Town crews began installing temporary erosion protection systems at Second Beach this week in an effort to shield the popular destination’s dunes and pathways from winter storm damage. The Department of Public Works is placing the barriers at the mouth of each pathway along Sachuest Point Road, according to a news release from the town. […]
News
Posted inCity & Government
Vermont governor appoints 2 to state Supreme Court, both had worked as federal prosecutors
By ALAN J. KEAYS/VTDigger VTDigger Gov. Phil Scott made two appointments to the Vermont Supreme Court, naming one former top federal prosecutor and another currently serving in that role for Vermont to fill the open spots on the state’s high court. Scott, a Republican, announced in a press release Monday the appointments of Christina Nolan, […]
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Rhode Island Foundation awards $750,000 grant to launch statewide girls coalition
A collaborative of five Rhode Island nonprofits has been awarded a $750,000 grant to launch the state’s first coalition focused on supporting girls and gender-expansive youth. The Rhode Island Foundation awarded the three-year Catalyst Grant to Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England, which will lead the effort in partnership with Women’s Fund of Rhode Island, […]
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RI, CT attorneys general move to join forces with Revolution Wind developers in case against feds
by Nancy Lavin, Rhode Island Current January 6, 2026 Rhode Island and Connecticut attorneys general in legal filings Monday asked to consolidate their federal lawsuit against the Trump administration with a separate complaint lodged by the developers of the Revolution Wind project. Both lawsuits were initially filed in the wake of an Aug. 22 stop […]
Posted inCity & Government
GoNetspeed begins construction on fiber internet network in Newport
Construction is underway on a new fiber-optic internet network that will bring speeds of up to two gigabits to Newport homes and businesses. GoNetspeed, the Northeast’s largest independent fiber-optic network builder, announced Monday that initial construction work has begun on the project, which will serve more than 8,200 residences and businesses. Newport marks the company’s […]
Posted inCity & Government
Middletown council approves license plate reader, tables request for six more
The Town Council approved a request from state police to install a license plate reader camera on West Main Road during its first meeting of 2026 on Monday. However, the council tabled a vote on a request to install six similar Flock cameras, asking the Middletown Police Department to develop a policy governing their use […]
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What’s up in Newport County: Tuesday, January 6
Discover all that’s happening for live music, entertainment, and events in Newport County. Organizing an event? Add it to What’sUpNewp’s event calendar. Weather Forecast Tuesday: Cloudy, with a high near 38. Light and variable wind becoming north around 6 mph in the morning. Tuesday night: Rain likely, mainly between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. Cloudy, with […]
Posted inCity & Government
Legislative Outlook: Gu – Key concerns—primary care access; ripple effects from ending ACA subsidies
With the Rhode Island General Assembly session scheduled to begin today (Jan. 6), WhatsUpNewp and WBLQ have reached out to the area’s legislators to learn what they see as the most pressing issues facing Rhode Island in 2026, and legislation they are planning to introduce. State Senator Victoria Gu, D-Dist. 38 Today, we focus on […]
Posted inCity & Government
NUWC Division Newport’s role in developing undersea robotic autonomous systems focus of visit by Submarine Group Two commander
NEWPORT, R.I. – Rear Adm. Melvin R. Smith, commander of Submarine Group Two, visited the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport on Dec. 11, delivering a message of gratitude to the workforce during the command’s holiday cookie party before receiving a series of briefings on emerging undersea technologies. Smith oversees the U.S. Navy’s Undersea […]
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MLK Community Center to hold Keeper of the Dream celebration on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center will hold its Keeper of the Dream & Annual Meeting celebration on Monday, Jan. 19, from 5 to 7 p.m. The event, presented by Corrigan Financial, Inc. and Savant Wealth Management, will take place on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. During the event, the center will report […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Emmy award-winning ocean explorer Richard Vevers to speak at Sail Newport on Jan. 15
Sail Newport will host Emmy award-winning storyteller and ocean explorer Richard Vevers for “An Ocean (RE)Introduction” on Thursday, Jan. 15, as part of its Challenger Lecture Series presented by Hinckley Yacht Services. Vevers, who played the lead role in the Netflix documentary “Chasing Coral,” will share the surprising reality of the ocean and how it’s […]
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A rare whale is having an encouraging season for births. Scientists warn it might still go extinct
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — One of the world’s rarest whale species is having more babies this year than in some recent seasons, but experts say many more young are needed to help stave off the possibility of extinction. The North Atlantic right whale’s population numbers an estimated 384 animals and is slowly rising after several years of […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Brown University Health moves to respiratory virus status red across all facilities
Brown University Health will require masking at all facilities in Rhode Island and Massachusetts starting Tuesday due to high community transmission of influenza and other respiratory viruses. The red status designation applies to all Brown University Health hospitals and affiliates, including Newport Hospital, Rhode Island Hospital, The Miriam Hospital, Bradley Hospital, Gateway Healthcare, Saint Anne’s […]
Posted inReal Estate
What Sold: A look at 12 recent sales across Newport County (Dec. 22-Jan. 2)
As the calendar turns each year, the final two weeks of December are almost always a quiet period for real estate. Between holiday travel, family commitments, and law offices/title companies operating on reduced schedules or closing altogether, the normal rhythm of transactions tends to slow considerably. This year was no exception. From December 22, 2025, […]
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What’s happening in Newport: Monday, January 5
Here’s a look at what’s coming up today in and around Newport. Weather Forecast Today: Increasing clouds, with a high near 36 degrees. Northwest wind around 6 mph, becoming light and variable. Tonight: A chance of rain and snow before 11 p.m., then a chance of rain between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. Cloudy, with […]
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Rhode Island Foundation panel urges R.I. to rewrite school funding formula, boost state share
by Alexander Castro, Rhode Island Current January 5, 2026 Boosting Rhode Island’s share of funding to K-12 public schools could relieve some pressure on municipal property taxes, according to a commission calling for an overhaul of the state allocation to local school districts. The group convened by the Rhode Island Foundation found the state only […]
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Revolution Wind developers seek second court order against Trump administration
by Nancy Lavin, Rhode Island CurrentJanuary 4, 2026 The year is new, but the argument is the same: The Trump administration has no constitutional authority to halt work on a major offshore wind project nearing completion south of Rhode Island’s coastline. Hundreds of pages of legal filings submitted in federal court on Jan. 1 and […]
Posted inCity & Government
Legislative Outlook: Azzinaro – ‘Fully fund the Veterans Home in Bristol’
With the Rhode Island General Assembly session scheduled to begin on Jan. 6, WBLQ and WhatsUpNewp have reached out to legislators in the Newport and Westerly areas to learn what they see as the most pressing issues facing Rhode Island in 2026, and legislation they are planning to introduce. Today, we focus on State Rep. […]
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Jaylen Brown ties career high with 50 points in Celtics’ 146-115 romp over Clippers
By DOUG PADILLA Associated Press INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Jaylen Brown matched his career high with 50 points and the Boston Celtics completed a successful West Coast swing with a 146-115 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night. Brown had 19 points in the third quarter. Derrick White added 29 points and Anfernee […]
Posted inCity & Government
City of Newport seeking public input on stormwater funding
The city is asking residents for feedback as it explores how to fund its growing stormwater infrastructure needs. An online survey is now available at www.surveymonkey.com/r/Y8KWCW8. The city recently completed installation of a tide gate under King Park, which has dramatically reduced stormwater flooding along Wellington Avenue in the Fifth Ward. However, stormwater issues continue […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council to interview six candidates for Planning Board
The Newport City Council will interview six candidates for vacancies on the Planning Board on Tuesday, Jan. 6. The interviews will begin at 5 p.m. in the ground floor conference room at City Hall, 43 Broadway. Candidates scheduled for interviews include Don Winters at 5 p.m., John Greichen at 5:30 p.m., Benjamin Willet at 6 […]
Posted inCity & Government
Middletown Town Council to consider license plate reader cameras, capital improvement plan Monday
The Middletown Town Council will tackle a lengthy agenda Monday, Jan. 5, including consideration of a license plate recognition camera network and receipt of the town’s five-year capital improvement program. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 350 East Main Road. Virtual access is available via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89688800569 or by phone […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council to kick off capital improvement planning process Wednesday
The Newport City Council will meet Wednesday, Jan. 7, to begin discussions on the city’s annual Capital Improvement Plan. The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. at Innovate Newport and is open to the public. The capital improvement planning process covers a range of projects, from playgrounds to seawalls and resiliency-related initiatives. The process […]
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How gas prices have changed in Rhode Island in the last week
Stacker compiled statistics on gas prices in Rhode Island using data from AAA. Gas prices are as of January 2. Rhode Island by the numbers- Gas current price: $2.88- Week change: -$0.02 (-0.7%)- Year change: -$0.07 (-2.4%)- Historical expensive gas price: $5.02 (6/13/22) – Diesel current price: $3.81- Week change: -$0.01 (-0.2%)- Year change: +$0.10 […]
Posted inColumns
The wit and wisdom of Rhode Island women, and how they plan to navigate a new yearÂ
It is a universal fact that the new year is a time of reflection on past events, present obligations, and future hopes and plans. Setting resolutions for the new year is an age-old tradition dating back to the ancient Babylonians from over 4,000 years ago, who made promises to their gods that were focused on […]