FIRST, I FEEL A LITTLE GUILTY writing this. No, I feel very guilty that I’m even raising the subject. You’ve probably got enough to feel guilty about without me butting in. So, sorry. But if you quit reading this, will you feel guilty about not finishing what you started? And if you keep on reading, […]
Columns
A look at What’sUpNewp’s latest columns.
Posted inColumns
Gerry Goldstein: Mookie will make the most of it
The trade of Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers has split Red Sox Nation the way trading Barack Obama for Donald Trump has split America. Many fans are infuriated that the Sox unloaded their superstar a year before his free agency so they could get something in return before he walked away in 2021. […]
Posted inCity & Government, Columns, News
Westerly, Newport wrestle with school construction needs
Nearly three years ago, a Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) study, the Jacobs Report, identified schools throughout the state needing hundreds of millions of dollars in improvements just to bring them to a safe level, and billions to make them safe and ready for 21st century learning. The report underscored what many communities already […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Columns, People & Profiles
Brian C. Jones: “Charlie’s River” – A Newport artist’s tribute to her longtime partner
For 20 years, they were a couple – talented, devoted partners who individually and together reflected the rich cultural, professional and personal character of Newport, if not Rhode Island itself. Raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Rita Rogers is an abstract painter with a long list of academic credentials and has exhibited in New York and all […]
Posted inColumns
A Layman’s View: Local Radio—Fading Signals as the “hits” just keep on comin’….
It is so sad to see IHeart Radio’s continuing cutbacks at radio stations across the country, cutbacks that have hit our Rhode Island stations that are owned by the nation’s largest radio conglomerate. IHeart’s stations in southern New England are Coast 93.3; WHJY-FM, WHJJ-AM, and B-101. Best wishes to those whose careers have ended or […]
Posted inColumns
Judge calls for plan to overcome barriers in implementing RI Olmstead Consent Decree
The Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court in Rhode Island has ordered an independent monitor to bring him a new plan for implementing a 2014 civil rights agreement that seeks to integrate people with developmental disabilities in work and leisure activities in their communities by 2024. With the state falling short of its job-placement […]
Posted inColumns
Gerry Goldstein: Some not-so-Merrie Melodies
February being Black History Month, we might appropriately recall some familiar figures associated with racism: Bugs Bunny, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Tom & Jerry, and Popeye. These, and more celluloid friends from our childhood, inhabited cartoons peddling varying degrees of bigotry. Especially in the earlier decades of the last century, some cartoons were so vile […]
Posted inColumns
Rescue Me! Newport Adoptable Animals Weekly Highlight
Is better health a part of your New Year’s resolution? Then you may want to consider getting a pet. According to the CDC, owning a pet can have real, measurable health benefits for many people. Since we’re big supporters of the #AdoptDontShop philosophy when it comes to pet ownership, we’re teaming up with our friends […]
Posted inArts & Culture, City & Government, Columns
A Layman’s View: Televised Presidential Debates – Is this the best we can do? No!
The 2020 presidential debates have been all over the place and largely forgettable. Too many candidates; candidates with nearly identical policy views; occasional verbal free-for-alls; and rejected handshakes. All of this with the ominous backdrop of a presidential impeachment. There have been nine debates so far with three to go. The first debate in late […]
Posted inCity & Government, Columns
When ‘faraway’ news lands at your front door: Newport’s gas crisis remembered, one year later
A YEAR AGO TODAY, Jan. 21, 2019, on the coldest day of the winter, natural gas was cut to thousands of people in Newport and Middletown. It was a crisis for lots of businesses, and many residents were forced from their homes, some not returning until service was restored a number of days later. For […]
Posted inBusiness, Columns
What’sUpNewp, What’sUpRhodeIsland expanding coverage, adding columnists
With the new year comes a new look for What’sUpNewp and What’sUpRhodeIsland, as we welcome new columnists, add features, and increase our commitment to provide readers more stories that inform, entertain and challenge. We’re excited as our growing readership … and support … gives us the resources to do more, to add value for every […]
Posted inCity & Government, Columns, Environment & Health
Developmental Disability News: RI DD Legislative Commission seeks to change payment methods For DD Service Providers
Editor’s Note & Intro: Beginning today, What’s Up Newp and What’s Up Rhode Island will be sharing and linking to content provided by Developmental Disability News. According to their website, “Developmental Disability News covers the long-term impact of a landmark 2014 Consent Decree between the U.S. Department of Justice and the State of Rhode Island, as […]
Posted inCity & Government, Columns, News
Developmental Disability News: RI Governor proposes privatizing state-run group homes in fiscal 2021
Governor Gina Raimondo plans to privatize the state-run group home system in the next budget, cutting 204 fulltime positions from the state payroll during the 2021 fiscal year, which begins July 1. The privatization is one of many cost-cutting moves Raimondo has proposed to address an overall $200 million structural deficit in a $10.2 billion […]
Posted inColumns, News
Tyler’s Two Cents: Let’s Discuss Sustainability
On Sunday, April 22, we celebrate Earth Day and with that in mind, let’s discuss sustainability. First celebrated in 1970, Earth Day is now present in over 193 countries globally where various events are held to show support for environmental protection. Over the course of the past few years, a great deal has taken place […]