By MICHAEL CASEY Associated Press Asleep on their boat anchored off Cape Cod, the Sullivan family was awaken to their dogs barking, the sound of fireworks and smoke. Their boat was on fire. Tyler Sullivan and his parents jumped from the boat Monday night and, in the darkness, began swimming to a privately-owned island. Tyler […]
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Heritage Restaurant Group acquires Crisp Restaurant Group, adds Providence Coal Fired Pizza and Union Station Brewery
The Heritage Restaurant Group announced Friday it will acquire Crisp Restaurant Group, including Providence Coal Fired Pizza’s two locations and Union Station Brewery in downtown Providence. The transaction is expected to close within 90 days, subject to due diligence and approval processes. The acquisition marks Heritage Group’s strategic expansion into the Providence market, coming one […]
Posted inCity & Government
Abney, DiPalma honored by Preservation Society of Newport County
The Preservation Society of Newport County recognized two key state legislators as Preservation Champions on Wednesday evening at Rosecliff Mansion. House Finance Committee Chairman Marvin L. Abney and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Louis P. DiPalma received the honor for their leadership and support of historic preservation and cultural tourism in Newport County. The society said […]
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Yagi Noodles teams up with Rejects Beer Co. for punk rock-fueled party
This Sunday, Oct. 26, Yagi Noodles is trading its usual dinner service for something a bit louder and a lot more rebellious. The popular Long Wharf Mall noodle spot is hosting a cocktail party in collaboration with Rejects Beer Co. and Fortune Tattoos, bringing together Asian street food, craft beer, live punk rock vinyl spins […]
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Woman-led organizations prepare Rhode Island for historic 2026
When Discover Newport extends an invitation, I rearrange my schedule to attend. Newport’s equivalent of a local tourism board (which was recently awarded several “Best of’ Awards)’s monthly, off-peak Marketing Meeting is a gathering I never miss. When the topic is both steeped in Rhode Island’s history and outlining and educating us on our state’s […]
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‘Six: The Musical’ reigns supreme at PPAC
“Six: The Musical” starts out strong and never lets up. The show – more a high-energy pop concert than a typical Broadway musical – focuses on the six wives of England’s notorious 16th century ruler, Henry VIII. It’s the latest Broadway offering at the Providence Performing Arts Center. “Six” opens with the curtains parting and […]
Posted inCity & Government
Coast Guard suspends plan to remove New England navigational aids
Rhode Island legislators welcomed the U.S. Coast Guard’s decision this week to suspend a plan that would have removed hundreds of navigational buoys along New England’s coast, including dozens marking hazards in Rhode Island waters. The Coast Guard announced Tuesday it was pausing its buoy modernization plan after receiving more than 3,200 public comments, according […]
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Portsmouth High School homecoming parade to close roads Saturday
Several roads will be closed Saturday afternoon for Portsmouth High School’s annual homecoming parade. The parade will begin at approximately 12:30 p.m. and is expected to conclude by 1 p.m., according to a notice from the town. The parade will start on East Main Road at Patriots Drive and travel south on East Main Road […]
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Patriots look to get back on track at home against Browns’ top-ranked defense
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Mike Vrabel likes the way the New England Patriots have been trending to start the season, winning five of six and vaulting to the top of the AFC East after dropping their season opener to Las Vegas. He also recognizes that Sunday’s matchup against Cleveland (2-5) is pivotal for a group that, […]
Posted inNews, Police & Fire
Coast Guard audio captures stranded family’s mayday call. ‘Our ship burned while we were sleeping’
GOSNOLD, Mass. (AP) — Three family members who swam to a private island when their boat caught fire and sank were rescued two days later after their marine radio washed ashore. “Mayday, mayday, mayday! Our ship went down in Tarpaulin’s Cove!” Tyler Sullivan told a Coast Guard dispatcher early Wednesday morning. “Our ship burned while […]
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Heritage Restaurant Group to acquire Scales & Shells
The Heritage Restaurant Group announced Thursday that it will acquire Scales & Shells, the seafood restaurant at 527/537 Thames St., which has been a downtown Newport fixture for nearly 40 years. The transaction is expected to close within 90 days, subject to due diligence and approval processes. Heritage Group, a Newport-based restaurant and hospitality operator, will take […]
Posted inCity & Government
Prudence Island water association receives $100,000 grant for system upgrades
The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank has closed on a $100,000 loan with full principal forgiveness for the Prudence Park Water Association to install new pressure tanks and a flow meter, officials announced Thursday. The grant will fund critical infrastructure improvements for the small, nonprofit public drinking water system on Prudence Island’s west side. The system […]
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Tiverton police launch online crime mapping tool
The Tiverton Police Department has launched a new community crime mapping page on its website, providing residents with an interactive tool to view recent police activity and general crime trends. The department announced the launch Wednesday on its Facebook page, describing the initiative as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen transparency, public engagement and awareness […]
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Newport welcomes Shimoda sister city delegation with week of cultural events
The City of Newport will host a delegation from its sister city of Shimoda, Japan, this week for a series of cultural exchange events open to the public, including ninth-grade students who will tour the new Rogers High School. The Newport Sister City Commission is coordinating the visit, which begins Thursday with a welcoming reception […]
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Family rescued after being stranded on small island off Cape Cod after boat caught fire
WOODS HOLE, Mass. (AP) — A family was rescued Wednesday by the Coast Guard off Cape Cod after their 30-foot pleasure boat caught fire and they were forced to swim to a small island where they sheltered in a barn for almost two days. When the mother, father and their son didn’t return as expected […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island in recession since December, economist says
Rhode Island is in a recession … and likely has been since last December, according to University of Rhode Island economist Leonard Lardaro. “The time for equivocation has come to an end,” Lardaro wrote, commenting on his monthly Current Conditions Index. “RHODE ISLAND IS IN A RECESSION.” His view may not be shared regionally and […]
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Rhode Island food pantries slammed as SNAP beneficiaries brace for funding to run dry
Six hundred dollars can’t cover an entire month of groceries for Yolanda Robertson’s family of five. But it’s a critical piece of how the 36-year-old single mom can put food on the table. Or at least, it was. Robertson is among the 42 million low-income people nationwide, including 140,000 Rhode Islanders, who stand to lose […]
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Middletown Self Storage to celebrate grand opening of Valley Road location
Middletown Self Storage will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its newest location at 101 Valley Road on Monday, Oct. 27, at noon. The event, held in partnership with the Newport Chamber of Commerce, will feature facility tours, light refreshments and giveaways. The company is offering first month free to all new customers who rent a […]
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Record 29.4 million visitors traveled to Rhode Island in 2024, spent $6 billion
Rhode Island welcomed 29.4 million visitors in 2024, marking a 3.7% increase over the previous year and representing a new record for the state, according to data released Wednesday by Governor Dan McKee and Rhode Island Commerce. The visitors spent $6 billion throughout the state, a 7% increase from 2023, according to research conducted by […]
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22 Bowen’s to host Italian winemaker dinner on Newport waterfront
22 Bowen’s Wine Bar & Grille will host Italian winemaker Stefano Gagliardo for a five-course wine-pairing dinner Nov. 1 at 5:30 p.m. Gagliardo, owner and winemaker of Poderi Gianni Gagliardo, will present wines from his family’s Piedmont winery alongside dishes prepared by Executive Chef Justin Garcia. The dinner costs $185 per person, plus tax and […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Gov. McKee opens applications for $81M in housing bond programs
Governor Dan McKee and Housing Secretary Deborah Goddard on Tuesday announced the opening of applications for the first wave of programs funded by Rhode Island’s $120 million housing bond, with $81 million now available to municipalities and developers. The bond, approved by voters in 2024, aims to address the state’s housing crisis by expanding homeownership […]
Posted inNews, Nonprofit
Rhode Island youth climate conference set for Nov. 8 at Roger Williams Park Zoo
Rhode Island teenagers will gather at Roger Williams Park Zoo on Nov. 8 for a daylong climate action conference designed to empower young leaders to tackle environmental challenges in their communities. The Rhode Island Youth Climate Conference, hosted by the Rhode Island Environmental Education Association, will run from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is […]
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Ringling Bros. circus returns to Providence in May 2026
The circus is coming back to town. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey announced Tuesday that “The Greatest Show On Earth” will return to Providence for six performances at Amica Mutual Pavilion from May 29-31, 2026. Tickets are now on sale for the reimagined production, which promises a high-energy, music-driven experience featuring 65 world-class performers […]
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One of the world’s rarest whales that makes the Atlantic its home grows in population
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — One of the rarest whales on the planet has continued an encouraging trend of population growth in the wake of new efforts to protect the giant animals, according to scientists who study them. The North Atlantic right whale now numbers an estimated 384 animals, up eight whales from the previous year, […]
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Rhode Island man arrested in Scotland and convicted of Utah rape gets at least 5 years in prison
By HANNAH SCHOENBAUM and MEAD GRUVER Associated Press SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Utah judge on Monday sentenced a man who appeared to fake his death and flee the United States to avoid arrest on rape charges to anywhere from five years to life in prison. Nicholas Rossi, 38, is “a serial abuser of women” and […]