American movies and […]
Posted inCity & Government
Chamber’s Politics & Pancakes returns June 23 with finance chairmen Abney, DiPalma
The Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce will host its next Politics & Pancakes event Tuesday, June 23, at Ochre Court, featuring the two lawmakers who chair the General Assembly’s finance committees. House Finance Chairman Rep. Marvin L. Abney and Senate Finance Chairman Sen. Louis P. DiPalma are slated to speak to the local business community […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Charter Books to host Juneteenth author talk on slavery and freedom in Newport
Charter Books, in collaboration with the Newport Historical Society, will host an evening with Dr. Akeia de Barros Gomes on Wednesday, June 17, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the bookstore, 8 Broadway. De Barros Gomes, director of the Edward W. Kane and Martha J. Wallace Center for Black History and a Brown University lecturer, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Arts & Cultural Alliance to honor local artists at Raise Up the Arts event June 24
The Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County will hold its annual Raise Up the Arts event Wednesday, June 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. in Easton’s Pavilion, upstairs at the Wyndham Newport Hotel, 240 Aquidneck Ave. The evening features live music, small bites and the presentation of four awards. The Newport String Project will […]
Posted inNews
RWU expands Blue Fellows Program in second year, adds Maine research partner
Roger Williams University has launched the second year of its Blue Fellows Program, expanding the marine research fellowship from seven to 10 students and adding a new research partner in Maine. The program, run through the university’s Center for Economic and Environmental Development, pairs undergraduates with faculty researchers and industry partners working on ocean-based projects […]
Posted inHistory
On This Day In Newport History – June 9, 1869: Construction of First Torpedo Station on Goat Island Ordered
Secretary of the Navy Adolph E. Borie, ordered the construction of the first torpedo station on Goat Island on June 9, 1869. Cmdr. Edmund O. Matthews would become the first Commanding Officer, during the establishment, the station experimented with torpedoes and trained sailors in the use of the weapons. An Excerpt from The Navy and […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Officials warn against contact with Newport’s Almy Pond over algae bloom
The Rhode Island Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Management are advising people to avoid all contact with Almy Pond in Newport because of a harmful algae bloom. The agencies said all recreation at the pond, including swimming, fishing, boating and kayaking, is high risk and should be avoided. The bloom is caused […]
Posted inCity & Government
Salve Regina lecturer Michael Bahry launches independent U.S. Senate bid
Michael Bahry, a visiting lecturer at Salve Regina University and former construction executive, announced he is gathering the 1,000 signatures needed to appear on the ballot as an independent candidate for the U.S. Senate. Bahry would be running for the seat held by Democratic Sen. Jack Reed, who is seeking re-election to a term he […]
Posted inCity & Government
State budget includes Carson proposals to preserve Newport Hospital birthing center
The fiscal year 2027 state budget approved by the House of Representatives on Friday includes proposals from Rep. Lauren H. Carson to provide $1.6 million for Newport Hospital’s Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center and to make it harder to close any birthing center in the state. Carson proposed the funding in response to Brown University […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island slips to 26th for child well-being in national KIDS COUNT report
Rhode Island ranks 26th among the 50 states for child well-being, according to the 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book released Monday by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, a drop from 20th the year before. The state’s overall rank, based on 2024 data, fell as it slid in two of the report’s four domains. The annual […]
Posted inNews
Cranston’s Ocean State Academy wins Rhode Island title in national math competition
Ocean State Academy, a private school for students with disabilities, has won a Rhode Island State Championship in the Prodigy State Challenge, billed as the world’s largest math competition, and went on to place near the top of the national field. The school said 98 percent of its elementary and middle school students took part, […]
Posted inNews
Raytheon to invest $100 million in Portsmouth expansion, adding 150 jobs
Raytheon, an RTX business, announced Monday it will invest $100 million to expand its Portsmouth facility, a project the company says will bring 150 high-tech jobs to the state. The expansion is intended to accelerate testing of the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor, or LTAMDS, by increasing capacity, and to boost production of […]
Posted inNews
Newport’s Secret Garden Tour returns June 26-28 with a focus on the Point
The Secret Garden Tour returns for its 42nd year June 26-28, opening the gates to 14 private gardens in Newport’s historic Point neighborhood for a series of self-guided walking tours. The tour, which begins at Storer Park near the causeway to Goat Island, features a mix of returning favorites and gardens new to the route, […]
Posted inCity & Government
Middletown, Jamestown and Block Island among 10 communities awarded state stormwater grants
The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank has awarded nearly $1.1 million in grants to 10 communities, including three in Newport County and the Islands, to design and engineer systems aimed at reducing flooding from increasingly intense storms. The bank awarded a total of $1,095,800 to Bristol, Coventry, East Greenwich, Hopkinton, Jamestown, Middletown, New Shoreham, Pawtucket, Providence […]
Posted inSports
Contreras homers and drives in 3 to lead Red Sox to 5-3 win over Yankees
By LARRY FLEISHER Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Willson Conteras homered and drove in three runs on Friday night to lead the Boston Red Sox to a 5-3 victory over the New York Yankees, who put Aaron Judge on the injured list with a stress fracture in his right rib. Contreras homered for the second straight […]
Posted inCity & Government
State History Center bond clears Rhode Island House in FY2027 budget
Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore on Friday praised the Rhode Island House of Representatives for including a $45 million bond question for a proposed Rhode Island State History Center in the fiscal year 2027 state budget. The bond would fund construction of a permanent facility to display and preserve the state’s historic documents and […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island issues air quality alert for Saturday
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has issued a statewide air quality alert for Saturday, June 6, forecasting ground-level ozone that will reach unhealthy levels for sensitive groups. Ozone is expected to peak from the early afternoon into the evening, the department said. Fine particle pollution is also forecast to be elevated, reaching moderate […]
Posted inCity & Government
R.I. House approves Carson bill to create permanent commission on aging and statewide multisector plan
The Rhode Island House of Representatives has approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Lauren H. Carson, D-Newport, to create a permanent joint commission on aging charged with developing and regularly updating a statewide multisector plan on aging. The bill (2026-H 8402A) now heads to the Senate. It would establish a 19-member permanent commission with representation from […]
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Newport School Committee names Dr. Peter Sanchioni interim superintendent
The Newport School Committee has named Dr. Peter Sanchioni interim superintendent of Newport Public Schools, the committee announced Friday tapping a veteran administrator to lead the district through a period of fiscal strain and an unsettled regionalization timeline. The committee voted Thursday evening to appoint Sanchioni, according to an announcement shared by the superintendent’s office. […]
Posted inCity & Government
R.I. Senate passes pair of DiPalma bills on dementia services and pension revocation for sex crimes
The Rhode Island Senate passed two bills sponsored by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Louis P. DiPalma, D-Middletown, on Thursday — one creating a state dementia services coordinator and another allowing the state to revoke pension benefits from public employees convicted of job-related felony sex crimes. The first bill (2026-S 2874) would create a dementia services […]
Posted inSports
Newport Gulls’ home opener set for June 5 at Cardines Field as team begins 25th season
The Newport Gulls will play their home opener against the Upper Valley Nighthawks on Friday, June 5, at Cardines Field as the team begins its 25th season. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. Opening night is sponsored by University Orthopedics, and the first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a free magnet schedule […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Rosalind Weir to receive Arts & Cultural Alliance’s 2026 Dominique Award
The Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County will present its 2026 Dominique Award to Rosalind Weir at its annual Raise Up the Arts celebration on Tuesday, June 24, at Johnny’s Restaurant at the Wyndham Newport Hotel, 240 Aquidneck Ave. in Middletown. The award, created in 2010, honors people who have contributed time, influence and […]
Posted inNews
Portsmouth Democrats back Foulkes over McKee, support Reed and Amo for federal delegation
The Portsmouth Democratic Town Committee voted at its monthly meeting to support Helena Foulkes over incumbent Gov. Dan McKee in the 2026 Democratic primary for governor, the committee announced. Chairman Juan Carlos Payero said in a statement that committee members spoke at length about “persistent East Bay frustration” with McKee’s handling of the Washington Bridge […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport School Committee to vote Thursday on interim superintendent as regionalization timeline slips
The Newport School Committee is scheduled to meet Thursday, June 4, at 5:30 p.m. at the Newport Area Career & Technical Center to discuss and vote on an interim superintendent to succeed Colleen Burns Jermain, who steps down June 30. Interviews for the role took place last week, Jermain said in her May 27 monthly […]
Posted inNews
Aquidneck Island Land Trust to host June 9 talk on island-wide climate resilience
The Aquidneck Island Land Trust will host a free public lecture on island-wide climate resilience on Tuesday, June 9, at 6 p.m. at the DiStefano Lecture Hall at Salve Regina University, 56 Lawrence Ave. in Newport. The talk, titled “Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Collaborating to Build a Resilient Aquidneck Island,” will be given by […]
Posted inNews
MLK Community Center announces lineup for ‘Live from the Loading Dock — Parkside’ summer concert series
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center has announced the lineup for its annual “Live from the Loading Dock — Parkside” summer concert series, which begins Wednesday, June 17. The free, family-friendly concerts will be held on the third Wednesday of each month from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Pocket Park across from […]
Posted inNews
People’s Credit Union donates $5,000 to Good Dad Gang charity golf tournament
People’s Credit Union has donated $5,000 as the lead sponsor of the Good Dad Gang’s annual charity golf tournament, the credit union announced. The Good Dad Gang x Sean Foley Invitational will be held July 28 at Fall River Country Club in Massachusetts. PGA golf instructor Sean Foley will serve as the special guest and […]
Posted inInstagram
MLK Community Center opens North End Food Pantry to expand food access in Newport
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center has opened the North End Food Pantry, a satellite location bringing its food pantry and Produce to the People programs to Newport’s North End neighborhood, the center announced. The new pantry, located in a modular building at 120 Hillside Ave. next to Miantonomi Park, brings the center’s […]
Posted inSports
MLK Community Center to host free Juneteenth 3-on-3 basketball tournament and barbecue June 19
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center will host its second annual Juneteenth 3-on-3 basketball tournament and backyard barbecue on Friday, June 19, from noon to 3 p.m., the center announced. The free event is open to teams of four players in grades 5 through 12, with 128 youth players expected. Organizers said the […]
Posted inInstagram
$6.5 million Jamestown waterfront home sale marks highest in town this year
A waterfront home at 10 Coulter St. in Jamestown known as “Bridge View” has sold for $6.5 million, marking the town’s highest sale of 2026 to date, according to data from the Rhode Island Statewide Multiple Listing Service cited by the two brokerages involved. Bob Bailey of Lila Delman Compass represented the sellers, and Alexandra […]
Posted inNews
Congressman Amo, school superintendent to join welcome for Saturday’s Elliot’s Ride for Everyone
U.S. Rep. Gabe Amo and Newport Public Schools Superintendent Colleen Jermain will join Mayor Charlie Holder and safe cycling advocate Renee Kaminitz to welcome participants to Elliot’s Ride for Everyone on Saturday, June 6, organizers announced. The welcome will begin at 8:45 a.m. in front of Rogers High School on Wickham Road, where light refreshments, […]
Posted inSports
Brito’s ‘Incognito’ takes top honors at fourth annual Rhody Regatta, which benefits Meals on Wheels
Joe Brito’s J/121 “Incognito” of Bristol took overall honors for best corrected time at the fourth annual Rhody Regatta, a fundraising race that benefits Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island, organizers announced. The regatta, organized by the International Yacht and Athletic Club, was originally scheduled for Saturday, May 30, but was postponed by a day […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: Jonathan “Jon” Dillworth
Jonathan “Jon” Dillworth, of Middletown, RI, passed away on May 27, 2026, at the age of 76. Born on September 1, 1949, in Winston-Salem, NC, Jon was raised in Middletown, RI, where he graduated from Middletown High School and spent nearly his entire life. He became a familiar face and friend to many throughout the […]
Posted inInstagram
Gov. McKee signs proclamation recognizing June as Pride Month in Rhode Island
Gov. Dan McKee signed a proclamation Tuesday recognizing June as Pride Month in Rhode Island. “By proclaiming June as Pride Month, Rhode Island has the chance to honor the contributions and recognize the resilience of the LGBTQ+ individuals throughout the Ocean State,” McKee said in a statement. “Rhode Island is a state built on love, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Classical to present free children’s concert featuring ‘Peter and the Wolf’ on Aug. 15
Newport Classical will present its annual free children’s concert on Saturday, Aug. 15, at 4 p.m. at the Newport County YMCA, 792 Valley Road in Middletown. The wind members of Frisson, a New York-based chamber ensemble, will perform Sergei Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf” in what the organization described as an interactive, family-friendly retelling. The […]
Posted inNews
Edward King House Senior Center to honor 2026 ‘Champions for Seniors’ at June 17 luncheon
The Edward King House Senior Center has announced the recipients of its 2026 Champions for Seniors Awards, which honor people and organizations for their work with older adults in Newport County. The honorees will be recognized at the center’s annual Mayor’s Luncheon on Wednesday, June 17, at noon at the Wyndham Newport Hotel, 240 Aquidneck […]
Posted inNews
Tiverton and Jamestown receive $950,000 for no-interest septic system loans to homeowners
The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank has closed on two loans totaling $950,000 to the towns of Tiverton and Jamestown that will allow both communities to offer no-interest loans to homeowners for repairing or replacing failing septic systems and cesspools. Tiverton will receive $450,000 and Jamestown $500,000 through the bank’s Community Septic System Loan Program, the […]
Posted inCity & Government
Mayor Holder proclaims July 11-12 ‘Newport Kite Festival Days’ to mark 40th anniversary
Newport Mayor Charles M. Holder has proclaimed July 11 and 12 “Newport Kite Festival Days” in recognition of the Newport Kite Festival’s 40th anniversary, organizers announced. The festival, founded in 1986, is held annually at Brenton Point State Park and is free to the public. According to the proclamation, the event draws an estimated 20,000 […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Tickets go on sale June 5 for slate of Spectacle Live shows at the JPT and Park Theatre
Promoter Spectacle Live announced four upcoming shows at two Rhode Island venues, with tickets for all four going on sale Friday, June 5, at 10 a.m. At the JPT Film & Event Center in Newport, the lineup includes the jazz group the Hot Sardines on Friday, Aug. 28, at 7:30 p.m., and Tusk: The Classic […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island Foundation invites Newport County residents to free community dinner June 2
The Rhode Island Foundation is inviting Newport County residents to share their thoughts about the issues that matter most to them at a free community dinner on Tuesday, June 2. The event will be held at Innovate Newport, 513 Broadway, from 5 to 7 p.m. It is free and open to the public, but seating […]
Posted inNews
Roger Williams University names Brian G. Williams interim president
Roger Williams University has named Brian G. Williams as its interim president, with the longtime administrator stepping into the role Monday to lead the institution through the coming academic year. Williams succeeds President Ioannis N. Miaoulis, who is retiring after seven years at the university. As interim president, Williams will work to advance strategic priorities […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Mansions mark America’s 250th with exhibition, plays and lecture series
The Preservation Society of Newport County is marking the nation’s 250th anniversary with a summer-and-fall slate of programming, anchored by a new exhibition, theatrical performances, children’s programs and a series of lectures by leading voices in American history and the arts. The centerpiece is “Revolution Reimagined: Evolving Stories from Newport’s Past,” an exhibition running June […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
RIDOH recommends reopening swimming area at Easton’s Beach
This story was originally published at 5:01 p.m. on May 29. It has been updated with news of the reopening. The Rhode Island Department of Health is recommending that the swimming area at Easton’s Beach reopen after bacteria counts returned to safe levels, the agency said Monday. The recommendation reverses a closure issued late last […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Norman Bird Sanctuary’s Beach Bash returns to Third Beach this July
The Norman Bird Sanctuary will turn its Third Beach property into a relaxed coastal evening of live music, beach games and s’mores this summer as its popular Beach Bash returns Wednesday, July 29. The event runs from 5 to 7 p.m. and invites guests to bring picnic dinners, settle in along the shoreline and enjoy […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Jane Pickens Theater serves up classic cinema with a side of wine and beer this June
The Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center is rolling out a trio of classic film events this June, pairing big-screen restorations with curated tastings and themed programming at its historic Washington Square venue. The series opens June 2 with “Chinatown,” Roman Polanski’s 1974 neo-noir starring Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway and John Huston. The 7:30 p.m. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Tiverton library to host talk on Revolutionary War art on June 13
The Tiverton Public Library will host a free art appreciation talk titled “Early American Art, Revolutionary Images” on Saturday, June 13, at 2 p.m. The presentation will be given by Jill Sanford of Art for Your Mind and will look at famous people, places and events of the Revolutionary War through the eyes of artists […]
Posted inNews
Thompson Middle School wins top award at RI Civics Day
Students from Newport’s Thompson Middle School won the top middle school project award at Rhode Island Civics Day, held last week at the State House. The students earned the honor for a community-based civics project titled “Revitalizing Space for Family Friendly Activity Center,” according to Generation Citizen New England, which hosted the event. Generation Citizen, […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: June L. Kurtz
June L. Kurtz, 81, recently of Newport, RI, and formerly of Los Angeles, CA, died on May 23, 2026. She was the mother of Matt Yates of Portsmouth. Born in Los Angeles, CA on June 28, 1944, she was the daughter of the late John and Sosie (Stenian) Beylerian. She grew up in the Los […]
Posted inCity & Government
Senate approves Euer bill to protect contraceptive coverage in Rhode Island
The Rhode Island Senate on Friday approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Dawn Euer that would require insurers to keep covering contraception in the state even if the coverage requirements in the Affordable Care Act are overturned. Euer, D-Newport, said the need for the bill has grown over the years she has introduced it. “When I […]
Posted inCity & Government
Senate approves DiPalma bill to study statewide teacher healthcare plan
The Rhode Island Senate on Friday approved legislation introduced by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Louis P. DiPalma that would create a commission to study establishing a statewide healthcare plan for public school teachers. DiPalma, D-Middletown, Little Compton, Newport and Tiverton, said the state’s teacher recruitment and retention problems are harming students, families and communities, and […]
Posted inBusiness
Middletown-based UTIC expands undersea workforce training through sonar course partnership
More than 100 employees from member companies of the Undersea Technology Innovation Consortium recently completed a sonar training course offered through a partnership with the University of Rhode Island and RTX, the consortium announced. The partnership, aimed at strengthening the defense technology workforce, let UTIC members take the Principles of Sonar, Underwater Sound, and Undersea […]
Posted inCity & Government
McKee issues statewide drought advisory, urges voluntary water conservation
Gov. Daniel J. McKee issued a statewide drought advisory Thursday on the recommendation of the state’s Drought Steering Committee. The committee found that three scientific indices — precipitation, groundwater and stream flow levels — met the drought advisory criteria across most of Rhode Island. Its recommendation was informed by precipitation deficits dating to November 2025, […]
Posted inNews
RI to distribute nearly 7,000 food benefit cards to eligible seniors starting June 1
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management will distribute nearly 7,000 benefit cards to eligible seniors this summer to buy fresh, locally grown fruit and vegetables and local honey, the agency announced. Through DEM’s Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, cards preloaded with $50 will be available beginning June 1 at more than 50 senior centers […]
Posted inCity & Government
Ceglie announces re-election bid for Newport City Council Ward 2 seat
Lynn Underwood Ceglie has announced she is running for re-election to the Newport City Council in 2026, seeking another term representing the city’s Second Ward. Ceglie, who has served on the council for 12 years, said her decision to run again is rooted in a commitment to providing experienced, common-sense leadership and continuing to address […]
Posted inArts & Culture
‘Jaws’ returns to the Jane Pickens Theater for summer party series starting May 29
The Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center will kick off summer with its annual “Jaws” party on Friday, May 29, before bringing Steven Spielberg’s 1975 blockbuster back to the big screen for three more screenings in July. The series features a newly restored 4K print of the film, live music from local bands and beer […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport Juneteenth celebration to mark fourth year at Fort Adams with RI 250 theme
The fourth annual Newport Juneteenth celebration will be held Saturday, June 20, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fort Adams State Park, organizers announced. The event, presented by Rhode Island Slave History Medallions, will mark Juneteenth with a Rhode Island 250th anniversary theme this year and will be expanded to celebrate the history of […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles
Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain talks budget, restructuring, and her final weeks in monthly chat
Newport Public Schools Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain joined What’sUpNewp owner and publisher Ryan Belmore and editor Frank Prosnitz on Wednesday afternoon for her penultimate monthly conversation before her June 30 retirement — a wide-ranging discussion dominated by the district’s deepening budget crisis, possible facility restructuring, and personnel changes at the top of Rogers High School. […]
Posted inNews
Middletown to dedicate Liberty Tree May 31 in kickoff to America 250 events
Middletown will dedicate a historic Liberty Tree on Sunday, May 31, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Paradise Valley Park, the first major event from the town’s 250 Commission marking the 250th anniversary of American independence. The event will feature a keynote speech by R.I. Secretary of State Gregg Amore, along with a historic open […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Tiverton library to host ‘Rethinking Lawns’ talk on June 10
The Tiverton Public Library will host a free talk titled “Rethinking Lawns” on Wednesday, June 10, at 6:30 p.m. The presentation will be given by Emily Dutra of Butterfly Effect Farm and will cover the history of lawns, how to treat them organically and alternatives to traditional lawns, according to the library. The event is […]
Posted inInstagram
Newport’s Ocean Drive to close to cars for Elliot’s Ride for Everyone on June 6
Newport’s Ocean Drive will close to motor vehicles for a few hours on Saturday, June 6, for the seventh annual Elliot’s Ride for Everyone, a car-free community event produced by the nonprofit Bike Newport. Ocean Avenue and Hazard Road will be closed to traffic from 9 a.m. to noon, opening to people who want to […]
Posted inCity & Government
Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge construction shifting to night work
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority will shift construction on the Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge to overnight hours beginning May 31, the agency announced. Work will take place Sunday through Thursday nights from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., according to the authority. The change follows reports of traffic delays during daytime hours. “We noted more […]
Posted inCity & Government
Ellen Pinnock announces bid for second term on Newport City Council
Newport City Councilwoman Ellen Pinnock announced she will run for a second term representing Ward 1. Pinnock said advocating for young people has been central to her work on the council. During her first term, she said she pushed for expanded recreation opportunities, stronger connections between the city and its schools, safer spaces for children […]
Posted inSports
Newport Charter Yacht Show returns to Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard in June
The annual Newport Charter Yacht Show will return June 22–25 at Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard, drawing a fleet of charter yachts, brokers and industry professionals to Newport’s waterfront, organizers announced. The show serves as a marketplace for charter yachts preparing to cruise New England waters, giving crews a chance to present their programs and amenities […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Journalist Amy Goodman to appear at The JPT for documentary screenings
Journalist and “Democracy Now!” host Amy Goodman will appear in person at the Jane Pickens Theater in Newport for special screenings of the documentary “Steal This Story, Please!” from June 27 to 30, the theater announced. Goodman will join director Tia Lessin for post-screening question-and-answer sessions following the showings on Friday, June 27, at 7:30 […]
Posted inNews
Amo, Reed, Whitehouse announce $30,000 NEA grant for Newport Contemporary Ballet
Newport Contemporary Ballet has been awarded $30,000 in funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, U.S. Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Rep. Gabe Amo announced Tuesday. The funding will support the ballet’s annual Newport Dance Festival, which this year will explore the theme of freedom in honor of the nation’s 250th […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rep. Lauren Carson announces bid for re-election in 2026
Rhode Island Rep. Lauren Carson, a Democrat, has announced she will run for re-election in 2026 to represent Newport in House District 75. Carson was first elected to the Rhode Island House of Representatives in 2014 and serves as a deputy majority leader. She said her work at the State House has focused on local […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: Patricia Kirby
Patricia (Patsy) Kirby, formerly of Newport, Rhode Island, in her 94th year, peacefully at home in Churchtown, Dublin, Ireland, surrounded by her husband of 66 years, Patrick, and loving family. Born in Cork and raised in Drumcondra, Dublin, Patsy was employed in the Central Bank of Ireland and active in the Dublin Grand Opera Society […]
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St. George’s School honors Class of 2026 at Prize Day, with several students earning top awards
St. George’s School celebrated its 98 graduating seniors at its annual Prize Day ceremony, recognizing the Class of 2026 for achievement in academics, the arts, athletics and character, with several Rhode Island students among the top honorees. Julienne Patterson received the St. George’s Medal, awarded to the member of the sixth form who, in the […]
Posted inNews
IYRS offers support to students affected by The Landing School closure
IYRS School of Technology & Trades is extending support to students, applicants and families affected by the recent closure of The Landing School of Boatbuilding & Design in Arundel, Maine, offering guidance and a pathway for those looking to continue their marine trades education. “We are saddened to learn of The Landing School’s closing and […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Charter Books to host bestselling author Annabel Monaghan at OceanCliff on June 8
Charter Books will host New York Times bestselling author Annabel Monaghan for a summer cocktail event at OceanCliff on Monday, June 8, to celebrate her latest novel, “Dolly All the Time.” The event runs from 4 to 6 p.m., with Monaghan, author of “Nora Goes Off Script,” in conversation with Kylie McCollough, founder of the […]
Posted inNonprofit
High school senior’s charity car rally to benefit Hasbro Children’s Hospital rolls out from Newport today
A youth-led charity car rally benefiting Hasbro Children’s Hospital sets off from Newport today, the inaugural edition of an event organized by a local high school senior. Jack Masse, a senior at Providence Country Day School in East Providence and a longtime volunteer at the Audrain Automobile Museum, created The Rhode Rally as his senior […]
Posted inArts & Culture
The Firehouse Theater announces summer 2026 lineup of improv, comedy and storytelling
The Firehouse Theater has unveiled its summer 2026 schedule, featuring programming for audiences of all ages from the Newport comedy venue. Every Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., The Bit Players, billed as Rhode Island’s most award-winning comedy group, will take the stage for their fast-paced short-form improv show. In addition to the weekend shows, […]
Posted inSports
Tiedemann Classics Regatta expands fleet for 2026, adding Herreshoff H-class sloops and vintage fiberglass yachts
The Robert H. Tiedemann Classics Regatta will expand its fleet for its 2026 edition, adding two new cohorts to the longtime celebration of classic yachting set for June 27 and 28 at the New York Yacht Club Harbour Court. This year, Newport’s rapidly growing class of Herreshoff H-class sloops and vintage PHRF-rated fiberglass boats will […]
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Castle Hill Inn officially reopens Agassiz Mansion following February fire
NEWPORT, R.I. — Castle Hill Inn officially reopened the Agassiz Mansion on Thursday, welcoming guests back to the historic property just in time for Memorial Day Weekend, more than three months after a fire damaged the landmark retreat on Ocean Drive. The reopening encompasses the main level of the Mansion, including the lobby, The Lawn […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Pulitzer-winning author Liaquat Ahamed to speak at Rosecliff on June 15
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Liaquat Ahamed will explore the causes and consequences of the Panic of 1873 in a talk at Rosecliff on Monday, June 15, at 6 p.m. Ahamed will discuss his new book, “1873: The Rothschilds, the First Great Depression, and the Making of the Modern World.” The Panic of 1873 hit the United […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Umbrella Sky returns to Brick Market for fourth season with “Flowers in Bloom” theme
The Umbrella Sky art installation returns to Brick Market Place for a fourth consecutive year, opening May 23 with a new theme transforming the sky into a floating garden. This season’s theme, “Flowers in Bloom,” features colorful umbrellas painted with bold botanical designs. The theme extends throughout the installation, incorporating garden trellises and vibrant hanging […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Historical Society to open Center for Black History on Juneteenth
The Newport Historical Society will open the Edward W. Kane & Martha J. Wallace Center for Black History on Juneteenth 2026, marking what the society calls a transformative step toward a more inclusive telling of the city’s history. Developed in partnership with Newport’s Black community, the center will serve as a hub for research, scholarship, […]
Posted inCity & Government
DEM reopens 462-acre Portsmouth shellfishing area for first time since 1975
A 462-acre shellfishing area along the Portsmouth shoreline just south of the Mount Hope Bridge will reopen for the first time since 1975, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management announced. The area has met water quality and shellfish sanitation criteria and will be upgraded from prohibited to approved for harvest on May 23. DEM […]
Posted inNews
Site work to begin June 1 on The Bellevue, a 90-room luxury hotel in Bellevue Gardens plaza
Site work on The Bellevue, a 90-room luxury boutique hotel planned for the Bellevue Gardens Shopping Plaza at 181 Bellevue Ave., will begin June 1, developers Procaccianti Companies and TPG Hotels & Resorts announced Thursday. The site and enablement work will be phased, beginning with the installation of new water lines and stormwater management systems. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
RENEWport launches Semiquincentennial 250 Archival Project to preserve Newport youth reflections
RENEWport has launched the Semiquincentennial 250 Archival Project, inviting local youth to share their reflections on the nation’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The project, in collaboration with the Newport Historical Society, Newport Public Schools and the East Bay MET School, will preserve students’ reflections and their hopes for the future. Submissions are […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council to take up FY 2027 budget at May 27 meeting
The Newport City Council will take up the city’s fiscal year 2027 operating budget when it meets Wednesday, May 27, at 6:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers at City Hall, 43 Broadway. The budget items lead the docket, with second readings scheduled for the ordinance appropriating revenues and the personnel ordinance, along with a resolution […]
Posted inNews
People’s Credit Union named 2026 Bicycle Friendly Business of the Year at Newport’s Bike to Work Day
The first bikes rolled in at 7 a.m. and the camaraderie continued through the morning at the annual bike commuter breakfast in front of Newport City Hall on Friday, May 15, as the city marked National Bike to Work Day with coffee, snacks and swag from Bike Newport and RIPTA’s Commuter Resources. Later in the […]
Posted inInstagram
Jamestown’s Beech partners with James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Schlow, debuts new menu May 27
The Jamestown restaurant Beech has partnered with James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Schlow, who will join as chef and managing partner to oversee operations, the restaurant announced. The Conanicut Restaurant Group, comprised of Jamestown residents, brought on Schlow, a longtime friend, who will introduce a new menu beginning May 27. While remaining true to the […]
Posted inSports
79th annual Block Island Race starts Friday with record ORC fleet, record attempt by 88-foot Lucky
The Storm Trysail Club’s 79th annual Block Island Race gets underway Friday, May 22, at noon in the waters of Long Island Sound off Stamford, with nearly 70 boats set to take on one of the Northeast’s most historic offshore regattas. The challenging 186-nautical-mile course exits the Sound and rounds Block Island before returning to […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Theatre By The Sea opens 2026 summer season with “Little Shop of Horrors”
Theatre By The Sea will open its 2026 summer season with “Little Shop of Horrors,” running May 28 through June 20 at the historic Wakefield playhouse. The musical, with book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken, follows hapless floral assistant Seymour Krelborn, who pines for his coworker Audrey while nursing a […]
Posted inNews
Newport police name suspect in Harbor Base Inn homicide; victim’s son believed responsible
This story was originally published at 1:19 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19. It was updated on Wednesday, May 20 at 5:55 p.m. with additional details from the Newport Police Department. Newport police have identified a suspect in the death of an 85-year-old woman found at a local hotel, saying her son is believed to be […]