With President’s Day here, we got to thinking – “just how many of U.S. Presidents have visited Newport, RI?” It’s an easier question to ask than answer as we learned as we started to go through data as many past and future U.S. Presidents have been guest in private homes for dinner, fundraisers or events without […]
News
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Flags to fly at half-staff, State House to be Illuminated in honor of the lives lost in Station Nightclub Fire
Governor Dan McKee released the following statement today to mark the 20th anniversary of the Station nightclub fire: “February 20th will forever be a tragic and difficult day in Rhode Island’s history. Today, we mourn the 100 lives lost in the Station nightclub fire and the hundreds more whose lives will never be the same. […]
Posted inOpinion
February 20, 2023: The Station Fire 20 years later
This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the Station Nightclub Fire, a tragedy that left an indelible scar on the psyche of many Rhode Islanders. In a state this small, if you didn’t know someone directly affected, chances are you know someone affected indirectly by the events that night. And while the scar may have […]
Posted inHistory
Famous speeches from every US president
Presidential speeches have been an invaluable part of U.S. democracy since Washington’s inaugural address on April 30, 1789. While much of the oral tradition has remained unchanged, the evolution of mass communication has turned speeches into conversations. Using historical documents, government and political science websites, and news articles, Stacker curated a gallery of famous speeches […]
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Shed fire at Sunny Acres Mobile Home Park extends to sing-family dwelling
Just after 2 pm Portsmouth Fire Department responded to the Sunny Acres Mobile Home Park off Bristol Ferry Road in Portsmouth for a shed fire. “At 1415 hours multiple 911 calls reported a Shed Fire in the Sunny Acres Mobile Home Park. Engine 3, Engine 1, and Tower Ladder 1 arrived to find a fully […]
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How gas prices have changed in Rhode Island in the last week
Prices are holding steady as drivers demanded less gas over the last week. A gallon of gas was $3.42 on average, according to AAA gas price data. Stacker compiled statistics on gas prices in Rhode Island. Gas prices are as of February 17. The state gas tax data is from World Population Review. Colorado, Florida […]
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Fewer people are taking out mortgages as interest rates increase
Americans are taking out fewer mortgage loans as interest rates increase, a reflection of buyer uncertainty amid rising inflation, higher interest rates, and concerns about economic slowdowns. And even as mortgage rates hover near highs not seen in 20 years, mortgage amounts have yet to fall back to pre-pandemic levels. Experian examined mortgage rate data […]
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US presidents who only served one term or less, ranked
Research has found that the successes and failures of most presidents fade from public memory within 50 to 100 years after they leave the White House. This is especially true for the many bearded men of the 19th century, as some historians call them, who held the country’s highest office for one term or less. […]
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Visualizing solar power capacity across the US
When Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022, billions of dollars were appropriated and millions of acres were reserved for renewable energy expansion. This unprecedented investment—an estimated $369 billion for climate and energy funding—spurred private industry to get in on the action. Morningstar Direct, as reported by CNBC, found that upwards of $425 […]
Posted inNews
Top 10 most-read stories this week: Newport Casino project; Real Estate transactions; Stars of the Industry
Catch up on all the most popular What’sUpNewp stories of the week, Feb. 12 – 18! Over the last seven days, these stories received the most page views on WhatsUpNewp.com.
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Smoke in lavatory prompts emergency landing in Rhode Island
WARWICK, R.I. (AP) — A flight headed to Washington, D.C., returned to Rhode Island for an emergency landing Friday because of smoke in the airplane’s lavatory. Air Wisconsin Flight 3737 returned safely to T.F. Green International Airport in Warwick after the crew declared an emergency because of smoke in the lavatory, according to the Federal […]
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Environmental officials monitoring reports of falling soot
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut environmental officials were monitoring reports Friday of sooty matter being found on parked cars throughout the state. The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said it was unclear what exactly was falling from the sky or why, but it had not led to unhealthy air quality. In a statement, […]
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50 songs you won’t believe are turning 50 this year
The 1970s was a tumultuous time, full of upheaval on many fronts, from the end of the Vietnam War to the dawn of personal computers. It makes sense that its music had a similar helter-skelter feel. The early ’70s were a musical melting pot where genres like rock, reggae, funk, and pop could coexist. Ingenuity […]
Posted inCity & Government
From prescription drug costs to peanut butter cups: Highlights from Rhode Island General Assembly’s Week in Review
Rhode Island General Assembly has been busy passing legislation aimed at improving the state’s education system, public safety, nursing home care, and more this week. The following are some highlights from this week’s news and events at the General Assembly. The House of Representatives passed legislation sponsored by Rep. William W. O’Brien (D-Dist. 54, North […]
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New veterans secretary named following deadly 2020 outbreak
By STEVE LeBLANC Associated Press BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey on Friday announced that she is appointing Democratic state Rep. Jon Santiago to serve as the state’s first Cabinet-level veterans’ secretary. The action comes after lawmakers last year approved a bill creating the Executive Office of Veterans’ Services in response to the deaths […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News, Things To Do
Community Outreach Event to be held at Sandywoods on March 13
The Sandywoods Farm Community Center in Tiverton, RI, is set to host a Community Outreach Event on Monday, March 13th, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. The event is free and open to the public, and attendees can expect to find a variety of activities for children and teens. The event will also highlight the social […]
Posted inNews, Weather
Presidents Day Weekend Weather Forecast
As President’s Day Weekend approaches, many people across the country are planning their long weekend getaways and outdoor activities. However, the National Weather Service is warning of some inclement weather for Newport, Rhode Island that may impact those plans. This afternoon, the forecast calls for showers and patchy fog, with a high near 54. It […]
Posted inNews, Weather
Maine requests disaster declaration for December storm
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Democratic Gov. Janet Mills requested a federal disaster declaration for seven Maine counties for damage from a wild December storm that left tens of thousands of people in the dark for Christmas. The storm caused coastal flooding and road washouts, wind damage and power outages, and other problems, she wrote Thursday […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Cumberland, Cranston, and Narragansett Fire Departments awarded $4.5 million in federal grants to enhance public safety
Three fire departments in Rhode Island have been awarded new federal grants to hire additional firefighters, acquire updated communications equipment, and increase public safety in the latest round of funding made available through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) programs. Today, U.S. Senators Jack Reed, Sheldon […]
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Maine Senate swiftly confirms justice to state supreme court
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Maine Senate acted swiftly to confirm to the state supreme court a judge who was responsible for innovations in drug treatment and mental health cases. The Senate voted 26-1 Thursday to confirm Justice Wayne Douglas to the Supreme Judicial Court in the first floor session since his nomination was advanced […]
Posted inBusiness, News
Boston makes pandemic outdoor dining program permanent
BOSTON (AP) — Boston’s outdoor dining program initiated early in the coronavirus pandemic to help drive up business at struggling restaurants has been made permanent, but with some stricter rules to address unique challenges in the city’s North End. Restaurants in most city neighborhoods will be allowed to set up tables on sidewalks and some […]
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OHPRI’s Perry Corps named Sail Training Program of the Year; Bart Dunbar Receives Lifetime Achievement Award
By Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island The local non-profit organization Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island (OHPRI) was honored last week at Tall Ships America’s 50th Annual Conference on Sail Training and Sea Education when its Perry Corps program was named Sail Training Program of the Year for 2022. The three-day conference, held at the Newport Marriott, hosted nearly […]
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Man accused of naming fake companies, dead people, for loans
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A New Hampshire man has been indicted on charges of fraudulently obtaining more than $1 million in CARES Act loans for nonexistent companies and using the identities of dead people in his applications. The federal grand jury indictment alleges that Heath Gauthier, 46, of Rochester, fraudulently applied for more than a […]
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20 of the strangest natural phenomena in America
As the fourth-largest country in the world, the United States has a vast assortment of picture-perfect natural scenery to flaunt. From the Alaskan Tundra to the Gulf of Mexico, Niagara Falls to the Hawaiian Islands, the contrasts between the 50 American states and five territories are fascinating and sometimes enigmatic. Geological, physical, chemical, and biological […]
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The Conversation U.S. weekly news quiz
Fritz Holznagel, The Conversation We hope you’ve enjoyed this quiz from our newish quizmaster, Fritz Holznagel, a past winner of the Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions. If you have feedback on the quiz, please send us an email at us.quiz@theconversation.com. Fritz Holznagel, Quizmaster, The Conversation This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons […]