The Fort Adams Trust will mark Independence Week with three days of free public programming at Fort Adams State Park, anchored by its annual Fourth of July celebration overlooking Newport Harbor and continuing with tribute days honoring veterans and welcoming families. “There’s no better place to celebrate the Fourth than within the walls of one […]
News
Posted inCity & Government
Building trades council endorses Matos for re-election as lieutenant governor
Lieutenant Gov. Sabina Matos announced Monday that her re-election campaign has been endorsed by the Rhode Island Building and Construction Trades Council, which represents 16 affiliated unions and thousands of skilled tradespeople across the state. “I am proud to continue my long-standing partnership with the Rhode Island Building and Construction Trades Council and thank them […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island property tax increases jumped in fiscal 2026, RIPEC analysis finds
Rhode Island property tax increases accelerated sharply in fiscal year 2026 amid rapid growth in property values and widening gaps among classes of taxpayers, according to a new analysis from the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council. The statewide municipal tax levy rose 3.7%, or $98.3 million, in fiscal 2026, the largest increase in a decade […]
Posted inInstagram
Middletown High School graduates Class of 2026 at Gaudet Field
Middletown High School celebrated the graduation of its Class of 2026 at Gaudet Field on Saturday, June 13, capping the seniors’ high school careers with a ceremony rich in student voices and musical tradition. Principal Donna Sweet welcomed graduates, families and guests to the commencement, which featured a program shaped largely by students. Nour Chamseddine, […]
Posted inNews
Saunderstown man charged with boating under the influence after Jamestown crash
A Saunderstown man faces charges of operating a watercraft under the influence after his boat struck a moored vessel off East Ferry on Friday night, ejecting his passenger into the water, the Jamestown Police Department said. Police received an open 911 call at about 10:39 p.m. on June 12 that, based on GPS coordinates, appeared […]
Posted inNews
Kids Count – a look at Newport County Communities
The child population of Newport County is decreasing more than double the rate of the state of Rhode Island, while elementary and high school students are generally outperforming the rest of the state on standard testing for reading and math. These findings were included in Kids Count’s recently released community profiles. Kids Count, which advocates […]
Posted inNonprofit
Newport Polo’s 25th annual gala to benefit five youth-focused charities
The Newport Polo Foundation has announced the five beneficiaries of its 25th annual charity gala, a Great Gatsby-themed affair set for Friday, July 31, at Rosecliff Mansion on Bellevue Avenue. This year’s proceeds will benefit World Pediatrics, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Newport County, TeamFAME, the Newport Historical Society and FabNewport, all organizations focused […]
Posted inInstagram
Rogers High School celebrates Class of 2026 at Toppa Field graduation
Rogers High School’s Class of 2026 crossed the stage at Toppa Field on Wednesday evening, marking the close of their high school careers in a ceremony that blended tradition, music and reflection. The graduation, held June 11 at 6 p.m., brought together graduates, families, faculty and city officials to honor the achievements of Newport’s newest […]
Posted inInstagram
Home of the Week: A thoughtfully reimagined cottage just off Broadway
As someone who also calls the off-Broadway neighborhood home, I’ve always believed it offers some of the best value and quality of life on Aquidneck Island. This week’s Home of the Week, 20 Mumford Avenue, is a wonderful example of why. Back in February of 2021, a good friend of mine purchased the property. At […]
Posted inCity & Government
General Assembly passes Carson-Valverde bill strengthening school food waste diversion
The General Assembly has approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Lauren H. Carson and Sen. Bridget Valverde to strengthen a state law aimed at keeping school cafeteria food waste out of the landfill. The bill, which now goes to the governor, requires all school food service contracts to include provisions mandating the composting or recycling of […]
Posted inNews
People’s Credit Union marks 18th year sponsoring Newport Gulls’ reading program
For the 18th consecutive year, People’s Credit Union has partnered with the Newport Gulls to sponsor the FANatic About Reading Program, which promotes reading among elementary school students on Aquidneck Island. Players on the Gulls, a collegiate summer baseball team, volunteer their time reading books to children in local classrooms. As part of the program, […]
Posted inNews
Naval War College Foundation dedicates endowed chair in leadership and ethics
The Naval War College Foundation has dedicated the Andrew J. Zimbelmann Endowed Chair for Leadership, Ethics, and Character at the U.S. Naval War College. Established through a commitment from the Tony and Ann Ryan Family Foundation, the chair will provide permanent support for a senior faculty position focused on leadership, ethics and character education for […]
Posted inNews
CRMC approves key SouthCoast Wind permit over objections from fishing industry
by Nancy Lavin, Rhode Island Current June 10, 2026 The murky future for SouthCoast Wind gained a small but significant sign of clarity Tuesday with a key permit approval from the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC).The panel’s unanimous vote — the first decision made by the newly retooled council —- followed a four-hour […]
Posted inNews
Sweet Berry Farm withdraws development proposal, weighs smaller-scale plan
Sweet Berry Farm has withdrawn its application for a major development project at its Mitchell’s Lane property and is stepping back to consider a smaller-scale plan, the farm and the Aquidneck Island Land Trust said this week. The farm announced the decision in a statement posted to Facebook on Tuesday, telling supporters it had chosen […]
Posted inNews
Sail Newport to dedicate racing education center in memory of Jason Titunik
Sail Newport will dedicate the building at 60 Fort Adams Drive as the Jason Titunik Racing Education Center in a ceremony Wednesday, June 24, at 2 p.m. The building, located at the sailing center in Fort Adams State Park, was Sail Newport’s original main office and has recently been fully remodeled for use by racing […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Rhode Island issues another air quality alert for Thursday
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has issued a statewide air quality alert for Thursday, June 11, forecasting ground-level ozone that will reach unhealthy levels for sensitive groups. It is the third such alert the department has issued in under a week, as a stretch of warm summer weather continues to drive elevated ozone. […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Narragansett Beer marks 21 years since its revival with June 24 taproom party
Narragansett Beer will celebrate 21 years since its revival with a birthday party at its Providence taproom on June 24, marking the date in 2005 when founder Mark Hellendrung and a group of Rhode Island investors reacquired the iconic New England brand. The celebration at the Fox Point taproom will feature the release of a […]
Posted inNews
Bike Newport names Tuni Schartner director of partnerships and philanthropy
Bike Newport has named Tuni Schartner as its new director of partnerships and philanthropy. Schartner brings more than three decades of experience in community building, strategic partnerships, fundraising and organizational growth across Rhode Island’s nonprofit, entrepreneurial, economic development and civic sectors. In her new role, she will lead the organization’s efforts to strengthen philanthropic support, […]
Posted inNews
Pell Center survey links authoritarian attitudes to support for democratic norm violations
A new national survey from Salve Regina University’s Pell Center finds that Americans who score highest on a measure of authoritarian attitudes are the most likely to support political actions that violate democratic norms, even as such support remains relatively low across the population overall. The survey, directed by Pell Center Associate Director and Fellow […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council agenda for June 10 includes proposals on hotels, housing and tree preservation
The Newport City Council will meet Wednesday, June 10, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 43 Broadway, with a long agenda spanning policy resolutions, special event licenses and presentations from the city manager. Several resolutions sponsored by Councilor Steph Smyth are likely to draw attention. One would direct the city to […]
Posted inInstagram
Providence-Newport ferry service returns Friday with weekend stops in Bristol
Seastreak’s seasonal ferry service between Providence and Newport returns Friday, June 12, with multiple trips daily and weekend service to Bristol, the company announced. The one-hour route, run in partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, offers passengers views of lighthouses, the Newport Pell Bridge and the Providence port. Adult fares start at $12 […]
Posted inCity & Government
Chamber’s Politics & Pancakes returns June 23 with finance chairmen Abney, DiPalma
The Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce will host its next Politics & Pancakes event Tuesday, June 23, at Ochre Court, featuring the two lawmakers who chair the General Assembly’s finance committees. House Finance Chairman Rep. Marvin L. Abney and Senate Finance Chairman Sen. Louis P. DiPalma are slated to speak to the local business community […]
Posted inCity & Government
Local Democratic party leaders endorse Foulkes and Khamsyvoravong over incumbents
by Nancy Lavin, Rhode Island CurrentJune 9, 2026 The Democratic challengers for governor and lieutenant governor, Helena Buonanno Foulkes and Xay Khamsyvoravong, won the backing of local party leaders during a closed-door meeting at the Rochambeau Library in Providence Monday night. The Rhode Island Association of Democratic City and Town Chairs did not disclose vote […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Arts & Cultural Alliance to honor local artists at Raise Up the Arts event June 24
The Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County will hold its annual Raise Up the Arts event Wednesday, June 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. in Easton’s Pavilion, upstairs at the Wyndham Newport Hotel, 240 Aquidneck Ave. The evening features live music, small bites and the presentation of four awards. The Newport String Project will […]