Sen. Louis P. DiPalma’s (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Little Compton, Newport, Tiverton) legislation (2020-S 2326A) that amends the state’s motion picture tax credit program passed the Senate tonight. The legislation amends the current program by allowing productions to utilize tax credits, even if the majority of production is not done within the state, if the production […]
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Third individual associated with Saint Raphael Academy trip to Italy tests positive for coronavirus disease
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is advising the public that a third individual associated with the Saint Raphael Academy trip to Italy in mid-February has tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Because this individual is a Massachusetts resident, RIDOH says the testing was done by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. This person […]
Posted inArts & Culture, News
Artists from Middletown and Portsmouth win fellowships to make art for a year
The Rhode Island Foundation announced today that artists from Middletown and Portsmouth have won what are considered to be among the largest no-strings-attached grants available to visual artists in the United States. David Barnes of Middletown and Kelsey Miller of Portsmouth will receive $25,000 awards from the Robert and Margaret MacColl Johnson Fellowship Fund at the […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
City Council to host School Committee interviews on Wednesday and Thursday
City Councilors will be holding interviews this Wednesday and Thursday with applicants vying to fill a vacancy left on the School Committee following the resignation of Kathleen M. Silvia. In all, a total of eight candidates have submitted applications to serve out the remainder of Silvia’s term. Interviews are scheduled to be held over a two-day […]
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Why public health officials sound more worried about the coronavirus than the seasonal flu
Tom Duszynski, Indiana University The spread of the new coronavirus, which has infected over 80,000 people worldwide and resulted in the death of more than 3,000, has raised alarms around the world. At the same time, the seasonal influenza, known as the flu, causes severe illness in between 3 million and 5 million people, with […]
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Public invited to participate in Community Conversation focusing on Child Welfare
The following was submitted by Adoption Rhode Island. The Center for Advanced Practice at Adoption Rhode Island and the RI Office of the Child Advocate invites the public to participate in the second in our “Community Conversations” series – a panel discussion and community forum focused on child welfare in Rhode Island. Sponsored by Senator […]
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Analysis: One Sure Thing About COVID-19: No Telling How Many People Have It
This story was written by Elisabeth Rosenthal, Kaiser Health News. Kaiser Health News is a nonprofit news service covering health issues. It is an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation, which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente. It has been nearly three months since the first cases of a new coronavirus pneumonia appeared in […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Saint Raphael Academy: Two members of their community have tested positive for coronavirus, following school trip to Europe
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH)’s announced Sunday morning the first case of coronavirus in Rhode Island. Late last night, RIDOH announced they have identifieda second presumptive positive case of coronavirus disease 2019 and confirmed a separate person was tested for COVID-19 yesterday. All three individuals participated in a recent trip to Europe in mid-February with […]
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Coronavirus: A simple way to keep workers – and the economy – from getting sick
Jay L. Zagorsky, Boston University The COVID-19 outbreak appears headed for the U.S., and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are urging Americans to prepare now, such as by stocking up on food and prescription drugs. But since the U.S. economy and its workforce are also at risk of getting sick – a concern […]
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RIDOH confirms second case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19); testing a third individual
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH)’s State Health Laboratories announced this evening that they have identified a second presumptive positive case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and a separate person has been tested for COVID-19 today. The presumptive positive case is a teenager. She is at home with mild symptoms. The adult being tested […]
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RIDOH confirms first case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Rhode Island (Updated)
This story was originally published at 8:56 am on March 1st. It has been updated following a press conference that took place at 11:45 am today. The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) announced this morning the state’s first presumptive positive case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The person is in their 40s and had […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Grow Smart RI Power of Place Summit focuses on key statewide development issues, including Aquidneck Island growth
Grow Smart RI, the Ocean State’s leading advocate for sustainable and equitable economic growth, will focus on critical development issues, including Aquidneck Island’s future growth, at its biennial Power of Place Summit on March 27. The Summit, held at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, addresses cissues, from transportation to sustainability through general sessions […]
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Top 10: The most-read What’s Up Newp stories in February 2020
For what’s usually a quiet(er) month around Newport County, there was plenty to keep up on and to do in February. Our What’s Up Newp crew continued to grow and cover more of the things you care about. Our websites saw more website traffic than they ever have in a February. Big thanks to all […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
City of Newport, Aquidneck Land Trust among seventeen groups to receive grants to protect open space
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced today that they have awarded more than $3.33 million in grants to help communities and local organizations protect valuable green space throughout the state. Seventeen projects will receive matching grants to protect 904 acres of open space and farmland across Rhode Island. The funding is made possible […]
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Senator DiPalma bill that protects families with parents that have disabilities passed by Senate
Sen. Louis P. DiPalma’s (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Little Compton, Newport, Tiverton) legislation (2020-S 2139) that precludes the disability of a parent from serving as a basis for denial or restriction in matters involving a child’s welfare, foster care, family law, guardianship and adoption has been passed by the Senate. “Individuals with disabilities continue to face […]
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Eight Newporters apply to fill School Committee vacancy, public interviews scheduled for next week
The following was written and provided by the City of Newport. City Councilors will be holding interviews next week with applicants vying to fill a vacancy left on the School Committee following the resignation of Kathleen M. Silvia. In all, a total of eight candidates have submitted applications to serve out the remainder of Silvia’s […]
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Pell Center and League of Women Voters to celebrate centennial of women’s suffrage with public lecture
The Pell Center at Salve Regina University and the League of Women Voters, Newport County announced today that they will host Susan Ware, historian and leading feminist biographer to present “Why They Marched: Celebrating the Centennial of Women’s Suffrage” on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 as part of the Pell Center’s spring lecture series. The lecture will […]
Posted inCity & Government, Environment & Health, News
Director of Health provides updates on Coronavirus Disease 2019, seasonal illnesses
Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), provided an update to reporters today on preparedness efforts underway in Rhode Island related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and discussed general steps people can take to help prevent the spread of seasonal illnesses like the flu. “Rhode Island has been […]
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R.I. Senate passes Plastic Waste Reduction Act; legislation designed to reduce use of plastic bags
The Senate today passed the Plastic Waste Reduction Act that was introduced by Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence). The legislation (2020-S 2003A) is designed to reduce the use of plastic bags by retail establishments by offering recyclable bag options and providing penalties for violations. “We all know how dangerous plastic […]
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Rep. Canario and Rep. Edwards deliver legislative grant to Portsmouth Police Department
Rep. Dennis M. Canario (D-Dist. 71, Portsmouth, Little Compton, Tiverton) and House Majority Whip John G. Edwards (D-Dist. 70, Tiverton, Portsmouth) recently delivered a legislative grant to the Portsmouth Police Department that will be used to buy equipment that aids the department’s Accident Reconstruction Team. “The dedicated officers of the Portsmouth Police Department protect and […]
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Notes from the Wein Machine: The History of Jazz
This is the latest installment in George Wein’s regular email series, Notes From The Wein Machine. You can subscribe and see past issues here. Hello! I’m back with the first edition of the 2020 Wein Machine, hoping to entertain and educate you, to a small degree. When Bird and Dizzy orbited the earth in the […]
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Common Fence Music will present Traditions Festival, a three-act musical event, on March 7th in Portsmouth
COMMON FENCE MUSIC will be hosting its TRADITIONS FESTIVAL, a three-act musical event, on Saturday, March 7, 2020, 8pm at CFP Arts, 933 Anthony Road, Portsmouth, RI. Tickets are $25 in advance, $28 at the door, and $23 for CFM members. All tickets can be purchased online at www.commonfencemusic.org, and at the door. Doors will […]
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Newport Police officers will participate in Boston Bruins First Responders Night
The Boston Bruins will show their appreciation for the men and women who serve as First Responders and their families by hosting First Responders Night this evening during the Boston Bruins vs. Calgary Flames game at TD Garden. Newport Police Officers will be attending, look for them on television or at the game! The Boston […]
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Clean Ocean Access: 156 volunteers remove 385 pounds of trash during Second Beach cleanup
The following was written by Clean Ocean Access. On Saturday, February 22, 2020, Clean Ocean Access (COA) hosted a beach cleanup at Second Beach in Middletown. Also known as Sachuest Beach, this destination attracts thousands of visitors all year round for walking, surfing, swimming, and other coastline activities. To the naked eye, the litter scattered […]
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Newport Restaurant Group donates $23,000 to local charities as part of Annual Gift Card Fundraiser
Newport Restaurant Group (NRG) announced today it has donated $23,000 to local food banks and non-profits committed to building a sustainable and local food supply for those in need. “We are so proud to support each of these wonderful organizations in their mission to feed those in need in New England,” said Casey Riley, COO, […]