On the heels of the global environmental conference, COP26, Newport’s City Council is discussing an opportunity that could help ratepayers save money and integrate more renewable energy into the grid. This is a wonderful first step for our City to address climate change – which we know directly affects our economy and quality of life. […]
Opinion
Posted inOpinion
Opinion: Lucy’s Hearth needs the community’s support now more than ever
As the board chair of the area’s only homeless shelter for children and their families, I want to let you know that Lucy’s Hearth in Middletown needs the community’s support now more than ever. Before COVID sent the world into a tailspin, the severe shortage of affordable housing was deeply impacting the ability of many […]
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Opinion – Rep. Carson: High stakes of appropriate coastal management
In my district in Newport, it is easy to see the importance and value of the Narragansett Bay and all our precious coastal resources. The Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) was created by the General Assembly in 1971 as a means to protect, restore and responsibly develop coastal lands because lawmakers recognized that these areas […]
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Opinion: Why is DCYF taking so long to protect our kids?
In July, the General Assembly recognized that the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) was suffering from a staffing crisis. We knew this crisis was severely negatively impacting our state’s most vulnerable children and we did something about it. The General Assembly authorized an additional $9.4 million in the DCYF budget for the sole […]
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Opinion: Portsmouth voters must reject Question 2
Portsmouth voters must reject the referendum to transfer five acres of property overlooking Narragansett Bay to a private developer. If the referendum is approved the future of the Senior Center will in the hands of bankers and developers. Their promise of senior only facilities and senior housing are just that, promises. There is no written […]
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Opinion: Free daffodil Bulbs herald brighter days ahead
This Saturday, October 16, from 9-noon at Easton’s Beach, Newport in Bloom will be giving away 30,000 FREE daffodil bulbs to all Aquidneck Islanders until supplies last. Bulbs come thirty to a bag, a $20 value. Bulbs will also be given away at the Pell school Growers Market on October 23 and 10/30. As our […]
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Letter: Portsmouth voters should “Approve” Question 2 in the November 2nd referendum
To the Editor: I am writing to ask my Portsmouth constituents to vote to “Approve” Question 2 in the November 2nd referendum. This question asks Portsmouth citizens to authorize the town to enter into a long-term lease agreement with Church Community Housing Corp. (a non-profit) to develop the former Ann Hutchinson School property into 50+ units […]
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Letter: Portsmouth voters should vote no on question 2
Portsmouth voters do not be fooled again. Ballot Question 2 is about transferring ownership of valuable and limited town owned property (5 acres, ballfields, and Anne Hutchinson School) to whom is unknown as it is not clearly stated within the ballot question. One can presume to Church Community Housing given the town has entered into […]
Posted inNews, Opinion
Letter From The Publisher: Some personal news
There are some exciting new things happening at What’s Up Newp, and as a reader, supporter, and friend I want you to know about them. First of all, deep breaths… neither I nor What’s Up Newp are saying goodbye or so long today.Since 2012, I’ve been the Owner and Publisher of What’s Up Newp. It […]
Posted inOpinion
Guest View: Biking for autism – because biking is for everyone
The following was submitted by Bari Freeman, Executive Director of Bike Newport. On Saturday, September 18th, Bike Newport and Bike-On of Warwick will participate in the annual Bike to the Beach New England – to raise funds and awareness for Autism. Riders originating in Boston will ride the 100 mile “Century”, and riders originating in […]
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Letter: Newport Public School projects are moving quickly
The 2021-2022 Newport Public School Year is off to a great start! It is exciting to have everybody back in person full time. Both School Building Projects have been busy this summer moving forward at a steady pace. The Pell expansion project is a full year ahead of schedule and groundbreaking took place August 12th with many […]
Posted inColumns, Opinion
Just My Opinion: A day to remember the contributions of labor unions
On this Labor Day, I’m hopeful that people take just a few minutes to reflect on the importance and contributions of the organizations, the labor unions, that have worked for so long to protect the rights and dignity of working men and women. Unions have quietly, and sometimes not so quietly, fought for the rights […]
Posted inColumns, Opinion
Gerry Goldstein: All aflutter with good news on disease
Here at Shalom Acres, our hobby farm in Greenville’s Apple Valley, the past month was oh-so-quiet as we followed guidelines to avoid the potentially fatal disease spreading in much of the country. The State of Rhode Island was clear in its recommendations: Please, no large gatherings that could turn into super-spreaders. No inviting guests for […]
Posted inOpinion
Op-Ed: The Last Mile: Getting fiber broadband to your home or business
As the pandemic continues, it’s been an eye-opener on how important access to high-speed fiber optic is in our modern life. Decades ago, our nation created infrastructure programs for electricity, telephone and highways. Today, it’s fiber broadband — fast, cheap and the future. Rhode Island’s coaxial, copper cable system is old-school. Rhode Island will receive […]
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Guest View – Newport Polo: What’s Up Newp was a catalyst in ‘Bon Voyage” Polo Gala success story
The following was written and provided by Newport Polo. In early March of this year, Newport Polo’s annual charity gala incurred an untimely setback when the original beneficiary pulled out due to pandemic related challenges. The idea for a new beneficiary came within days from WHATSUPNEWP’s March 8 column “This Day in RI History: March 9 – Jeffrey […]
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Just My Opinion: My Body, My Choice
“My body, my choice,” says the health care worker, protesting outside the State House in Providence against mandatory vaccinations for health care workers. “My body, my choice,” says Republican Congressmen (whether House or Senate), Republican governors, GOP state legislators. “My body, my choice” … NO NO NO, say these same Republican lawmakers, when it comes […]
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Guest View – RIMEA: Music can safely return to Rhode Island schools
By The Rhode Island Music Education Association (RIMEA) The Rhode Island Music Education Association (RIMEA) released updated music guidance on August 17 ahead of the re-opening of schools in the fall. The guidance will allow state and local leaders to focus on re-opening music education programs in order to support the social and emotional well-being of Rhode Island students. […]
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Guest View: How to save local news in Rhode Island (without government interference)
During the past two decades, the number of newspaper reporters across America has dropped by 36,000 or 60%. Some 1,800 communities have lost newspapers. Thousands more — especially in rural areas and communities of color — have newsrooms so desolate that they don’t truly cover the town. This is a serious threat to communities around […]
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Opinion: To slow climate change, teach climate literacy
In 2019, inspired by teenage Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, youth around the world took action to demand governments address climate change. While 2020 brought a pandemic that dominated the world’s attention, the urgency of our climate crisis has not abated at all. That this movement was led by students is significant. The majority of today’s […]
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Guest View – Sean O’Connor: Newport looking for a brighter energy future
By Sean O’Connor, Member of Newport Energy and Environment Commission The time is more urgent than ever for our City to become a leader in resilient and sustainable energy systems. The Energy and Environment Commission, on which I am a volunteer, is working with the City of Newport to hopefully start a new electricity aggregation […]
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Guest View – Sean O’Connor: Importance of Pride all year
The cherished summer charges on with Pride Month well behind us, but the work of creating our city as a welcome, inclusive and safe place for all continues. When we held the Newport Pride weekend at the end of June this year to celebrate LGBTQ+ community in our city, we were blown away with the […]
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Just My Opinion: Rhode Island’s MLB All-Stars
When the best in major league baseball takes the field for the 2021 Major League Baseball All-Star game on Tuesday at Coors Field in Denver, none of the players will have Rhode Island roots. But it wasn’t always that way. Since the first official MLB All-Star game was played in Chicago in 1933, five players […]
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Letter: Weigh in on how American Rescue Plan Stimulus Dollars are spent in Rhode Island
The Newport Democratic City Committee (NDCC) is urging the public to weigh in on how American Rescue Plan Stimulus Dollars are spent in Rhode Island. NDCC issued the following press release; Rhode Island will be receiving $1 billion from the Biden Administration’s American Rescue Plan, and the RI Foundation is asking for public input on […]
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Letter: Concerned about Broadway zoning changes
To the editor, As a resident “off-Broadway” I was concerned when I read the article in the June 10, 2021 issue of Newport This Week titled ‘Broadway Zoning Change Being Considered’. The Planning Board has already forwarded the request with a positive recommendation to the Newport Zoning Board and City Council. I questioned why the […]
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Newport Out and Bike Newport: Open Letter to Members of the Newport Police Department
The following letter is submitted jointly by Newport Out and Bike Newport Newport Out, Directors Sean O’Connor and Daniel Cano Retrepo Bike Newport, Executive Director Bari Freeman Open Letter to Members of the Newport Police Department: Many thanks to generous and community-minded members of the Newport Police Department. Their support of Saturday’s Pride Ride was […]