The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center and the Newport Community School are among the local organizations that will share more than $100,000 in grants awarded by the Equity Action Fund at the Rhode Island Foundation. “Thanks to the continuing generosity and commitment of donors to our Equity Action Fund, we have the resources […]
News
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Little Compton, Tiverton awarded $125K to combat youth substance abuse
The Little Compton-Tiverton Prevention Coalition has been awarded a $125,000 grant to combat youth substance use in the area. The funding, announced by U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, and Congressman Gabe Amo, comes from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Rhode Island Blood Center issues urgent call for blood donors
As a second potentially devastating hurricane is poised to ravage the southern U.S., Rhode Island Blood Center (RIBC) is issuing an urgent appeal for blood donations. Donors are needed to ensure the availability of blood supplies for hospitals in weather-impacted areas, as well as to meet ongoing needs in the local region. Hurricane Milton is […]
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Portsmouth history comes alive at Butts Hill Fort Tour
History enthusiasts and community members are invited to a unique tour of Butts Hill Fort on Saturday, October 19th, at 10:00 AM. The tour, presented as part of the “Discover Your Portsmouth” series, will feature live readings of historical documents by members of the Portsmouth Community Theater. The event, organized by the Butts Hill Fort […]
Posted inNews
Newport named second-best place to retire affordably in U.S.
Newport has been ranked the second-best place in the United States to retire affordably, according to Fortune’s inaugural “25 Best Places to Retire Affordably” list. Newport offers retirees a blend of tranquility and engagement in a picturesque New England setting, according to Fortune. Fortune evaluated over 2,000 locations across all 50 states, considering factors such […]
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Daily Digest: Wednesday, Oct. 9
Good Morning. It’s Wednesday, October 9, and today, we’re covering tonight’s Newport City Council meeting, the assessment of water lines for lead, our latest conversations with Newport School Committee candidates, and more. 👋 First time reading this newsletter? Welcome! Join more than 17,000 who wake up to us daily. Sign up here. This story originally appeared in […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council to discuss seasonal rentals, bond impact at City Council Meeting on Oct. 9
Newport’s City Council is set to convene at Pell Elementary School on Wednesday, October 9, at 6:30 p.m. for its regular meeting, temporarily relocating due to ongoing elevator maintenance issues at City Hall. Mayor Xaykham Khamsyvoravong views the change of venue as an opportunity to bring city government closer to residents. “We are embracing the […]
Posted inCity & Government
In response to new regulations, Newport Water Division evaluating water lines for lead
In response to new federal and state regulations, the City of Newport today published a press release announcing that its Water Division is currently assessing both private and public service lines across the City for the presence of lead. The new regulations, which went into effect earlier this year, require all water utilities across the […]
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Daily Digest: Tuesday, October 8
Good Morning. It’s Tuesday, October 8, and today, we’re covering our four conversations with Newport School Committee candidates, plans for Middletown Library, Middletown Center, Charter Books, and more. 👋 First time reading this newsletter? Welcome! Join more than 17,000 who wake up to us daily. Sign up here. 🙏 Have you considered becoming a What’sUpNewp Supporter? Join today to support […]
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Middletown shifts library plans, buys property for $3.3 million
The Middletown Town Council announced Monday night a significant change to the town’s library relocation plans. The town will purchase the 3.5-acre property at 110 Enterprise Center for $3.3 million, moving the planned library from its originally proposed location at 740 West Main Road. This move is expected to save taxpayers at least $14 million, […]
Posted inNews, Nonprofit
Newport Historical Society welcomes new board members at Annual Meeting
At their 2024 annual meeting, the Newport Historical Society Board of Directors voted to welcome Dan Benson and Kathryn “KK” Streator to the Board and renewed its slate of officers: Douglas Newhouse as President, Dwight Sipprelle as Vice President, Nancy Brickley as Treasurer, and Anne F. Hamilton as Secretary. “At a moment of growth and […]
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Charter Books named Independent Bookstore of the Year
Charter Books in Newport has been named the New England Independent Bookstore of the Year by the Book Publishers Representatives of New England (BPRNE). The award, announced at the New England Independent Booksellers Association’s (NEIBA) 51st annual fall conference in Newton, Massachusetts, recognizes independent bookstores in business for at least three years that demonstrate exceptional […]
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Sandra Flowers cites Rogers, ongoing challenges as motivation for re-election bid to School Committee
Dr. Sandra J. Flowers, a longtime member of the Newport School Committee, is seeking re-election for her ninth term. With 16 years on the committee and 30 years as a teacher in Newport public schools, Flowers brings nearly five decades of experience to her candidacy. “I’m approaching the end of my 8th term, which means […]
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Algonquin Gas conducting maintenance at Old Mill Lane station, controlled venting possible
A natural gas pipeline maintenance operation is being conducted at the Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC meter station site at 13 Old Mill Lane in Portsmouth from Oct. 7-16, during which time the controlled venting of natural gas may occur intermittently between 7 am and 7 pm, the town announced. Company representatives will be on site […]
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Special Joint Legislative Commission to study student transportation needs and system costs will hold its first meeting
A special commission tasked with studying student transportation needs and costs in Rhode Island will hold a meeting Wednesday to discuss the statewide transportation system. The meeting of the Special Joint Legislative Commission to Study Student Transportation Needs and System Costs is scheduled for 3:45 p.m. in Room 135 on the first floor of the […]
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Naval War College hosts Seventh Annual Cardines Classic Baseball Game
The U.S. Naval War College (NWC) in Newport, Rhode Island, hosted its seventh annual “Cardines Classic” Army-Navy baseball game on Friday, October 4, 2024. The game, played at Cardines Field in downtown Newport, is an experiential learning opportunity for NWC students to explore the role of baseball in shaping American diplomatic policy and global maritime […]
Posted inElection
Becky Bolan seeks re-election to Newport School Committee to see Rogers High School project through completion
Newport School Committee Chair Becky Bolan has announced that if she is re-elected in November that her next term would be her last, citing a desire to see the Rogers High School project through to completion. Bolan, who has served on the committee for approximately 17 years, made the announcement during an interview with Ryan […]
Posted inNews, Real Estate
What Sold: A look at the 25 homes that changed hands in Newport County last week (Sept. 30 – Oct. 4)
The Newport County real estate market continues to demonstrate consistent activity with 25 homes changing hands last week according to data sourced from the Rhode Island statewide MLS. Even with the change in weather and move into the Fall season, we have some prime weekends ahead of us with events like the Broadway Street Fair […]
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Fall Supporter Drive: Help us grow local journalism in Newport!
Dear reader, I’m writing to ask for your support in our Fall Supporter Drive. As a local independent online news publisher, we rely on the generosity of our readers to keep our award-winning journalism alive. Last month, we published 479 stories, many of them originals that could only be found on WhatsUpNewp.com. This is only […]
Posted inElection, News, Opinion
Letter To The Editor: Vote no on Question 1
Our Rhode Island constitution, Article 14 Section 2, states that every 10 years, voters must be asked, “Shall there be a convention to amend or revise the Constitution?” This Nov. 5, Rhode Island voters will decide that. As a former Rhode Island state representative, I have had the honor of serving on both the 2014 and 2024 bipartisan […]
Posted inCity & Government
Daily Digest: Monday, October 7
Good Morning. It’s Monday, October 7, and we’re covering the 50th Norman Bird Sanctuary Harvest Fair, a nonprofit’s race to save Sandy Point Farm from auction, the $98.5 million Infrastructure Bond Newport voters must decide on, and more. 👋 First time reading this newsletter? Welcome! Join more than 17,000 who wake up to us daily. Sign up […]
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Patriots have late TD reversed on replay and fall to Dolphins for fourth straight loss
By BRENDAN McGAIR Associated Press FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The New England Patriots were perhaps a toe tap away from beating the Miami Dolphins. Instead, the Patriots lost 15-10 to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday after rookie wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk’s leaping bid at a game-winning touchdown catch with 1:02 remaining was overturned after replay. […]
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From Then to Now: Celebrating 50 years of the Norman Bird Sanctuary’s Harvest Fair
2024 is a big year for the Norman Bird Sanctuary (NBS). This year marks the 75th anniversary of the sanctuary’s founding, and it also marks fifty years since Norman Bird Sanctuary’s first Harvest Fair. Hosting a large fair is no walk in the garden – especially considering the Harvest Fair has become a staple for […]
Posted inBusiness
Nonprofit races to save Sandy Point Farm from auction
A race against time is underway to save Sandy Point Farm, a historic Portsmouth property with ties to the Vanderbilt family, as it heads to auction later this month. The newly formed Sandy Point Heritage Foundation is scrambling to raise $1.5 million by October 15 in hopes of preserving the site as a community hub. […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport voters to decide on $98.5 million Infrastructure Bond
Newport residents will have the opportunity to vote on a $98.5 million general obligation bond referendum as part of the November 5 General Election. The proposed bond aims to fund investments in infrastructure, resilience, and community-related projects throughout the city. The bond breakdown includes allocations for various initiatives, with a focus on three key areas: […]