Six Newport County organizations are among 43 recipients sharing $1 million in capital grants awarded by the Rhode Island Health and Educational Building Corporation (RIHEBC) to support essential infrastructure improvements and equipment purchases. Child and Family Services of Newport County, Lucy’s Hearth, the Town of Middletown, Middletown Public Library, Portsmouth School Department, and Jamestown Public […]
News
Posted inNews, Weather
See the most extreme temperatures in Rhode Island history
On July 9, 2021, California’s Death Valley reached 130 degrees Fahrenheit, according to an automated measuring system there, representing one of the highest temperatures ever recorded on the planet. The world record, also recorded at Death Valley, was 134 degrees in July 1913. More than 210 degrees Fahrenheit separates the highest and the lowest temperatures […]
Posted inNews
Morning Notes: Newport residents may soon be able to apply for and manage parking permits online
Good morning, Newport! Today is Monday, June 23, the 174th day of 2025. There are 191 days left in the year. 🚨 You need to know Newport City Council will consider awarding a contract for a digital parking permit program and a mobile license plate recognition (LPR) enforcement system at its meeting on Wednesday (June […]
Posted inNews
Eastern half of U.S. braces for more long days of dangerous heat
By TODD RICHMOND Associated Press MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Tens of millions of people across the Midwest and East endured dangerously hot temperatures again on Sunday as a sprawling June heat wave that gripped much of the U.S. was expected to last well into this week. Most of the northeastern quadrant of the country from […]
Posted inArts & Culture, News
New Hampshire city in ‘Jumanji’ marks 30th anniversary with animal costume race
By KATHY McCORMACK Associated Press KEENE, N.H. (AP) — Madeline Murphy remembers the instructions she was given on the set of “Jumanji” when she was an extra some 30 years ago: “Pretend you’re frightened and you’re screaming because an elephant’s coming after you.” So, that’s what she did in the Central Square of Keene, New Hampshire, running […]
Posted inNews
Morning Notes: Free museums, live music, and strawberry festival mark Newport’s summer weekend kickoff
Good morning, Newport! Today is Saturday, June 21, the 172nd day of 2025. There are 193 days left in the year. 🚨 You need to know Today marks the official start of summer, and Newport County is celebrating with a spectacular array of events that showcase the best of the region’s culture, history, and community […]
Posted inColumns
In Rhode Island, women-led ventures are redefining adventure and innovation
Welcome to Part I of a 2-part Series featuring the voices and origin stories of a few Adventure and Experience Women Entrepreneurs who are making Rhode Island even more fun and exciting for both residents and visitors alike. Innovation, passion, and discovery are at the heart of these 5-star experiences! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Rail Exploring in Our […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island lawmakers pass bill to ban sales of assault weapons
By KIMBERLEE KRUESI and HALLIE GOLDEN Associated Press PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island’s Democratic-controlled state House on Friday approved legislation that would ban the sale and manufacturing of many semiautomatic rifles commonly referred to as assault weapons. The proposal now heads to the desk of Democratic Gov. Dan McKee, who said in a post on the […]
Posted inNews
The US commemorates 250th anniversary of the ‘great American battle,’ the Battle of Bunker Hill
NEW YORK (AP) — As the U.S. marks the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill, it might take a moment — or more — to remember why. Start with the very name. “There’s something percussive about it: Battle of Bunker Hill,” says prize-winning historian Nathaniel Philbrick, whose “Bunker Hill: A City, A Siege, A […]
Posted inNews, Weather
Weather Alert: Extreme Heat Watch issued for all of Rhode Island
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued an Extreme Heat Watch for all of Rhode Island. The Extreme Heat Watch is in effect from Sunday (June 22) through Tuesday (June 24). During this time, NWS says that the area could experience dangerously hot conditions with heat index values potentially exceeding 105 degrees. Extreme Heat Watch […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island judge rules Trump administration can’t require states to help on immigration to get transport money
By MICHAEL CASEY and REBECCA BOONE Associated Press BOSTON (AP) — A federal judge on Thursday blocked the Trump administration from withholding billions of dollars in transportation funds from states that don’t agree to participate in some immigration enforcement actions. Twenty states sued after they said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy threatened to cut off funding to states […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Friends Of The Waterfront Concert Series returns to King Park for five shows this summer
Newport’s King Park Gazebo is gearing up for a summer of music as the Friends of the Waterfront Concert Series makes its return. The New England Music Organization is hosting five free outdoor concerts at King Park from July to August. Blues harmonica star James Montgomery is set to kick things off on July 11 […]
Posted inNews
Morning Notes: RIPTA summer service changes bring free fares, more frequent buses to Newport
Good morning, Newport! Today is Friday, June 20, the 171st day of 2025. There are 194 days left in the year. Summer begins today. 🚨 You need to know Get ready for more frequent buses and free rides on key routes beginning Saturday (June 21). The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) is rolling out […]
Posted inNews
Trinity Church’s Annual Strawberry Festival returns on June 21
Trinity Chruch’s Strawberry Fest is back! The event is scheduled to take place outdoors at Trinity Church (1 Queen Anne Square) on Saturday (June 21) from 11 am to 5 pm. There will be homemade strawberry shortcakes, fresh-squeezed lemonade, and strawberries by the carton for sale. “Fresh Strawberry shortcakes, fresh squeezed lemonade, cartons of fresh […]
Posted inNews
Providence-Newport Ferry will kick off 2025 season on June 20
The Providence-Newport Ferry will kick off its 2025 season on Friday, June 20. “The Ocean State,” operated by Seastreak, will run daily trips through Monday, October 13 (Columbus Day), including summer weekend and holiday stops in Bristol. One-way tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children (ages 3-12), seniors (65+), and individuals with disabilities. […]
Posted inBusiness, News, Real Estate
Procaccianti Companies gets green light for The Bellevue Hotel
Procaccianti Companies on Thursday (June 19) announced that it has secured all necessary approvals to build The Bellevue Hotel, a new high-end boutique property at the Bellevue Gardens Plaza (181 Bellevue Ave.). The city’s Technical Review Committee gave the 91-room hotel project a unanimous thumbs-up on June 11, moving it into the pre-construction stage. “We […]
Posted inNews
Morning Notes: Celebrating Juneteenth in Newport
Good Morning, Newport! Today is Thursday, June 19, the 170th day of 2025. There are 195 days left in the year. Today is Juneteenth. 🚨 You need to know It was 160 years ago that enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned they had been freed — after the Civil War’s end and two years after […]
Posted inNews
Pell Elementary’s Sybil Grayko named Newport District Teacher of the Year
Sybil Grayko, a second-grade teacher at Pell Elementary School, has earned the title of Newport Public Schools’ Teacher of the Year for 2025-2026. With 21 years of experience in the district, Grayko stands out for her innovative approach to teaching environmental sustainability through hands-on projects. “Newport and our students are very lucky to have such […]
Posted inNews
Newport Public Schools face $900K shortfall amid layoffs and funding cuts
Newport Public Schools confronts a $900,000 budget shortfall for the upcoming school year, despite implementing 10 staff layoffs and after receiving reduced funding from the city council, Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain announced during her monthly interview with What’sUpNewp on Wednesday, June 18. The district balanced its budget by reducing the out-of-district special education line; however, […]
Posted inNews, Nonprofit
Newport Polo Gala to support local environmental initiatives
Newport Polo’s 24th annual charity gala, “Singapore Swing,” is set for Aug. 1, 2025, at Rosecliff Mansion in Newport. This black-tie event will support four local environmental organizations: Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, Roger Williams Park Zoo, Save The Bay, and Newport Tree Conservancy. These charity galas have raised nearly $2.2 million for nonprofit initiatives […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News
You good, man? RIDOH launches campaign to spotlight men’s mental health
In recognition of Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) has launched You Good, Man?, a statewide campaign to raise awareness and prevent suicide among working-age men, a population experiencing suicide at nearly twice the rate of the general public in Rhode Island. “Society often focuses on the physical health of […]
Posted inNews
Morning Notes: Providence ranks among top 10 riskiest driving cities in America
Good Morning, Newport! Today is Tuesday, June 17, the 168th day of 2025. There are 197 days left in the year. 🚨 You need to know Providence is among the riskiest cities in the United States for drivers, according to the 2025 Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report. Drivers here are nearly 80% more likely to […]
Posted inCity & Government
Watch: A conversation with Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain
Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain will join What’sUpNewp for her monthly one-on-one conversation on Wednesday, June 18, at 1:30 pm. Have a question for the Superintendent? Ask it here.
Posted inArts & Culture
Bestselling author Sarah MacLean to host cocktail event in Newport
Charter Books in Newport is hosting New York Times bestselling author Sarah MacLean for a summer cocktail event on July 14, 2025, at Ocean Cliff in Newport. The event runs from 4 to 6 p.m. and features MacLean discussing her new book, “These Summer Storms,” which is perfect for readers who love family drama and […]
Posted inNews, People & Profiles
Rev. Meaghan K. Brower named new Rector of Trinity Church
Trinity Church announced in an email to subscribers and supporters on Tuesday (June 17) that it will soon welcome Reverend Meaghan Kelly Browers as its new Rector. Norris Commodore, Senior Warden at Trinity Church, shared the following in a letter. To the members and friends of Trinity Church, Newport: It is with great excitement that […]