The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center will hold its Keeper of the Dream & Annual Meeting celebration on Monday, Jan. 19, from 5 to 7 p.m. The event, presented by Corrigan Financial, Inc. and Savant Wealth Management, will take place on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. During the event, the center will report […]
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Posted inArts & Culture
Emmy award-winning ocean explorer Richard Vevers to speak at Sail Newport on Jan. 15
Sail Newport will host Emmy award-winning storyteller and ocean explorer Richard Vevers for “An Ocean (RE)Introduction” on Thursday, Jan. 15, as part of its Challenger Lecture Series presented by Hinckley Yacht Services. Vevers, who played the lead role in the Netflix documentary “Chasing Coral,” will share the surprising reality of the ocean and how it’s […]
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A rare whale is having an encouraging season for births. Scientists warn it might still go extinct
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — One of the world’s rarest whale species is having more babies this year than in some recent seasons, but experts say many more young are needed to help stave off the possibility of extinction. The North Atlantic right whale’s population numbers an estimated 384 animals and is slowly rising after several years of […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Brown University Health moves to respiratory virus status red across all facilities
Brown University Health will require masking at all facilities in Rhode Island and Massachusetts starting Tuesday due to high community transmission of influenza and other respiratory viruses. The red status designation applies to all Brown University Health hospitals and affiliates, including Newport Hospital, Rhode Island Hospital, The Miriam Hospital, Bradley Hospital, Gateway Healthcare, Saint Anne’s […]
Posted inReal Estate
What Sold: A look at 12 recent sales across Newport County (Dec. 22-Jan. 2)
As the calendar turns each year, the final two weeks of December are almost always a quiet period for real estate. Between holiday travel, family commitments, and law offices/title companies operating on reduced schedules or closing altogether, the normal rhythm of transactions tends to slow considerably. This year was no exception. From December 22, 2025, […]
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What’s happening in Newport: Monday, January 5
Here’s a look at what’s coming up today in and around Newport. Weather Forecast Today: Increasing clouds, with a high near 36 degrees. Northwest wind around 6 mph, becoming light and variable. Tonight: A chance of rain and snow before 11 p.m., then a chance of rain between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. Cloudy, with […]
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Rhode Island Foundation panel urges R.I. to rewrite school funding formula, boost state share
by Alexander Castro, Rhode Island Current January 5, 2026 Boosting Rhode Island’s share of funding to K-12 public schools could relieve some pressure on municipal property taxes, according to a commission calling for an overhaul of the state allocation to local school districts. The group convened by the Rhode Island Foundation found the state only […]
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Revolution Wind developers seek second court order against Trump administration
by Nancy Lavin, Rhode Island CurrentJanuary 4, 2026 The year is new, but the argument is the same: The Trump administration has no constitutional authority to halt work on a major offshore wind project nearing completion south of Rhode Island’s coastline. Hundreds of pages of legal filings submitted in federal court on Jan. 1 and […]
Posted inCity & Government
Legislative Outlook: Azzinaro – ‘Fully fund the Veterans Home in Bristol’
With the Rhode Island General Assembly session scheduled to begin on Jan. 6, WBLQ and WhatsUpNewp have reached out to legislators in the Newport and Westerly areas to learn what they see as the most pressing issues facing Rhode Island in 2026, and legislation they are planning to introduce. Today, we focus on State Rep. […]
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Jaylen Brown ties career high with 50 points in Celtics’ 146-115 romp over Clippers
By DOUG PADILLA Associated Press INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Jaylen Brown matched his career high with 50 points and the Boston Celtics completed a successful West Coast swing with a 146-115 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night. Brown had 19 points in the third quarter. Derrick White added 29 points and Anfernee […]
Posted inCity & Government
City of Newport seeking public input on stormwater funding
The city is asking residents for feedback as it explores how to fund its growing stormwater infrastructure needs. An online survey is now available at www.surveymonkey.com/r/Y8KWCW8. The city recently completed installation of a tide gate under King Park, which has dramatically reduced stormwater flooding along Wellington Avenue in the Fifth Ward. However, stormwater issues continue […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council to interview six candidates for Planning Board
The Newport City Council will interview six candidates for vacancies on the Planning Board on Tuesday, Jan. 6. The interviews will begin at 5 p.m. in the ground floor conference room at City Hall, 43 Broadway. Candidates scheduled for interviews include Don Winters at 5 p.m., John Greichen at 5:30 p.m., Benjamin Willet at 6 […]
Posted inCity & Government
Middletown Town Council to consider license plate reader cameras, capital improvement plan Monday
The Middletown Town Council will tackle a lengthy agenda Monday, Jan. 5, including consideration of a license plate recognition camera network and receipt of the town’s five-year capital improvement program. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 350 East Main Road. Virtual access is available via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89688800569 or by phone […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council to kick off capital improvement planning process Wednesday
The Newport City Council will meet Wednesday, Jan. 7, to begin discussions on the city’s annual Capital Improvement Plan. The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. at Innovate Newport and is open to the public. The capital improvement planning process covers a range of projects, from playgrounds to seawalls and resiliency-related initiatives. The process […]
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How gas prices have changed in Rhode Island in the last week
Stacker compiled statistics on gas prices in Rhode Island using data from AAA. Gas prices are as of January 2. Rhode Island by the numbers- Gas current price: $2.88- Week change: -$0.02 (-0.7%)- Year change: -$0.07 (-2.4%)- Historical expensive gas price: $5.02 (6/13/22) – Diesel current price: $3.81- Week change: -$0.01 (-0.2%)- Year change: +$0.10 […]
Posted inColumns
The wit and wisdom of Rhode Island women, and how they plan to navigate a new year
It is a universal fact that the new year is a time of reflection on past events, present obligations, and future hopes and plans. Setting resolutions for the new year is an age-old tradition dating back to the ancient Babylonians from over 4,000 years ago, who made promises to their gods that were focused on […]
Posted inNews
Westerly firefighters rescue a yellow Lab from an icy pond on New Year’s Day
WESTERLY, R.I. (AP) — A yellow Labrador out for a walk with his owner in Rhode Island had to be rescued by firefighters on New Year’s Day after he wandered onto a thin layer of ice covering a pond and fell through the center. According to the Misquamicut Fire Department, volunteer firefighters and other emergency […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Puddingstone to present internationally acclaimed Sitkovetsky Trio at Rough Point
Coming off a sold-out holiday double-header concert at Redwood Library, the Puddingstone chamber music series returns to Rough Point mansion on Jan. 27 with a performance by the internationally celebrated Sitkovetsky Trio. Known as one of today’s foremost piano trios, violinist Alexander Sitkovetsky, cellist Isang Enders and pianist Wu Qian have earned critical acclaim and […]
Posted inCity & Government
URI and local colleges seek hunter-harvested ducks for groundbreaking microplastics study
Local duck hunters have a unique opportunity to contribute to scientific research this month as University of Rhode Island researchers and their colleagues from three other Rhode Island institutions launch a study examining microplastic contamination in Narragansett Bay waterfowl. Postdoctoral fellows Tori Mezebish Quinn and Dylan Bakner, along with Professor Scott McWilliams from URI’s Department […]
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What’s up this weekend in Newport County: Jan. 2 – 4
Discover all that’s happening for live music, entertainment, and events this weekend in and around Newport. Organizing an event? Add it to What’sUpNewp’s event calendar. Live Music & Entertainment Friday, January 2 Busker’s Irish Pub: Live music at 8 p.m. Johnny’s Restaurant: Briana White at 7 p.m. Narragansett Cafe: Live music at 8 p.m. Newport Blues […]
Posted inCity & Government
CCRI cybersecurity club ranks 29th nationally in fall competition
The Community College of Rhode Island’s Cybersecurity Club has established itself as one of the best in the country after a strong showing at the National Cyber League fall 2025 competition. CCRI placed 29th nationally out of 490 colleges and universities in the final Cyber Power Rankings for the fall season. The college ranked second […]
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CiderCon 2026 to bring nearly 900 industry professionals to Providence in February
While overall alcohol sales across the United States continue to soften, hard cider is bucking the trend, and the industry will gather in Providence next month to celebrate. CiderCon 2026, presented by the American Cider Association, will take place Feb. 2–5 at the Rhode Island Convention Center. The conference is expected to draw nearly 900 […]
Posted inCity & Government
R.I. lawmakers are back in action on Tuesday. Here’s what awaits them.
by Nancy Lavin, Rhode Island CurrentJanuary 2, 2026 Heading into his sixth year leading the chamber, Rhode Island House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi has mastered the art of satisfying a flurry of funding requests despite an ever-present budget deficit. This year feels different. “It’s going to be a challenging year,” Shekarchi, a Warwick Democrat, said […]
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Azzi Fudd, Sarah Strong lead No. 1 UConn to 30th straight win, 90-53 over Providence
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Azzi Fudd had 18 points, Sarah Strong scored 17 and No. 1 UConn extended its winning streak to 30 games with a 90-53 victory over Providence on Wednesday. UConn (14-0, 5-0 Big East) hasn’t dropped a game since an 80-76 loss to Tennessee on Feb. 6, 2024. The Huskies have won 52 straight […]
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Moore’s 19 help Loyola Chicago take down Rhode Island 61-57
KINGSTON, R.I. (AP) — Justin Moore had 19 points in Loyola Chicago’s 61-57 win against Rhode Island on Wednesday. Moore also contributed five assists and three steals for the Ramblers (5-9, 1-0 Atlantic 10 Conference). Miles Rubin scored 12 points while finishing 5 of 6 from the floor and added five rebounds. Kayde Dotson went […]