What started as a very crowded field for the governor’s race has narrowed considerably, but a spirited primary election looms for both parties, with a well-known independent entering the fray in the general election. Meanwhile, there have also been some updates (as of noon, July 14) to the total number of signatures collected by candidates […]
News
Posted inCity & Government
RI coastal regulators reluctant to shore up entire Newport Cliff Walk
by Nancy Lavin, Rhode Island Current July 14, 2026 More than four years after a section of Newport’s Cliff Walk collapsed, shutting down public access to a section of the famed overlook, a repair plan has taken shape.But before the city can proceed with the $23 million project — repairing two broken sections of the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Karla Bonoff, Garrison Keillor, and The Irish Tenors coming to the Jane Pickens Theater this fall
The Jane Pickens Theater has announced three new shows from Spectacle Live this fall and winter, with tickets going on sale Friday, July 17, at 10 a.m. at janepickens.com or by calling 1-800-657-8774. Singer-songwriter Karla Bonoff opens the run on Saturday, September 12, at 7:30 p.m. Bonoff has written hits recorded by Bonnie Raitt, Wynonna […]
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Newport Restoration Foundation names Miramar restoration and Bailey’s Beach clubhouse among 2026 Doris Duke Historic Preservation Award honorees
The Newport Restoration Foundation and the City of Newport have announced the honorees for the 20th annual Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards, recognizing two outstanding preservation projects in Newport County and a lifetime achievement honoree. The ceremony takes place Friday, September 11, at Rough Point. Tom Perkins receives this year’s President’s Award for lifetime excellence […]
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Women’s Resource Center hosts Seaside Celebration fundraiser July 20 at The Bohlin
The Women’s Resource Center will hold its signature summer fundraiser, Seaside Celebration, on Monday, July 20, at 5:30 p.m. at The Bohlin, 20 Commercial Wharf, on Newport Harbor. The event is co-hosted by Elizabeth Leatherman and Susan Sipprelle — the same Susan Sipprelle who recently wrote about RENEWport’s volunteer library program at Pell Elementary — […]
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Rhode Island Foundation is offering three composers $30,000 grants — applications due Aug. 10
Rhode Island composers have until August 10 to apply for $30,000 fellowships from the Rhode Island Foundation, with three grants available to emerging and mid-career musicians looking to advance their work. The grants come through the Foundation’s Robert and Margaret MacColl Johnson Fellowship Fund and are unrestricted — meaning recipients can use the money however […]
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CCRI bringing enrollment help — and a comfort dog — to its Newport campus on July 16
The Community College of Rhode Island will host an Enrollment Day at its Newport County Campus on Thursday, July 16, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., offering prospective and returning students a one-stop opportunity to get ready for the Fall 2026 semester. Staff from admissions, advising, and financial aid will be available to help students […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Rhode Island Blood Center declares blood emergency as supply falls below two-day level
The Rhode Island Blood Center has declared a blood emergency after the region’s blood supply dropped below a two-day inventory — well below the five-to-seven-day level considered healthy — as hospitals enter the height of summer trauma season. The shortage is part of a broader national crisis. America’s Blood Centers has issued a statement warning […]
Posted inCity & Government
On the Ballot: The race for U.S. House of Representatives
A January 6 (2021) participant in the “march” on the U.S. Capitol, who moved to Rhode Island too late to qualify to vote in the September 9 primary election in which he’s a candidate, is among those running for the U.S. House of Representatives in Rhode Island. Vincent Gilbert Mellor, a Republican who participated in […]
Posted inCity & Government
On the Ballot: The race for U.S. Senate
Candidates for political offices, from U.S. Senate to School Committee, filed their nomination papers yesterday (Friday), significantly reducing the number of people running for top offices, but also setting up primary elections for some top offices, including U.S. Senate and Governor. Nomination papers collect the required number of signatures for each position. Earlier candidates had […]
Posted inHistory, News
Today In Newport History: July 11, 1780 – Rochambeau Arrives In Newport
The Rochambeau Statue and Memorial in King Park was erected in 1934 to honor the assistance of Rochambeau and the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. | Both photos via Wikipedia On July 11, 1780 approximately 5,000 – 6,000 French soldiers commanded by Rochambeau arrived at King Park in Newport, Rhode Island. The code name given by the […]
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Newport Hospital’s Vanderbilt Rehabilitation Center earns CARF re-accreditation through 2029
Brown University Health’s Vanderbilt Rehabilitation Center at Newport Hospital has earned re-accreditation from CARF International, extending its recognition through June 30, 2029. The accreditation covers VRC’s Adult Inpatient Rehabilitation Program and Adult Stroke Specialty Program. CARF — the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities — evaluates programs against rigorous standards related to patient care, outcomes, […]
Posted inCity & Government
Lynn Ceglie withdraws from Newport City Council race, leaving Ward 2 contest to two challengers
Lynn Underwood Ceglie announced Friday morning that she is withdrawing her candidacy for re-election to the Newport City Council, ending a 12-year tenure representing the Second Ward. “Serving the residents of Newport and the Second Ward over the past twelve years has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Ceglie said in a […]
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Polo was introduced into Newport 150 years ago today
Polo was introduced into Newport 150 years ago today on July 10, 1876. Early in 1876, James Gordon Bennett, Jr. introduced polo to this country when he returned from England with polo balls and mallets. Polo was first played indoors at the old Dickel’s Riding Academy at the northeast corner of 39th Street and 5th […]
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Team Italy returns to Newport Polo this Saturday for its 14th appearance in the International Series
Team Italy returns to Newport Polo this Saturday, July 11, for its 14th appearance in the Newport International Polo Series, bringing with it a weekend of Italian-themed events and one of the summer season’s most anticipated international matchups. The visit follows last year’s USA vs. Italy match, which drew the largest crowd in the series’ […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Sandy Point Beach in Portsmouth reopens after bacteria levels return to safe levels
The Rhode Island Department of Health has cleared Sandy Point Beach for swimming after bacteria counts returned to safe levels, the agency announced Thursday. Third Beach in Middletown and City Park Beach in Warwick remain under swimming advisories due to high bacteria counts. Beach status may change as new water quality data becomes available. Up-to-date […]
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Newport Restoration Foundation brings ‘Keeping History Above Water’ symposium back to Newport for its 10th anniversary
The Newport Restoration Foundation will host the 10th anniversary edition of its nationally recognized Keeping History Above Water symposium in Newport this fall, bringing together historic preservationists, policy planners, and community leaders for three days of sessions, site visits, and hands-on demonstrations. Keeping History Above Water: Looking Back, Moving Forward runs October 21–23 at locations […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Health department recommends against swimming at Third Beach, Sandy Point, and City Park Beach
The Rhode Island Department of Health is recommending that swimmers avoid three local beaches due to high bacteria counts: Third Beach in Middletown, Sandy Point Beach in Portsmouth, and City Park Beach in Warwick. Beach status may change as new water quality data becomes available. Up-to-date information is available through RIDOH’s beaches telephone line at […]
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RIPTA marks 60 years of Rhode Island transit with yearlong celebration and look ahead
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority is marking its 60th anniversary this year with a yearlong celebration recognizing its history while laying out a vision for the future of public transportation in the state. In 2025 alone, RIPTA recorded more than 12.5 million passenger trips. Nearly two-thirds of those trips were made by riders who […]
Posted inBusiness
Wayfinder Newport launches Polaroid camera lending program for guests
Wayfinder Newport has partnered with Polaroid to offer guests a film camera to borrow during their stay, inviting them to explore the city through an analog lens rather than a phone screen. The program, called Going Analog, launched today. Guests can check out a Polaroid camera at the hotel and use it throughout their visit; […]
Posted inBusiness
Newport Craft Brewing and WinterHawk Vineyards to receive state sustainability honors this week
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management will recognize two local businesses for sustainability leadership this week, with Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling Company receiving its honor Wednesday and WinterHawk Vineyards of West Kingston on Thursday. DEM Director Terry Gray will present Newport Craft with its BetterBev recognition Wednesday, July 8, at 2 p.m. at […]
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Audrain Automobile Museum to display Declaration of Independence and James Bond’s Aston Martin on July 19
The Audrain Automobile Museum will mark America’s 250th anniversary with a Declaration of Independence Archive Day on Sunday, July 19, giving the public a rare chance to view historic Declaration of Independence documents from Rhode Island’s archives alongside one of cinema’s most iconic automobiles. Admission is free from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event […]
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Free skin cancer screenings coming to Easton’s Beach and other Rhode Island beaches this summer
Rhode Island beachgoers will have the chance to get a free skin cancer screening this summer, with dermatologists from Brown Health Dermatology setting up at Easton’s Beach and four other locations across the state between mid-July and mid-August. The first local stop is Easton’s Beach in Newport on Friday, July 10, from 1:30 to 3:30 […]
Posted inCity & Government
Cortvriend announces bid for fifth term representing Middletown and Portsmouth
Rhode Island House Representative Terri-Denise Cortvriend has announced she will seek a fifth term representing House District 72, which covers Middletown and Portsmouth. First elected in November 2018, Cortvriend has focused her tenure on environmental protection, climate resilience, shoreline access, small business support, and senior issues. She chairs the Legislative Study Commission on Climate Change […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport ‘Candidate Signature Events Tour’ reshuffles remaining dates due to weather
Weather has forced last-minute changes to the remaining stops on Newport’s “Candidate Signature Events Tour,” a series of park gatherings organized by City Councilor-at-Large Steph Smyth to give residents a chance to meet candidates and sign nomination papers. Monday’s scheduled event at Battery Park has been cancelled, as has Tuesday’s gathering at Miantonomi Park. In […]