Governor Daniel McKee has signed into law legislation sponsored by Sen. Walter S. Felag, Jr. which requires yearly presentations in public schools to address litter prevention and recycling awareness. “The life of the landfill is shrinking every single year, so it is imperative that our students understand the importance of protecting our environment for themselves […]
City & Government
A look at What’s Up in city and government in Newport, Rhode Island, and beyond.
Posted inCOVID-19
Governor McKee, RIDE, and RIDOH release updated PreK-12 Health and Safety Guidance for the 2021-2022 School Year
Governor Dan McKee, Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green, and Director of the Department of Health Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH today released an updated PreK-12 Health and Safety Guidance for the 2021-2022 School Year, which aligns with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recent update to recommend universal mask use within school settings and issued […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport to require masks in city-owned buildings beginning August 2
The City of Newport today announced visitors to Newport City Hall and other public buildings including the Newport Maritime Center and Police Station will be required to wear masks while inside regardless of vaccination status beginning Monday, August 2nd. The new indoor mask policy is being instituted as COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the […]
Posted inCity & Government
Governor, RIDOH, Newport City officials, community partners to host canvassing effort on Wednesday to encourage vaccination
Governor McKee, Newport Mayor Jeanne-Marie Napolitano, Newport City Manager Joseph J. Nicholson, Jr., Community Baptist Church Pastor Lauri Smalls, officials from the Newport Health Equity Zone, community leaders, and volunteers will come together on Wednesday to encourage COVID-19 vaccination in Newport. According to Governor McKee’s office, Newport has one of the lowest rates of vaccination […]
Posted inCity & Government
State may consider restrictions on travelers from high COVID states
Rhode Island Gov Dan McKee today said the state may consider imposing some restrictions on travelers coming to Rhode Island from states with high COVID rates. The governor was appearing on WBLQ’s morning show, hosted by Frank Prosnitz. The governor said it was possible the state would consider “imposing a quarantine on travel,” as COVID […]
Posted inCity & Government
VIDEO: Governor McKee gives remarks at Newport Folk
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee and his family enjoyed day 2 of Newport Festival’s Folk-On event at Fort Adams State Park. Just before Joy Oladokun took the Lawn Stage, Newport Festivals Executive Producer Jay Sweet introduced Governor McKee, who shared a few words.
Posted inFood & Drink
Governor McKee to sign legislation to allow restaurants to continue outdoor dining
Governor Dan McKee will host a bill signing ceremony on Monday for legislation which will allow restaurants to continue to use COVID-19 modifications, including outdoor dining. The legislation imposes a moratorium on the enforcement of any municipal ordinance or zoning requirement that penalizes owners for those modifications. The moratorium will be effective until April 1, […]
Posted inCity & Government
New legislative commission to study low and moderate-income housing act to meet for the first time
The newly appointed special legislative commission to study the Rhode Island Low and Moderate Income Housing Act is scheduled to hold its first meeting Tuesday. The commission is to study barriers to affordable housing creation and identify ways to help cities and towns meet their obligations under the Low and Moderate Income Housing Act to […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council will return to City Hall for a council meeting on July 28
The executive order allowing for public meetings to be held via phone or video conference ends on Friday. After 16 months of meeting virtually, Newport City Council will have to return to Council Chambers for their council meeting next Wednesday. You can still watch meetings as they happen, or anytime afterward, here. Here’s what’s on […]
Posted inCity & Government
Governor’s Bay Day celebration will take place on Sunday
Governor Dan McKee today signed an Executive Order announcing that the 32nd Governor’s Bay Day celebration will take place on Sunday, July 25, 2021. The day includes family-friendly activities and free parking at all Rhode Island state beaches. New this year, the public is invited to fish in Rhode Island saltwaters without a saltwater fishing license from Friday, July 23 through Sunday, July 25. The […]
Posted inCity & Government
City of Newport to host a pop-up vaccine clinic at Innovate Newport on July 27
The City of Newport today announced that it will be once again teaming up with Visiting Nurse Home & Hospice and East Bay Community Action to host a free pop-up- COVID vaccination event, open to all, at Innovate Newport on Tuesday, July 27th, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event, which is free and […]
Posted inCity & Government
Secretary of State joins What’s Up Newp for a live virtual video conversation on Wednesday
Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, who announced her candidacy for governor earlier this year, will join WhatsUpNewp for a videocast at 2 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday). Gorbea is expected to be part of a crowded field seeking the Democratic nomination for governor. Besides Gorbea, current Gov. Dan McKee has said he would run for reelection. McKee […]
Posted inCity & Government
State officials launch ‘Go Providence Pass’ reward card program
Governor Dan McKee, the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau (PWCVB), and Rhode Island Commerce today launched a program aimed to boost consumer spending at Rhode Island small businesses, especially those hardest hit by the pandemic. The “Go Providence Pass” program will provide $100 rewards cards to guests who book and stay at participating Providence […]
Posted inCity & Government
MLK Center among first round of nonprofit recipients to receive a RI Gives Vax Challenge grant
Governor Dan McKee, the Rhode Island Department of Health, the Rhode Island Executive Office of Commerce, and the Rhode Island Foundation announced today that 5,000 more Rhode Islanders have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, reaching the first milestone of the RI Gives Vax Challenge. Based on the RI Gives Vax Challenge, 10 nonprofits […]
Posted inCity & Government
Recent heavy rain extends closure of Shellfish Conditional Area A
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today announced that Conditional Area A, previously scheduled to reopen at sunrise tomorrow morning, is extended until further notice. Conditional Area closures were enacted after the rainfall that occurred Friday, July 9. DEM says this has been a wet July, with approximately four inches more rainfall than […]
Posted inCity & Government
RIDOH and DEM advising people to avoid contact with Upper and Lower Melville Ponds due to a blue-green algae
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) are advising people to avoid contact with Upper and Lower Melville Ponds in Portsmouth due to a blue-green algae (or cyanobacteria) bloom. Blue-green algae can produce toxins that can harm humans and animals. People should be careful not to ingest […]
Posted inCity & Government
Ground broken for Newport Pell Bridge Ramps Phase 2 Project
Governor Dan McKee, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, Congressman David Cicilline, and Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) Acting Administrator of Project Management Lori Fisette today joined with state and local leaders to break ground for the Pell Bridge Ramps Phase 2 project. In a press release, RIDOT says that the project will […]
Posted inCity & Government
Ground-breaking ceremony to be held on Friday for Pell Bridge Ramps Project
Governor Dan McKee, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, Congressman David Cicilline, and Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) Director Peter Alviti Jr. will be joined by state and local leaders on Friday morning to break ground for the Pell Bridge Ramps project. RIDOT says in a media advisory today that the project will […]
Posted inNews
List: States with travel restrictions upon entry to Rhode Island
If you’ve come to Rhode Island from a hot spot within the 50 states or DC, you must quarantine for 10 days or provide proof of a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken after arrival or within 72 hours before arrival. More information about quarantine requirements and exemptions for travelers arriving in Rhode Island is available […]
Posted inCity & Government
Governor McKee, DEM, and RIDOT award 22 projects across Rhode Island $1.4M in recreational trail grants
The Rhode Island Departments of Environmental Management (DEM) and Transportation (RIDOT) have awarded 22 projects a total of approximately $1.4M in recreational trail grants to support trail development and improvement projects throughout the state. The Recreational Trails Program is funded through the Federal Highway Administration and is administered in Rhode Island by DEM and RIDOT. “Our […]
Posted inCity & Government
General Treasurer Seth Magaziner joins WUN for a live virtual conversation on July 14
Rhode Island General Treasurer Seth Magaziner joins WUN for a videocast on Wednesday, July 14, at 12:30 p.m. to talk about school and green infrastructure initiatives, the passage of important legislation that expands financial literacy in schools, and for adults. He will also talk about the Treasurer’s office’s unclaimed property program, which recently announced It […]
Posted inCity & Government
Secretary Gorbea, AG Neronha warn consumers of text message scam
Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea and Attorney General Peter F. Neronha are warning Rhode Islanders of scam text messages that have been reported recently, claiming to be from the Rhode Island Secretary of State/Department of State. The most recent scam message asks Rhode Islanders to “Validate license below for state benefits” by clicking a […]
Posted inCity & Government
Children’s Night performances at Easton’s Beach kick off with Robert Clarke on Thursday
Newport Recreation has announced the return of Children’s Nights at Easton’s Beach. The Children’s Night series consists of six free performances for children and families. All shows are held on Thursday evenings beginning at 6:00 pm and are free and open to the public. Parking at Easton’s Beach is free after 4:00 pm on show […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport officials gearing up for Tropical Storm Elsa
City of Newport officials are reminding residents to be Storm Ready as Tropical Storm Elsa bears down on Aquidneck Island. According to the latest forecasts, tropical storm conditions are expected to sweep over the area early Friday morning with wind gusts of up to 50 mph and rain totals of 2-4” possible before rapidly coming […]
Posted inCity & Government
Hydrant flushing underway in Middletown, Portsmouth
The City of Newport today announced that the Newport Water Division, which supplies drinking water to the majority of Aquidneck Island, is currently performing hydrant flushing after receiving reports of discolored water in parts of Middletown and Portsmouth. After investigating the reports, the City says that the Water Division personnel determined that water being drawn […]