Two East Bay lawmakers are pushing to tackle the staffing crisis that has kept dozens of beds closed at the Rhode Island Veterans Home, introducing legislation that would require state agencies to analyze the problem and develop a plan to fix it. Sen. Linda Ujifusa (D-Dist. 11, Portsmouth, Bristol) and Rep. Susan Donovan (D-Dist. 69, […]
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Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Classical Music Festival announces 30 concerts across 11 venues for its 57th season
Newport Classical’s 57th summer music festival will bring 30 concerts to 11 venues across Newport from July 2-19, 2026, the organization announced Tuesday. Tickets go on sale to the general public on April 8 at 10 a.m. at newportclassical.org/music-festival. The festival opens July 2 at The Breakers with Delirium Musicum, a self-conducted chamber orchestra described […]
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Newport Kite Festival returns to Brenton Point this July for its 40th year
One of Rhode Island’s most enduring free public events returns to the edge of the Atlantic this summer, and organizers say this year’s Newport Kite Festival will be unlike any before it. The festival is scheduled for July 11–12, 2026, at Brenton Point State Park, running noon to 4 p.m. each day. Admission is free. […]
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AARP Rhode Island brings free document shredding event to Newport in April
Residents looking to safely dispose of sensitive documents will have a free, convenient option this spring when AARP Rhode Island brings its “Fraud Fighting Fridays” shredding event to Newport next month. The drive-thru drop-off is scheduled for Friday, April 24, from 9 a.m. to noon at Edward King House. The event is free and open […]
Posted inCity & Government
Climate Action Rhode Island endorses Sue AnderBois for lieutenant governor
A Rhode Island grassroots environmental organization has thrown its support behind Providence City Council member Sue AnderBois in the 2026 race for lieutenant governor, citing her record on clean energy and climate policy as the driving force behind the endorsement. Climate Action Rhode Island announced its backing of AnderBois on Sunday, describing her as a […]
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This Day in RI History: March 22, 1966, Martha McSally is born in Warwick
Former Arizona Senator Martha McSally was born on March 22, 1966 in Warwick, RI. She attended Bay View Academy and later received a B.S. in Biology from the United States Air Force Academy as well as a Master’s Degree from the JFK School of Government at Harvard University. As an Air Force pilot, McSally flew […]
Posted inPortsmouth
Portsmouth rep wants kratom locked up behind sales counters
by Alexander Castro, Rhode Island CurrentMarch 20, 2026 The psychoactive herb kratom can be legally sold in Rhode Island starting April 1, but a Portsmouth lawmaker and pharmacist wants it to be kept in a locked case behind sales counters. Rep. Michelle McGaw, a Portsmouth Democrat, had voted against passage of the kratom law last […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Classical to present world premiere of new violin work inspired by Washington’s letter to Newport Hebrew Congregation
Newport Classical will present the world premiere of a new violin work inspired by one of Newport’s most celebrated historical documents when violinist Yevgeny Kutik and pianist Llewellyn Sánchez-Werner take the stage Friday, April 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Newport Classical Recital Hall, 42 Dearborn St. The program features the premiere of Scattered Light, […]
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Newport Rhode Races returns April 18 with sold-out fields, 10th anniversary milestone
The Newport Rhode Races will return to the City by the Sea on Saturday, April 18, with all race distances sold out and thousands of runners expected to descend on Newport for the event’s 10th anniversary. The race features a marathon, half marathon and 5K, with all events beginning and ending at Easton’s Beach. Runners […]
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Middletown police department earns third state reaccreditation
The Middletown Police Department has received its third reaccreditation from the Rhode Island Police Accreditation Commission, the department announced Thursday. The reaccreditation follows a comprehensive review of the department’s policies, procedures, training and operations, measured against 230 standards established by RIPAC. Those standards cover administration, personnel, operations, prisoner services and technical support functions. Officer Jean […]
Posted inNews
Outlook for Newport Hospital birthing center dims after Brown University Health logs $18M Q1 loss
by Nancy Lavin, Rhode Island CurrentMarch 19, 2026 Executives at Brown University Health never mentioned the Newport Hospital birthing center during a 30-minute call with investors Thursday, nor was it included in a 17-slide PowerPoint presentation detailing the health care system’s first quarter financial results. But the accredited labor and delivery unit — the only […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Pride announces full lineup of June 2026 events
Newport Pride has announced its lineup of events for Pride Month 2026, kicking off June 2 and culminating in a full weekend of festivities later in the month. The month begins with the annual Pride Flag Raising Ceremony on Tuesday, June 2. The event starts with a sidewalk parade from Equality Park — home of […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Boat House restaurant puts winning student dish on the menu
The Boat House restaurant is featuring an adaptation of the winning dish from the 14th Annual Rhode Island High School Culinary Arts, Foodservice & Hotel Management Competition on its menu through Monday. The appetizer — Asian Chicken Wonton Cups — was created by students Anthony Morales, Richard Desmarais, Tyler Hartley and Liam McGloin from the […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council to take up parking overhaul, speed camera funds at Wednesday meeting
The Newport City Council meets on Wednesday, March 25, at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall, 43 Broadway, with a packed agenda that includes second readings on a sweeping residential parking program overhaul and a continued debate over how to spend speed camera revenue. The meeting opens with a proclamation recognizing Greek Independence […]
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Preservation Society of Newport County to host job fair March 19
Job seekers looking for part-time and seasonal work can meet with hiring managers at the Preservation Society of Newport County’s Job Fair on Thursday, March 19, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the organization’s headquarters at 424 Bellevue Ave. Available positions include tour guides, museum custodians, security guards, retail and food service associates, special events […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Salve Regina professor to explore legacy of Ireland’s Blasket Islands at Newport Irish History lecture
The Museum of Newport Irish History will present the fifth and final talk of its 24th Annual Lecture Series on Monday, March 23, at 6 p.m. at the Wyndham Newport Hotel, 400 Aquidneck Ave., Middletown, and via Zoom. Dr. Sean O’Callaghan, an associate professor at Salve Regina University, a native of Ireland and an Irish […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island sees spike in drug overdoses, health officials issue statewide alert
Rhode Island health officials are warning the public after a spike in non-fatal drug overdoses last week surpassed a statewide threshold for the first time since 2023. The Rhode Island Department of Health reported 55 people received care at emergency departments for suspected drug overdoses between March 10 and March 16 — exceeding the state’s […]
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Rhode Island hockey team rallies to championship after ice rink shooting
By KIMBERLEE KRUESI Associated Press PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — As Colin Dorgan stood before a deafening crowd exploding in pride for his high school hockey team’s championship win, secured by a goal in an exhausting yet exhilarating quadruple overtime, three seats were noticeably empty in the Rhode Island arena. The high school senior’s mother, brother […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Preservation Society of Newport County announces plan to sell, transfer parts of its collection
The Preservation Society of Newport County announced Wednesday a deaccession initiative aimed at strengthening its permanent collection by removing items that no longer align with the organization’s interpretive mission. The initiative covers the organization’s wide-ranging permanent collection, which includes paintings, sculpture, furniture, ceramics, silver, textiles, tapestries, photographs and period dress housed across its 11 historic […]
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Sail Newport steps aside as St. Pete-Clearwater named next North American stopover of The Ocean Race
St. Pete-Clearwater, Fla., will serve as the North American stopover of The Ocean Race 2027, race organizers announced Wednesday, with Sail Newport confirming it chose not to pursue the bid. Sail Newport, Rhode Island’s Public Sailing Center — which hosted the race in 2015 and 2018 under the Volvo Ocean Race name and again in […]
Posted inCity & Government
Edwards again pushes bill to shift coastal oversight from CRMC to DEM
For the second consecutive year, a Tiverton lawmaker is pushing to strip the Coastal Resources Management Council of its authority and hand coastal oversight to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. Rep. John G. Edwards (D-Dist. 70, Tiverton) introduced legislation this session — bill 2026-H 7996 — that would abolish the CRMC and replace […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport’s budget season kicks off with series of city council workshops
The city’s annual budget process is getting underway this month, with the Newport City Council set to hold a series of special budget workshops beginning later this month. The sessions will take place in the second-floor council chamber at Newport City Hall beginning at 5:30 p.m. and are open to the public. All workshops will […]
Posted inBusiness
Newport International Boat Show reports $22.5 million in economic impact for Rhode Island during 2025 event
The Newport International Boat Show generated more than $22.5 million in economic impact for Rhode Island during its 2025 event, according to a newly released economic impact study. The show, which took place Sept. 11-14, 2025, at the Newport Yachting Center in downtown Newport, drew 30,000 attendees from across the country and around the world. […]
Posted inBusiness
What if the bar came to you on St. Patrick’s Day? These mini Irish pubs make it a reality
By LEAH WILLINGHAM Associated Press READING, Mass. (AP) — Just before St. Patrick’s Day, an Irish pub appeared one night beneath a basketball hoop in a suburban Massachusetts driveway. Neighbors packed around the bar as music played and Guinness flowed — inside a miniature pub that had been towed in for the night. Instead of heading […]
Posted inCity & Government
McKee visits Newport to push for elimination of Rhode Island’s tax on Social Security benefits
Gov. Dan McKee visited the Edward King House senior center Monday to promote his proposal to eliminate Rhode Island’s tax on Social Security benefits, joining AARP Rhode Island State Director Catherine Taylor and Office of Healthy Aging Director Maria Cimini to make the case directly to older adults. “Many people here have been paying taxes […]