The Rhode Island Department of Health is recommending that the swimming area at Mackerel Cove in Jamestown reopen after bacteria counts returned to safe levels. The recommendation comes days after the department advised closing the swimming area at Mackerel Cove, along with several other beaches in Newport, Tiverton and elsewhere, because of high bacteria counts. […]
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Little Compton conservationist Abigail Brooks receives Rhode Island’s highest land trust honor
The Rhode Island Land Trust Council has awarded Abigail Brooks of Little Compton the Peter Merritt Award for Land Conservation, the council’s highest honor for volunteer service, recognizing more than two decades of commitment to protecting the land and character of her community. The award was presented at the council’s annual meeting on June 22 […]
Posted inCity & Government
Greater Newport Chamber to host ‘Coffee with the Candidates’ series at Innovate Newport
The Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce will host a “Coffee with the Candidates” series this summer, bringing incumbents and candidates running for governor and lieutenant governor together with members of the local business community for casual coffee hours. Organized by the chamber’s Government Affairs Committee, the series will take place at Innovate Newport, 513 Broadway, […]
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Potter League launches ‘Stars, Stripes & Second Chances’ adoption event as shelter reaches capacity
With its Animal Care & Adoption Center at capacity, the Potter League for Animals has launched its “Stars, Stripes & Second Chances” adoption event, offering 50% off adoption fees for all adult dogs and cats from June 26 through July 2. The discount applies to all adult dogs and cats 6 months and older. The […]
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Jermain reflects on 12 years, charts what’s next for Newport schools in final monthly chat
Newport Public Schools Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain joined What’sUpNewp owner and publisher Ryan Belmore and editor Frank Prosnitz on Wednesday afternoon for her final monthly conversation — capping a series that has run for several years, now ended by her June 30 retirement after more than 12 years leading the district. The conversation was equal […]
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AARP commits $143,000 in grants to strengthen Rhode Island communities, including Bike Newport
AARP has announced that nine organizations across Rhode Island will receive 2026 Community Challenge grants, including Bike Newport, as part of a national effort to make communities more livable for people of all ages, especially older adults. The grants, totaling $143,000 in Rhode Island, are part of an $8.3 million commitment by AARP nationwide — […]
Posted inCity & Government
Nine candidates enter Newport City Council at-large race as filing period closes
The filing period for Newport’s fall municipal elections closed Wednesday with nine candidates entered in the race for at-large seats on the Newport City Council, including Mayor Charles Holder, who is seeking re-election. Holder, who serves as council chair and mayor, which is chosen by all seven members of the council from among the four […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
RIDOH recommends swimming advisories at five beaches in Jamestown, Newport and Tiverton
The Rhode Island Department of Health is recommending the closure of swimming areas at five beaches in Jamestown, Newport and Tiverton because of high bacteria counts. The recommended closures apply to Mackerel Cove Beach in Jamestown, Hazards Beach and Gooseberry Beach in Newport, and Fogland Beach and Grinnell’s Beach in Tiverton, the department said. State […]
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Charlie Holder Sr. Memorial race raises $32,000 for Newport County YMCA and MLK Community Center
A rainy start didn’t deter 357 participants from running and walking in the third annual Charlie Holder Sr. Memorial Race on Saturday, May 9, an event that raised $32,000 for two Newport County organizations. This year’s race added a new 10K alongside the 5K run/walk and virtual options. Again presented by BRS Building Company, the […]
Posted inCity & Government
McKee administration awards $9.5 million for affordable housing, including $4.5 million for a Newport project
Gov. Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Executive Office of Housing have announced $9.5 million in awards through the Housing 2030 Public Developer Program, including $4.5 million for a new affordable housing development in Newport. The bond-funded program is designed to help public housing authorities and their nonprofit affiliates develop and preserve affordable rental housing. […]
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Newport City Council, School Committee races take shape as filing period enters final day
The field for Newport’s fall municipal elections began to come into focus Tuesday as candidates filed declarations of candidacy on the second day of the state’s three-day filing window. Five candidates have entered the race for Newport City Council at-large, including incumbent Stephanie Smyth. Also filing were Jane LeBoeuf, Kevin Michaud, Christine Hope Sullivan, and […]
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Providence tourism and hospitality community donate $10,500 to Glasgow children’s hospital
GoProvidence and the Rhode Island Sports Commission have donated $5,000 to the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity in a gesture of gratitude to the Scottish soccer fans who left an unforgettable impression on Providence during their stay in the region. The initial gift sparked an immediate wave of generosity, with local bars and restaurants — including […]
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Rhode Island creates commission to study sludge disposal challenges
A special joint legislative commission will study Rhode Island’s growing biosolids disposal challenges under legislation sponsored by Rep. Terri Cortvriend that was signed by the governor on Monday. The effort aims to facilitate a comprehensive, statewide solution to what has been described as a looming concern over increasingly limited options for disposing of biosolids, or […]
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Pell Elementary kindergarten teacher Diane McBrier named Newport Teacher of the Year
Pell Elementary School kindergarten teacher Diane McBrier has been named the Newport Public School District Teacher of the Year for the 2026-2027 school year. McBrier is a veteran educator with 28 years of teaching experience, 26 of them with Newport Public Schools. She has taught at Underwood School, Sheffield School, Coggeshall School and Cranston-Calvert School […]
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L.L.Bean to bring a taste of coastal Maine to Newport’s Bowen’s Wharf
L.L.Bean will bring a taste of coastal Maine to Newport’s waterfront this weekend with an immersive activation at Bowen’s Wharf, running Friday, June 26, through Sunday, June 28, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. For one weekend only, the Maine-based outdoor brand will offer an interactive showcase celebrating coastal living, outdoor heritage and […]
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David Quiroa withdraws from Senate District 13 race, citing time demands of a new job
Republican David A. Quiroa has withdrawn from the race for Rhode Island Senate District 13, which covers all of Jamestown and most of Newport, announcing he will not file a declaration of candidacy for the seat. “I will be starting a new professional chapter the first week of July, and I simply will not have […]
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Newport candidates begin declaring for office as filing period opens
Newport candidates began formally declaring for local, statewide and federal offices Monday, the first of three days in Rhode Island’s candidate filing period, with the early field already shaping up to include a crowded race for School Committee. According to a list of Newport residents who declared on the first day, released by the city’s […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week returns Oct. 1-4 with new Supercar Concours
Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week will return Oct. 1 to 4, with the eighth edition of the event expanding into a two-concours weekend for the first time. The event arrives fresh off being named Motoring Event of the Year at the 2025 International Historic Motoring Awards, just three years after receiving the organization’s Rising […]
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RITBA provides updates on bridge maintenance projects across Newport County
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority has provided updates on several ongoing construction projects across its bridges in Newport County. “We have a very busy construction season underway,” said Lori Caron Silveira, executive director of the authority. “We are working hard to complete important projects to maintain our bridges. Please help us keep our […]
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Yozura announces candidacy for Newport School Committee
Amy Yozura, a longtime Newport resident, has announced that she is running for the Newport School Committee, pledging to ensure the city’s public schools have the funding they need. A graduate of Marist University, Yozura holds a degree in communications and business marketing and has worked in both education and private aviation throughout her career. […]
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Newport OUT to host ”Murica Drag Brunch’ at Stoneacre Brasserie on July 5
Newport OUT will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with its latest themed drag brunch, “‘Murica Drag Brunch,” at Stoneacre Brasserie on Saturday, July 5. Inspired by the larger-than-life glamour of Dolly Parton, trailer park chic and unapologetic camp, the event combines drag entertainment, brunch and a patriotic parody for a post-Independence Day celebration. The brunch will […]
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Candidates began to declare for office today
Beginning today (Monday) through Wednesday afternoon, candidates in Rhode Island will officially declare for local, statewide and federal offices. Declarations come on the heels of a Democratic state convention that failed to offer endorsements in the governor’s, lieutenant governor’s, and attorney general races. Republicans meet later in the week. The declarations are the first step […]
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Canzone homers, Gilbert allows 3 hits and Mariners beat Red Sox 3-1
By DOUG MILLER Associated Press SEATTLE (AP) — Dominic Canzone homered, Logan Gilbert allowed one run on three hits in 6 1/3 innings and the Seattle Mariners beat the Boston Red Sox 3-1 on Sunday. Gilbert (6-4) struck out eight and walked two. The game was scoreless in the second inning when Canzone lined an […]
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Newport’s fourth annual Juneteenth celebration returns to Fort Adams
The fourth annual Newport Juneteenth celebration was held at Fort Adams State Park on Saturday, June 20, an expanded event that paired the holiday with a Rhode Island 250th anniversary theme honoring the history of Black and Indigenous people across the state. Presented by Rhode Island Slave History Medallions, the daylong program opened with a […]
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In Taylor Swift’s beach town, every clue becomes a wedding rumor
WESTERLY, R.I. (AP) — When a large tent appeared next door to Taylor Swift’s Watch Hill estate this week, it didn’t take long for speculation about the superstar’s impending nuptials to ripple through the affluent New England seaside village — and the internet. Soon, fans were swapping theories online, photographers were staking out vantage points and residents […]