What'sUpNewp

 The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today announced that Rhode Island is one of 15 states and the District of Columbia pledging to work collaboratively to advance and accelerate the market for medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles including large pickup trucks and vans, delivery and box trucks, school and transit buses, and long-haul delivery trucks (big-rigs).  […]

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) are advising the public to avoid contact with the water in Stafford Pond in Tiverton. This advisory is being issued because high levels of blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, have been detected in the pond. Contact with water […]

Heavy rains on Tuesday, July 14, damaged sections of Green End Avenue from the intersection with Aquidneck Avenue to Valley Road, and from Valley Road to the intersection with Miantonomi Avenue.  The Middletown Department of Public Works has closed the two sections of Green End Avenue to through traffic until Friday, July 17, in order […]

Today, Representative Terri-Denise Cortvriend announced she will be co-hosting a Virtual Screening of the Dark Waters and expert panel discussion. Dark Waters is a chilling tale of one lawyer’s fight for a community poisoned by PFAS chemicals.  Participants have five (5) days to watch the DARK WATERS film at home for free before the panel […]

The Department of Environmental Management announced this morning that at around 7 AM, a US Coast Guard helicopter located the body of a swimmer who went missing last night about a half-mile off Scarborough State Beach in Narragansett. The victim, Matthew Smith, 64, of Fitchburg, MA, drowned. Narragansett Police and Fire received a 911 call […]

Newport, RI – Navy Officer Candidate School (OCS) Graduation on July 9, 2020, at Naval Station Newport.

Newport, RI – A man wanted for murder in Maryland was arrested Tuesday in Newport, according to officials. CBS Baltimore with the full story – Man Wanted For Murder In Maryland Arrested In Newport, Rhode Island

Providence, RI – The Rhode Island Department Of Health (RIDOH) today announced that long-term care and assisted living facilities will be allowed to welcome visitors again next Wednesday, July 8th, provided that they abide by strict infection control measures to keep residents, staff, and family members safe. Last month, RIDOH provided guidance to facilities on […]

Portsmouth, RI – The Newport County Branch- NACCP will host a Fourth of July commemoration and celebration of the birth of our country from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 4 at Patriots Park in Portsmouth. There will be no speaking program. The Hon. Paul L. Gaines, Sr., former Mayor of the City […]

Norman Bird Sanctuary is looking for volunteers to help weed Mabel’s Garden, including the gravel walkways. Beautiful formal garden next to the historic Paradise Farmhouse overlooking fields out to the ocean. No experience necessary and gardening gloves and tools are provided. Cool breezes and quiet calm guaranteed! If interested, please email Joseph McLaughlin, Properties Director, jmclaughlin@normanbirdsanctuary.org

Governor Gina M. Raimondo is directing Rhode Island flags at all state agencies and buildings to be flown at half-staff in memory of former Mayor of Newport Paul Gaines. The flags will remain at half-staff until sunset on Wednesday, July 1.  “Mayor Paul Gaines was a trailblazer who had an unforgettable impact on our state,” said Governor […]

Middletown, RI – This last full weekend in June was a big one for tens of thousands of amateur radio operators all over North America. The “Field Day” weekend, a combination emergency-preparedness exercise, public relations event, and club picnic. Clubs and individuals tuned up their power generators, charged their batteries and got on the air […]

RIDOH Recommends Reopening Hazard’s Beach and Gooseberry Beach and Closing North Kingstown Town Beach for Swimming The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) recommends reopening Hazard’s Beach and Gooseberry Beach in Newport for swimming because bacteria counts have returned to safe levels. RIDOH also recommends closing North Kingstown Town Beach because of high bacteria levels. […]

Newport, RI – The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) of Newport & Bristol Counties today announced the promotion of Jessica Walsh as its Executive Director. Previously, Walsh served as Interim Executive Director following the retirement of former Executive Director Lori DiPersio in July 2019. She also held the title of Director of Prevention, spearheading the efforts […]

Providence, RI – Following Governor Gina M. Raimondo’s announcement yesterday at the COVID-19 press conference, the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) will ease parking restrictions by increasing parking by 25% at Rhode Island state beaches starting Saturday, June 27, to try to keep lines of cars moving and reduce wait times at entrances. Since beaches opened June […]

Newport, RI – Twenty-four Aquidneck Island programs have been awarded a total of $128,424 by Newport Hospital’s Frederick Henry Prince Memorial Fund. The “Powered by Prince” grants will support programs that encourage healthy lifestyles and promote education for local youth. “It is remarkable to see not only the number of children these grants will impact, […]

Newport, RI – With more than $230,000 already raised, Salve Regina University organizers are reaching out to runners, walkers and joggers in the community to help push its Mercy Emergency Relief Fund beyond the quarter-million dollar mark by signing up and participating in the Salve Cares Virtual 5k anytime between now and July 12. Registration […]

Providence, RI – Despite the impact of the coronavirus on its branch hours and operations, Bank Rhode Island (BankRI) collected 1,618 books for Books Are Wings (BAW) during its abbreviated annual drive this spring. The donated books are now heading to the Pawtucket-based nonprofit at a time when their inventory is low and they’re gearing up to […]

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) recommends closing Easton’s Beach (also known as First Beach) in Newport for swimming because of high bacteria levels. RIDOH will continue to monitor and review beach water quality regularly to ensure safe bathing throughout the summer. The status of a beach may change as new data become available. […]

Newport, RI – The Naval War College will hold a virtual graduation ceremony on Wednesday morning with a keynote speech by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley. The Naval War College (NWC) invites all to join them for a YouTube ‘watch party,’ with live comments from Rear Adm. Shoshana Chatfield, Naval […]

Warwick, RI – The Community College of Rhode Island today announced it is included in the expansion of the Second Chance Pell Experimental Sites Initiative to provide need-based Pell grants to people in state and federal prisons. CCRI is one of 67 colleges awarded the grant, and one of only 130 colleges nationwide selected to participate in […]

The Alliance Française of Newport today announced this year’s scholarship award to Emil Hillmer, an outstanding Aquidneck Island high school student who has excelled in the study of French language.   Emil, a senior at Rogers High School in Newport, accepted the award on June 3rd at the base of the Rochambeau Statue and Monument […]

Newport, RI – Newport Journalist, photographer, and business owner Olga Enger this afternoon announced her candidacy for an at-large seat on Newport City Council. Enger provided the following announcement to What’s Up Newp on Monday afternoon; Newport journalist and business owner Olga H. Enger announced today she is running for an at-large seat on the […]

While many races on the 2020 calendar have been canceled or are in doubt, we would all like to have something to look forward to. So with one year to go, we are announcing the dates of the always-eagerly-anticipated Storm Trysail Club Block Island Race Week. Next year will be the 29th edition of this world-renowned […]

Clean Ocean Access (COA) since 2017 has hosted the annual Paddle for Access, an event that originated as a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) race around Goat Island called The SUP CUP and has since evolved into an event that includes additional paddle disciplines like prone, canoe, and kayak. Combined with the history of SUP CUP, Paddle for Access […]

The Colony House bell, rung every Friday since mid-April as a signal that Newport is united in response to the pandemic, will ring for the last times for this period on Friday, June 26, 2020 and Saturday, July 4, 2020. #Newporttogether was established to support the City in quarantine; as we begin to return to […]

There is no dispute that Rhode Island’s economy, like the rest of the nation, has suffered considerably because of COVID – 19. The question says URI Economist Len Lardaro is whether the state and federal governments put in place programs to help the economy rebound. Old problems, like an adequate skilled workforce, appropriate government due […]

Newport, RI – Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) today announced that the popular Providence to Newport Ferry, including weekend service to Bristol, is returning on Friday, June 26. RIDOT advises riders to plan ahead and make reservations, as capacity will be limited in accordance with COVID-19 public health protocols.  To keep everyone safe, the […]