The Rhode Island Foundation announced Tuesday it is dedicating $1 million in emergency grants to combat hunger across the state as federal SNAP benefits face suspension beginning Nov. 1, with several Newport County food assistance programs set to receive immediate support. The foundation will immediately distribute $200,000 to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, which […]
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Posted inCity & Government, News
Governor declares emergency, pledges $6M as Trump threatens to halt SNAP benefits
Gov. Dan McKee declared a state of emergency Tuesday and announced $6 million in emergency payments for families as the Trump administration threatens to halt federal food assistance funding beginning Nov. 1. The move would affect approximately 145,000 Rhode Islanders who receive about $29 million monthly through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. “President Trump’s failure […]
Posted inBusiness
Wayfinder Newport hires Keith Chouinard as sales and marketing director
Wayfinder Newport has appointed Keith Chouinard as director of sales and marketing, the hotel announced Tuesday. Chouinard will oversee all sales and marketing initiatives for the property, including strategic partnerships, revenue growth and brand positioning as Wayfinder continues its relaunch. Chouinard brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in the hospitality industry. He most […]
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Obituary: David Swanson
David Swanson, a lifelong Rhode Islander, died on October 23, 2025, in his home in Bristol. He was 82 years old. Born in Providence to Swedish Americans Florence V. and Sture T. Swanson, he grew up in the Edgewood section of Cranston, just one hundred yards from the water. At the Edgewood Yacht Club, he […]
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Good news for Revolution Wind. Bad news for Rhode Island union painters
Orimartin Lima’s graduation from a weeklong offshore wind safety training program last Friday was bittersweet. The completion of the global certification through the Community College of Rhode Island was supposed to lead directly to a union job with the Revolution Wind project. But instead of shipping out to sea to climb towering turbines in Rhode […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Bobby Cowsill to perform at historic Belmont Chapel
Bobby Cowsill, a founding member of the iconic 1960s pop group the Cowsills, will perform at Belmont Chapel at Island Cemetery for two intimate evenings in December. The performances are scheduled for 6 p.m. Dec. 4 and 5 at the chapel, located at 30 Warner Street in Newport. The Cowsills, who served as the real-life […]
Posted inBusiness
Quonset Business Park reaches 15,000-job milestone
The Quonset Business Park now employs more than 15,000 workers, a milestone state officials celebrated Monday at an event marking two decades of growth at the industrial complex. Gov. Dan McKee joined federal and state leaders at Hayward Industries to announce the employment figure, which represents growth of more than 3,000 jobs since January 2021 […]
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Letter to the Editor: Medicare dis-advantage
The federal government could have fixed the gaps in traditional government-run Medicare and created an improved Medicare for All single payer program, but instead, paid private middlemen billions to offer Medicare Advantage plans. Seniors were lured into buying heavily advertised, “cheaper,” heavily subsidized Medicare Advantage plans while the private corporations that offered these plans saw their […]
Posted inNews, Nonprofit
Newport Mental Health named regional access point for housing support
Newport Mental Health has been designated a Regional Access Point by the Rhode Island Executive Office of Housing, becoming part of a new statewide network aimed at preventing and ending homelessness. Regional Access Points are community-based hubs that help individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of losing their homes. The primary goals […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News
State officials warn public to avoid Upper Melville Pond due to harmful algae bloom
State health and environmental officials are urging the public to stay away from Upper Melville Pond after confirming a harmful cyanobacteria bloom in the Portsmouth waterbody. The Rhode Island Department of Health and Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management issued the advisory Monday, warning that swimming, fishing, boating and kayaking pose health risks at the […]
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CCRI hosting cybersecurity pathways and practices at Newport campus
The Community College of Rhode Island will host Cybersecurity Pathways and Practices, a free public event exploring real-world pathways into the growing field of cybersecurity, Wednesday at its Newport County Campus. The event, scheduled for 6 p.m. at One John H. Chafee Blvd., will feature a panel of industry professionals sharing their personal journeys into […]
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Recent college graduates face uncertain job prospects
As the job market tightens, employment prospects for recent college graduates is more challenging, and in some cases frightening. College graduates are increasingly fearful of unemployment, stagnant wages, and uncertain career paths, as unemployment in New England, from August to August, has increased from 3.6 percent to 4.1 percent. “The thought of working and never […]
Posted inNews, Sports
Brunson scores 31 points, Knicks ride huge 2nd quarter to 105-95 victory over the Celtics
By BRIAN MAHONEY AP Basketball Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Jalen Brunson scored 31 points, Karl-Anthony Towns had 26 points and 13 rebounds and the New York Knicks rode a huge second quarter to a 105-95 victory over the Boston Celtics on Friday night and a 2-0 start to the season. The Knicks outscored the […]
Posted inCity & Government
Woman who escaped from boat fire off Cape Cod with her husband and son dies at a hospital
By MICHAEL CASEY Associated Press Asleep on their boat anchored off Cape Cod, the Sullivan family was awaken to their dogs barking, the sound of fireworks and smoke. Their boat was on fire. Tyler Sullivan and his parents jumped from the boat Monday night and, in the darkness, began swimming to a privately-owned island. Tyler […]
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Heritage Restaurant Group acquires Crisp Restaurant Group, adds Providence Coal Fired Pizza and Union Station Brewery
The Heritage Restaurant Group announced Friday it will acquire Crisp Restaurant Group, including Providence Coal Fired Pizza’s two locations and Union Station Brewery in downtown Providence. The transaction is expected to close within 90 days, subject to due diligence and approval processes. The acquisition marks Heritage Group’s strategic expansion into the Providence market, coming one […]
Posted inCity & Government
Abney, DiPalma honored by Preservation Society of Newport County
The Preservation Society of Newport County recognized two key state legislators as Preservation Champions on Wednesday evening at Rosecliff Mansion. House Finance Committee Chairman Marvin L. Abney and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Louis P. DiPalma received the honor for their leadership and support of historic preservation and cultural tourism in Newport County. The society said […]
Posted inFood & Drink, Instagram, News, Things To Do
Yagi Noodles teams up with Rejects Beer Co. for punk rock-fueled party
This Sunday, Oct. 26, Yagi Noodles is trading its usual dinner service for something a bit louder and a lot more rebellious. The popular Long Wharf Mall noodle spot is hosting a cocktail party in collaboration with Rejects Beer Co. and Fortune Tattoos, bringing together Asian street food, craft beer, live punk rock vinyl spins […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Woman-led organizations prepare Rhode Island for historic 2026
When Discover Newport extends an invitation, I rearrange my schedule to attend. Newport’s equivalent of a local tourism board (which was recently awarded several “Best of’ Awards)’s monthly, off-peak Marketing Meeting is a gathering I never miss. When the topic is both steeped in Rhode Island’s history and outlining and educating us on our state’s […]
Posted inArts & Culture
‘Six: The Musical’ reigns supreme at PPAC
“Six: The Musical” starts out strong and never lets up. The show – more a high-energy pop concert than a typical Broadway musical – focuses on the six wives of England’s notorious 16th century ruler, Henry VIII. It’s the latest Broadway offering at the Providence Performing Arts Center. “Six” opens with the curtains parting and […]
Posted inCity & Government
Coast Guard suspends plan to remove New England navigational aids
Rhode Island legislators welcomed the U.S. Coast Guard’s decision this week to suspend a plan that would have removed hundreds of navigational buoys along New England’s coast, including dozens marking hazards in Rhode Island waters. The Coast Guard announced Tuesday it was pausing its buoy modernization plan after receiving more than 3,200 public comments, according […]
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Portsmouth High School homecoming parade to close roads Saturday
Several roads will be closed Saturday afternoon for Portsmouth High School’s annual homecoming parade. The parade will begin at approximately 12:30 p.m. and is expected to conclude by 1 p.m., according to a notice from the town. The parade will start on East Main Road at Patriots Drive and travel south on East Main Road […]
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Patriots look to get back on track at home against Browns’ top-ranked defense
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Mike Vrabel likes the way the New England Patriots have been trending to start the season, winning five of six and vaulting to the top of the AFC East after dropping their season opener to Las Vegas. He also recognizes that Sunday’s matchup against Cleveland (2-5) is pivotal for a group that, […]
Posted inNews, Police & Fire
Coast Guard audio captures stranded family’s mayday call. ‘Our ship burned while we were sleeping’
GOSNOLD, Mass. (AP) — Three family members who swam to a private island when their boat caught fire and sank were rescued two days later after their marine radio washed ashore. “Mayday, mayday, mayday! Our ship went down in Tarpaulin’s Cove!” Tyler Sullivan told a Coast Guard dispatcher early Wednesday morning. “Our ship burned while […]
Posted inBusiness
Heritage Restaurant Group to acquire Scales & Shells
The Heritage Restaurant Group announced Thursday that it will acquire Scales & Shells, the seafood restaurant at 527/537 Thames St., which has been a downtown Newport fixture for nearly 40 years. The transaction is expected to close within 90 days, subject to due diligence and approval processes. Heritage Group, a Newport-based restaurant and hospitality operator, will take […]