The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) will host its first Democracy Fair on October 2, 2024, in Warwick. The event, which is free and open to all, will feature representatives from local and national political parties, public advocacy groups, voting rights organizations, and election officials. The Democracy Fair is being organized by CCRI’s Interim […]
News
Posted inNews
Rhode Island aims to reduce senior falls with $600K federal grant
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) will use a $600,000 federal grant to expand fall-prevention programs for older adults, with a focus on older adults living in underserved areas. The funding comes from the Administration for Community Living (ACL), and will be used for training, equipment, and workforce development for fall-prevention programs. Falls are […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island secures $11.36 million federal grant to combat opioid crisis
A federal grant of $11.36 million is coming to Rhode Island to help combat opioid addiction. The funds are part of a grant effort to help reduce overdoses and provide more support for those struggling with addiction. The funding is coming from the State Opioid Response Grant program and will be used for a variety […]
Posted inCity & Government
It’s in the Fine Print: A look at some proposed local charter changes across Rhode Island
Sometimes it’s in the fine print. Well, when it comes to elections, that may mean something other than a list of candidates or even statewide referenda. There are some important gems hidden (or really listed) among the local questions on the ballots in many communities. A look at some Newport and Washington County sample ballots […]
Posted inNews
Newport woman arrested for disorderly conduct and assault
The Newport Police Department has provided the following arrest and dispatch logs from 7 a. on Wednesday, September 25, through 7 am on Thursday, September 26, 2024. Arrest Log Wednesday, September 25 At 2:30 pm, a 28-year-old female from Newport, Rhode Island, was arrested on charges of Disorderly Conduct and Simple Assault or Battery. Thursday, […]
Posted inBusiness
Evan Smith, President and CEO of Discover Newport, discusses industry trends, taxes, challenges, and future plans
Newport’s tourism industry is finding its footing after experiencing dramatic swings during and immediately following the COVID-19 pandemic, Evan Smith, president and CEO of Discover Newport, told What’sUpNewp during a one-on-one conversation on Thursday. “We just went through a deep valley and then a high peak,” Smith said. “The deep valley was Covid, probably the […]
Posted inCity & Government
Daily Digest: Thursday, Sept. 26
This story originally appeared in our free daily newsletter, Daily Digest. More than 17,000 wake up to Daily Digest in their inbox. Sign up now to join them! Good Morning. It’s Thursday, September 26 —the 270th day of the year; 96 days remain in 2024. 🌥️ Today’s Weather: There is a chance of showers, mainly after 3 pm. Cloudy, […]
Posted inNews
Newport Public Schools may consider moving fifth grade back to Pell Elementary School
Newport Public Schools is considering moving fifth grade back to Pell Elementary School and reconfiguring Thompson Middle School to serve grades six through eight. Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain revealed the potential change during an interview with What’sUpNewp on Wednesday, citing declining enrollment as a key factor in the consideration. “We’re going to go over there […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport School Superintendent discusses enrollment decline, staffing, school construction
Newport Public Schools are grappling with declining enrollment and staffing challenges as the new academic year enters its fourth week, Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain reported during a conversation with What’sUpNewp on Wednesday, September 25. Enrollment is down compared to projections, with about 70 fewer students than anticipated. This continues a downward trend seen since the […]
Posted inNews
SNHU celebrates Summer 2024 Dean’s List with three Newport County students
Southern New Hampshire University has released its Summer 2024 Dean’s List, including four New Hampshire students. The students were chosen based on academic merit and will participate in summer classes from May to August. Students from Newport County recognized were Albert Cuaresma of Portsmouth, Austin Coyne of Middletown, and Christopher Cosgrove of Little Compton. The […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport Democrat Susan Taylor selected as Alternate Presidential Elector for 2024
The Rhode Island Democratic Party has selected Susan Taylor of Newport as an alternate Presidential Elector for the 2024 election. Taylor, who chairs the Newport Democratic City Committee, was chosen alongside five other electors at a special State Convention held in Providence. The convention, mandated by Rhode Island General Laws, brought together Democratic candidates for […]
Posted inNews
Jamestown’s Jack Fallon earns Gold Stars for Academic Excellence at Citadel
Jack Fallon from Jamestown is one of more than 620 cadets and students across the country who received gold stars for their academic achievements this spring, according to a press release from The Citadel. The Citadel is a military college located in Charleston, SC. Enrollment is not required to serve in the military, but about […]
Posted inArts & Culture, News, Sports
Aaron Hernandez ‘American Sports Story’ series wants to show a different view of the disgraced NFLer
By KAITLYN HUAMANI and ALICIA RANCILIO Associated Press From a podcast to multiple documentaries, the rise and fall of the once revered NFL star Aaron Hernandez is certainly well documented. An FX limited series is latest to rehash the saga, attempting to go beyond the headlines and dig deeper into his story. “American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez” […]
Posted inNews
Expert on meditation and near-death experiences to speak in Tiverton
The Tiverton Public Library will be hosting a free event on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, featuring a talk by Dr. Alan Post on the topic of “ Meditation and the Near Death Experience.” The event is free and open to the public and will take place at 6:30 pm in the library located at 34 […]
Posted inNews, Police & Fire
Newport man arrested for disorderly conduct and trespassing
Newport’s police activity remained low from Tuesday morning through early Wednesday, according to the latest arrest and dispatch logs. The 24-hour period starting at 7 am Tuesday saw no arrests, with the calm streak ending just after midnight. At 1:15 a.m. Wednesday, officers arrested a 39-year-old Newport man. He’s facing charges of disorderly conduct, resisting […]
Posted inNews
Building Bridges: CCRI to host fair chance hiring summit
The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) will host its next “Building Bridges” event on October 4, bringing together employers, community organizations, and other stakeholders to discuss opportunities for people leaving prison. The event, titled “Building Bridges: Fair Chance Hiring Summit – Leveraging Fair Chance Hiring for a More Inclusive Rhode Island Workforce,” aims to […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island secures $500K for cold case investigations
Rhode Island will receive $500,000 to improve the state’s cold case investigative capacity, as announced by U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo. “This federal funding for Attorney General Neronha and his skilled team of prosecutors, investigators, and law enforcement personnel will help make Rhode Island safer […]
Posted inNews
Daily Digest: Wednesday, Sept. 25
This story originally appeared in our free daily newsletter, Daily Digest. More than 17,000 wake up to Daily Digest in their inbox. Sign up now to join them! It’s Wednesday, September 25 —the 269th day of the year; 97 days remain in 2024. 🌥️ Today’s Weather: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64°. Sunrise was at 6:35 […]
Posted inCity & Government
Amid labor dispute, Newport Superintendent Jermain joins WUN for monthly conversation
When we speak with Newport Superintendent of Schools Colleen Burns Jermain at 1:30 pm today we’ll be halfway through the schools’ open houses and know whether teachers have adhered to their union’s instructions to boycott the open houses. In her recent message to families, Jermain recognized the “labor disagreements,” but was hopeful that “all our […]
Posted inNews
Newport City Council to discuss short-term rental litigation in Executive Session
The Newport City Council will meet in executive session prior to their Regular Council Meeting on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, to discuss the potential litigation over the city’s ban on short-term property rentals in commercial zoning districts. The council will meet in an executive session in the Teachers’ Lounge at Pell Elementary School at approximately […]
Posted inNews
Middletown Valley unveils new trail extension
Middletown Valley, a 50-acre park nestled in the heart of Middletown, has seen notable enhancements with the completion of a new trail extension. Public Works Director Robert Hanley expressed his delight, stating, “I think it looks great and every time I’m by the Valley, I see people out using the trails. That’s what these spaces […]
Posted inNews
Middletown secures $750K for shoreline upgrade
The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank announced today that Middletown is among eight communities across the state to receive a share of $5.2 million in grants to fund projects aimed at strengthening the towns against the impacts of climate change. The funding comes from a $16 million bond approved by voters in 2022 that dedicates the […]
Posted inNews, Real Estate
Cities with the most expensive homes in Rhode Island
Purchasing a home is one of the most important investments there is. More than a place to live, homeownership is an asset with the potential to tremendously rise in value. But with home prices reaching record heights, affordability plays a huge role for buyers. The typical home value in the United States was $362,143 in […]
Posted inNews
People’s Credit Union welcomes new Board Members
People’s Credit Union recently elected several members to the Board of Directors and Supervisory Committee, as announced in a press release on September 24, 2024. The appointments include 3-year terms for John Trifero and Timothy DelGiudice, and a one-year term for Steven Kozlowski. Trifero is a retired naval undersea warfare center employee, DelGiudice is a […]
Posted inNews
Operation Stand Down Rhode Island awarded $100K grant
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded Operation Stand Down Rhode Island with a $100,000 grant to help the organization support recently separated veterans and their spouses with employment services. The funding will allow Operation Stand Down Rhode Island to offer resume assistance, interview training, job placement services and other resources to help veterans […]