Congressional leaders from both parties have come to a bipartisan agreement on a $1.7 trillion appropriations package for the remainder of fiscal year 2023. The package, which was crafted and passed over the past year, will fund the federal government and invest in a range of priorities, including health care, education, seniors, veterans, energy assistance […]
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Maine woman sentenced to 47 years in death of 3-year-old son
BELFAST,Maine (AP) — A Maine woman convicted in the fatal beating of her 3-year-old son — a crime that led to child welfare reforms in the state — was sentenced to 47 years in prison on Tuesday. Jessica Trefethen, 36, of Stockton Springs, was convicted of depraved indifference murder in the death of her son, […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island launches $2.5 million ventilation initiative to improve indoor air quality in small businesses
Governor Dan McKee has announced a request for proposals for a new Ventilation Initiative aimed at improving indoor air quality in small businesses across the state. The initiative, which will be run by the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, will provide approximately $2.5 million in grants to eligible small businesses, which will be reimbursed for expenses […]
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Woonsocket Defense Contractor settles False Claims Act investigation for foreign goods
The United States Attorney’s Office has announced the resolution of a civil False Claims Act investigation into Hyman Brickle & Son, a Woonsocket, Rhode Island-based textile manufacturing company that supplies products to the US military. The investigation focused on allegations that the company sold woolen blankets to the US Department of Defense despite knowing that […]
Posted inCity & Government
League of Women Voters Newport County to hold Candlelight Vigil commemorating January 6th Insurrection
On January 6th, 2023, the League of Women Voters Newport County (LWVNC) will hold a Candlelight Vigil from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm in Washington Square to commemorate the events that occurred on January 6, 2021. The vigil, titled “Lest We Forget: Votes not Violence,” is being held to stand as a reminder that the […]
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HII’s Pharos System demonstrates launch and recovery of unmanned vehicle in Newport
Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), a global all-domain defense partner, today announced that it has successfully demonstrated the launch and recovery of a large-size unmanned undersea vehicle (UUV) in collaboration with the US Navy. Using HII’s Pharos system and an amphibious ship, the company’s Advanced Technology Group, comprising members from its Mission Technologies and Ingalls Shipbuilding […]
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11th Hour Racing awards grants to nonprofits for Ocean Ecosystem Restoration
11th Hour Racing, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting ocean literacy and stewardship, has announced eight new grants, funded by The Schmidt Family Foundation, to nonprofit organizations in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. In total, the organization has awarded nearly $4 million in grants to nonprofit organizations this year. These grants support initiatives that advance […]
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Ágora Cultural Architects receives $700,000 grant from Mellon Foundation for Puerto Rican Cultural Corridor in Eastern United States
Ágora Cultural Architects, a cultural undertaking that promotes Latino arts and culture in the United States, has received a $700,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation to develop a Puerto Rican “cultural corridor” in the Eastern United States. The project, called Bori-Corridor, aims to connect Puerto Rican artists in the diaspora, particularly in Massachusetts, New York, […]
Posted inCity & Government
RIPTA to close offices and operate reduced service on Christmas and New Year’s Day
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) has announced that it will be closed on Monday, December 26, 2022 and Monday, January 2, 2023. This includes all RIPTA offices, except for the Customer Service call center and RIde office. In observance of the upcoming holidays, RIPTA will operate all fixed-route bus service on a Sunday/Holiday […]
Posted inBusiness
Newport Hospital generates $54 million in annual economic impact, study finds
Newport Hospital generates $54 million in annual economic impact in the region, according to a study conducted by business students at Salve Regina University in an Introduction to Econometrics class. The study, which was commissioned by Crista Durand, the CEO of Newport Hospital, was recently presented to the hospital’s leadership team in a presentation at […]
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Breeze Airways announces summer schedule for T.F. Green, includes non-stop routes to Columbus, Cincinnati, and Los Angeles
Breeze Airways has announced new flights and resumed service between T. F. Green International Airport (PVD) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in 2023. From May 17, the airline will offer non-stop service between the two airports twice a week. The new route is part of Breeze Airways’ expansion at PVD, which already offers flights […]
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What’s Up Today: Tuesday, December 20
Good Morning! Today’s newsletter is 859 words — a 4-minute read. 🌙 Today is Tuesday, December 20. The last full day of fall, as the Winter Solstice begins at 4:47 pm tomorrow. In honor of the Winter Solstice, the Tiverton Land Trust will host a Winter Solstice Tree Lighting tomorrow, the shortest day of the […]
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Adoptable Dog of the Week: Mabel
Meet your new best friend, Mabel – this week’s Adoptable Dog of the Week! The Potter League for Animals shares on their website that Mabel is a 5-year-old female Coonhound, Bluetick. Here’s what else Potter League for Animals has to say about Mabel; Meet the mischievous Miss Mabel. Mabel is all hound, all day long. […]
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Rhode Island soldiers send holiday greetings from overseas
Soldiers from Rhode Island are sending holiday greetings back home from overseas, where they are currently deployed on various missions. The soldiers are members of the 2nd Infantry Division – U.S .Army. The 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-US Combined Division is the last remaining permanently forward-stationed division in the U.S. Army, according to the unit’s website. The […]
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URI Men’s Basketball team forced to cancel game against Milwaukee due to COVID-19
University of Rhode Island’s Men’s Basketball team has announced that their game against Milwaukee on Thursday has been canceled due to a COVID-19 outbreak within the program. Multiple players and staff members have tested positive for the virus, leading to the decision to cancel the game for the safety of all involved. The cancellation is […]
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Rhode Island ranked 20th on list of states with the most active hate groups
The number of active hate groups in the U.S. has been declining since 2018, a trend that may be surprising considering the fact that hate crimes are on the rise, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Furthermore, the actions of extremist groups—including those that instigated and participated in the Jan. 6 capitol insurrection—seem more […]
Posted inCity & Government
Ex-Rep. Joe Kennedy III named envoy to Northern Ireland
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration named former Rep. Joe Kennedy III as a special envoy to Northern Ireland on Monday, turning to a member of a storied Irish American political dynasty to deal with post-Brexit economic tensions. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Kennedy’s appointment as economic affairs envoy to Northern Ireland. Kennedy “will […]
Posted inCity & Government
New Inflation Reduction Act offers energy-saving incentives to Rhode Island residents
As concerns about the impacts of climate change and rising utility costs continue to grow among Rhode Island residents, Congress has passed a new law that aims to make clean energy more affordable and accessible. The Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law by President Biden earlier this summer, offers a range of incentives and tax […]
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Christmas tree demand remains high despite inflation
By DAVID SHARP Associated Press SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — For all the worries about inflation and the economy, Americans aren’t scrimping on a centerpiece of many celebrations this holiday season: the Christmas tree. Retailers from Home Depot and Lowes to mom and pop operations raised their prices on trees — but people are still buying […]
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Why supporting What’sUpNewp is vital for our community
What’sUpNewp is a local, independent newsroom that covers Newport and Rhode Island. As a community-driven news source, What’sUpNewp plays a vital role in keeping residents informed about the issues that matter most to them. By supporting What’sUpNewp, you can help ensure that important local news and information is available to all members of the community. […]
Posted inWeather
National Weather Service issues Small Craft Advisory for Boston Harbor and Narragansett Bay
The National Weather Service has issued a Small Craft Advisory for Boston Harbor and Narragansett Bay, effective until 4 AM EST Tuesday. This advisory warns of hazardous conditions for small craft due to strong northwest winds of 15 to 20 kts with gusts up to 30 kts and waves around 3 feet. Mariners, particularly those […]
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What’s Up Today: Monday, December 19
Good Morning! Today’s newsletter is 1,061 words — a wicked good 5-minute read. 🕎 Happy Hanukkah to all those who celebrate! WUN’s Gerry Goldstein has a bit more to say about the holiday – Spelling aside, ‘Chanukah’ brightens the season ☀️ This Christmas week is forecast to have mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies, with a […]
Posted inCity & Government
State House homeless encampment removed after legal fight
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Workers removed tents set up outside of Rhode Island’s State House on Saturday after a judge sided with Democratic Gov. Dan McKee in a lawsuit over the people who had been camping there to protest a lack of adequate housing. The ACLU and the R.I. Center for Justice had sued on […]
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Top stories on What’sUpNewp last week
Here’s a look at the What’sUpNewp stories that were read and talked about the most last week, December 11 – 17, 2022.
Posted inBusiness
Best-performing Rhode Island stocks last week
Stacker compiled a list of the best-performing stocks in Rhode Island last week using data from IEX Cloud. Stocks are ranked by the highest percent price change from Dec. 9 to Dec. 16. Stocks headquartered in Rhode Island, listed on the Russell 3000, and a market cap over $5.0 billion on October 27th were considered. […]