By MICHAEL CASEY, PATRICK WHITTLE and LEAH WILLINGHAM Associated Press BOSTON (AP) — The seven victims of a marine disaster that devastated a storied Massachusetts fishing town included a fifth-generation fisherman, a young federal fisheries observer and a father-and-son crew duo. All died when their fishing boat, the Lily Jean, sank in waters off America’s […]
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Newport issues parking bans for The Point, Historic Hill for snow removal
The city has issued neighborhood parking bans for The Point and Historic Hill this week as crews continue snow removal operations following last week’s storm. Residents of The Point must move their vehicles to off-street parking Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Historic Hill ban takes effect Wednesday during the same hours. Streets […]
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Heritage Restaurant Group under contract to acquire The Mews Tavern in Wakefield
The Mews Tavern, a longtime South County gathering spot that has operated on Main Street since 1947, is set to change hands after Heritage Restaurant Group announced Monday it is under contract to acquire the Wakefield establishment. The transaction is expected to close later this year, pending customary approvals. The restaurant will continue operating at […]
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What Sold: A look at 13 homes that traded hands last week in Newport County (Jan. 26-30)
Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow today, forecasting another six weeks of winter. But in the Newport County real estate market, spring is already starting to make an early appearance. As we move through the first quarter of 2026, activity is picking up in a way that feels healthy and encouraging for both buyers and sellers. […]
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Save The Bay announces date for 50th annual swim across Narragansett Bay
Save The Bay will host its 50th annual swim on Saturday, Aug. 8, challenging hundreds of athletes to cross 2 miles of open water from Newport to Jamestown. The flagship fundraiser will begin at the Naval War College in Newport and finish in Potter Cove in Jamestown. Registration opens Monday, March 2. “Since 1977, The […]
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Arts & Cultural Alliance accepting applications for $2,000 Tinney Family Arts Scholarship
High school seniors with artistic talent and ambition are invited to apply for the Tinney Family Arts Scholarship Award, a $2,000 prize given annually to a Newport County student pursuing excellence in the arts. The Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County is accepting applications through Friday, May 8, for the scholarship, which will be […]
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Hundreds gather in Middletown to celebrate the life of Carrigan Nelson
Hundreds of family members, friends, medical professionals and musicians gathered Sunday at the Wyndham Hotel to celebrate the life of Carrigan Nelson, a 24-year-old Portsmouth woman who became a nationally recognized childhood cancer advocate during her seven-year battle with osteosarcoma. Nelson passed away on Christmas Day at Boston Children’s Hospital surrounded by loved ones and […]
Posted inCity & Government
Senate Majority Leader Ciccone prepares legislation to lay down the law on ICE tactics
by Christopher Shea, Rhode Island CurrentFebruary 2, 2026 Senate Majority Leader Frank Ciccone III says he will soon file legislation to protect Rhode Islanders from the examples of unconstitutional conduct by federal immigration officers making headlines in other states. “Look at what’s taking place across the country, we don’t want that to happen here,” Ciccone […]
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Jaylen Brown has 30 points, 13 rebounds as Celtics coast to 107-79 win over Bucks
By KEN POWTAK Associated Press BOSTON (AP) — Jaylen Brown had 30 points and 13 rebounds, Anfernee Simons scored 27 points off the bench and the Boston Celtics coasted to a 107-79 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday. Derrick White added 17 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, and Neemias Queta had 14 points […]
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Coast Guard suspends search for people missing from fishing vessel that sank off Massachusetts
By MICHAEL CASEY, RODRIQUE NGOWI and PATRICK WHITTLE Associated Press GLOUCESTER, Mass. (AP) — The search for survivors on a commercial fishing vessel that sank off the coast of Massachusetts with seven aboard has been suspended, the U.S. Coast Guard said Saturday. The Coast Guard launched a search and rescue mission early Friday after receiving […]
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Tiverton Public Library selected to host Declaration of Independence replica
Tiverton Public Library has been selected as one of only six locations nationwide to host a replica of the Declaration of Independence, officials announced Thursday. The library will display a replica of the 1823 William J. Stone engraving of the Declaration of Independence from Feb. 19 through July 7 as part of the “Creative Freedom” […]
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Three Newport County nonprofits receive grants for animal care programs
Three Newport County nonprofits will share in $636,000 in grants from the Rhode Island Foundation to support low-cost veterinary care, animal rescue and educational programs. The Potter League for Animals in Middletown received the largest local grant at $72,000 to subsidize veterinary care at its Animal Care and Adoption Center. The funding supports spaying, neutering, […]
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RISSA’s winter fundraiser returns to O’Brien’s Pub, supporting a mission of learning for life
Newport’s coldest months have a way of bringing people together, and few gatherings do it better than the Rhode Island Social Skills Academy’s annual Winter Party. On Sunday, February 1, from 4-7pm, friends and supporters of the Rhode Island Social Skills Academy (RISSA) will gather at O’Brien’s Pub to raise a glass, reconnect with the […]
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Freezing reptile dubbed ‘Lizard in a blizzard’ is rescued after being buried in Rhode Island snow
By KIMBERLEE KRUESI Associated Pres PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Wildlife officials say a “lizard in a blizzard” has been rescued after a man discovered the large cold-blooded reptile buried in snow in Rhode Island, somehow surviving the frigid temperatures. According to the New England Wildlife Center, the Providence man spotted the tegu lizard from his […]
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Contaminated pilings to be removed from Providence River near Point Street Bridge
About 300 deteriorating wooden pilings will be removed from the Providence River near the Point Street Bridge later this year, state and conservation officials announced Friday. The Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, The Nature Conservancy and the city of Providence plan to remove 250 tons of derelict creosote timbers and piers from the river […]
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Potter League receives $2.9 million bequest, largest gift in organization’s history
The Potter League for Animals announced it has received a $2.9 million bequest from longtime volunteer Roxann Press, the largest single gift in the organization’s nearly 100-year history. The transformative donation was recognized during the Potter League’s annual meeting Wednesday at the Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina, where supporters and community leaders gathered despite frigid […]
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On the Market: A look at 19 homes hosting Open Houses this weekend in Newport County (Jan. 31 & Feb. 1)
As January comes to a close and we turn the page into early February, the Newport County real estate market is off to a surprising start this year, showing encouraging signs of momentum. Inventory has begun to improve, ever so slightly, and buyer engagement remains strong given the time of year and the conditions we […]
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Portsmouth woman wins $50,000 on JAWS lottery ticket
A Portsmouth woman is $50,000 richer after hitting the top prize on a JAWS instant lottery ticket, according to the Rhode Island Lottery. The winner, who plans to use the money for a trip to Florida, purchased the ticket at Melville Xtra Mart at 1568 West Main Road. Players with non-winning JAWS tickets still have […]
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Newport police towing vehicles as parking bans continue; Saturday ban ahead
Newport police are towing vehicles Friday morning as city crews work to clear snow from side streets, with another mandatory parking ban set for Saturday and more snow in the forecast. Capt. Joseph Carroll, the department’s public information officer, said many vehicles remained parked on streets in the Lower Thames area Friday despite the ban. […]
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Aquidneck Island Land Trust announces student art and writing contest winners
The Aquidneck Island Land Trust has announced 29 student winners in its 2025 Art & Writing Contest, an annual competition that promotes the importance and value of conserving open spaces. Students at Aquidneck Island schools and those who reside on the island were invited to enter artwork or written work depicting their favorite local vista. […]
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Rhode Island lawmakers reintroduce bill to make fossil fuel companies pay for climate damage
Two Rhode Island lawmakers have reintroduced legislation that would require the largest fossil fuel companies to pay for climate-related damage already affecting the state’s infrastructure, public health and economy. Sen. Linda L. Ujifusa, D-Portsmouth, and Rep. Jennifer Boylan, D-Barrington, are sponsoring the bills (2025-S 2024, 2025-H 7004), which follow a cost-recovery model similar to laws […]
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Verona Quartet to make Newport Classical debut on Feb. 20
The Verona Quartet will perform at the Newport Classical Recital Hall on Friday, Feb. 20, at 7:30 p.m. as part of the organization’s 2025-2026 Chamber Series. The concert marks the ensemble’s Newport Classical debut. The program will trace a stylistic arc beginning with Scarlatti’s Baroque sonata and Augusta Read Thomas’s “Clara’s Ascent,” followed by Janáček’s Kreutzer […]
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OceanPoint Funding announces agreement to acquire Florida-based Lending Associates
OceanPoint Funding Inc., an affiliate of OceanPoint Financial Partners MHC, announced Wednesday it has entered into an agreement to acquire Lending Associates Inc., a marine, RV and aircraft lender headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida. The agreement was signed Jan. 14, according to a news release from the Middletown-based company. Lending Associates is led by Grant […]
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RIPEC: Governor’s budget holds spending in check, but millionaire’s tax raises competitiveness concerns
Governor Dan McKee’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget moderates state spending growth after years of extraordinary increases, but relies on a new millionaire’s tax that could harm Rhode Island’s economic competitiveness, according to a new analysis from the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council. RIPEC released its policy brief Thursday examining highlights from the governor’s spending […]
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Rep. Carson releases 2026 constituent survey, plans March meeting to discuss results
State Rep. Lauren Carson has released her 2026 constituent survey and is inviting District 75 residents to share their priorities on issues ranging from housing to healthcare. The online survey will be available through Feb. 20. “Listening to my constituents and learning directly from their experiences is essential to how I represent our community,” Carson […]