Today, Governor Dan McKee announced six awards totaling close to $1.5 million to the dedicated service providers addressing the homelessness crisis in Rhode Island. These grants are part of the Governor’s Rhode Island Rebounds initiative and funded through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars and the state’s Consolidated Homeless Fund. These are the first round of projects […]
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DEM: Seasonal bay line is now open, allowing the public to report any environmental problems in Narragansett Bay
Submitted by RIDEM The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announces that its seasonal 24-hour Bay Line telephone information line is now open. The Bay Line number, 222-8888, is toll-free within the state. New to the program this year is the option for members of the public to report concerns through email at DEM.bartline@dem.ri.gov. Bay Line provides […]
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Family farm plots are available for the summer at the Portsmouth AgInnovation Farm
By Portsmouth AgInnovation Farm & Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District The Portsmouth AgInnovation Farm has announced that it is making available family farm plots to community members for the 2022 Spring and Summer growing season. The plots are located at the Portsmouth AgInnovation Farm on Jepson Lane in Portsmouth. The farm is located at Cloverbud […]
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Free hop-on-hop-off bus service will be offered in Newport this summer
Newport Mayor Jeanne-Marie Napolitano and Bishop W. Nicholas Knisely of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island will join Discover Newport and Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) officials on Thursday morning to announce a free “Hop-On Hop-Off” bus service promotion in Newport beginning Friday, May 27. The service will offer transportation around Newport to tourist destinations and […]
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Authors Series: Jan Brogan, author of ‘The Combat Zone’, joins What’sUpNewp live virtual video conversation
Jan Brogan’s latest book, The Combat Zone, has been shortlisted for a 2022 Anthony Award. An award-winning journalist and author of four other novels, one of which is under development for a television series, Jan joins What’sUpNewp at 12:30 p.m. today as we continue our Authors’ Series. Jan is a journalist, who is a contributor […]
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West Place Animal Sanctuary opening its gates to the public for Spring Visitors Weekend
West Place Animal Sanctuary in Tiverton is opening its gates to the community during the Spring Visitors Weekend. Visitors will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the rescued farm animals that call West Place home while learning about the non-profit organization’s important work. Founded in 2007, West Place Animal Sanctuary is a […]
Posted inCOVID-19
US making COVID antiviral drug more available at test sites
By ZEKE MILLER Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House on Thursday announced more steps to make the antiviral treatment Paxlovid more accessible across the U.S. as it projects COVID-19 infections will continue to spread over the summer travel season. The nation’s first federally backed test-to-treat site is opening Thursday in Rhode Island, providing patients with immediate access […]
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What’s Up Today: Thursday, May 26
Good Morning, today is Thursday, May 26. 🌊 Governor McKee signed legislation Wednesday making the state the 19th in the nation to legalize and regulate recreational marijuana, an issue that some lawmakers have been working on for years. 🌊 Longtime seafood mogul Allen Ricca will be at Charter Books this evening at 6 pm to […]
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Nearly 6 years later, man indicted in mother’s death at sea
By DAVE COLLINS and DENISE LAVOIE Associated Press HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — The circumstantial evidence against Nathan Carman had been lying in plain sight for years before his surprising indictment and arrest this month on allegations he killed his mother at sea off New England in a plot to inherit millions of dollars. Federal prosecutors […]
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Town of Middletown: Schools seek 4 percent increase
MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (MAY 25, 2022) – The Middletown schools are asking for a 4 percent increase in their upcoming Fiscal 2023 budget. According to figures presented Wednesday night to the Town Council at a meeting in Town Hall, the School Committee said it needed all funding — and more. There was also talk of taking an […]
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Casino workers call for passage of Rep. Tanzi’s bill to include casinos in workplace smoking ban
Rep. Teresa A. Tanzi today joined members of the union that represents workers at the state’s casinos in calling for passage of her legislation to include casinos in the state’s law prohibiting smoking in workplaces. “Casino workers are Rhode Islanders, parents, caregivers, taxpayers and human beings, and they deserve the same protections as everyone else […]
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The Coggeshall Club launches a formula collection for local families in need
In light of the ongoing baby formula shortage in the United States, the Coggeshall Club, part of the Haven Collection of Clubs, located at 82 Valley Road in Middletown, has started an ongoing collection for formula from its membership and the general public. Those who are able to donate are encouraged to bring unused formula […]
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City of Newport says it’s cracking down on speed, noise violations
In anticipation of a busy summer season, the City of Newport today in a press release said that it is stepping up enforcement of its speed and noise ordinances, with police promising to crack down on motor vehicle violations throughout the summer season. Police will be stepping up patrols to enforce existing local zoning ordinances […]
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‘I’ve got to dig deep’: Texas shooting tests Newtown parents
By MICHAEL MELIA Associated Press NEWTOWN, Conn. (AP) — As the mother of a girl killed at Sandy Hook, Michele Gay was devastated by the massacre at a Texas elementary school, with its aching parallels to the 2012 attack in Connecticut. It was all the more saddening in light of the work she has invested in […]
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Governor McKee signs bill legalizing recreational marijuana
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island’s governor signed legislation Wednesday making the state the 19th in the nation to legalize and regulate recreational marijuana, an issue that some lawmakers have been working on for years. “Together we got this job done and we got it done right,” Democratic Gov. Dan McKee said at the bill […]
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St. Philomena School Student chosen as the winner for Rhode Island in Doodle for Google Student Contest
A talented student at the St. Philomena School in Portsmouth could soon have his art on the Google homepage for hundreds of millions to see. Google today announced the 54 State and Territory winners in its 14th annual Doodle for Google competition, a contest where K-12 students across the United States have the opportunity to […]
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Feds: Fake Army general scammed multiple women out of $1M
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A Texas man has been arrested for what authorities say was his role in an online romance scam in which women were cheated out of a total of nearly $1 million by someone pretending to be an Army general, federal prosecutors in Rhode Island said Wednesday. Fola Alabi, also known as […]
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John E. Fogarty Foundation awards more than $200,000 in grants to 37 Rhode Island non-profits
The John E. Fogarty Foundation for Persons with Intellectual and DevelopmentalDisabilities (I/DD) today announced that it has awarded over $200,000 in grants to 37 Rhode Island non-profits, serving over 7,000 people with I/DD. The Foundation’s mission is to support organizations that provide services to improve andenhance the quality of life for people with intellectual and […]
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Adoptable Pet of The Week: Pepper
Meet your new best friend, Nelson – this week’s Adoptable Pet of the Week! The Potter League for Animals shares on their website that Pepper is a 5-year-old female Cattle Dog, Australian (Blue Heeler)/Mix. Pepper is considered a medium-sized dog, weighing in at between 20 and 59 pounds. Here’s what else Potter League for Animals […]
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Will Congress act on guns after Sandy Hook, Buffalo, Uvalde?
By LISA MASCARO AP Congressional Correspondent WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer swiftly set in motion a pair of background-check bills for gun buyers Wednesday in response to the school massacre in Texas. But the Democrat acknowledged Congress’ unyielding rejection of previous legislation to curb the national epidemic of gun violence. Schumer implored his Republican […]
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Governor McKee directs U.S. and Rhode Island flags lowered
PROVIDENCE, RI – In accordance with a proclamation from President Joseph R. Biden, Governor Dan McKee has directed U.S. and Rhode Island flags to be flown at half-staff at all state facilities and buildings. The flags will remain at half-staff until sunset on May 28, 2022 in memory of the victims of the senseless acts of violence at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
“We are sickened and heartbroken for the victims of yesterday’s tragic shooting in Texas,” said Governor Dan McKee. “These lives were senselessly taken. Our nation must come together and do everything we can to end these horrific acts of violence in our schools and our communities. Enough is enough.”
McKee also asks Rhode Islanders to lower their flags as a sign of respect.
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Steven Tyler enters treatment, Aerosmith cancels shows
BOSTON (AP) — Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler has voluntarily entered a rehabilitation program, forcing the Boston-based rock band to cancel the first portion of its upcoming Las Vegas residency. Tyler, 74, has made no secret of his lifelong struggle with substance abuse disorder. “As many of you know, our beloved brother Steven has worked on […]
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Sea Rose Montessori School partners with local experts for elementary aftercare and summer camp enrichment
Sea Rose Montessori School deepens its ties to the Southern Rhode Island community by bringing experts in for elementary student afterschool programs. Offering individualized and integrated learning for age 3 through age 11 – and growing to 8th grade – Sea Rose follows the proven curriculum developed more than a century ago by Dr. Maria […]
Posted inCity & Government
After Texas shooting, Conn. senator begs for gun compromise
By SUSAN HAIGH and LISA MASCARO Associated Press HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A U.S. senator who came to Congress representing the Connecticut community where 26 elementary school students and educators were killed nearly a decade ago begged his colleagues Tuesday, as the latest school shooting unfolded, to pass legislation addressing the nation’s gun violence problem. […]
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Where refugees in Massachusetts are arriving from
The Department of Homeland Security announced on Monday, May 9 that roughly 6,000 Ukrainian refugees were approved for temporary entry into the U.S. as part of a program designed to fast-track the admission of 100,000 people displaced by Russia’s war in Ukraine. While similar expedited processes have been used in the past, refugee admissions to […]