Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Housing today announced grant awards to eight municipalities totaling approximately $1.1 million through the Municipal Fellows Program. This program places early-career professionals in roles focused on planning, zoning, and housing development, to support municipal efforts to increase housing production as well as grow the pipeline of […]
News
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Newport City Manager Colin Kennedy will join What’sUpNewp for a one-on-one conversation on Feb. 19
Newport City Manager Colin Kennedy will join What’sUpNewp for his next monthly live conversation, “Ask The City Manager,” on Wednesday, February 19, at 11 am. What questions do you have for the City Manager? Leave them below, and we’ll answer as many as possible during the live broadcast. During our 30-minute conversation, we’ll address various […]
Posted inNews, Weather
Snow covers Newport County, up to 2 inches reported
Newport County residents woke up to a winter scene Sunday morning as snow blanketed the area, with some spots seeing up to 2 inches. The National Weather Service in Boston/Norton, MA, has released snowfall totals for the storm that moved through the region from Saturday, Feb. 15, to Sunday, Feb. 16. Portsmouth tops the list […]
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What’s Up Interview: Folk legend Tom Rush, playing the Narrows Center Saturday, February 22
Folk legend Tom Rush continues to forge ahead. The 84-year-old singer-songwriter, who got his start in 1961, will bring a catalog of songs and stories to the Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River, on Saturday, February 22. At an age when most folks are comfortably retired, Rush remains active, recording a new album […]
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Charter Books is seeking to hire Frontline Booksellers and an Events & Marketing Coordinator
Charter Books, a local independent bookstore in Newport, is on the hunt for new employees as several current staff members are set to move on in the coming months. Steve Iwanski, who founded and manages Charter Books, explains that the departures are friendly and unrelated. Most of the leaving employees are finishing up school or […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Annual Chili Cook-Off kicks off Newport Winter Festival in spicy style
The chilly weather didn’t keep hundreds from getting out to enjoy the Chili Cook-Off at the Newport Marriot Saturday afternoon, February 15. Large crowds gathered to sample deliciuous chili from over a dozen local establishments. With snowflakes in the forecast, tasters were in great spirits as Newporters and visitors alike began to emerge from their […]
Posted inNews, Weather
Weekend storm to bring snow, ice, and high winds to Newport area
Newport County is bracing for a mixed bag of winter weather this weekend. The National Weather Service in Boston/Norton has issued both a Winter Weather Advisory and a High Wind Watch for the area. The Winter Weather Advisory kicks in at 1 p.m. Saturday and runs through 7 p.m. Sunday. We’re looking at 2 to […]
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Winter storm prompts parking bans across Newport County
Several Newport County towns are rolling out parking bans this weekend as winter weather moves in. Middletown, Tiverton, and Portsmouth have all announced temporary parking restrictions ahead of expected snowfall. In Middletown, the ban kicks in at noon Saturday, Feb. 15, and runs through noon Sunday, Feb. 16. The town wants to make sure public […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
BCUC, Julien Baker & Torres, Waxahatchee join 2025 Newport Folk Festival lineup
The Newport Folk Festival is starting to unveil its 2025 lineup, with Jeff Tweedy, Mt. Joy, and Waxahatchee among the first artists announced. Tweedy is set to perform on Sunday, July 27, as part of the festival’s three-day run from July 25-27 at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island. Mt. Joy joined the […]
Posted inCity & Government
RITBA releases bridge maintenance schedule for February 16-22
The Rhode Island Turnpike & Bridge Authority (RITBA) is planning lane closures on two local bridges for the week of February 16-22, 2025. Drivers using the Newport Claiborne Pell Bridge should expect alternating lane closures in both directions from February 18 to 21. Westbound lanes will be affected from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., while […]
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Fatal crash claims life of Tiverton woman on Lake Road
A tragic car accident on Lake Road in Tiverton has claimed the life of a local woman. Jennifer M. Sylvia, 52, died after her 2014 Subaru Impreza crashed into a tree and caught fire Wednesday night. The incident happened around 9:53 p.m. near 840 Lake Rd. When emergency services arrived, they found Sylvia’s car engulfed […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rogers High School Senior wins Rhode Island Voice of Democracy Contest
A senior from Rogers High School has taken the top spot in Rhode Island’s 2024-2025 Voice of Democracy contest, run by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Grace Rochelle’s essay on “Is America Today Our Forefathers’ Vision?” won first place in the state competition. Her writing highlighted how democracy offers freedom and opportunity for everyone, […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island lawmakers push for assault weapons ban, junk fee prohibition
Rhode Island lawmakers are tackling a range of issues with new bills introduced this week, covering gun control, consumer protection, probate avoidance, and more. A bill to ban assault weapons, including certain semi-automatic firearms, has been introduced by Rep. Jason Knight and Sen. Louis P. DiPalma. The proposed legislation (2025-H 5436) has backing from all […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Rhode Island House honors memory of restaurateur Margaret Janikies
Rep. Alex Finkelman (D-Dist. 74, Jamestown, Middletown) asked the Rhode Island House of Representatives to adjourn their session in memory of Jamestown resident Margaret Janikies on Wednesday, February 12. The House’s official X account shared, “Margaret was known for her entrepreneurial spirit, generosity, and warm smile. With her late husband, Nicholas, she created a successful […]
Posted inNews, Nonprofit
Aquidneck Island Land Trust is now accepting applications for grants from the Merritt Neighborhood Fund
Aquidneck Island Land Trust is now accepting applications for grants from the Merritt Neighborhood Fund, an endowed fund which seeks to support the preservation of small parks, community gardens, and other natural spaces on Aquidneck Island. Established in 1999 to honor the late Peter M. Merritt, the Land Trust’s president emeritus, the Fund supports projects […]
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Black History Month – Dr. Harriet Alleyne Rice: A native Newport Black History heroine that is largely unknown in the city of her birth
The following was written for What’s Up Newp by Keith Stokes, Vice President of the 1696 Heritage Group. This story was originally published on Feb. 11 ,2021. A native Newport Black History heroine that is largely unknown in the city of her birth. Harriet Alleyne Rice was born to George and Lucinda Rice in 1866 in […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Experience Newport Winter Festival at The JPT: Concerts, classic cinema, and craft beer
The Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center (The JPT) is planning an exciting week of Newport Winter Festival events, with live music, iconic films, and local craft beer on tap. The festivities begin Wednesday, February 19, with a special screening of Becoming Led Zeppelin, followed by a one-of-a-kind live concert on Thursday, February 20, showcasing immense local talent and supporting emerging […]
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Newport County students shine on Salve Regina’s Dean’s List
Salve Regina University has announced its Dean’s List for the fall 2024 semester, highlighting 33 Newport County students for their outstanding academic performance. To make the Dean’s List, full-time students must earn a semester GPA of 3.6 or higher while taking at least 12 graded credits. Part-time students need to achieve a 3.8 GPA with […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Newport County communities awarded $225,000 to improve math skills
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee and Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green have announced $225,000 in grants to improve math skills. This funding is part of a bigger $2.85 million Learn365RI grant program, which goes hand-in-hand with the new Math Matters RI campaign. The goal? To help K-8 students get better at math through programs outside of […]
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EU Defense Attaché visits Naval War College
Rear Adm. Henning Faltin, European Union (EU) Defense Attaché to the United States and Canada, visited the U.S. Naval War College (NWC) in Newport, Rhode Island, on February 12th, meeting with NWC President Rear Adm. Darryl Walker and engaging with students and faculty. During their meeting, the two leaders discussed the valuable contributions of students […]
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Trump’s education secretary may be asked to dismantle the Education Department. Here’s what it does
By ANNIE MA AP Education Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — If Linda McMahon is confirmed as education secretary, President Donald Trump has said he wants her to “put herself out of a job.” A plan being considered by the White House would direct the education secretary to dismantle the department as much as legally possible while asking Congress to abolish it […]
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Obituary: Brian Sullivan
George Brian Sullivan, 85, the eldest son of Dorothy Golden and George Henry Sullivan, died peacefully on the morning of February 5, 2025. His last years were lived at the Heatherwood Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, in Newport, Rhode Island where he received loving care from their dedicated staff. His roommate of the past two […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council tackles wide-ranging agenda in marathon meeting
The Newport City Council convened for a regular meeting on Wednesday, February 12, addressing a wide range of topics over the course of three hours. The session, which began just after 6:30 p.m., covered issues from speed cameras to beach concessions, with several resolutions and action items on the agenda. One of the most contentious […]
Posted inCity & Government
Gardiner House meets state requirements, avoids show cause hearing
The Newport City Council, operating as the Board of License Commissioners, took Bloody Bull LLC, which runs Gardiner House, off its agenda for a show cause hearing on Wednesday night. The business has now met all state requirements for its Class BT alcoholic beverage license. The council had planned to hold the hearing on Feb. […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council will tackle lead remediation during upcoming workshop
The Newport City Council will address concerns about lead pipes in the city’s drinking water system with a workshop on Thursday, February 20. Set for 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, the meeting will outline the city’s plan to deal with lead pipes that connect some homes to the water supply. Councilor Xay Khamsyvoravong emphasized the […]