By ZEKE MILLER, WILL WEISSERT and CHRIS MEGERIAN Associated Press PHILADELPHIA (AP) — President Joe Biden scooped up endorsements from at least 15 members of the Kennedy political family during a campaign stop Thursday as he aims to undermine Donald Trump and marginalize the candidacy of independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kerry Kennedy, a daughter of former Attorney General Robert […]
City & Government
A look at What’s Up in city and government in Newport, Rhode Island, and beyond.
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island grants to extend learning beyond school year
The state is taking applications from communities interested in using federal aid to expand learning opportunities for students outside of the traditional 180-day school year. The Learn365RI grants program makes $3.8 million in federal aid available to eligible municipalities to fund new or expanded initiatives that promote learning beyond the formal school day. The program […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council to hold next meeting on April 24
Newport City Council will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, April 24. The public is welcome to attend the meeting, which will take place in the City Council Chambers at Newport City Hall starting at 6:30 p.m. Here’s a look at what’s on the docket; CITY OF NEWPORT DOCKET FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING […]
Posted inCity & Government
Senators push Treasury for Investment Adviser AML Reporting
A group of senators has urged the U.S. Treasury Department (Treasury) to require investment advisers to report suspicious activity to the government, arguing that the move would help prevent money laundering and sanctions evasion. In a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, the senators said that the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’s (FinCEN) proposed rule to […]
Posted inCity & Government
Sen. Ujifusa, Rep. McGaw introduce bill to protect patients from insurers’ step therapy protocols
STATE HOUSE — Sen. Linda Ujifusa and Rep. Michelle E. McGaw are sponsoring legislation to rein in so-called step therapy protocols used by health insurance companies that can delay or prevent patients from getting tests, procedures and drugs ordered by their physicians. Step therapy, also known as “fail first” therapy, is a health insurance practice […]
Posted inCity & Government
New England states seek federal funding for transmission and energy storage infrastructure upgrades
A coalition of New England states is seeking federal funding to support large-scale investments in transmission and energy storage infrastructure upgrades in a bid to bolster the region’s electric grid reliability and resilience. The states – Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont – have submitted applications to the U.S. Department of Energy […]
Posted inCity & Government
Senator Reed leads bipartisan resolution declaring April ‘Financial Literacy Month’
A bipartisan pair of senators has introduced a resolution to allocate April as Financial Literacy Month in a bid to boost financial literacy education in the U.S. Sens. Jack Reed, D-R.I., and Tim Scott, R-S.C., introduced the measure on Tuesday to recognize the importance of financial literacy in enhancing the financial well-being of individuals and […]
Posted inCity & Government
Op-Ed: How the Oversight Committee has improved the lives of Rhode Islanders
Eight years ago, I was named chairwoman of the House Oversight Committee. It was a position I accepted with much excitement and, to be honest, just a little bit of trepidation. Unlike other standing committees, whose job it is to vet and approve legislation, no bills come out of the Oversight Committee. Rather, it’s our […]
Posted inCity & Government
RIDOT reminds drivers to slow down and move over for work zones and first responders
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) wants to remind drivers of the importance of slowing down and moving over when approaching work zones and first responders. This week is National Work Zone Awareness Week, and RIDOT is urging drivers to pay attention to their surroundings and adjust their driving habits when approaching traffic signs, […]
Posted inCity & Government
How gas prices have changed in Providence in the last week
Gasoline prices continue to rise, up around 4 cents per gallon from the previous week. As of Monday, April 15, drivers across the United States are now paying an average of $3.63 per gallon. Demand for gasoline generally rises during the spring all the way through Memorial Day. This, combined with recent tensions in the […]
Posted inCity & Government
Recap: Middletown Town Council meeting on April 15
The Middletown Town Council covered a lot of ground during its meeting on Monday, April 15. The Town of Middletown provided the below notes on some of the actions; When: Monday night. Where: Middletown Town Hall, 350 East Main Road. Absent: None. Of note: After a lengthy discussion, a council majority voted to ask the Rhode Island Department […]
Posted inCity & Government
Many Middletown residents and businesses can expect a 2% tax increase in Fiscal 2025
Source: Town of Middletown Many Middletown residents and business owners are looking at 2 percent increase in their Fiscal 2025 tax bills. According to proposed figures rolled out for the first time Monday night to the Town Council, the median homeowner can expect to pay $100 more in taxes in the upcoming fiscal year compared […]
Posted inCity & Government
Island-wide water main flushing will take place April 14 – May 2
As part of the Newport Water Division’s ongoing maintenance of the water distribution system, a water main flushing program in designated areas will begin during evening hours beginning Sunday, April 14, 2024 and ending May 2, 2024. To minimize impacts to our customers, flushing crews will begin at 8:00 p.m. and continue until 4:00 a.m. […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport Police are investigating the death of a 2-month old
Newport Police Department is investigating an incident at Festival Field Housing Development that resulted in the death of a 2-month-old and the arrest of a 17-year-old. Newport Police Department shared the following information on Friday morning; On 4/11/24 at about 10:55 p.m., Newport Police Officers along with Newport Fire Department personnel responded to the Festival […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rep. Carson urges parents of students with IEPs, 504 plans to consider new state resource
STATE HOUSE – Parents frustrated by the process of advocating for their student’s needs through their individualized education plan (IEP) or 504 plan have a new resource, thanks in part to work by Rep. Lauren Carson. The Department of Education now offers impartial facilitators who can help prevent and resolve conflict during the IEP/504 meeting […]
Posted inAP
Rhode Island transit chief resigns after he’s accused in a hit-and-run at a McDonald’s drive-thru
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island Public Transit Authority CEO Scott Avedisian submitted a letter of resignation to Gov. Dan McKee on Thursday just two weeks after he was accused in a hit-and-run in a McDonald’s drive-thru in Warwick. The announcement came the same day as the RIPTA board of directors met behind closed doors […]
Posted inBusiness
Rhode Island’s New Commerce Chief: Jim Bennett
The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation’s new president and chief operating officer will bring with him a wealth of experience in both business development and government, Gov. Dan McKee’s office said today. Jim Bennett, a Brown University graduate who has served in a variety of leadership positions, including executive vice president of Prospect Medical Holding, was […]
Posted inCity & Government
Mount Hope Bridge will see major updates thanks to new federal funding
The picturesque Mount Hope Bridge between Bristol and Portsmouth will soon see major updates thanks to new federal funding. In an effort to ensure the safety of the Mount Hope Bridge and save taxpayers money in repairs down the road, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse today hailed a new $17 million Promoting Resilient […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island bill would inform parents about ABLE accounts
The Rhode Island House of Representatives has passed a bill that would mandate schools to inform parents about Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts when their child has an IEP meeting. Sponsored by Rep. Terri Cortvriend (D- Portsmouth, Middletown), the bill (2024-H 7612) would require school districts to provide families with information about the […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport Police Arrest & Dispatch Log: April 10 – 11
Newport Police Department reported no arrests from Wednesday, April 10, through 7 a.m. on Thursday, April 11. Arrest Log There were no arrests. Dispatch Log Press-Log-4-10-to-4-11Download
Posted inCity & Government
Newport Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain provides updates in weekly message
Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain shared the following weekly message with parents, families, and staff on Wednesday, April 10.
Posted inCity & Government
RIPTA to hold a community meeting at URI Kingston Campus on revised proposed service changes
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) will hold a community meeting on revised proposed service changes on Friday, April 19 from 12pm to 2pm at the University of Rhode Island Memorial Student Union in Kingston. This community meeting is in addition to the public hearings scheduled for Monday, April 15 in West Warwick and […]
Posted inCity & Government
Town of Middletown hosting inaugural Earth Day Art Contest
The Town of Middletown is sponsoring its inaugural Earth Day Art Contest as a way of promoting the beauty of Middletown and celebrating nature. Held in conjunction with the Governor’s campaign to Keep Rhody Litter Free, this art contest seeks to raise awareness of everyone’s responsibility to preserve natural resources and to commit to cleaning […]
Posted inCity & Government
CCRI celebrates graduation of first cohorts of Rhode Island’s first Offshore Wind Safety Training Center
Thirty-nine local residents are the first to complete the Global Wind Organisation (GWO)-certified Basic Safety Training curriculum at the state’s only offshore wind safety training center and are prepared to continue building fulfilling careers in America’s fast-growing offshore wind sector. Located at the Community College of Rhode Island’s Lincoln Campus, the GWO-certified training facility is […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rep. Magaziner passes first bill through committee
The Homeland Security Committee today passed U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner’s (RI-02) bipartisan legislation H.R.7439 – Strengthening State and Local Efforts to Combat Transnational Repression Act to crack down on coercive tactics by repressive foreign nations to forcibly silence political dissidents living in the United States. Rep. Magaziner, who serves as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and […]