Rhode Races Events is kicking off its 10th anniversary season, celebrating a decade of running events across the Ocean State. The female-owned running event company, founded in 2015 by Susan Rancourt and Karen Zyons, has welcomed more than 70,000 runners to Rhode Island’s towns and coastlines since its inception. A celebration party is scheduled for […]
Business
A look at What’s Up in business in Newport, Rhode Island, and beyond.
Posted inBusiness
Small Business Collective launches in Middletown to support Rhode Island entrepreneurs
A new nonprofit aimed at supporting small business owners has launched in Rhode Island. Small Business Collective, based in Middletown, will offer collaborative workspace, community events and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs across the state, according to an announcement Tuesday. Mollie Frazer Williams has been named executive director of the organization. She previously served as director […]
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Matthew Gray elected chair of Discover Newport board
Matthew Gray, owner of Gray Matter Marketing and Ragged Island Brewing Company, has been elected chair of the Board of Directors of Discover Newport. Gray, who represents Portsmouth on the board, has served since 2019. He previously chaired the finance committee as treasurer and served on the organization’s recent CEO search committee. Discover Newport is […]
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People’s Credit Union volunteers help prepare 300 Thanksgiving meals with Newport Salvation Army
Volunteers from People’s Credit Union partnered with the Newport Salvation Army to prepare more than 300 Thanksgiving meal kits for distribution to local families. “At People’s, we are giving thanks this year for our friends at the Newport Salvation Army and all they do to support our neighbors in need,” said Heather Sweeney, head of […]
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Waterfront Portsmouth restaurant hits market for $2.4 million
15 Point Road, a waterfront restaurant along the Sakonnet River, is on the market for $2.4 million while remaining open for business, offering new owners a rare opportunity to take over an established dining destination. The free-standing commercial property, built in 1940, sits on 0.24 acres in the Island Park neighborhood and comes fully furnished […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Heritage Restaurant Group launches holiday gift card campaign benefiting MLK hunger relief
Heritage Restaurant Group is running a holiday gift card promotion through Dec. 31, 2025, that pairs customer purchases with donations to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center hunger relief programs. The promotion offers two tiers: customers who purchase $500 in gift cards receive $125 in bonus cards, while the restaurant group donates $25 to […]
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West Place Animal Sanctuary wins prestigious Defender Service Award
West Place Animal Sanctuary has won the top prize in the 2025 Defender Service Awards, culminating a five-year effort by the Rhode Island farm animal rescue organization. The Tiverton-based nonprofit was named winner in the Honorees category on November 15 at an awards ceremony in Temecula, California, following a 17-day public voting campaign in October. […]
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Newport Hospital earns top ranking
Newport Hospital was among several hospitals in Rhode Island that achieved an A rating from the hospital watchdog group Leapfrog in its fall ratings. Three hospitals – Roger Williams Medical Center, Kent, and South County were awarded C or below, a pattern of declining ratings over the last few years. Additionally, Women and Infants Hospital […]
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IYRS to host 20th annual career day in January
IYRS School of Technology & Trades will host its 20th annual Career Day on Jan. 24, 2026, from 9 a.m. to noon at Restoration Hall, 449 Thames St. The event connects employers in marine trades and modern manufacturing with job seekers, including IYRS students, alumni and community members. “IYRS Career Day is a win-win opportunity […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Movies and TV shows casting in Rhode Island
The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures the attention of Americans starting from an early age. Beyond celebrities’ Instagram Stories and red carpet poses, there are actors out there paying their dues and honing their craft in pursuit of a sustainable career or a fulfilling sideline. Submitting to casting calls is a big part of […]
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Heritage Group acquires Glorious Affairs Catering, forms Heritage Hospitality
The Heritage Group announced Monday the formation of Heritage Hospitality through the acquisition of Glorious Affairs Catering and its combination with Audrain Hospitality, creating a full-service catering and event planning company serving Southern Rhode Island. The deal brings together Glorious Affairs, a boutique caterer with more than 25 years of experience in Newport County, and […]
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Newport Restaurant Week returns Nov. 7-16
Newport Restaurant Week will return for its annual celebration of the region’s culinary scene from November 7-16. The 10-day event showcases participating restaurants across nine coastal communities offering special prix-fixe menus designed to highlight the flavors of the area. Diners can choose from lunch menus priced at $20 or $30, and dinner menus at $30, […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Jobs, News
Movies and TV shows casting in Rhode Island
Grusho Anna // Shutterstock Movies and TV shows casting in Rhode Island The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures the attention of Americans starting from an early age. Beyond celebrities’ Instagram Stories and red carpet poses, there are actors out there paying their dues and honing their craft in pursuit of a sustainable career or […]
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Middletown’s Rite-Solutions donates $19,300 to food banks in Rhode Island, Virginia
Rite-Solutions will donate $19,300 to two community food banks following its annual “Rite Donation” campaign in which employees raised $9,650 that the company matched dollar-for-dollar. The MLK Community Center in Newport and Love Thy Neighbor Community Food Pantry in King George, Va., will each receive funds from the campaign. “Support from Rite-Solutions employees and leadership […]
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Audrain Motor Week, Broad Arrow Auctions announce multi-year partnership
Audrain Concours Foundation and Audrain Motorsport announced a partnership Thursday with Broad Arrow Auctions, a Hagerty company, establishing the collector car auction house as the exclusive auction partner for the Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week and presenting sponsor of the Audrain Motorsport Veteran Car Tour through 2028. The agreement marks Broad Arrow Auctions’ only […]
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Rhode Islanders can vote for state’s top hospitality stars through November
Rhode Island residents have until Nov. 30 to vote for their favorite chefs, restaurants and hospitality professionals in the 2025 ANCHORS awards, RI Hospitality announced Tuesday. The ANCHORS — Awards for Noteworthy Champions of Hospitality and Outstanding Restaurant Service — recognize excellence across Rhode Island’s food, beverage and tourism industries. Public voting is open at […]
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CVS Health tops Q3 forecasts but absorbs hefty charge for struggling clinic business
By TOM MURPHY AP Health Writer CVS Health rode double-digit sales growth from drugstores and its pharmacy benefits management business to a better-than-expected third quarter. The health care giant also hiked its 2025 forecast well above Wall Street estimates. But it booked a nearly $6-billion charge in the quarter for scaling back a care delivery […]
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Wayfinder Newport hires Keith Chouinard as sales and marketing director
Wayfinder Newport has appointed Keith Chouinard as director of sales and marketing, the hotel announced Tuesday. Chouinard will oversee all sales and marketing initiatives for the property, including strategic partnerships, revenue growth and brand positioning as Wayfinder continues its relaunch. Chouinard brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in the hospitality industry. He most […]
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Quonset Business Park reaches 15,000-job milestone
The Quonset Business Park now employs more than 15,000 workers, a milestone state officials celebrated Monday at an event marking two decades of growth at the industrial complex. Gov. Dan McKee joined federal and state leaders at Hayward Industries to announce the employment figure, which represents growth of more than 3,000 jobs since January 2021 […]
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Heritage Restaurant Group acquires Crisp Restaurant Group, adds Providence Coal Fired Pizza and Union Station Brewery
The Heritage Restaurant Group announced Friday it will acquire Crisp Restaurant Group, including Providence Coal Fired Pizza’s two locations and Union Station Brewery in downtown Providence. The transaction is expected to close within 90 days, subject to due diligence and approval processes. The acquisition marks Heritage Group’s strategic expansion into the Providence market, coming one […]
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Heritage Restaurant Group to acquire Scales & Shells
The Heritage Restaurant Group announced Thursday that it will acquire Scales & Shells, the seafood restaurant at 527/537 Thames St., which has been a downtown Newport fixture for nearly 40 years. The transaction is expected to close within 90 days, subject to due diligence and approval processes. Heritage Group, a Newport-based restaurant and hospitality operator, will take […]
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Middletown Self Storage to celebrate grand opening of Valley Road location
Middletown Self Storage will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its newest location at 101 Valley Road on Monday, Oct. 27, at noon. The event, held in partnership with the Newport Chamber of Commerce, will feature facility tours, light refreshments and giveaways. The company is offering first month free to all new customers who rent a […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Rail Explorers celebrates one-millionth rider with lesson in aging well
On Friday, October 17, a simple, joy-filled celebration took place in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, as Rail Explorers marked its one-millionth ride. This achievement represents more than a milestone–it reflects how we can still find wonder in new experiences, the beauty of nature, and the shared happiness that comes from doing something together in the open […]
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International Tennis Hall of Fame adds eight to Board of Governors
The International Tennis Hall of Fame announced Monday it will welcome eight new members to its Board of Governors in 2026, bringing diverse expertise from business, philanthropy and the tennis industry. Three current board members were also appointed to the 24-member Executive Board, which helps guide the nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving tennis history and […]
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Newport Vineyards celebrates 30 years
Settled on over 100 acres of farmland, family-owned and operated Newport Vineyards, celebrating 30 years in business, allows visitors the chance to experience farm-to-table dining, Sunday brunch, wine and cheese classes, live music, daily tours and tastings, and more. Open to all ages, the indoor marketplace and outdoor space give guests the chance to embrace […]