PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) are jointly soliciting project proposals for the Ocean State Climate Adaptation and Resilience (OSCAR) Fund Program. In 2021, the Rhode Island General Assembly adopted legislation establishing the OSCAR Fund as a program to be administered jointly by DEM, CRMC, and […]
City & Government
A look at What’s Up in city and government in Newport, Rhode Island, and beyond.
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island’s Great Swamp Shooting Range opens for 2024 season
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has opened the Great Swamp Shooting Range in South Kingstown for the 2024 season. The public shooting range is located within the Great Swamp Management Area and is open for 7 days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The range is free to use, however […]
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RIPTA wants customers’ feedback on their transit experience
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) wants to hear from customers about their experience with the agency. This is the twelfth annual Customer Satisfaction Survey that RIPTA is conducting. “We strongly encourage both frequent and infrequent riders to participate in the survey,” said Cristy Raposo Perry, Director of Communications and Public Outreach. “It will […]
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Reed, Whitehouse & Amo deliver over $16 million to strengthen & repair Newport’s iconic Cliff Walk
Today, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Gabe Amo announced that Rhode Island has been allocated over $16 million in federal funds to help strengthen one of Rhode Island’s top tourist attractions: the iconic Newport Cliff Walk. Drawing over 1 million visitors annually, the free trail hugs the craggy coastline, overlooking the ocean on […]
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Governor McKee seeks extension of Hope Scholarship program at Rhode Island College
Gov. Dan McKee has filed a budget amendment to extend Rhode Island College’s (RIC) Hope Scholarship program for an additional two years. The Hope Scholarship program provides funding to eligible in-state students to help them pay for tuition and fees during their junior and senior years at RIC. “Supporting students and giving them the financial […]
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McKee administration awards $204,000 in grants to 21 community-based organizations for Medicaid renewal outreach
The McKee Administration announced Monday that it has awarded $204,000 in grants to 21 community-based organizations that will assist with Medicaid renewal outreach. The grants are part of a $288,000 program launched by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to help ensure that all Medicaid recipients are eligible to continue receiving coverage. “We […]
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Traffic Advisory: Crossover to the east side of Washington Bridge to shift
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) on Saturday provided the following advisory regarding the Washington Bridge. As part of its ongoing project to reduce congestion and travel times and provide three lanes of travel in both directions of I-195 over the Washington Bridge, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will be shifting the […]
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Road Report: Schedule of lane closures and road construction projects (April 6 – 13)
The following road and lane closure notices have been scheduled by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) and Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA). All schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change. RITBA Weekly Lane Closure Updates April 7 – 13, 2024 Newport Claiborne Pell BridgeUpcoming improvements in the roadway between the old […]
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Recap: This week at the Rhode Island General Assembly
Here are the highlights from news and events in the General Assembly this week. For more information on any of these items, visit http://www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease House OKs McNamara bill to re-establish academy to assist parenting teensThe House of Representatives has approved legislation (2024-H 7560) introduced byRep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) that would re-establishthe […]
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RIDOT provides an update on the Pell Bridge Ramps Phase 2 project
The Rhode Island Department of Transporation (RIDOT) today provided the following weekly update on the Pell Bridge Ramps Phase 2 Project; “As a reminder, tonight at 5 p.m. we’ll have an extended weekend left lane closure on both directions of Route 138 between the Pell Bridge and JT Connell Highway to replace the center median. On Tuesday night from […]
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Rhode Island hires legal team to pursue damages over Washington Bridge failure
The Rhode Island Governor’s Office has hired two top legal professionals to help the state pursue damages against those responsible for the Washington Bridge failure. Max Wistow and Jonathan Savage will form the outside legal team that will be led by Wistow, who is a principal of Wistow, Sheehan & Loveley. “We want to make […]
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Rhode Island to conduct forest health treatments to prevent wildfires
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management announced plans to conduct forest health treatments to help prevent wildfires from spreading from the Carolina Management Area to nearby communities. A release from the DEM said that a crew of professional foresters would create a shaded fuel break along stretches of forestland that borders fire roads in […]
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Rhode Island Airport Corporation to host virtual town hall meeting on General Aviation airports
The Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) will host a virtual town hall meeting on Wednesday, April 17, to discuss the current status of the state’s general aviation airports. The public information session will be held at noon and is open to local officials and members of the public. The session will be held via Zoom. […]
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Rep. Carson to host a Constituent Meeting on April 16
Rhode Island House Representative Lauren Carson will host a constituent meeting for District 75 residents on April 16, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM in The Friends Room at The Newport Public Library, 300 Spring St, Newport, RI 02840. Carson represents Newport House District 75 in the Rhode Island House of Representatives. The Representative […]
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Rhode Island Foundation announces $4 million in scholarships for Rhode Island students
The Rhode Island Foundation has announced that $4 million in scholarships are available to students in Rhode Island who are pursuing higher education. The funds can be used to cover the cost of tuition, fees, and books. The scholarships are being made available by dozens of individual and organizational donors. One of the largest scholarships, […]
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What’s On The Docket: Newport City Council Meeting on April 10
Newport City Council will host their next Regular City Council Meeting on Wednesday, April 10, at 6:30 pm. The meeting is open to the public and will occur in the City Council Chambers at Newport City Hall. Here’s a look at what’s on the docket; CITY OF NEWPORT DOCKET FOR THE REGULAR […]
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Rhode Island delegation seeks updates on SBA loans for businesses impacted by Washington Bridge closure
Rhode Island’s congressional delegation is pushing the Small Business Administration for updates on how businesses impacted by the Washington Bridge closure are faring. In a letter to the SBA, the delegation noted that the closure of the bridge’s westbound span has had a major impact on traffic in the Providence area. Many businesses have been […]
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Rhode Island bill would replace Coastal Resources Management Council with new Department of Coastal Resources
A bill has been introduced that would replace the existing Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) with a new Department of Coastal Resources. The legislation is currently under consideration by the State House and Senate. The legislation was sponsored by Sen. Victoria Gu and Rep. Terri Cortvriend and championed by Attorney General Peter Neronha, who has […]
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Middletown to host a workshop on recognizing anxious behaviors in children
The Middletown Outreach Department is hosting a workshop to help parents better understand and recognize anxious behaviors in their children. The presentation, titled Supporting Our Children Who Live with Anxiety, will be led by Carolyn Souza, LICSW, Clinical Director of Children’s Services at Looking Upwards Inc., on Tuesday, April 23, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 […]
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Newport Police Arrest & Dispatch Log: April 2 – 3
According to their Arrest Log for Tuesday, April 2, through 7 am on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, Newport Police Department made one arrest on Tuesday, April 2. Arrest Log At 12:52 pm on Tuesday, April 2, Troy Butler, 50, whose address was not disclosed, was taken into custody by Detective Moseley on charges of Violation […]
Posted inAP
Biden and Trump win Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York and Wisconsin primaries
By JONATHAN J. COOPER Associated Press KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) — Voters in four states weighed in Tuesday on their parties’ presidential nominees, a largely symbolic vote now that both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have locked up the Democratic and Republican nominations. Biden and Trump easily won primaries in Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York and Wisconsin, adding to their delegate hauls […]
Posted inAP
Turnout cracks 5% as Rhode Island primary voters back Biden and Trump
by Nancy Lavin, Rhode Island CurrentApril 2, 2024 Rhode Island’s lackluster presidential contest fizzled to a close Tuesday, with President Joe Biden and Donald Trump declared winners by the Associated Press 10 minutes after polls closed. Both Biden and Trump have already clinched their party nominations unofficially based on delegate counts from prior states primaries […]
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RIPTA to hold public hearings on revised proposed service changes
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) will hold public hearings on revised proposed service changes on Monday, April 8, in Providence and Monday, April 15, in West Warwick. RIPTA first announced proposed reductions in service statewide in February as a direct response to its driver shortage, a longstanding issue that RIPTA has been trying […]
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Rhode Island Senate approves legislation to consider climate change in economic development plans
The Rhode Island Senate has approved legislation that would require the consideration of climate change and rising sea levels in economic development plans. “Our changing climate and the rising seas are a reality with profound effects on our future here in Rhode Island,” said Sen. Pamela Lauria, D-Barrington, who sponsored the legislation. “When we are […]
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Rhode Island lawmakers propose bill to improve mental health, substance abuse coverage
A new law is proposed by two Rhode Island lawmakers to address a problem they say is a result of a lack of adequate mental and substance abuse treatment coverage by health insurance. The legislation would require insurers to cover chronic or pervasive mental and substance use disorders to the same extent as they would […]