Stephen K. Quinn, 67, of Largo, FL and Middletown, RI, died of natural causes on August 30, 2025, at home in Largo. Born in El Paso, TX on June 21, 1958, Stephen was the son of the late Paul S. and Denise Kirby Quinn of McLean, VA. and Middletown, RI. Stephen is survived by his […]
Community Submission
This content has been contributed to What's Up Newp. The views and opinions included within are not necessarily those of What's Up Newp, our contributors, or our advertisers.
We welcome letters to the editor on current local topics. Email them to Ryan@whatsupnewp.com.
Posted inNews
Letter to the Editor: The power of community engagement in municipal governance
As residents of Newport, we are all deeply connected to the decisions made by our city’s municipal commissions. These commissions, though often working behind the scenes, play a powerful role in shaping our daily lives. From zoning and parks to housing and sustainability, they influence decisions that directly impact our neighborhoods, the schools our children […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter to the Editor: Middletown’s fee structure is working against housing
Over the past several years, I have raised concerns during Planning Board discussions about the rising cost of building housing in Middletown, particularly single-family homes. Unfortunately, those concerns have not gained much traction, even as the Town continues to emphasize housing affordability and supply. Recently, I compiled a table comparing development impact fees and other […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter to the editor: Portsmouth councilor McDowell defends motion to reconsider disc golf at Glen Park
To the Editor, I feel compelled to comment on the Portsmouth Town Council meeting on Monday, November 24, 2025. I was elected to represent all the citizens of Portsmouth and that, my friends, is why I brought back for reconsideration a prior vote regarding Disc Golf at the Glen. A citizen representing a group of […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter to the Editor: It’s time to talk with our kids
To the Editor: It’s time to talk with our kids. As our community reels from the recent violent assault that occurred in the Rogers locker room, I urge parents and caregivers to discuss what took place with their children, no matter their age. While the act itself was deeply disturbing, I, like much of our […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter to the Editor: Assault of student with disabilities should spur commitment to inclusion
The horrifying assault of a student with disabilities at Rogers High School is heartbreaking and deeply troubling. While accountability is essential, this moment must also prompt us—as a community—to reflect on how we support, include, and value people with disabilities in our schools and across Newport County. It is too easy for people with disabilities […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter to the Editor: Disc golf debate about transparency, not opposition to sport
Dear Editor, In response to the letter to the editor from the League of Women’sVoters: Uphold democratic process on disc golf decision on 11/21/25: We completely agree that the democratic process should be upheld. Thatis the exact reason why this topic is being brought back in front ofthe town council. Through the democratic process, the […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter to the Editor: Uphold democratic process on disc golf decision
Dear Town Council Members, As most of you know, the League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to protecting and expanding voting rights and ensuring that there is transparency, accountability and citizen engagement that supports good government. We empower voters and defend democracy through advocacy, education, and litigation at the local, state, and […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter to the Editor: Newport Hospital birthing center’s future remains uncertain
I read with interest the 2 articles you published recently regarding the panel discussions for the future of the Newport Hospital Birthing Center. My concern is that as long as Brown University Health has a large financial obligation to pay off the loans that they acquired when they purchased Lifespan, the Birthing Center’s existence will […]
Posted inNews
Letter to the Editor: Newport Hospital Birthing Center Panel lacks true community voice
On Tuesday, Brown University Health announced the 12 members of its Community Advisory Panel (CAP) that will discuss the fate of our beloved Newport Hospital’s Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center. Of the 12 individuals named, five of them are employed in some capacity by Brown University Health and two of them sit on the Newport […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter to the Editor: Answer the question, please
“Answer The Question, Please Mid-September, Middletown Town Council approved $11.4 Million dollars of town debt for the “new library” building at 110 Enterprise Center. Shocking enough was Town Council’s announcement last year to move the library from the center of town, but now, for this debt, instead of a General Obligation Bond, Middletown Town Council […]
Posted inCity & Government
Letter to the Editor: Middletown and its community partners are here to help
To The Editor: The federal government shutdown is affecting people right here in Middletown. Many of our neighbors are facing real challenges — from furloughed employees waiting on paychecks to families and seniors coping with cuts to SNAP and other programs. These are difficult times, and the Town of Middletown wants residents to […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: Michael W. Boyd
Michael W. Boyd, Mike, age 70, of Tiverton, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, October 19, 2025. He was the devoted husband of Louise (Turner) Boyd, with whom he shared 40 years of marriage. Born in San Francisco, Mike was the son of the late William L. Boyd and Patricia (Hurd) Boutin. He was raised among […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter to the Editor: Middletown Library – Take a closer look
At the October 20 Middletown Town Council meeting, Council President Rodrigues stated that last year’s decision to buy and renovate a 37-year-old building for the Middletown Library (instead of building-new) was because, “We [the Council] were told we can save … somewhere between $11 to $14 million dollars.” This statement was based on a Library Financial Analysis published in November 2024. Council had […]
Posted inInstagram, News, Sports
Middletown Islanders Pop Warner Cheer Teams advance to New England Regional Competition
Nadine Maher, Scholastic and Association Coordinator for Middletown Islanders Pop Warner submitted the following. The Middletown Islanders Pop Warner Cheer Program is celebrating a major achievement as two of its teams have earned spots at the New England Regional Cheerleading Competition, to be held on November 15, at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Massachusetts. Both the Mitey Mite and Junior […]
Posted inNews
Letter to the Editor: Medicare dis-advantage
The federal government could have fixed the gaps in traditional government-run Medicare and created an improved Medicare for All single payer program, but instead, paid private middlemen billions to offer Medicare Advantage plans. Seniors were lured into buying heavily advertised, “cheaper,” heavily subsidized Medicare Advantage plans while the private corporations that offered these plans saw their […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter to the Editor: Let’s wake up to Newport’s cyber opportunity
To the Editor: Newport’s youth continue to sit on top of one of the most promising career opportunities of our time — cybersecurity — yet our community has barely begun to acknowledge it. Recent media stories have featured the opening of Rhode Island College’s advanced class cyber simulation lab where students learn to counter real […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Letter to the Editor: In defense of live entertainment
This isn’t to add commentary to an already overflowing conversation about the ethics of TikTok. This isn’t to say that electronic media is evil, certainly not when I am using modern technology to write this all down. This isn’t an admonishment of the “brain rot” era that some say we live in. This isn’t commentary […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: Anne Margaret Naisbitt
Anne Margaret Naisbitt was born the 16th of August, 1952 in Providence, Rhode Island to her mother, Gladys Condry and Father, George Condry, joining her older sister Lynne Condry. Anne was 73 when she passed away peacefully on the 25th of September, 2025. She is survived and celebrated by her son, Scott Condry Naisbitt, her grandson, Wyatt Shawn Naisbitt, and her late son, Roy William Naisbitt III (Billy), along with […]
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Aquidneck Village, a new luxury coastal condominium community, invites the public to tour its brand-new model home at an Open House on Sunday, September 28th, from 1–3 pm. Located at 307 Willow Lane in Portsmouth, Aquidneck Village offers 28 thoughtfully designed homes that blend modern comfort with timeless New England charm. With elegant interiors, open […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter to the Editor: Middletown library project lacks transparency and fiscal accountability
The library, once an integral part of the original Request for Information (RFI) for the “Middletown Center” and in fact, included in the developer’s RFI response, has vanished from the proposal and plat. The purchase of the inappropriate commercial building for $3.4 million was made in closed door session without any regard of taxpayer input. […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter to the Editor: Middletown resident questions town’s bidding process for development project
More than once, I have publicly heard or seen reference to a Request for Proposal (RFP) in connection with the Town Center project from the developer. From what I can find on the Town’s website, no RFP was issued for this very important project. Why? The Town issued a Request for Information (RFI), to probe the […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter to the Editor: Middletown resident urges opposition to Pottsy Field relocation
Public confusion around “Pottsy Field” has been fueled by statements reported in local media in recent months. The town’s proposal has many residents questioning what the preference is of the veteran’s family for whom the field is named, regarding the town’s plan to relocate the recreational area where their loved one once played. The Town […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: Ann E. (Quarry) Desjardin
Ann Elizabeth Desjardin, beloved wife of 40 years to Henry “Hank” J. Desjardin, Jr., passed away Saturday, July 19, 2025, after a period of declining health. She was 79 years old. Ann was born and raised in Newport, RI, one of seven children to [the late] Robert and Letty (Church) Quarry. After graduating from Rogers […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: George N. Hanos
George Nicholas Hanos, 81, of Newport, Rhode Island, passed away peacefully at his home on September 9th, surrounded by his loving family. A lifelong Newport resident, George was a proud graduate of Rogers High School. He continued his education at UMass Dartmouth, where he excelled academically and graduated at the top of his class with […]