Former Central Falls Mayor James Diossa, a Democrat, announced today that he’s running for General Treasurer, setting up a potential general election with former Cranston Mayor Alan Fung. Both former mayors were term-limited, and both have ambitions of holding statewide office. Fung, who twice ran unsuccessfully for governor, has strongly indicated his interest in running […]
City & Government
A look at What’s Up in city and government in Newport, Rhode Island, and beyond.
Posted inCity & Government, News
Sen. DiPalma, Rep. Cortvriend honored for legislation protecting families with disabled parents
Rep. Terri Cortvriend and Sen. Louis DiPalma have been named 2021 Legislative Champions by the Rhode Island Coalition for Children and Families for their sponsorship of the Preservation of Families with Disabled Parents Act, which became law this year. The new law (2021-S 0056, 2021-H 5394) protects children who have parents with disabilities by establishing procedural […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Cold War Veterans now eligible for property tax relief
The City of Newport today announced that Newport homeowners who served in the military during the Cold War period from 1947 until 1991 are now eligible to qualify for property tax relief through the Rhode Island Veteran’s Exemption. This provision, which was passed by the General Assembly early this year, also includes the widow/widower of […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Watch: Newport City Council’s Regular Meeting on December 8
Newport City Council hosts its next regular council meeting at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, December 8. See what’s on the agenda here.
Posted inCity & Government, Opinion
Opinion: Erroneous statements were made concerning the city’s role, responsibility concerning Bishop’s 4th Street Diner property
We feel compelled to respond to an opinion piece penned by Councilor Jamie Bova regarding Bishop’s 4th Street Diner [Opinion: Bishop’s 4th Street Diner and the North End Urban Plan]. It is unfortunate and heartbreaking when a long-standing business must make a difficult decision to close or move. We are troubled by many erroneous statements […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Newport and Middletown among communities to receive grants to expand internet access for low- and moderate-income residents
Governor Dan McKee announced today the awarding of up to $1.7 million to support communities across Rhode Island increase internet access for low- and moderate-income households, helping to bridge the digital divide. “Our Administration is committed to boosting internet connection throughout the state,” said Governor Dan McKee. “Today’s awards will help Rhode Islanders better access […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
What’s Up Newp Legislative Survey: Rep. Lauren Carson
For the last few years, What’s Up Newp has reached out to Newport area state legislators in advance of the Rhode Island legislative session. This last year has been a year like none other, defined by the pandemic and divisiveness, all feeding into distrust of government on all levels. Are our local legislators up to […]
Posted inCity & Government
City of Newport seeking applicants for Charter Review Commission
The City of Newport is seeking applicants to serve on a seven-member Charter Review Commission to help the City refine its municipal Charter. The volunteer commission, which was last assembled in 2013, will be charged with reviewing the City Charter and making recommendations to the Council that would then be voted on by Newport residents […]
Posted inCity & Government
$5 million in funding will provide additional emergency shelter capacity to Rhode Island’s homeless service providers
Governor Dan McKee today announced $5 million in funding to provide emergency shelter capacity to Rhode Island’s homeless service providers. McKee’s office says in a press release that this funding will fund 275 emergency shelter beds as we approach the winter months. “Our homeless shelter providers have been frontline heroes throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” said […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Live Blog: Rhode Island Special Election Results
Voters in Portsmouth, Pawtucket, Central Falls, and Senate District 3 participated in a special election today! In Portsmouth, it was a special referendum where voters were asked to approve or reject two questions; Question 1 – SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION PROJECTS BONDS AND/OR NOTES NOT TO EXCEED $21,439,299“Shall an act, passed at the 2020 session of the […]
Posted inCity & Government
City of Newport: West Marlborough Street will be closed to traffic from Nov. 8 – Dec. 3
The City of Newport today is advising motorists that West Marlborough Street will be closed to traffic, from America’s Cup Avenue to Thames Street, beginning on Monday, Nov. 8th until Friday, Dec. 3rd, as crews work to repair and improve an antiquated storm drain. The storm drain, which runs from the eastern end of Marsh Street under the Newport Visitor […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
One-lane travel on a portion of Bellevue Avenue scheduled for this week
The City of Newport is advising motorists to expect a traffic pattern change on Bellevue Avenue this week as crews begin a permanent road restoration to the intersection at Narragansett Avenue. The City of Newport, Department of Utilities, Water Division (NWD) has awarded a contract to Biszko Contracting Corp. to restore the intersection following improvements […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Battle for campaign funds: third-quarter reports due Monday
While there are a half dozen Democrats vying for the party’s gubernatorial nomination, and one Republican whose campaign says he will soon announce, the campaigns are gearing up, at least when it comes to fundraising. Political insiders suggest that candidates are yet to get into heavy campaign mode, but are flexing their financial muscle, raising […]
Posted inCity & Government
RITBA completes transition to electronic-only tolling on Newport Pell Bridge
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) today announced that the transition to all-electronic tolling on the Claiborne Newport Pell Bridge is now complete. The last cash toll was taken at 11 pm on October 28, 2021. “Despite the bad weather earlier this week, our crews were able to complete the transition and traffic […]
Posted inCity & Government
Gubernatorial race shaping up to be an Ivy League competition
The Ivy League will be on full display in Rhode Island’s Democratic gubernatorial primary election – Brown, Harvard, Princeton, Columbia, Yale. This week’s announcement by Helena Foulkes, a former CVS top executive and former CEO of the parent company of Saks’ 5th Avenue, assured this to be among the most elite group of candidates to […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Water main flushing to take place across Aquidneck Island
As part of the Newport Water Division’s ongoing maintenance of the island’s water distribution system, the City of Newport on Tuesday announced that water main flushing is set to run from Sunday, October 17 through Nov. 4th in Newport and parts of Middletown and Portsmouth. The flushing will begin at 8:00 p.m. and continue until 4:00 […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Reps. Cortvriend, Speakman to host an online forum on ‘forever chemicals’
Rep. Terri Cortvriend and Rep. June S. Speakman are joining Clean Water Action, Conservation Law Foundation and the Audubon Society of Rhode Island in hosting a virtual panel discussion Tuesday about the dangers of PFAS chemicals, and what can be done to protect against them. The event, scheduled Tuesday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m. will include […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Agenda for Newport City Council’s meeting on October 13 is here
The following items of business, filed with the Newport City Clerk under the Rules of the Council, will go before Newport City Council at their next meeting, which is to be held on October 13, 2021, at 6:30 pm in the Council Chambers at Newport City Hall. 1. CONSENT CALENDAR (THE CONSENT CALENDAR IS APPROVED […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Senator DiPalma recognized by the Rhode Island United Nurses & Allied Professionals with an award for labor advocacy
Sen. Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Little Compton, Newport, Tiverton) has been recognized by the Rhode Island United Nurses & Allied Professionals (UNAP) with the organization’s 2021 Torch Award for labor advocacy. “It is a true honor to be recognized by the amazing and dedicated healthcare workers of UNAP. The value and tremendous work […]
Posted inCity & Government
Commission studying the reorganization of Coastal Resources Management Council will meet on Wednesday in Newport
The special House commission to study the Coastal Resources Management Council will meet Wednesday in Newport. The commission is scheduled to meet Wednesday, Oct. 6, at 2 p.m. at Seaman’s Church Institute, 18 Market Square, Newport. The commission’s agenda for the meeting includes a presentation by Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) Executive Director Jeffrey Willis and […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
City of Newport: Dudley Avenue, Pell School neighbors invited to a pop-up community meeting on flooding
The City of Newport on Thursday announced that Newport’s Department of Utilities will be hosting an informational meeting at the Claiborne Pell Elementary School on Thursday, Oct. 7th at 5 p.m. to listen and learn from local stakeholders about their experiences with flooding in the neighborhood. Over the last several years, the City says that residents immediately […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Newport Police Department hiring police officers
The City of Newport is looking for some new recruits to join Newport Police Department. Applications to join the Newport Police Department are being accepted until 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 8th. Boasting the oldest Community Policing program in the state, as a Newport Police Officer, the City of Newport says that individuals have a […]
Posted inCity & Government
Get to know Gubernatorial Candidate Dr. Luis Daniel Muñoz who joins What’s Up Newp for a Wednesday videocast
In a crowded and growing Democratic gubernatorial field, the least known, and by far youngest, is Dr. Luis Daniel Muñoz, 35, who will join a What’s Up Newp videocast on Wednesday at 4 p.m. It will be an opportunity to get to know Muñoz, a progressive who ran for governor as an independent in 2018, […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Newport Democratic City Committee to host two virtual presentations on the housing crisis in Newport
The Newport Democratic City Committee (NDCC) recently announced a pair of presentations on housing in Newport. According to Susan Taylor, Chair of NCC, the presentations come “with the idea of moving the community’s discussion forward on North End development, viewed through the lens of our housing crisis”. “We really hope the public will come away […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Two Aquidneck Island State Senators facing primary elections
Aquidneck Island State Senators Lou DiPalma and Dawn Euer will be among perhaps dozens of Democratic state legislators facing primary election battles next September, some targeted by a progressive group led by former Secretary of State Matt Brown, who announced this week that he’s running for governor. Euer was first elected to the District 13 […]