The Newport City Council unanimously passed a resolution on Tuesday night, urging Brown University Health to maintain full operation of the Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center at Newport Hospital. Following passionate testimony from dozens of community members who shared personal stories about the facility’s impact on their lives, the council passed the resolution. The special […]
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Posted inCity & Government
Newport launches major $3 million roadway improvement blitz across 18 streets
Newport is embarking on its most ambitious roadway improvement project in nearly a decade, with 18 streets across the city set to receive major upgrades as part of a $3 million investment made possible by the 2024 General Obligation Bond. The annual Roadway Improvement Program kicked off this month with contractor Pawtucket Hot Mix Asphalt […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Rose Island Lighthouse license plate wins national ‘Best Plate Award’
A Rhode Island specialty license plate has earned national recognition for the first time, bringing honor to the Ocean State and supporting a beloved Newport landmark. The Rose Island Lighthouse license plate has been awarded the 2024 Best Plate Award by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association (ALPCA), marking a historic first for Rhode Island. […]
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Assisted-living home cited for late reports of safety incidents years before fatal fire
By KIMBERLEE KRUESI, HOLLY RAMER and MICHELLE R. SMITH Associated Press FALL RIVER, Mass. (AP) — A Massachusetts assisted-living center where nine residents died in a fire was cited for failing to immediately report more than two dozen health and safety incidents, according to regulators’ most recent review of the facility. Five men and four women were killed and […]
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Morning Notes: ‘Good Trouble Lives On’ – Newport joins national day of action honoring John Lewis
Good morning, Newport! Today is Tuesday, July 15, the 196th day of 2025. There are 169 days left in the year. 🚨 You need to know Aquidneck Islanders will gather in Newport’s historic Washington Square Thursday evening (July 17) to commemorate the fifth anniversary of Congressman John Lewis’s passing as part of a nationwide “Good […]
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NUWC Division Newport employees, 250 children share in STEM demonstrations as part of Bring a Child to Work Day
Story by Public Affairs Office , Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport NEWPORT, R.I. – Roughly 250 youngsters, ages 9 to 17, and 150 parents and guardians participated in Bring a Child to Work Day, which is designed to introduce family members of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport employees to the science, technology, engineering […]
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Alain Prost reunites with his 1988 McLaren MP4/4 from Audrain Collection at Goodwood Festival of Speed
WEST SUSSEX, England – Four-time Formula 1 World Champion Alain Prost reunited with his 1988 McLaren MP4/4 from the Audrain Collection at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, marking the first time since the 1988 season that Prost has driven an MP4/4. The reunion took place over the weekend as part of celebrations marking 75 […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Opera House stage remains silent
The stage at the old opera house on Washington Square remains silent, some 23 years after the Newport Performing Arts Center (NPAC) purchased the historic building. When and if it reopens remains a mystery. After projecting a reopening in the spring of 2024, NPAC officials now say they are unsure when construction will even resume. […]
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Things to do in Newport County this week and weekend: July 14 – 20
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in Newport County this week and weekend. Are you organizing an event? Submit events to our community calendar. Monday, July 14 Things To Do Newport Classical Music Festival 10 am: Free self-guided tours at Eisenhower House 3 pm: Jamestown Farmers Market at Jamestown Recreation Center 4 pm: Book Talk & Special Cocktail Event with […]
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Tiverton Police arrest woman after infant found alone in vehicle at Bally’s Casino
A 35-year-old Massachusetts woman was arrested Saturday after police found her 15-month-old infant left alone in an unlocked vehicle at Bally’s Tiverton Casino. The Tiverton Police Department responded to the casino at approximately 7:00 a.m. on July 12 following a report of an unattended infant in a vehicle. Officers, working alongside casino security personnel, located a […]
Posted inBusiness
New Newport Hospital President takes helm as City Council prepares to fight for birthing center
Dr. Tenny Thomas officially began his tenure as Newport Hospital’s president and chief medical officer Monday, stepping into a leadership role at a critical moment as the facility faces potential cuts to essential services, including its birthing center. Thomas, who joins Newport Hospital from Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Plymouth where he served as chief medical officer […]
Posted inNews, Weather
Heat Advisory issued for Newport County as dangerous temperatures expected
The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for Newport County Monday morning, warning residents to prepare for potentially dangerous heat and humidity beginning Tuesday. The advisory, which goes into effect at 11 a.m. Tuesday and extends through 7 p.m. Thursday, covers all six Newport County communities: Newport, Middletown, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Jamestown, and Little Compton. […]
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Morning Notes: The dude abides as The JPT and What’sUpNewp present annual Big Lebowski Party July 31
Good morning, Newport! Today is Monday, July 14, the 195th day of 2025. There are 170 days left in the year. 🚨 You need to know The Jane Pickens Film & Event Center (The JPT) will once again transform into the Dude’s favorite bowling alley on July 31 for their annual Big Lebowski Party, a […]
Posted inCity & Government
More than 20 states sue Trump administration over frozen funding for after-school, summer programs
By BIANCA VÁZQUEZ TONESS AP Education Writer EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — More than 20 states sued President Donald Trump’s administration on Monday over billions of dollars in frozen education funding for after-school care, summer programs and more. Some of the withheld money funds after-school and summer programming at Boys & Girls Clubs, the YMCA or public schools, attended […]
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Flames tear through assisted-living facility in Massachusetts, killing 9 and trapping residents
By MICHAEL CASEY, KIMBERLEE KRUESI, PATRICK WHITTLE and HOLLY RAMER Associated Press FALL RIVER, Mass. (AP) — Flames roared through an assisted-living facility in Massachusetts, killing nine people and trapping residents inside, including some who leaned out of windows and screamed for help, authorities said Monday. At least 30 people were hurt. A firefighters union said […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council fights to save hospital birthing center from closure
The Newport City Council will convene a special meeting Tuesday evening to consider a resolution advocating for the continued operation of the Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center at Newport Hospital, as the facility faces potential closure due to budget constraints. The meeting, scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 15, in the Council Chamber at City […]
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Morning Notes: IYRS Summer Gala raises thousands for skilled trades education, features Legendary Wailers
Good morning, Newport! Today is Sunday, July 13, the 194th day of 2025. There are 171 days left in the year. 🚨 You need to know The 28th Annual IYRS Summer Gala last night successfully merged maritime heritage with musical prowess, raising significant funds for the IYRS School of Technology & Trades. The fundraising event, […]
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Early morning boat fire in Newport Harbor quickly extinguished, three occupants safe
Newport Fire Department crews quickly brought a boat fire under control early Saturday morning in Newport Harbor, with all three occupants — two adults and one dog — safely evacuating the vessel. The incident began at 4:30 a.m. when Newport Fire Alarm received a call reporting a marine vessel fire in Newport Harbor on a […]
Posted inNews, Police & Fire
Newport Police seek public’s help in July 4th hit-and-run investigation
The Newport Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a motorcyclist involved in a hit-and-run incident that occurred on Independence Day. According to a social media post from the Newport Police Department on Friday, July 11, the crash happened around 10 p.m. on Thames Street at the intersection of Thames and Wellington […]
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Morning Notes: Summer Saturday brings festival fun and cultural celebrations to Newport County
Good morning, Newport! Today is Saturday, July 12, the 193rd day of 2025. There are 172 days left in the year. 🚨 You need to know Newport County is buzzing with activity this Saturday, July 12, as summer reaches its peak with an impressive lineup of events spanning from early morning markets to late-night entertainment. […]
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Sewage-contaminated water made 60% of R.I. beaches unsafe for swimming in 2024
by Nancy Lavin, Rhode Island CurrentJuly 11, 2025 Steven Spielberg never made a cult-favorite thriller about the dangers of sewage-infested waters. But the amount of fecal matter lurking in the water surpassed federal safety recommendations at least one time in 2024 at nearly six in 10 of the 66 Rhode Island beaches tested, new data […]
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Newport County road work continues with bridge, Route 138 lane closures next week
Multiple construction projects will impact traffic across Newport County next week, with lane restrictions and closures scheduled on major routes including Route 138 and the Newport Claiborne Pell Bridge. Ongoing Projects Middletown continues to see the most significant construction activity with pavement improvements along East Main Road. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) has […]
Posted inNews, Nonprofit
Nearly 300 swimmers set to cross Narragansett Bay next weekend
More than 300 swimmers will plunge into Narragansett Bay next Saturday morning for Save The Bay’s 49th annual Swim, the organization’s biggest fundraising event of the year. The challenging two-mile open water swim will take participants from the shore of the Naval War College in Newport across the East Passage of Narragansett Bay to Potter […]
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Wind turbine maker to pay settlement after blade broke apart and washed up on Nantucket beaches
NANTUCKET, Mass. (AP) — The maker of a massive wind turbine blade that broke apart off Nantucket Island and washed up on beaches for months has agreed to a $10.5 million settlement to pay local businesses for their economic losses, officials said Friday. Fiberglass fragments of the blade began washing ashore last summer during the peak of […]
Posted inNews, Sports, Things To Do
Newport Polo sets attendance record, announces capacity limits beginning in 2026
Newport Polo is celebrating a major milestone after Saturday’s USA vs. Italy match drew what organizers believe was the largest crowd in the organization’s 34-year history. The July 5 match, held over Independence Day weekend, attracted unprecedented numbers of spectators to witness the highly anticipated rematch between the American and Italian teams. While final attendance […]