The City of Newport reminds residents that all dogs over six months must have a license. Rhode Island state law requires a license for any dog older than six months. Residents can apply for a license at the City Clerk’s Office at 43 Broadway or online. The cost is $9 for spayed or neutered dogs […]
City & Government
A look at What’s Up in city and government in Newport, Rhode Island, and beyond.
Posted inCity & Government
Summer prices announced for Newport Community Electricity program
 Newport households and businesses enrolled in the City’s Newport Community Electricity program can expect to see their electric rates decrease this spring, according to a press release from the City of Newport today. Residential customers enrolled in the City’s default community plan can expect electric rates of 10.291 cents/kWh, which is below those being offered […]
Posted inCity & Government
Governor McKee, DEM, RI General Assembly announce 2024 Local Agriculture and Seafood Act grantees, helping grow agricultural, seafood businesses
Governor Dan McKee, members of the Rhode Island General Assembly, and the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today announced the 2024 Local Agriculture and Seafood Act (LASA) grantees at Newport Vineyards. More than 40 local farmers, fishers, specialty food producers obtained LASA grant awards, splitting more than $650,000 in funding on projects that will support the growth, development, and […]
Posted inCity & Government
Providence Street Bridge in West Warwick to close for two nights in April
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will be closing Providence Street (Route 33) over I-295 at the Providence Street Bridge in West Warwick for bridge work. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will be closing the Providence Street Bridge over I-295 in West Warwick for bridge work. The two closures, scheduled for 10 […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island receives federal funding to relaunch specialized certificate program for child welfare professionals
$201,639 in federal funding has been earmarked to revive a specialized certificate program that provides training opportunities for child welfare professionals, helping them better support the unique needs of children and families in need. The Adoption and Foster Care Certificate Program was established by the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth, and Families, the Rhode […]
Posted inAP
Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut receive proposals for offshore wind projects
BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut received proposals Wednesday for offshore wind projects as the three East Coast states hope to boost their reliance on the renewable energy source. The three states joined in a historic agreement that allows for potential coordinated selection of offshore wind projects. Massachusetts received bids from Avangrid Renewables, […]
Posted inCity & Government
Four project developers submit offshore wind proposals to Rhode Island Energy
Rhode Island Energy announced today that it will evaluate offshore wind (OSW) proposals from four project developers in response to a request for proposals (RFP) for approximately 1,200 MW of clean and affordable energy – the largest procurement in state history. Proposals were received from: Avangrid Renewables LLC, Orsted, SouthCoast Wind Energy LLC, and Vineyard […]
Posted inNews
Officials from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development tour Lucy’s Hearth
 Lucy’s Hearth, which started 40 years ago as a community project to fight homelessness, today welcomed Dr. Kimberly A. McClain, Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations, and Juana Matias, New England Regional Administrator of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  Originally part of a former convent at St. Lucy’s Church […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island DEM offering free boating safety classes for teenagers
With summer just around the corner, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is offering free boating safety classes for young people 13 to 17. This is a two-day course that will teach participants everything they need to know about safety, regulations, and basic boating skills. The class will take place on Saturday, May […]
Posted inCity & Government
Middletown Public Library to host free class on electronic and research tools
The Middletown Public Library will host a free class for all residents on Saturday, April 13. The class will teach residents about the library’s electronic and research tools, which are free of charge with a library card. The free class, which is open to all ages, will take place in the library’s meeting room, 700 […]
Posted inCity & Government
Sen. Euer bill would help Rhode Islanders pass on their homes without probate
While Rhode Islanders can avoid the costly and complex process of probate when they pass along financial assets like pension plans and life insurance policies to a named beneficiary, these mechanisms do not exist for Rhode Islanders looking to leave their home to a loved one after their death. Legislation sponsored by Senate Judiciary Committee […]
Posted inCity & Government
Missing 17-year-old found dead near Newport State Airport
The Middletown Police Department announced on Wednesday, March 27, that they have recovered the body of a missing juvenile. At 11:17 am on Wednesday, March 27, Middletown Police Department said in a press release that their department, along with the Newport and Portsmouth Police Departments and U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force members, located the body […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island legislature considers changes to school safety drills
The Rhode Island legislature is considering legislation that would call for changes to the state’s school safety drills, including reducing the number of drills and the frequency with which they are executed. Under current law, there are three drills per year: monthly evacuation drills, lockdown drills in September and January, and two additional emergency evacuation […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport Police Department Arrest & Dispatch Log: March 26 – 27
Newport Police arrested two Newport men on various charges on Tuesday, March 26, according to the Newport Police Department’s Arrest & Dispatch Logs for Tuesday, March 26, through 7 am on Wednesday, March 27. Arrest Log At 3:45 am on Tuesday, March 26, Benjamin Lederman, 23, of Newport, Rhode Island, was taken into custody by […]
Posted inAP
Ex-Rhode Island official pays $5,000 to settle ethics fine
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A former top Rhode Island official agreed Tuesday to pay a $5,000 to settle an ethics fine for his behavior on a Philadelphia business trip last year. The Rhode Island Ethics Commission found David Patten violated the state’s ethics code. Patten resigned last June following an investigation into the accusations of […]
Posted inNews
Exploring challenges while creating a new vision for Newport Schools — WUN’s monthly conversation with Newport’s School Superintendent
Newport’s Rogers High School has among the highest percentage of poor students in Rhode Island, and it is reflected in test scores. It is also reflected in high levels of absenteeism, something schools statewide are trying to resolve, including Newport. Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain joins WUN tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. for our live virtual video […]
Posted inCity & Government
RIDLIA Caucus outlines priorities for LEOBOR reform bill
The Rhode Island Black, Latino, Indigenous, Asian American, and Pacific Islander Caucus (RIDLIA) has announced changes it wants to see included in the state’s Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights (LEOBOR) reform bill. The caucus’s priorities include public reporting of LEOBOR cases and outcomes, the full removal of the gag order on officers accused of […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport Police Department Arrest & Dispatch Log: March 25 – 26
Newport Police Department took three individuals into custody on Monday and another into custody early Tuesday morning, according to their Arrest & Dispatch Log for Monday, March 25, through 7 am on Tuesday, March 26 Arrest Log At 8:40 am on Monday, March 25, Tyrone Smith, 49, of Newport, Rhode Island, was taken into custody […]
Posted inHistory
This Day in RI History: March 26, 1953 Lincoln Chafee is born
Former Warwick Mayor, US Senator, RI Governor, and presidential candidate Lincoln Chafee has a long and storied political history. Chafee, the son of former Governor John Chafee, began his political career as Mayor of Warwick. First elected in 1992, he served 4 terms. After his father passed away in 1999, Chafee was appointed to the […]
Posted inCity & Government
East Greenwich to receive nearly $1 million in federal funding for waterfront development
U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner announced today that he is delivering nearly $1 million in federal funding to support the East Greenwich waterfront development project. The funding will be used for a feasibility study to determine the best location for a new shoreline access path, shelter and accessible dock platform. It will also support the removal […]
Posted inCity & Government
Town of Middletown awarded $462,434 to replace the HVAC system and dispatch consoles at Middletown Police Station
Middletown will receive $462,434 to replace the HVAC system and the dispatch consoles at the Middletown Police Station. The funding will also be used to upgrade the station’s communications capabilities. The town also plans to purchase two new radio repeaters for regional public safety communications. The funding is part of the state’s Municipal Public Safety […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport Police make four arrests over the weekend
Four individuals were arrested over the weekend on various charges, according to Newport Police Department’s Arrest & Dispatch Log for Friday, March 22, through 7 am on Monday, March 25, 2024. Arrest Log At 5:10 pm on Saturday, March 23, Scott Herrman, 64, of Newport, Rhode Island, was arrested by Officer Coates on a charge […]
Posted inCity & Government
Middletown Police searching for missing 17-year-old Owen Cameron
The Middletown Police Department is still looking for a 17-year-old boy who was reportedly last seen leaving his job at Anthony’s Seafood in Middletown on the night of Saturday, March 23, 2024. Owen Cameron was last seen leaving the seafood restaurant at around 7 p.m., according to police. He was wearing a navy blue Anthony’s […]
Posted inCity & Government
Senator Whitehouse: More than $20.2 million is heading to R.I. to support 36 local projects
U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today announced that more than $20.2 million is heading to Rhode Island to support a total of 36 local projects that will help strengthen community-based programs and create jobs for Rhode Islanders. Whitehouse voted Saturday to pass a package of six fiscal year 2024 appropriations bills, sending it to President Biden’s […]
Posted inCity & Government
RIDOT provides an update on the Pell Bridge Ramps Phase 2 project
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) provided today’s weekly update on the Pell Bridge Ramps Phase 2 project. Starting Friday night, April 5 at 5 p.m. through Monday morning, April 8 at 7 a.m., extended weekend left lane closures are scheduled on both Route 138 East and West, between the Pell Bridge and JT Connell Highway […]