Music lovers, get ready for some free outdoor entertainment. The NIMFest summer concert series is coming back to Newport’s King Park Gazebo in 2025, thanks to the New England Music Organization (NEMO) and North End Entertainment. Every Sunday from July 6 to August 24, you can catch live performances from 3 to 6 p.m. at […]
News
Posted inBusiness
US cable giants Charter and Cox, under assault by streaming services, pursue $34.5 billion merger
By MICHELLE CHAPMAN AP Business Writer Charter Communications has offered to acquire Cox Communications, a $34.5 billion merger that would combine two of the top three cable companies in the U.S. Cox is the third largest cable television company in the country, with more than 6.5 million digital cable, internet, telephone, and home security customers. […]
Posted inNews
Morning Notes: Newport museums welcome military families with free admission this summer
Good Friday morning, Newport! Here’s our daily rundown of what’s happening out there today, plus all that you need to know; enjoy! Weather Forecast Today: Areas of fog before noon. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 66 degrees. South wind 3 to 8 mph. Tonight: A slight chance of showers after 1 am. Patchy […]
Posted inCity & Government
Middletown will break ground on new Middle-High School on June 9
Middletown is set to celebrate the start of construction on its new Middle High School on June 9. The groundbreaking ceremony starts at 10 a.m. near the construction site by Gaudet Middle School. If it rains, the event will move to June 11. This 211,000-square-foot school, opening for the 2027-2028 year, will be Rhode Island’s […]
Posted inNews, Nonprofit
Newport County historic sites receive $28,500 in Preservation grants
Preserve Rhode Island is giving out $125,000 in matching grants to 18 nonprofits across the state. Four projects in Newport County are getting $28,500 for fixing up historic buildings. These grants, given out with The 1772 Foundation, are helping with urgent repairs and long-term care of Rhode Island’s old buildings. In Newport, three projects are […]
Posted inNews, Nonprofit
Newport welcomes Impact100 Chapter, promising six-figure grants
A new Impact100 chapter in Newport County is offering local non-profits a shot at a $100,000 grant. The group aims to bring together at least 100 women, with each member contributing $1,000 to fund substantial grants for chosen organizations. Impact100 Newport County is entirely volunteer-run, ensuring all membership donations go directly back into the local […]
Posted inNews, Nonprofit
Aquidneck Island Land Trust gives out $10,148 in community grants
The Aquidneck Island Land Trust is supporting local community and neighborhood groups with $10,148 in grants through its yearly Merritt Neighborhood Fund program. Six groups received awards between $998 and $2,500 for projects that build community identity and encourage land conservation and stewardship through volunteer work. This year’s grant recipients include Aquidneck Elementary School, which […]
Posted inCity & Government
Politics & Pancakes: Newport Chamber to host key state finance leaders
The Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for its second quarterly Politics & Pancakes event on June 2. This gathering will bring Rhode Island legislators to the table to discuss state budget issues and policy priorities for the upcoming 2025 session. Key speakers at the event include House Finance Chairman Marvin L. Abney […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport Planning Board to host special meeting on proposed Waites Wharf hotel project
Newport’s Planning Board is gearing up to review two major hotel development proposals for Waites Wharf tonight (May 15). The board will look at plans for a 54-room hotel with a restaurant on the north lot and a 35-room hotel with a restaurant/event space on the south lot. Both projects also include 7-unit residential buildings. […]
Posted inNews
Morning Notes: Newport wants your ideas for Open Space Plan Update
Good Thursday morning, Newport! Here’s our daily rundown of what’s happening out there today, plus all that you need to know; enjoy! Weather Forecast Today: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 8 am, then isolated showers. Patchy fog before 7 am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 62. Southeast wind 6 to 8 mph. The chance […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport swears in new K9 Officer Bo
Newport’s newest four-legged officer, a 10-week-old chocolate Labrador named Bo, has joined the city’s community policing unit. Bo and his handler, Officer Nick St. Lawrence, were sworn in at Newport City Hall by Mayor Charlie Holder on Wednesday (May 14), with about 50 community members there to witness the pup’s big moment. This young K9 […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council takes aim at non-owner occupied short-term rentals
The Newport City Council voted at their Regular Council Meeting on Wednesday (May 14) to request ordinance changes that would prohibit all new non-owner-occupied short-term rentals in the city. The resolution, which passed with a 4-3 vote, directs the city administration and solicitors to present a plan, including ordinance changes and administrative policies, by the […]
Posted inNews
Endurance swimmer is attempting first-ever swim around Martha’s Vineyard ahead of ‘Jaws’ anniversary
By LEAH WILLINGHAM Associated Press VINEYARD HAVEN, Mass. (AP) — Lewis Pugh has followed an unspoken rule during his career as one of the world’s most daring endurance swimmers: Don’t talk about sharks. But he plans to break that this week on a swim around Martha’s Vineyard, where “ Jaws” was filmed 50 years ago. The British-South […]
Posted inNews
White scores 34 to help Celtics stave off elimination with 127-102 Game 5 win over Knicks
BOSTON (AP) — Before the Boston Celtics took the floor without their biggest star on a night they had to win, Joe Mazzulla implored his players to just pour everything they had into winning one game. They did, and the defending NBA champions earned another chance to extend their season. Derrick White had 34 points, […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Tax Compliance Days comes to Newport next week
Tax issues can sometimes become overwhelming for businesses and individuals, which is why the state Division of Taxation is holding tax compliance days for businesses in Newport and Narragansett over the next few days. Neena Savage, Rhode Island’s tax administrator, said these are individual sessions meant to help taxpayers become compliant. The tax compliance events, […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council takes first steps in broadening smoking ban
Newport’s City Council is considering changes to widen the city’s smoking ban, adding marijuana and vaping to the list of prohibited activities in public areas. The council approved on first reading on Wednesday (May 14) amendments that would ban cannabis use and vaping in places where tobacco smoking is already not allowed. Melanie Saunders from […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport’s $92 million budget put on hold after unexpected City Council vote
The Newport City Council has tabled its vote on the proposed biennial budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 in a surprise procedural move that halted discussion on the financial plan. During their Regular Council Meeting on Wednesday (May 14), Councilor David Carlin moved to table the budget ordinance immediately after the hearing was closed, […]
Posted inNews, Nonprofit
MLK Center expands access to free fresh produce to four locations
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center today (May 14) announced the expansion of its Produce to the People program, which offers weekly fresh produce to anyone in Newport County free of charge. In addition to offering this resource on Thursdays at the Center from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the program has expanded […]
Posted inBusiness
SeaMist MedSpa unveils new Newport location with grand reopening
SeaMist MedSpa is set to unveil its newly renovated Newport location at 35 Broadway on May 29. The grand reopening event, happening from 4 to 7 p.m., showcases the spa’s fresh 1,100-square-foot space. “This new space is a reflection of the growth we’ve experienced and the elevated care we strive to offer every client who […]
Posted inCity & Government
11th Hour Racing awards Aquidneck Community Table $150,000
Aquidneck Community Table (ACT) today announced a $150,000 grant award from 11th Hour Racing to support its work to build a stronger and more just food system on Aquidneck Island. The funding will help increase access to local foods, along with garden and compost programs, in local communities with need. “Everyone deserves access to fresh foods and […]
Posted inNews
Morning Notes: Newport Dems to host rally against President Trump’s ‘harmful actions and policies’ on Saturday
Good Wednesday morning, Newport! Here’s our daily rundown of what’s happening out there today, plus all that you need to know; enjoy! Weather Forecast Today: A chance of showers, mainly after 1 pm. Cloudy, with a high near 61. Southeast wind 7 to 10 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%. Tonight: A chance of […]
Posted inCity & Government
20 Democratic attorneys general sue Trump administration over conditions placed on federal funds
By KIMBERLEE KRUESI Associated Press PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A coalition of 20 state Democratic attorneys general filed two federal lawsuits on Tuesday, claiming that the Trump administration is threatening to withhold billions of dollars in transportation and disaster-relief funds unless states agree to certain immigration enforcement actions. According to the complaints, both Secretary of […]
Posted inNews
Governor McKee allocates $1.5 million to Portsmouth, Middletown, and Jamestown for affordable housing projects
Rhode Island is investing big in affordable housing, with three Newport County communities set to receive a total of $1.5 million in grants. This is part of the state’s largest single-year investment through the Community Development Block Grant program. Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Housing have announced over $3.5 million in […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Jazz Festival adds Flying Lotus and Nubya Garcia to 2025 lineup
The Newport Jazz Festival is adding Flying Lotus and Nubya Garcia to its Friday lineup for the 2025 event. This 71st annual festival, happening August 1-3 at Fort Adams State Park, promises a wide range of artists over three days. Grammy-nominated producer Flying Lotus and indie jazz composer and saxophonist Nubya Garcia are joining an […]
Posted inNews, People & Profiles
Newport students commit to high-demand careers at ‘Signing Day’ event
Newport Area Career and Technical Center recently celebrated 22 graduating seniors at its annual National Signing Day event. The ceremony, held with SkillsUSA, recognized students committing to careers in high-demand fields like construction, culinary arts, engineering, cosmetology, and IT. Students signed letters of intent for their next steps, including jobs, apprenticeships, technical training, military service, […]