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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Posted inCity & Government
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 […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Jamestown Arts Center exhibition celebrates early childhood creativity through play
Jamestown Arts Center will dedicate its winter galleries to an exhibition exploring how young children learn and create through play. “Picturing Play: Playful Learning in Early Childhood” runs Jan. 31 through March 28 at the arts center, located at 18 Valley Street. The exhibition, organized in collaboration with the Rhode Island Art Education Association, features […]
Posted inCity & Government
Legislative commission recommends creating medical school at URI to address primary care shortage
A legislative commission studying Rhode Island’s physician shortage has recommended establishing an MD-granting medical school at the University of Rhode Island, according to a final report released Tuesday. The commission, which began its work in August 2024, found that a public medical school — combined with expanded residencies, loan forgiveness programs and higher reimbursement rates […]
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Bitter cold grips the eastern US as winter storm deaths rise and power outages linger
By SOPHIE BATES, KRISTIN M. HALL and RUSS BYNUM Associated Press Three Texas siblings who perished in an icy pond were among several dozen deaths in U.S. states gripped by frigid cold as crews scrambled Tuesday to repair hundreds of thousands of power outages in the shivering South and forecasters warned the winter weather is expected to get worse. […]
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Judge rules Massachusetts offshore wind project halted by Trump administration can continue
BOSTON (AP) — A federal judge said Tuesday that a nearly completed Massachusetts offshore wind project can continue, as the industry successfully challenges the Trump administration in court. At U.S. District Court in Boston, Judge Brian Murphy halted the administration’s stop work order for Vineyard Wind, citing the potential economic losses from the delays and […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport issues overnight parking ban for Thames, Spring streets Tuesday night
The city has issued an emergency overnight parking ban for Thames and Spring streets beginning at 8 p.m. Tuesday and running through 8 a.m. Wednesday to support ongoing snow removal efforts. The targeted ban applies to Thames Street from Poplar Street to Morton Avenue and Spring Street from Morton Avenue to Bull Street/Broadway. Vehicles remaining […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport County digs out after winter storm; schools on delays Tuesday
Newport County residents are waking up to clear skies Tuesday morning after a powerful winter storm dumped up to 13 inches of snow across the region over the weekend. School delays Newport Public Schools, Tiverton Public Schools and Little Compton Public Schools are on a one-hour delay Tuesday. There is no morning preschool in Little […]
Posted inBusiness
Governor McKee to kick off 2026 Politics & Pancakes series in Newport
Governor Dan McKee will headline the first installment of the Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Politics & Pancakes series on Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Pell Center at Salve Regina University. The event runs from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Tickets are $50 for chamber members and $60 for nonmembers. McKee is expected to discuss […]
Posted inCity & Government
30 people dead from effects of winter storm as more freezing cold pummels US
Many in the U.S. faced another night of below-freezing temperatures and no electricity after a colossal winter storm heaped more snow Monday on the Northeast and kept parts of the South coated in ice. At least 30 deaths were reported in states afflicted with severe cold. Deep snow — over a foot (30 centimeters) extending in a […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport lawmaker proposes comprehensive review before closing hospital maternity unit
by Nancy Lavin, Rhode Island Current January 26, 2026 Aquidneck Island residents breathed a sigh of relief when Brown University Health committed to keeping the Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center at Newport Hospital open through Sept. 30, 2026. But Rep. Lauren Carson, a Newport Democrat, remains worried about the future of the award-winning labor and […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport extends sidewalk clearing deadline to Tuesday; parking ban remains in effect until 9 p.m.
The city has extended the deadline for residents and business owners to clear their sidewalks until daylight hours Tuesday as crews continue working to clear streets from the winter storm. Newport’s Public Services team worked a full day and night Sunday and will continue clearing streets throughout Monday and overnight, according to a press release […]
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How much snow fell across Rhode Island
A powerful winter storm buried Rhode Island under more than a foot of snow, with Smithfield and North Providence leading the state with totals approaching 19 inches, according to the National Weather Service. Smithfield recorded the state’s highest total at 18.5 inches, followed closely by North Providence with 18.4 inches. Warren in Bristol County reported […]
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What Sold: A look at 3 homes that traded hands last week in Newport County (Jan. 19-23)
It was a notably quiet week for residential conveyances across Newport County, with just three homes changing hands according to the statewide MLS. While slower weeks are not uncommon this time of year, the limited number of recorded sales highlights how thin inventory remains across much of the county. Fewer closings do not reflect a […]
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Caught off guard: Involuntary discharge and why it belongs in your aging plan
Recently, I was working with The Edward King House Senior Center, The Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island (SACRI) and Age-Friendly Rhode Island to bring an invitation-only screening of the film Involuntary and a panel discussion to Newport. While this screening has been postponed, one thing became clear to me: many people don’t know what […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport man claims $32,000 lottery prize days before ticket expired
A Newport man nearly missed out on a $32,000 payday. The winner claimed his Wild Money jackpot just five days before the ticket expired, according to the Rhode Island Lottery. He had one year from the January 27, 2025, drawing date to collect. He purchased the winning ticket at Joe’s Kwik Marts, 864 West Main […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport County digs out from winter storm; parking bans, school closings remain in effect
Newport County residents are waking up to more than a foot of snow Monday morning, with more on the way as the region continues to dig out from a major winter storm. A trained spotter in Little Compton reported 14.5 inches of snow as of 10:40 p.m. Sunday, while Portsmouth recorded 11 inches, according to the […]
Posted inMartha's Vineyard
Patriots punch ticket to 12th Super Bowl with gritty 10-7 win over Broncos in snowy Denver
By ARNIE STAPLETON AP Pro Football Writer DENVER (AP) — Drake Maye handled the sloppy, snowy conditions better than the home team and he scored New England’s only touchdown on a 6-yard keeper, propelling the Patriots to their 12th Super Bowl with a 10-7 win over the Denver Broncos in the AFC championship game Sunday. Maye threw […]
Posted inCity & Government
Elections Board forgives hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines
Over the last four months, the state Board of Elections has excused hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines for candidates who have failed to file quarterly finance reports or filed them late. This flurry follows years in which the Board has been frustrated by the courts, which, when asked by offenders, have regularly significantly […]
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Winter storm warning now in effect; 12-20 inches of snow expected through Monday
A winter storm warning is now in effect for Newport and much of southern New England, with heavy snow expected to begin this morning and continue through Monday evening. The National Weather Service is forecasting 12 to 20 inches of snow for the region. The warning remains in effect until 8 p.m. Monday. Snow will […]
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On the Market: A look at each Open House happening in Newport County this weekend (Jan. 24-25)
This weekend’s open house schedule across Newport County is notably frontloaded on Saturday, as agents and sellers prepare for an impending winter storm expected to bring snowfall and impact much of the area on Sunday. As a result, the bulk of showings and open house activity has been concentrated into a tighter Saturday window. Given […]
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Newport Community School receives grant to continue after-school programs at Thompson, Rogers
Newport Community School will use a grant from the Rhode Island Foundation’s Equity Action Fund to continue supporting LGBTQ+ students at Frank E. Thompson Middle School and William S. Rogers High School. The organization is one of 14 groups serving LGBTQ+ residents that will share $87,000 in grants through the fund. The funding will support […]
Posted inBusiness
Rhode Island brewers team up to create ‘401 Beer,’ releasing statewide April 1
Rhode Island’s craft brewers are joining forces this spring to release a collaborative beer named after the Ocean State’s iconic area code. Members of the Rhode Island Brewers Guild have created “401 Beer,” a limited-edition hoppy lager set to launch statewide on Wednesday, April 1. Proceeds from sales will benefit the guild. The recipe came […]
Posted inBusiness
Jo’s American Bistro reopens under new ownership as Heritage Restaurant Group completes acquisition
Jo’s American Bistro reopened its doors Thursday evening under new ownership after Heritage Restaurant Group completed its acquisition of the beloved Memorial Boulevard restaurant. The restaurant, which has been a staple of Newport’s dining scene since 2013, welcomed guests back at 4:30 p.m. on January 22. Heritage Restaurant Group, which owns a growing portfolio of Rhode […]
Posted inCity & Government
Congressman Amo secures $2.7 million in federal funding for Newport County projects
Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI) announced Friday that he has secured more than $2.7 million in federal Community Project Funding for three Newport County projects as part of an $11 million package for Rhode Island’s First Congressional District. The funding, which passed the House of Representatives on January 22, will be sent to the President for […]