U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner (D-RI) is leading a bipartisan effort to reunite Americans with their lost retirement benefits, totaling approximately $1.65 trillion, sitting in 29.2 million forgotten 401(k) accounts. In a letter to the Department of Labor (DOL), Magaziner, joined by 37 other members of Congress, urged the agency to create a uniform, nationwide regulation […]
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Posted inCity & Government
RIDOT: Temporary Road Closures scheduled in Tiverton and Portsmouth Oct. 12 – 18
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation has issued the following travel advisories for the week of October 12-18, 2024. Newport County Newport Pell Bridge Approaches – Phase II Newport: Mobile operations sitewide will occur with minimal impact to travel to wrap up outstanding electrical and signage installation tasks. Learn more about the project Temporary Road Closures […]
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Rhode Island Department of Health expands meat recall over listeria concerns
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is expanding its recall of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products due to potential Listeria contamination. This expansion is part of a larger recall issued by BrucePac, which affects nearly 10 million pounds of products nationwide. The recalled items were produced between June 19, 2024, and October 8, 2024, […]
Posted inElection, News
Newport City Council candidate Lynn Underwood Ceglie seeks return to Second Ward
Lynn Underwood Ceglie, currently serving as an at-large Newport city councilor, is running to represent the Second Ward in the upcoming election. Ceglie, who previously held the Second Ward seat, cites a desire to focus more on constituent issues as her motivation for the switch. “I was really a lot happier when I was a […]
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Washington Bridge demolition to resume
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation announced today it will resume temporary road closures in Providence and East Providence on Tuesday, October 15, as crews resume demolishing the old Washington Bridge. Starting Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m., a section of Waterfront Drive in East Providence will be closed at the I-195 overpass for about […]
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Daily Digest: Friday, October 11
Good Morning. It’s Friday, October 11, and today, we’re covering a Newport City Council workshop on the Resident Parking Program, all that’s happening this weekend, our final conversation with the candidates, and more. 👋 First time reading this newsletter? Welcome! Join more than 17,000 who wake up to us daily. Sign up here. 📢 Keep in touch. […]
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Newport man arrested for alleged drug possession
Newport, RI – A Newport man was arrested on Thursday, October 10, 2024, on a warrant from the Middletown Police Department for possession with intent to deliver a Schedule I/II controlled substance. Andre B. Williams, a 44-year-old Newport resident, was arrested without incident by members of the Rhode Island Violent Fugitive Task Force. He was […]
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Tiverton Library to host Medicare enrollment presentation
A free presentation on navigating Medicare enrollment will be held at the Tiverton Public Library on Thursday, Oct. 24 at 1 p.m. Christopher Ireland, a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) Counselor at Child & Family of RI, will lead the session titled “Medicare Enrollment 101.” The program will take place at the library, located […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council explores overhaul of Resident Parking Program
Newport City Council held a special workshop on Monday, October 7 to discuss potential changes to the city’s Resident Parking Program and review the role of the Interdepartmental Traffic Committee. The meeting, which took place at Innovate Newport, focused on addressing concerns about abuse of the current system and ensuring parking availability for year-round residents. […]
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Newport Community Electricity announces winter rates
The City of Newport announced via a press release today that Newport Community Electricity has announced its winter rates. “The Newport Community Electricity program is announcing new Winter electricity supply prices to go into effect beginning with the November 2024 meter read. Prices will still remain lower than the utility’s Residential Last Resort Service rate […]
Posted inElection
Xay Khamsyvoravong seeks re-election to Newport City Council At-Large; highlights progress on city challenges
Newport City Council Chair and Mayor Xaykham “Xay” Rexford Khamsyvoravong is seeking re-election to Newport City Council At-Large, emphasizing the need for continued action on pressing issues facing the city. In an interview with What’sUpNewp on Thursday, October 19, Khamsyvoravong highlighted the council’s accomplishments over the past 22 months and outlined his priorities for another […]
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Where refugees in Rhode Island are arriving from
During the past five decades, the U.S. has resettled over 3 million refugees, making it one of the leading countries for finding new homes for people fleeing violence, persecution, and war. In 2021, then-President Donald Trump lowered the annual cap of refugees that could be admitted into the country to 15,000. Even as the Biden […]
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Ethel Kennedy, social activist and wife of Robert F. Kennedy, has died
By MICHAEL CASEY and STEVE LeBLANC BOSTON, Mass. (AP) — Ethel Kennedy, the wife of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, who raised their 11 children after he was assassinated and remained dedicated to social causes and the family’s legacy for decades thereafter, died on Thursday, her family said. She was 96. “It is with our hearts […]
Posted inElection, News
Charlie Holder seeks At-Large seat on Newport City Council
Charlie Holder, currently serving as Newport’s second ward councilor, is running for an at-large seat on the City Council in the upcoming election. In an interview with Whats’UpNewp on Thursday, October 10, Holder discussed his campaign strategy, key city issues, and his approach to governance. Holder, who will turn 55 the day after the election, […]
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Rhode Island gets $1.6 million for Small Biz Technical Assistance
U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo announced Thursday that Rhode Island Commerce has been awarded a $1.6 million grant to support small businesses in the construction, transportation, and renewable energy industries through the RI Rebounds Technical Assistance Program. The grant, provided through the State Small Business Credit […]
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‘Six Picks’ Fall treats – The best Apple Cider Donuts in Rhode Island
A beautiful fall weekend is the perfect time to visit farm stands around the region for apples, cider, pumpkin pie, and other delicious seasonal favorites. This week, we’ve selected a few that offer a popular treat, apple cider donuts. So get out and enjoy some area farms, bakeries, and other spots around the region this […]
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Daily Digest: Thursday, October 10
Good Morning. It’s Thursday, October 10, and today, we’re covering Newport’s new mobile noise enforcement trailer, scheduled road closures and detours, Newport School Committee’s meeting, and more. 🙏 Our Fall Supporter Drive is underway! This month, we’re looking for 100 readers to become Supporters. Supporters make it possible for our 18 contributors to continue reporting on all that’s […]
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Rhode Island Airport Corporation to host virtual ‘town hall meeting’ on state airports
The Rhode Island Airport Corporation will host a virtual information session on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at noon for local officials and the public to discuss updates on projects at the state’s general aviation airports. The session will be held via Zoom, with a link available on the Rhode Island Secretary of State’s website and at […]
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Middletown Town Council appoints Interim Fire Chief, considers short-term rental ordinance amendments
At their meeting on Monday night, the Middletown Town Council named Robert McCall as interim fire chief. McCall, who has previously served in the role, will step in as Chief James Peplau prepares to depart. The council also held a moment of silence for retired Middletown Police Detective Corporal David Eddes. Council President Paul Rodrigues […]
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Brown rejects calls to divest from companies in connection with pro-Palestinian protests on campus
By MICHAEL CASEY Associated Press BOSTON (AP) — Brown University has rejected a proposal to divest from 10 companies that protesters say were facilitating the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory. The vote Tuesday by the Corporation of Brown follows a committee report recommending against divesting partly because the university has little investment in them and the amount […]
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Newport School Committee Meeting covers wide range of topics
The Newport School Committee held a meeting on Tuesday, October 8, lasting over two hours and covering a variety of topics. The meeting began with a roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a moment of silence for recently deceased community members. Student Council representative Saraya Bell, a Rogers High School senior, presented […]
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Newport implements Mobile Noise Trailers to enforce local ordinances
The Newport Police Department has stepped up enforcement of local noise ordinances with the introduction of a mobile noise enforcement trailer. The trailer, which became operational this summer, is equipped with advanced sound monitoring technology and has already led to an increase in citations for noise violations. Since its deployment, the department has reviewed 39 […]
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Ask The City Manager: Colin Kennedy joins What’sUpNewp to discuss the bond question and more on Oct. 16
Newport City Manager Colin Kennedy will spend thirty minutes with What’sUpNewp on Wednesday, October 16, at 10 am, answering our and your questions about what’s happening in the City. October 16 is the first day of early voting for the upcoming General Election, and I plan on asking the City Manager questions and diving deeper […]
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RIPTA to operate on holiday schedule for Indigenous Peoples’ Day
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) will operate on a Sunday/Holiday service schedule on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day/Columbus Day. RIPTA offices, with the exception of the Newport Transportation Center, will be closed on Monday. The Kennedy Plaza Transportation Center Ticket Window will also be closed. However, the RIPTA […]
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BrucePac recalls ready-to-eat meat and poultry products
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is advising consumers not to consume nearly 10 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products recalled by BrucePac. The recall is due to potential Listeria contamination. The recalled products were produced between June 19, 2024, and October 8, 2024, and were distributed nationwide to various establishments, including […]