Newport Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong has been elected as a vice president of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns, positioning the city to have a stronger voice in statewide municipal affairs. The League announced its new slate of officers at its 56th annual meeting on Sept. 18, with East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva taking […]
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Congressman Amo calls for ceasefire between Israel and Hamas
On Thursday, September 19, 2024, Congressman Gabe Amo spoke about the destabilizing influence of Iran in the region and the urgent need for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. “For decades, support for regional proxies has been central to Iranian foreign policy. It has funded armed groups and terrorist organizations — including Hamas in Gaza, […]
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New York Yacht Club to host Team Racing Worlds in 2025
The New York Yacht Club, which sparked the keelboat team racing revolution with the creation of the Hinman Masters Team Race in 2000, will see this discipline attain the highest competitive level in the sport when it hosts the World Sailing 2025 Team Race World Championship, May 28 to June 1, at Harbour Court in […]
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Newport Police report multiple arrests, including domestic incident
The Newport Police Department logs reveal several arrests and incidents between Wednesday and Thursday morning. A 35-year-old woman faces multiple charges following a series of events early Wednesday morning. At 12:45 a.m., officers arrested her for violating a no-contact order. Less than an hour later, at 1:39 a.m., she was taken into custody again, this […]
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Boaters alerted to Charlestown Breachway hazards
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management is advising boaters to use caution when passing through the Charlestown Breachway after storm damage caused a crack in the wall. The DEM said the breach is currently two to three feet deep at low tide, and sediment is being pulled from the channel by the force of […]
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URI receives $795K for Secure Computing Upgrades
The University of Rhode Island will receive $795,000 in federal funding to improve its secure computing and data infrastructure capabilities. The funding, which was announced by U.S. Senator Jack Reed and U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner, will be used to upgrade high-performance computing (HPC) for researchers, scientists, professors, and students. The upgrades are expected to help […]
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Rhode Island set to receive $5.35 million for law enforcement
The New England State Police Information Network (NESPIN) will receive $5.35 million in federal funding, to assist law enforcement in 1,015 jurisdictions in New England combat organized and violent crime, gang activity, drug activity, hate crimes, terrorism and violent extremism. The funding announcement was made on Thursday, September 19, 2024, by the office of U.S. […]
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JetBlue will imitate bigger and more successful rivals by opening airport lounges at JFK, Boston
JetBlue Airways will open its first airport lounges next year in New York and Boston in a bid to compete with larger airlines for premium travelers. The airline said Thursday that it will open an 8,000-square-foot lounge at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York late next year, followed shortly by an 11,000-square-foot one at […]
Posted inCity & Government
Teachers Association of Newport instructs members to skip upcoming open houses
The Teachers Association of Newport (TAN) is urging its members to engage in a “dynamic work to contract” action, according to an email obtained by What’sUpNewp from a source who is a member of TAN. TAN President Jennifer Hole sent the email to all association members this week, outlining a series of steps designed to […]
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Senator Reed urges Senate action on Veterans Benefits Funding
The House of Representatives has passed a $3 billion supplemental appropriations bill to ensure that veterans and their survivors receive their monthly benefits, with the bill now moving to the Senate for consideration. The bill, which was approved by the House, is needed to fill a multibillion-dollar hole in veterans benefits funding. U.S. Senator Jack […]
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People’s Credit Union employees donate time and talent during ‘Day of Purpose’
People’s Credit Union (PCU) recently partnered with Farm Fresh RI and other nonprofit organizations across the state for a ‘Day of Purpose’ to highlight food insecurity in our communities and the importance of making nutritious fresh produce accessible for all in need. All PCU offices were closed on Thursday, September 12th, for employees to volunteer […]
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Salve Regina University’s Pell Center releases new national poll
Americans overwhelmingly reject efforts to overturn elections for political gain and to ban books from public libraries, but they are split on partisan and ideological lines over voter suppression and presidents being above law, new national polling from Salve Regina University’s Nationhood Lab found. Two nationwide polls “stress tested” Americans’ commitment to democratic values by asking if […]
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North Kingstown named WWII Heritage City
The U.S. National Park Service has named North Kingstown a World War II Heritage City, recognizing the town’s contributions to the war effort. This week, the Town of North Kingstown was one of eight communities nationwide to earn the distinction of being named an American World War II Heritage City. The award is part of […]
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Lawsuits buffet US offshore wind projects, seeking to end or delay them
By WAYNE PARRY Associated Press BRIGANTINE, N.J. (AP) — Opponents of offshore wind around the U.S. are pelting projects with lawsuits seeking to cancel them or tie them up for years in costly litigation. The court cases represent another hurdle the nascent industry must overcome, particularly along the East Coast where opposition to offshore wind […]
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Senate Passes resolution to protect Nation’s Estuaries
A bipartisan resolution to protect and restore the nation’s estuaries, which are threatened by climate change, rising sea levels and pollution has passed the Senate. The resolution calls for the protection and restoration of the National Estuary Program, which was established in 1987 to protect and restore estuarine habitats threatened by pollution, overdevelopment, and other […]
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Fed cuts interest rates for first time in 4 years
After hiking interest rates eleven times following the coronavirus outbreak, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) announced Wednesday that it will lower the benchmark borrowing rate by half of a percentage point. The move, which is the first rate cut in over four years, is expected to support further job creation while lowering costs for […]
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Tiverton Library to host ‘Opening the Oyster: African American Foodways in Rhode Island, 1726-Present’
“Opening the Oyster: African American Foodways in Rhode Island, 1726-Present” will be held at the Tiverton Public Library on Tuesday, October 1, at 6:30 pm. The event is free and open to the public. The event will be held at the library on 34 Roosevelt Avenue in Tiverton, RI. “Opening the Oyster” is a presentation […]
Posted inCity & Government
‘We Made a Mistake’: Newport City Council will likely rescind sewer fee hike, revert to previous rate structure
Newport City Council is poised to rescind a controversial sewer fee increase that has outraged residents, particularly those with low water consumption. The council held a workshop on Wednesday morning to address the issue after receiving numerous complaints about steep bill hikes. During the nearly two-hour meeting, many residents shared that they saw their sewer […]
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2024 Voter Information Handbook now available online, will be delivered to residences in October
Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore and the RI Department of State Elections Division today announced that the 2024 Voter Information Handbook is now available online and will be delivered to residences in early October. “The RI Department of State is committed to ensuring voters have the information they need to cast an informed ballot […]
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Newport woman arrested for multiple violations on Wednesday
The Newport Police Department’s latest arrest and dispatch logs reveal a relatively quiet period from Tuesday, September 17 at 7 am through Wednesday, September 18 at 7 am, with only one arrest reported. A 35-year-old woman, whose address was withheld, was taken into custody in the early hours of Wednesday. The arrest occurred in two […]
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Portsmouth Police arrest Coventry man on charges of Soliciting a Minor
Portsmouth Police Department announced on Tuesday that they have charged an individual with soliciting a minor. In a press release, Portsmouth Police Department said that its Detective Division arrested Jacob Garzarelli, 32, of Coventry, on Monday, September 16, following an investigation into the solicitation of a minor for sexual activity. “The investigation revealed that Jacob […]
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New performance blending opera and theater coming to Redwood Library & Athenæum
A new opera production will make its way to Newport’s historic Redwood Library & Athenæum this fall. Titled ‘Pay No Heed,’ the 90-minute performance will be written by Meghan Thomson, a Rhode Island native, lyric soprano, and graduate of the Royal College of Music in London. Pay No Heed will premiere at Newport’s historic Redwood […]
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Rhode Island launches $31 million Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program
Today, U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm, joined by Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER), announced the launch of the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) program. The HEAR program, administered by OER, will support the adoption of ENERGY STAR certified heat pump clothes dryers, electric stoves, ranges, […]
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Middletown’s A-1 Roofing and Construction and Newport resident Sara Rogers among those honored by Looking Upwards
Sara Roger and Middletown-based A-1 Roofing and Construction were recently recognized by the local non-profit Looking Upwards for their exceptional community goodwill. They were among several dozen individuals and businesses honored for demonstrating outstanding commitment to vibrant, satisfying lives for people with disabilities and children and youth with diverse needs. Named Looking Upwards’ Volunteer of […]
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MLK Center to host free, family-friendly Children’s Day on Sept. 22
The MLK Community Center invites the community to a free, family-friendly Children’s Day celebration on Sunday, September 22, from 10 am to 12 pm to celebrate 4,000 kids enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The celebration will be held at the MLK Community Center at 20 Dr Marcus Wheatland Blvd, Newport, and features performances by the Toe Jam […]