by Nancy Lavin, Rhode Island Current September 8, 2025 Pawtucket-based Hasbro Inc. will abandon its century-old Rhode Island roots with a move to the Boston Seaport by the end of 2026, the company announced Monday. The announcement cements the fate Rhode Island officials and business leaders have spent the last year trying to avoid by […]
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Notes: Narragansett Bay Chorus to perform at St. Columba’s Chapel
Good morning, Newport! 👋 Today is Monday, Sept. 8, the 251st day of 2025. There are 114 days left in the year. 🚨 You need to know The Narragansett Bay Chorus will perform its 13th annual concert at St. Columba’s Chapel in Middletown on Sept. 28, bringing four-part harmony and barbershop tradition to the historic […]
Posted inCity & Government
Local and regional economy: ‘Sluggish’
Sluggish. That’s the word that best describes the state of the economy in New England and Rhode Island, on the heels of what has been widely described as a troubling national jobs report. The national economy added just 22,000 jobs in August, well below the 76,000 that had been projected, according to the Bureau of […]
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Listen up, Newport: What’sUpNewp adds audio reading feature
Starting today, What’sUpNewp readers can now listen to select stories on our website with the launch of Everlit, an AI-powered audio reading feature that transforms our written journalism into accessible audio content. When you visit one of our featured stories, you’ll notice a sleek audio player positioned prominently below the headline. Simply click the triangular […]
Posted inNews, Nonprofit, Sports
Classic Yacht Regatta draws over 200, raises funds for IYRS students
More than 200 competitors and supporters attended the 46th Annual Newport Classic Yacht Regatta over Labor Day weekend. Organized by the IYRS School of Technology & Trades and the Ida Lewis Yacht Club, the event, chaired by IYRS alumnus Jens Lange, featured 32 classic yachts, including a one-design race circle for Herreshoff 12 1/2s. Racing […]
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Middletown woman seriously injured in bicycle-vehicle collision on Greene Lane
A 47-year-old Middletown woman suffered serious injuries Wednesday afternoon when her bicycle collided with a motor vehicle on Greene Lane, according to police. The collision occurred around 4:00 p.m. near 92 Greene Lane, prompting responses from both Middletown Police and Fire departments. Emergency responders found the female cyclist with serious injuries at the scene. Middletown […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News
Scientists tap ‘secret’ fresh water under the ocean, raising hopes for a thirsty world
By CALVIN WOODWARD, CAROLYN KASTER and RODRIQUE NGOWI Associated Press ABOARD LIFTBOAT ROBERT, North Atlantic (AP) — Deep in Earth’s past, an icy landscape became a seascape as the ice melted and the oceans rose off what is now the northeastern United States. Nearly 50 years ago, a U.S. government ship searching for minerals and […]
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Newport City Council to consider major IT contracts, board appointments at Sept. 10 meeting
The Newport City Council will consider several significant technology service contracts and make appointments to various city boards and commissions when it meets Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 6:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers at 43 Broadway. Among the major agenda items, the council will vote on contracts for IT managed services, Office 365 tenant configuration […]
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RENEWport volunteers welcome Pell Elementary students on first day
Volunteer greeters from RENEWport joined staff and teachers at Claiborne Pell Elementary School on Wednesday to welcome kindergarten through fourth-grade students back for the first day of the 2025-26 school year. The new RENEWport Volunteer Greeter Program is designed to encourage school attendance and build stronger ties between Newport Public Schools and the broader community. […]
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Newport carriage house in historic Kay Catherine neighborhood sells for $4.1 million
A distinguished carriage house at 10 Liberty St. in Newport’s Kay Catherine neighborhood has sold for $4.1 million, marking the fourth-highest residential sale in the city this year. Hogan Associates Christie’s International Real Estate announced the sale of the property, which sits on a quiet, tree-lined street just one block from Bellevue Avenue. Leslie Hogan […]
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Four-year-old Rocko brings goofy charm and loyal companionship
Meet Rocko, a 4-year-old mixed breed who’s mastered the art of being both athletic superstar and professional snuggler. This 75-pound charmer is available for adoption through the Potter League for Animals in Middletown and promises to fill his forever home with equal parts laughter and love. Rocko approaches tennis ball retrieval like it’s the championship […]
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States and developer sue the Trump administration for halting work on New England offshore wind farm
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Connecticut, Rhode Island and the developer of an offshore wind farm that would power 350,000 homes in the two states said Thursday that they’re suing the Trump administration for stopping the nearly completed project. The states filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Rhode Island Thursday, with the state’s attorney general, […]
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Notes: Express ferry service launches for Newport International Boat Show
Good morning, Newport! 👋 Today is Thursday, Sept. 4, the 247th day of 2025. There are 118 days left in the year. 🚨 You need to know The Jamestown Newport Ferry will provide express service to the Newport International Boat Show, offering visitors a convenient alternative to navigating downtown traffic and parking challenges during one […]
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New three-way stop sign coming to Newport intersection Thursday
The city will install a new stop sign Thursday at the intersection of Spring Street and Bowery Street/Young Street, creating a three-way stop intersection. The Newport Police Department announced the change Wednesday in a press release, saying the decision was based on a review and recommendation by the city’s Interdepartmental Traffic Committee. The review found […]
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Notes: Newport String Project opens season 13 with Pocket Concerts Sept. 21
Good morning, Newport! 👋 Today is Wednesday, Sept. 3, the 246th day of 2025. There are 119 days left in the year. 🚨 You need to know The Newport String Project will celebrate the opening of its 13th season with Pocket Concerts, a day-long series of intimate micro-concerts featuring the Newport String Quartet and special […]
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59 arrested for DUI during Rhode Island’s Labor Day weekend
Law enforcement agencies across Rhode Island arrested 59 people for driving under the influence during the Labor Day holiday weekend, according to the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association. The arrests occurred between noon Friday, Aug. 29, and 6 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2, representing a coordinated effort by all 38 municipal police departments and Rhode Island […]
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Things to do this week and weekend in Newport: Sept. 2 – 7
Newport County offers a diverse lineup of events this week, from cultural attractions to outdoor activities and live entertainment. Highlights include Colonial Jewish Walking Tours running daily at the Loeb Visitors Center, Third Beach Yoga sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and the Secret Garden Tour at Belcourt of Newport from Friday through Sunday. Music […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island Energy begins major electrical upgrades in Newport’s Long Wharf area
Rhode Island Energy has started upgrading electrical infrastructure in Newport’s Long Wharf area as part of the city’s $128 million capital improvement plan, the utility announced Tuesday. Crews are installing new underground electric cables to upgrade the city’s sewage pump station by increasing supply voltage, according to the company. The work also includes upgrading and […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport police boost school zone enforcement as classes resume Wednesday
The Newport Police Department is increasing enforcement in school zones as students return to class Wednesday, Sept. 3, with new automated cameras and enhanced patrols to ensure driver safety. Police will strictly enforce the 20 mph speed limit in school zones during posted hours Monday through Friday, Lt. Joseph Carroll, the department’s public information officer, […]
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Notes: Amica Newport Marathon partners with 11th Hour Racing for second year of sustainability efforts
Good morning, Newport! 👋 Today is Tuesday, Sept. 2, the 245th day of 2025. There are 120 days left in the year. 🚨 You need to know The Amica Newport Marathon is expanding its environmental initiatives for the second consecutive year through a continued partnership with 11th Hour Racing as the event’s official sustainability partner. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Historical Society’s black history database now reaches millions through partnership
The Newport Historical Society’s groundbreaking research on Black and Indigenous history has gained a dramatically wider audience through a new partnership with American Ancestors, the digital platform of the New England Historic Genealogical Society. The collaboration publishes the Newport Historical Society’s “Voices from the NHS Archives” database as part of American Ancestors’ 10 Million Names […]
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Portsmouth rated fourth-best high school in RI
Portsmouth High School was recently recognized by U.S. News & World Report as among the best high schools in Rhode Island and the best in the Newport area. U.S. News & World Report recently released its statewide rankings (for 58 schools) and national rankings (for 18,000 schools). Topping Rhode Island was Classical High School in […]
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Michele Gallagher: Behind every women-led enterprise you will find a maven village
We are officially 240 days into the year, with 125 sunrises and sunsets still to go! As summer winds down and students return to school, it’s the perfect time to reflect on progress. Take heart—there are still four months left. This WUN Voices column highlights women business owners in Rhode Island, where women own 43.2% […]
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What’s Up this Labor Day weekend in Newport County: Aug. 28 – Sept. 1
Newport County is closing out August with a robust slate of entertainment and community activities, offering something for every interest as the summer season draws to a close. The weekend’s events span from outdoor concerts and farmers markets to specialized tours and recreational activities across multiple municipalities. Are you organizing an event? Submit events to our community […]
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‘America’s nicest judge’ Frank Caprio to be honored at public memorial services in Rhode Island
By LEAH WILLINGHAM Associated Press People from all over the world are expected to pay tribute to Frank Caprio, a retired municipal judge who found online fame as an empathetic jurist and host of “ Caught in Providence,” at memorial services beginning Thursday in his home state of Rhode Island. Caprio, who won hearts with the […]