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 […]
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Notes: Navy lab’s summer STEM program gives 50 students hands-on engineering experience
Good morning, Newport! 👋 Today is Thursday, Aug. 28, the 240th day of 2025. There are 125 days left in the year. 🚨 You need to know The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport welcomed 50 high school students from six states and Washington, D.C., to build and program remotely operated vehicles during two three-week […]
Posted inBusiness
Newport Cannabis Co. opens Portsmouth dispensary with statewide delivery service
Newport Cannabis Co. will celebrate the grand opening of its new Portsmouth dispensary Friday with a daylong party featuring food trucks, music and the launch of what the company calls Rhode Island’s first statewide same-day cannabis delivery service. The new retailer is the brainchild of Hangar 420, which has been Rhode Island’s largest cannabis cultivator […]
Posted inBusiness, News
Rhode Island family treasures from Brown, Herreshoff dynasties head to auction
A treasure trove of Rhode Island history will go under the hammer next month when Nye & Company Auctioneers offers rare artifacts from some of the Ocean State’s most influential families. The two-day auction, scheduled for Sept. 10-11 in Bloomfield, New Jersey, will feature property from the DeWolf, Herreshoff and Brown families — dynasties that […]
Posted inCity & Government
State reps to host special meeting on Revolution Wind project halt
Rhode Island state representatives Lauren Carson and Terri Cortvriend will host a special Zoom meeting Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 6:30 p.m. to address the federal government’s sudden decision to halt construction of the Revolution Wind project. The meeting comes after the Trump administration ordered Danish developer Ørsted to stop all construction on the nearly complete offshore […]
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Rose Island historians to preview new barracks exhibition
The Rose Island Lighthouse & Fort Hamilton Trust will offer a behind-the-scenes look at its upcoming permanent exhibition with a lecture at the Redwood Library & Athenaeum on Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. Public History Program Director Michael Simpson and Museum Research Coordinator Trinity Kendrick will present “Inside the Barracks: A Sneak Peek at […]
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Budget shortfall, new Rogers High among top topics in conversation with superintendent
Newport Public Schools faces a projected $1.6 million budget shortfall for the upcoming academic year, Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain revealed during Wednesday’s monthly “Ask the Superintendent” community forum, just one week before classes begin. The gap stems primarily from special education and out-of-district costs, Burns Jermain explained during the session hosted by What’sUpNewp. “We’re not […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Tiverton Library to screen documentary on addiction recovery
The Tiverton Public Library will host a free screening of “Beyond the Finish Line,” a documentary about addiction recovery and hope, on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Filmmaker Doug Fingliss will present his deeply personal film and lead a discussion following the screening at the library at 34 Roosevelt Avenue. The event, held in honor of […]
Posted inNews, Nonprofit
Newport Tree Conservancy finds permanent home for nursery operations
After nearly four decades of nurturing Newport’s urban forest, the Newport Tree Conservancy has secured a permanent home for its tree propagation efforts. The organization, founded in 1987 as the Newport Tree Society, will operate from the newly established Minnie Cushing Coleman Heritage Tree Nursery on Coggeshall Avenue. The move comes after years of uncertainty […]
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Rhode Island state beaches to close facilities after Labor Day
Rhode Island’s eight state beaches will close their facilities for the season after Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 2, the Department of Environmental Management announced. Pavilion restrooms, concessions, lifeguards and staff will end operations following the holiday weekend. Winterization of beach facilities will begin Tuesday, Sept. 2. All state beaches are expected to have lifeguards […]
Posted inCity & Government
RIPTA to run holiday schedule Monday; Newport ferry shuttle switches to fall timetable
Rhode Island Public Transit Authority will operate on a Sunday/Holiday schedule Monday, Sept. 1, in observance of Labor Day, with Newport seeing mixed impacts as some services continue while others scale back. The Newport Transportation Center will buck the trend of other RIPTA facilities by remaining open during the holiday. The customer service kiosk will […]
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Notes: Newport Pride’s Velvet Ball returns to Ochre Court with Moulin Rouge theme
Good morning, Newport! 👋 Today is Wednesday, Aug. 27, the 239th day of 2025. There are 126 days left in the year. 🚨 You need to know Newport Pride announced its annual Velvet Ball will return Saturday, Oct. 25, at the historic Ochre Court Mansion at Salve Regina University. This year’s event will draw inspiration […]
Posted inInstagram, News, Sports
ITHF Induction highlights: Tennis Wave at Bowen’s Wharf was awesome!
Serena Williams’ cameo during the International Tennis Hall of Fame Induction (ITHF) ceremony may have had the lion’s share of attention (for good reason! Amazing!!), but there were a few other events that were major standouts this year. The Induction Celebration kicked off with the Tennis Wave event on Thursday that transported a temporary tennis […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News
Rhode Island health officials close two Middletown beaches due to high bacteria levels
The Rhode Island Department of Health on Tuesday recommended closing swimming areas at two Middletown beaches due to elevated bacteria levels that pose health risks to swimmers. Third Beach and Peabody’s Beach were added to the state’s beach closure list after water samples showed bacteria counts exceeding safe swimming standards, according to a RIDOH press […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island economy ‘on a recession precipice’
Rhode Island’s economy is teetering on a recession, according to the latest economic overview by University of Rhode Island economist Leonard Lardaro. Lardaro has published his monthly Current Conditions Index for years. The report usually lags by a couple of months. The latest tracks the state’s economy through June of this year, and each month […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Audrain Newport Concours unveils Jay Leno, Ford CEO for seminars
Television personality Jay Leno and Ford Motor Co. CEO Jim Farley will headline the 2025 Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week Speaker Series, organizers announced Tuesday. The seminars will run Oct. 3-4 at the historic Casino Theater on the International Tennis Hall of Fame grounds, featuring automotive industry leaders and celebrities discussing car culture and […]
Posted inInstagram, News, People & Profiles
Newport superintendent to address community questions in monthly live forum
Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain will sit down with What’sUpNewp tomorrow afternoon for her regular monthly conversation with the community, offering parents, students, and residents a direct line to district leadership just one week before the new school year begins. The live virtual discussion, scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 27, at 1:30 p.m., provides a platform […]
Posted inCity & Government
Police agencies launch Labor Day weekend DUI crackdown in Newport County
Police officers and state troopers from five law enforcement agencies will conduct a high-visibility DUI enforcement campaign across Newport County during the Labor Day weekend, officials announced. The joint operation, running from Friday, Aug. 29, through Monday, Sept. 1, will involve officers from Portsmouth, Middletown, Newport and Jamestown police departments, along with Rhode Island State […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island prosecutor put on unpaid leave after warning ‘You’re gonna regret this’ during arrest
By LEAH WILLINGHAM and KIMBERLEE KRUESI Associated Press PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A Rhode Island state prosecutor was put on unpaid leave for six months after she was captured on police body camera footage warning one of the officers who were arresting her on a trespassing charge that he was “gonna regret it.” Special Assistant Attorney General […]
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Notes: Historic Jamestown regatta returns for 98th year this weekend
Good morning, Newport! 👋 Today is Tuesday, Aug. 26, the 238th day of 2025. There are 127 days left in the year. 🚨 You need to know Nearly a century after its inaugural race, one of Narragansett Bay’s most storied sailing competitions will take center stage this Labor Day weekend as Conanicut Yacht Club hosts […]
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What’s Up this week in Newport County: Aug. 25 – 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 week’s events span from outdoor concerts and farmers markets to specialized tours and recreational activities across multiple municipalities. Music enthusiasts will find particularly strong offerings, with […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Democrats ask Trump to resume a major offshore wind project near Rhode Island
NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (AP) — A nearly complete wind farm off the coast of Rhode Island and Connecticut faces an uncertain future after the Trump administration abruptly halted construction, and the states’ Democratic governors, lawmakers and union workers called Monday for the president to reverse course. The administration said last week that the federal government […]