Walter Channing, an American physician and professor of medicine, was born on April 15th, 1786 in Newport, RI. Walter Channing was the grandson of William Ellery (who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence) the brother of preacher William Ellery Channing (founder of Channing Memorial Church in Newport) and of fellow Harvard professor (of Rhetoric), Edward […]
News
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Aquidneck Island Earth Week returns April 18–26 with cleanups, hikes, film screenings and more
From shoreline cleanups to geology hikes to a climate film festival, the 7th Annual Aquidneck Island Earth Week kicks off Saturday, April 18, with more than two weeks of events spread across Newport, Middletown and Portsmouth. Organized by Sara Poirier of Spark Strategic Science Communication, the nine-day celebration runs through April 26 and draws together […]
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Sail America brings national sailing industry conference back to Newport
Sail America wrapped up its annual Sail America Industry Conference in Newport last month, drawing sailing industry professionals from around the country to the Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina for two days of speakers, panels and networking. The conference covered topics ranging from artificial intelligence to insurance to boat building. The keynote featured a conversation […]
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Governor McKee pushes to make Rhode Island’s Hope Scholarship permanent in state budget
Governor Dan McKee rallied students, staff and alumni at Rhode Island College on Tuesday to call for making the Hope Scholarship a permanent fixture in the state’s fiscal year 2027 budget. The Hope Scholarship is a last-dollar scholarship that covers free tuition for full-time juniors and seniors who are Rhode Island residents and have earned […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Rhode Island marks America’s 250th with veterans flights, liberty trees, WaterFire and more
As the nation prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence this July 4, Secretary of State Gregg Amore and the Rhode Island Semiquincentennial Commission are inviting the public to take part in a year’s worth of events celebrating the state’s unique role in the American Revolution. The calendar […]
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Rhode Island House passes Newport rep’s bill to require composting, food sharing in school cafeterias
The Rhode Island House of Representatives has approved a bill sponsored by Newport Rep. Lauren Carson that would require schools to compost or recycle cafeteria food waste and publicly disclose how they’re doing it. The bill (2026-H 7342) would require all school food service contracts to include provisions mandating the composting or recycling of organic […]
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Newport String Quartet to perform Bach, Glass and Schumann at Rough Point and Little Compton
The Newport String Project will present the fourth installment of its Newport County Concert Series on Saturday, May 2, at Rough Point in Newport and Sunday, May 3, at United Congregational Church in Little Compton. Both performances feature the project’s resident ensemble, the Newport String Quartet — violinists Ealaín McMullin and Kenneth Trotter, violist Florrie […]
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Greater Newport Chamber announces winners of 20th annual Excellence in Business Awards
The Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 20th annual Excellence in Business Awards on April 8 at the Wyndham Newport Atlantic Resort, honoring six local businesses across as many categories before a crowd of more than 120 guests. Lee Merrill of Centreville Bank and Dr. Missy Varao of Salve Regina University co-emceed the event, […]
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Jamestown a cappella ensemble Accidental Sisters makes its Newport debut at Channing Memorial Church on May 10
Accidental Sisters, a women’s world music a cappella ensemble based in Jamestown, will make its Newport debut at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 10 at Channing Memorial Church, 135 Pelham St. The concert, titled “About Time,” runs through 5:30 p.m. and is free by donation. Founded in September 2009 and directed by Julie Beth Andrews, the […]
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Newport Little League to host annual fundraiser at O’Brien’s Pub on May 14
Newport Little League will hold its 2026 annual fundraiser from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 14 at O’Brien’s Pub, 501 Thames St., with tickets priced at $20 and including a drink and light appetizers. The event, which is open to all guests 21 and older, will also feature a raffle and silent auction. O’Brien’s […]
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Newport Restoration Foundation calls for nominations for 20th annual Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards
The Newport Restoration Foundation is seeking nominations for the 2026 Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards, marking the 20th anniversary of the joint program between the NRF and the City of Newport. The annual awards recognize exemplary historic preservation projects that carry forward the legacy of Doris Duke and have had a significant impact on the […]
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Rogers High School PTO to host cornhole tournament at Newport Elks Lodge
Rogers High School’s Parent-Teacher Organization will host an amateur cornhole tournament at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 2 at the Elks Lodge, at the corner of Bellevue Avenue and Pelham Street, with a rain date of May 3. The tournament can accommodate 16 teams of two, with spots expected to fill quickly. The winning team will […]
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Salve Regina, Tennis Hall of Fame upgrade historic Casino Theatre with $710,000 in improvements
Salve Regina University and the International Tennis Hall of Fame have completed a series of upgrades to the Casino Theatre, revitalizing the 144-year-old venue with improved sound, lighting and technology systems. The improvements were funded by $650,000 in gifts from the Alletta Morris McBean Charitable Trust and the van Beuren Charitable Foundation, along with $60,000 […]
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Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day returns to Newport on April 14
Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day returns to Newport on April 14, with the Thames Street location offering free scoops to the public from noon to 8 p.m. The annual tradition, which began in 1979, has grown into a global event spanning more than 35 countries. Last year, Ben & Jerry’s served more than 1 […]
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Crucial vote slated on proposed Chariho school bond
Recent resignations from the Chariho Regional School board may be jeopardizing a potential vote this fall for a bond issue that would lead to the replacement of three aging elementary schools. A critical vote is scheduled for Tuesday (April 14) at which the school committee is being asked to approve language for the bond referendum, […]
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Willson Contreras has 3 RBIs against former team to back Ranger Suárez as Red Sox top Cardinals 7-1
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Willson Contreras drove in three runs against his former team, Ranger Suárez pitched six scoreless innings and the Boston Red Sox set a season high for runs with a 7-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday night. Boston, which broke open the game with a five-run ninth inning, has […]
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More than a building: Inside the next chapter of Newport’s Boys & Girls Clubs
“It’s not about a big building. It’s about what happens inside the building,” said Kelley Coen, newly appointed CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Newport County. She shared the remark at a recent Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce Women of Distinction event, where Coen was interviewed by Newport Chamber CEO Erin Donovan-Boyle. A […]
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Developer of Massachusetts offshore wind farm sues to stop turbine manufacturer from walking away
By HOLLY RAMER and JENNIFER McDERMOTT Associated Press The developer of a major Massachusetts offshore wind farm is suing its turbine manufacturer seeking to force it to stay with the project. Vineyard Wind filed a lawsuit Wednesday in Massachusetts against GE Renewables. That comes after the parent company for GE Renewables said it would be […]
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Rhode Island’s indie bookstore passport program returns, sending readers on a statewide literary road trip
Three Rhode Island independent bookstores are relaunching a statewide program that challenges readers to visit every indie bookshop in the state — and rewards those who pull it off. The Rhode Island Independent Bookstore Passport Adventure, first launched in 2019, returns April 18 and runs through April 26. Passports are free and will be distributed […]
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Newport Prevention Coalition and police to host DEA Drug Take Back Day on April 25 at the Salvation Army
The Newport Prevention Coalition and the Newport Police Department will host the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Salvation Army, 51 Memorial Blvd. A Newport police officer will be on hand to collect tablets, capsules, patches and other solid forms of prescription […]
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Rhode Island Spirits and Save The Bay launch new gin made with botanicals foraged from Narragansett Bay’s shoreline
Rhode Island Spirits has partnered with Save The Bay to release a new gin made with botanicals foraged directly from the shoreline of Save The Bay’s Providence Bay Center, with a portion of every bottle sold going back to bay conservation. Rhodium Save The Bay Gin is the latest release from Rhode Island Spirits, New […]
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newportFILM to screen ‘Lowland Kids’ at Rogers High School’s new auditorium on April 16, with proceeds benefiting the scholarship fund
newportFILM will present a special screening of “Lowland Kids” on Thursday, April 16, at Rogers High School Auditorium, 15 Wickham Road — marking the organization’s first screening in the school’s newly built auditorium. Presented in partnership with the Rogers High School PTO and the Newport Public Education Foundation, the event will benefit the Rogers High […]
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Coalition rallies at State House, releases new report as fight to secure Newport’s birthing center enters new phase
Nearly a year after the threat of closure first galvanized Aquidneck Island families, advocates for Newport Hospital’s Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center took their fight to the State House on Thursday — this time armed with legislation, a new 53-page white paper and a message that welcoming Brown University Health’s announcement last week was not […]
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Cynthia Nixon to discuss ‘The Gilded Age’ and her career at An Evening with Cynthia Nixon at The Breakers on April 26
Cynthia Nixon, the Emmy, Tony and Grammy award-winning actor known for her roles in HBO’s “The Gilded Age” and “Sex and the City,” will appear in conversation at The Breakers on Sunday, April 26, in an event hosted by the Preservation Society of Newport County. The evening will feature Nixon discussing her portrayal of Ada […]
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Salve Regina University dance program to present ‘Currents’ at the Casino Theatre April 16-18
The dance program at Salve Regina University will bring its spring concert, “Currents,” to the Casino Theatre, 9 Freebody St., for three performances April 16-18. The program is described as a journey through the forces and undercurrents that shape human experience, with faculty and student choreographers exploring themes of resistance, personal freedom and collective empowerment […]
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McKee announces $60M bond proposal for CCRI workforce training center in Warwick
Gov. Dan McKee on Wednesday announced a proposed $60 million general obligation bond to build a Workforce Innovation Center at the Community College of Rhode Island’s Warwick campus, part of a broader $600 million infrastructure bond package included in his fiscal year 2027 budget. The proposed 44,000-square-foot facility would feature industry-standard labs, simulation spaces and […]
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Secretary Amore launches ‘Play Ball for RI250’ initiative at Rumford Little League
Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore and the RI250 Commission on Wednesday officially launched Play Ball for RI250, a statewide initiative linking youth baseball and softball with Rhode Island’s Semiquincentennial commemorations ahead of July 4, 2026. The kickoff event was held at the Kimberly Ann Rock Complex in Rumford and brought together Little League players, […]
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Publisher’s Note: It’s a News Day. Start Local.
Today is Local News Day. More than 1,300 newsrooms across all 50 states are showing up for it. States including Colorado and North Carolina have issued formal proclamations. So have cities and counties from Helena, Mont., to Waltham, Mass. It is, by any measure, a genuine national moment for local journalism — and What’sUpNewp is […]
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Sen. Euer’s bill to protect contraceptive coverage regardless of federal law heard in committee
Legislation that would require Rhode Island health insurers to cover contraceptives at no cost, independent of federal law, was heard in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee Tuesday. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Dawn Euer, who represents Newport and Jamestown, is aimed at preserving contraceptive coverage for Rhode Islanders even if the Affordable Care […]
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New AARP research finds nearly 4 in 10 Americans have experienced fraud as Rhode Island events kick off this month
New research from AARP finds that fraud is a growing concern for Americans, with nearly 4 in 10 U.S. adults — about 103 million people — reporting they have already experienced fraud and an estimated 159 million worried about becoming victims. The research finds that about 30 percent of adults say their biggest fear is […]
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Rhode Island challenger ensures US will have a boat at next year’s America’s Cup
NAPLES, Italy (AP) — There will be an American boat at next year’s America’s Cup after all. American Racing Challenger Team USA representing Sail Newport in Rhode Island was announced as an official challenger Wednesday for the 2027 regatta scheduled off Naples. The new team said it acquired key sailing assets from American Magic, including the AC75 […]
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Sail Newport-backed American Racing Challenger Team USA confirmed for 38th America’s Cup in Naples
American Racing Challenger Team USA, representing Sail Newport, has been confirmed as an official challenger for the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup, bringing the United States back to the storied competition ahead of the 2027 event in Naples, Italy. The team is the vision of entrepreneurs Karel Komárek and Chris Welch and will be led […]
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Vague on specifics, NPAC executive confident of raising millions to reopen opulent former opera house
In multiple exchanges of emails, we posed several questions to Melissa Caldwell Quinn, managing director of the Newport Performing Arts Center. This is another in our ongoing series on the opera house restoration project that is now approaching 25 years. WUN: Is this still a viable project? If not, what happens now? If it is, […]
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Newport to host global economic innovator Zita Cobb for free public talk on April 8
A Canadian entrepreneur who transformed a remote island economy into a globally recognized model of community resilience is coming to Newport next month. Zita Cobb, founder and CEO of Shorefast and a member of the Order of Canada, will deliver a free public presentation titled “A Framework for Community Economic Stewardship: Learnings from Fogo Island” […]
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Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce to host annual expo April 8 in Middletown
The Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce will host its annual expo next week, bringing together more than 70 local businesses and organizations for a free community event. The 2026 EXPO takes place Wednesday, April 8, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the Wyndham Newport Atlantic Resort, 240 Aquidneck Ave. in Middletown. Admission and on-site parking […]
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Judy Collins adds second Newport show to farewell tour, performing June 13 and 14 at the JPT
Judy Collins will perform two nights at the JPT Film & Event Center in Newport on June 13 and 14 as part of her “Sweet Judy Blue Eyes” Farewell Tour, with a second show added due to demand. Both performances begin at 7 p.m. Tickets go on sale Friday, April 10, at 10 a.m. at […]
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$8.4 million repair project at Charlestown Breachway completed
State and local officials celebrated the completion of a long-term repair project at the Charlestown Breachway last week, wrapping up an $8.4 million effort to restore one of Rhode Island’s most important coastal infrastructure sites. Work began last November and was completed in late March. Contractors reconstructed the west breachway wall in two tiers of […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island awards more than $8 million to support housing development statewide
Governor Dan McKee and Secretary of Housing Deborah Goddard on Tuesday announced more than $8 million in bond-funded awards to accelerate housing production across Rhode Island through two programs under the state’s Housing 2030 plan. The larger of the two programs, the Housing 2030 Infrastructure Program, awarded approximately $7.63 million across eight projects to fund […]
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Three iconic sailboats to lead America’s Jubilee Celebration Sail off Newport on June 5
Organizers of America’s Jubilee have announced that three vessels — the tall ship Tabor Boy, the 12-metre Intrepid, and the world-class racer Temptation — will lead the fleet in a Celebration Sail off Newport on June 5. The race gets underway at 10 a.m., with celebrations beginning at 5 p.m. and capped by a fireworks […]
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Woman in Jamestown Police custody escapes from Newport Hospital, later found in North Kingstown
A woman in the custody of the Jamestown Police Department escaped from Newport Hospital on Monday morning after slipping out of her handcuffs, according to a statement from the department. At approximately 8:20 a.m., the woman reported feeling ill while officers were preparing to transport her to Newport District Court for an arraignment on a […]
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The Vanderbilt in Newport adds redesigned event space inspired by its Gilded Age roots
The Vanderbilt, Auberge Collection has completed a renovation of its Vanderbilt Room, a newly transformed event space at the historic downtown Newport property. The room, located on the lower level of the former Gilded Age mansion, was designed in collaboration with Herkworks Architecture, Whetstone Millwork and Blue Point Construction. The renovation brings the space in […]
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DEM to resume prescribed burns across Rhode Island state lands this week
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management plans to resume prescribed burns on state lands this week, with low-severity fires planned at locations across seven communities, weather permitting. DEM’s Forest Fire Program is targeting parcels at Durfee Hill Management Area in Glocester, Arcadia Management Area in Exeter, Nicholas Farm Management Area in Coventry, Big River […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County accepting applications for $2,000 Tinney Family Arts Scholarship
The Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County is accepting applications for the Tinney Family Arts Scholarship Award, a $2,000 scholarship given each May to a Newport County high school senior who has demonstrated artistic talent and plans to continue studying the arts. The scholarship is open to seniors attending any high school in Newport […]
Posted inCity & Government
New exhibit at Rhode Island State House explores state’s revolutionary history
Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore and the Rhode Island Semiquincentennial (250) Commission have announced the opening of a new exhibit at the Rhode Island State House commemorating the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary. “Revolution and Rhode Island: Liberty, Struggle, Legacy,” installed in the lower level of the State House, explores Rhode Island’s role in the […]
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Three Rhode Island state campgrounds open April 10 for the season
Three Rhode Island state campgrounds will open for the season on Friday, April 10, the state Department of Environmental Management announced. Charlestown Breachway, Fishermen’s Memorial and George Washington Memorial state campgrounds will welcome campers just in time for spring school vacation and trout fishing season. East Beach State Campground will open Friday, May 22. Burlingame […]
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Jamestown Police Department earns second reaccreditation from state law enforcement commission
The Jamestown Police Department has earned its second reaccreditation from the Rhode Island Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, following a thorough review of the department’s policies, procedures, operations and community engagement. The reaccreditation, awarded by the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association’s accreditation commission, known as RIPAC, is a voluntary recognition that requires law enforcement agencies to […]
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Four Salve Regina University students awarded foreign language fellowships
Four Salve Regina University students have been awarded Beatrice S. Demers Foreign Language Fellowships through the Rhode Island Foundation to support language study abroad. The fellowships, which range from $1,000 to $20,000, help cover tuition, fees, travel, housing and other expenses for students, educators and Rhode Island residents pursuing foreign language study. Adison Caufield, a […]
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Machado and Merrill homer for Padres in 8-6 win over flailing Red Sox
BOSTON (AP) — Jackson Merrill had three hits, including a solo homer in the eighth inning that gave the Padres the lead, and San Diego rallied from a four-run deficit on Sunday to beat Boston 8-6 and send the Red Sox to their seventh loss in their last eight games. Manny Machado connected for a […]
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Luca Langoni sparks Revolution to 3-0 victory over Montreal
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Luca Langoni scored early before notching his league-high fifth assist on defender Mamadou Fofana’s first career goal, and the New England Revolution beat CF Montreal 3-0 on Saturday. New England (2-3-0) has lost all three of its road matches under first-year coach Marko Mitrović, but the Revolution have won their two […]
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This day in RI history: April 4, 1866 -George Pierce Baker born in Providence
George Pierce Baker (1866-1935) was a Professor of English at Harvard and Yale and author of Dramatic Technique, a codification of the principles of drama. Born in Providence in 1866, Baker graduated from Harvard University in 1887 and went on to teach in the English Department there until 1924. While there, he established the “47 Workshop,” to provide a forum […]
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Newport Hospital birthing center will stay open. But it needs another $4.9M a year to survive.
by Nancy Lavin, Rhode Island CurrentApril 3, 2026 Newport Hospital’s Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center will remain open, Brown University Health announced on Friday. The commitment comes amid doubts over the award-winning labor and delivery unit’s future, which appeared in jeopardy due to decreasing births on Aquidneck Island and financial strain across the health care […]
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Treasurer Diossa brings financial literacy program to Thompson Middle School
General Treasurer James A. Diossa on Friday announced the expansion of the Financial Capabilities Consortium Program to Thompson Middle School in Newport, bringing financial literacy education to more than 100 eighth graders as part of Financial Literacy Month. Students participating in the program will receive in-classroom financial literacy coursework through the FLY Initiative, the opportunity […]
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Newport Hospital’s Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center will remain open, but needs $4.9 million in new annual funding to survive
The Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center at Newport Hospital will remain open, the hospital announced Friday — but its future depends on securing $4.9 million in sustained new annual funding from state and philanthropic sources. The announcement caps months of intense community advocacy that began last summer when Brown University Health first signaled the center […]
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15th annual Citizens Pell Bridge Run moves to August 30 due to planned Pell Bridge maintenance
The 15th annual Citizens Pell Bridge Run will take place Sunday, August 30 at 7 a.m., a departure from its traditional October date to accommodate significant maintenance and improvements planned for the Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge this fall. The 4-mile run and walk begins in Jamestown and finishes in downtown Newport, offering participants a rare […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council to consider Ann Street Pier expansion, Easton’s Beach contracts and more at Wednesday meeting
The Newport City Council will meet on Wednesday, April 8, at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall, 43 Broadway, with an agenda that includes infrastructure contracts, beach concessions, board appointments, and a number of upcoming special events. Among the most significant items, the council will consider awarding contracts for the expansion of Ann […]
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Ken Block is running for governor again. This time as an independent.
by Christopher Shea, Rhode Island CurrentApril 2, 2026 A Barrington software engineer who searched for voter fraud on behalf of the Trump campaign — and found none — is making his third attempt to run for the governor’s office. This time, Ken Block is running as an independent candidate. “My flavor of politics doesn’t align […]
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Newport’s 2026 cruise ship season kicks off this month, with a busy fall stretch ahead
Newport’s 2026 cruise ship season is underway, with dozens of vessels scheduled to call on the city between April and November, according to the latest schedule from Discover Newport and the Office of the Newport Harbor Master. The season was set to open Sunday with the Valiant Lady, but the ship canceled its Newport port […]
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Newport Restaurant Group donates more than $81,000 to local nonprofits through 2025 gift card program
Newport Restaurant Group has donated $81,314 to seven local nonprofits through its annual gift card donation program, surpassing last year’s total and bringing the program’s cumulative giving to more than $366,000 since its launch in 2019. Through the program, $2 from every gift card purchase is directed to area nonprofits fighting food insecurity. The 2025 […]
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Rhode Island General Treasurer James Diossa announces re-election campaign
Rhode Island General Treasurer James A. Diossa announced Thursday he is seeking re-election, releasing a campaign video featuring his children and partner while highlighting his first-term record of fiscal management and programs aimed at working families. “As Treasurer, my job has always been about more than numbers — it’s about people,” Diossa said. “Every investment […]
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East Providence mayor endorses Matos in lieutenant governor’s race
East Providence Mayor Roberto “Bob” DaSilva on Thursday endorsed Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos in her bid for a second term, lending the incumbent a prominent local voice as the Democratic primary for Rhode Island’s second-highest office grows more competitive. “Sabina fights tirelessly for everyday Rhode Islanders and always prioritizes the needs of our local communities,” […]
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National Sailing Hall of Fame announces Class of 2026, to be inducted in Newport this fall
The National Sailing Hall of Fame has announced its Class of 2026, a group of six sailors whose careers span Olympic podiums, record-setting ocean passages and pioneering roles for women in the sport. Induction festivities will take place over two days in Newport. A welcome cocktail party is set for the evening of Tuesday, October […]
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NOSOLO Giveback Foundation brings ‘Off to the Races’ Derby back to Newport on May 2
The NOSOLO Giveback Foundation will mark five years of mental health advocacy with a night at the races. The Middletown-based nonprofit, a registered 501(c)(3), will host Off to the Races: NOSOLO Foundation Derby on Saturday, May 2, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Salve Regina University’s Young Building. The Kentucky Derby-themed event features a live […]
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401Gives surpasses $5 million goal, setting records across the board for Rhode Island nonprofits
Rhode Islanders delivered. 401Gives, the statewide day of giving powered by United Way of Rhode Island, surpassed its $5 million fundraising goal by the time giving closed at 6 p.m. Wednesday, setting new records for donors, gifts and participating organizations in the initiative’s seven-year history. Over 36 hours, 20,112 donors made 32,544 gifts to benefit […]
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401Gives enters final hours with $3.5 million raised and two matching gift opportunities still ahead
401Gives is in its home stretch, and Rhode Islanders still have time to make their donations count. As of 11 a.m. Wednesday, the statewide day of giving had surpassed $3.5 million raised — more than $3.521 million from 22,431 gifts by more than 14,500 individual donors — pushing toward its $5 million goal with seven […]
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Rogers High School juniors launch ‘Donut or Donate’ fundraiser with a community twist
The Rogers High School Class of 2027 is giving Newport a reason to feel good about their next sugar fix. The junior class has launched a “Donut or Donate” fundraiser, selling dozens of Krispy Kreme donuts for $15 each — with a charitable option baked in. Buyers can choose to keep their donuts, have them […]
Posted inCity & Government
Judge rules that HUD effort to change criteria for homeless funding is unlawful
By MICHAEL CASEY Associated Press A federal judge in Rhode Island ruled on Tuesday that the Trump administration’s effort to dramatically change the criteria to get tens of millions of dollars in funding to aid homeless people was unlawful. Several nonprofits filed a lawsuit last year accusing the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development of changing the rules […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council confronts $925,000 public safety overrun as budget season opens
In the opening round of a citywide budget workshop series, Newport’s City Council pressed department heads and finance officials Monday night over a nearly million-dollar public safety spending gap, deferred fire station maintenance and an ambitious proposal to reshape how the city manages its parking operations — all against a backdrop of union contracts, supply […]
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401Gives tops $2.5 million in less than 12 hours, already halfway to its goal
The momentum behind 401Gives shows no signs of slowing down. By 5:17 p.m. Tuesday, the statewide day of giving had surpassed $2.5 million raised — more than halfway to its overall goal — with more than 15,860 donations pouring in from over 10,200 individual donors in less than 12 hours. A record 658 nonprofits have […]
Posted inArts & Culture
PPAC reveals its 2026/2027 season — and all six Broadway shows are new
On Tuesday morning, the management team at the Providence Performing Arts Center unveiled its 2026/2027 season in the theater’s grand lobby. Alan Chille, PPAC’s new president and CEO, first announced the Broadway season, sponsored by The Taco and The White Family Foundation. Chille was excited that all six of these shows are new: Operation Mincemeat […]
Posted inArts & Culture
The High Kings bring Rocky Road Tour to The JPT in July
Ireland’s leading folk group, The High Kings, are coming to Newport this summer as part of their Rocky Road Tour 2026. Spectacle Live will present the concert at The JPT Film & Event Center on Thursday, July 16, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale Friday, April 3, at 10 a.m. and are available at […]
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Newport International Boat Show sets dates for 55th annual event this September
The Newport International Boat Show will mark its 55th year this fall, with organizers announcing the event will take place September 17-20, 2026, at the Newport Yachting Center in downtown Newport. “We are so excited to announce the dates for our 55th annual show,” said Lisa Knowles, show director. “Every year we add more to […]
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401Gives surpasses $1 million in just hours as Rhode Islanders rally behind local nonprofits
Rhode Islanders didn’t wait long to open their wallets. 401Gives, the statewide day of giving powered by United Way of Rhode Island, surpassed $1 million in donations by 9:42 a.m. Tuesday — just a few hours after giving began — with more than 3,700 donors contributing to 602 nonprofits. The Haitian Project led all organizations […]
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Messenger’s late goal lifts Tiverton past Rogers in girls lacrosse thriller, 8-7
Addaline Messenger saved her best for last. The senior midfielder scored three goals Monday evening, capping the performance with the game-winner in the final minutes to lift Tiverton past Rogers 8-7 in a girls lacrosse game played at Tiverton High School. The contest was decided within one or two goals the entire game, with neither […]
Posted inHistory, News
This Day in RI History: March 31, 2010, Record-breaking floods devastate the region
Where were you during the flood of 2010? You may recall that the flooding crippled parts of the state and shut down the Warwick Mall and other businesses for months. National Weather Service Photo The National Weather Service explained what happened. Pre-existing elevated river levels and saturated soil conditions from recent heavy rainfall combined with […]
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Millions spent, doors still closed: Inside the stalled Newport Performing Arts Center
Farrar Associates of Newport has been the general contractor for the Opera House project (Newport Performing Arts Center) and is responsible for a considerable amount of work completed under phase one and funded by a 2014 state Council of the Arts Bond Referendum. James Farrar, President of Farrar Associates, after some initial confusion on our […]
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Tiverton’s West Place Animal Sanctuary receives customized Land Rover Defender 130 after winning national award
West Place Animal Sanctuary has received a customized Land Rover Defender 130 vehicle after winning the Honoree Award in the 2025 Defender Service Awards presented by Chase, the organization announced Monday. The vehicle handover took place Sunday at Jake Kaplan’s Land Rover Warwick, where West Place supporters, volunteers and staff gathered to celebrate the honor. […]
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Boys Town New England names Marcy Shyllon as executive director
Boys Town New England has named Marcy Shyllon as its executive director, the organization announced Monday, formalizing her leadership after a successful stint as interim director. Shyllon, who has been with Boys Town since 2006, most recently served as senior director of program operations, overseeing the Family Home Program and Foster Family Services Program across […]
Posted inBusiness
A first look at Claw & Hammer, Stone Crab & Seafood Restaurant
I was invited by the Heritage Group to check out their newest restaurant, Claw & Hammer, ahead of its official opening on April 4. For anyone who has spent time in Newport, you know 527 Thames Street. Scales & Shells was a staple for a long time. One of those places people remember for what […]
Posted inNews
Eugenio Suarez hits a 3-run homer and Reds beat Red Sox 3-2 to win season-opening series
By JEFF WALLNER Associated Press CINCINNATI (AP) — Eugenio Suarez hit a three-run home run and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Boston Red Sox 3-2 on Sunday to win their season-opening series. Suarez’s homer, his first since rejoining the Reds this offseason, came on an 0-2 pitch from Greg Weissert with two runners aboard in […]
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Coalition rallies to save Newport Hospital birthing center, plans State House lobby day
A growing coalition of Newport-area organizations is calling on Brown University Health to publicly commit to preserving the Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center at Newport Hospital — and is mobilizing residents to make their voices heard at the Rhode Island State House next month. The Coalition for Newport Hospital Birthing Center, which includes more than […]
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Newport mansion sells for $8.1 million, ranking among state’s top sales of 2026
A stone-and-shingle estate in one of Newport’s most coveted private enclaves has sold for $8,100,000, making it the second-highest sale in the city and the third-highest statewide so far in 2026, according to data from the Multiple Listing Service. The property, located at 10 Ocean Lawn Lane, was listed by Joseph Costa, a sales associate […]
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Newport educator Jo Eva Gaines honored with Rhode Island Foundation’s 2026 Black History Month Award
The Rhode Island Foundation honored Newport educator Jo Eva Gaines with its 2026 Black History Month Award, recognizing her decades of service as a pioneering figure in public education. The award was presented at the foundation’s annual Black History Month celebration. “Jo Eva Gaines is a pioneering figure in the world of public education. At […]
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As fuel prices rise, US lawmakers push to suspend the federal gas tax
By MATTHEW DALY Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — As the war in Iran pushes U.S. gas prices toward $4 a gallon nationally, some lawmakers are pushing to suspend the federal gasoline tax in the latest attempt to try to control surging energy costs. Lawmakers say the action would provide much-needed relief for families and businesses that rely on […]
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Rally planned for Middletown as part of national ‘No Kings’ movement
A political rally organized by the Newport Dems Direct Action Committee is scheduled for Saturday, March 28, at Pottsy Field near Two Mile Corner, 600 West Main Rd., with activities running from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The event is part of the national “No Kings” movement, a series of demonstrations that organizers describe as a […]
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IYRS launches new runabout restoration course in partnership with Antique & Classic Boat Society
IYRS School of Technology & Trades has announced a new Runabout Restoration Course, a 9-month hands-on program developed in partnership with the Antique & Classic Boat Society (ACBS). The pilot course gives students the opportunity to complete a full restoration of a classic 17-foot 1940 Chris-Craft Deluxe, from structural rebuild to final water testing. Classes […]
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Rhode Island’s family caregivers provide $2.8 billion in unpaid labor each year, AARP report finds
Rhode Island’s family caregivers provide an estimated $2.8 billion worth of labor each year, the vast majority of it unpaid, according to a new report from AARP. The report, “Valuing the Invaluable 2026,” finds that 155,000 Rhode Islanders care for older parents, spouses, neighbors, and other loved ones, contributing 111 million hours of care annually. […]
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Charter Books to host Columbia Journalism School professor Nicholas Lemann for book talk in Newport
Charter Books and the Loeb Visitors Center will host an evening with author and Columbia Journalism School professor Nicholas Lemann on Tuesday, April 14, from 6 to 7 p.m. at 50 Spring St. in Newport. Lemann will discuss his latest book, “Returning: A Search for Home across Three Centuries,” which was published March 24. The […]
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Newport City Council reshapes parking rules
Newport’s City Council passed a comprehensive residential parking permit ordinance at its March 25 regular meeting and voted to delay 12 scheduled Audrain Automobile Museum car events pending a required police meeting. Residents also raised concerns about tenant housing conditions, nonprofit governance and water infrastructure funding. A parking program reborn—and already under scrutiny The council […]
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Providence Culinary Collective returns March 26-29 with expanded lineup
The Providence Culinary Collective will return for its second year March 26-29, featuring an expanded lineup of chefs, wine experiences and culinary events at locations throughout the city. Building on last year’s inaugural festival, which featured more than a dozen sold-out events, the 2026 edition adds new programming including an elevated wine tasting experience, award-winning […]
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Rep. Carson: Newport birthing center must not pay for Brown Health’s Massachusetts losses
State Rep. Lauren H. Carson is calling on Brown University Health to publicly commit to keeping the Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center at Newport Hospital open — and warning that continued state financial support for the health system could hinge on that commitment. Carson, a Newport Democrat, made the demand this week in response to […]
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Rhode Island Senate passes DiPalma’s student health and safety bills
The Rhode Island Senate on Wednesday passed two bills sponsored by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Louis P. DiPalma that aim to strengthen student health and safety across the state’s schools. The legislation now heads to the House for consideration. The first bill (2026-S 2873) would require inspections and evaluations of indoor air quality in every […]
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Expecting a baby? South County Health has you covered with free classes
These free classes are one of the many ways South County Health supports the health and well-being of mothers, babies, and families throughout the region. Classes fill quickly and are open to all participants—including those who are not South County Health patients, and regardless of where you plan to deliver. Newport sessions will be held […]
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This Day In History: March 25, 1947—Claudine Schneider, first woman elected from Rhode Island to House of Representatives is born
On March 25th, 1947 Claudine Schneider, the first woman elected from Rhode Island to the U.S. House of Representatives, was born. Elected in 1980, the political trailblazer also was the first Republican Representative to serve the state in more than 40 years. During her five terms in Congress, Schneider earned a reputation as one of […]
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This Day In History: March 25, 1991– Jeremy Irons wins Best Actor for portrayal of Claus von Bülow
At the 63rd Annual Academy Awards on March 25th, 1991, actor Jeremy Irons won the Oscar for Best Actor for his performance as Claus von Bülow in the 1990 film Reversal of Fortune. The film recounts the true story of Claus von Bülow who was twice tried on charges of attempted murder after his wife, socialite […]
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newportFILM and Salve Regina release study on teen social media habits, launch media literacy initiative at Thompson Middle School
newportFILM and Salve Regina University have released the results of a pilot study on teen social media use and media literacy, conducted with 55 eighth-grade students at Thompson Middle School last fall — and are now seeking to expand the program that grew out of it. The study, conducted in fall 2025 by 20 Salve students as part […]
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Newport senator’s bill to ban algorithmic and surge pricing heads to committee Tuesday
A bill from a Newport-area state senator that would ban businesses from using algorithms and real-time data to manipulate what customers pay is headed to the Rhode Island Senate Commerce Committee for a hearing Tuesday afternoon. The legislation (2026-S 2428), introduced by Sen. Dawn Euer (D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown), would make it a deceptive trade […]
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Newport and Portsmouth among 15 municipalities to share $5.7 million in state outdoor recreation grants
Two Newport County communities are among 15 municipalities statewide sharing more than $5.7 million in matching outdoor recreation grants announced this week by Gov. Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. Newport will receive $500,000 — the maximum large development grant available — to develop the John Chafee Boulevard Recreation Area in […]
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Portsmouth and Bristol lawmakers introduce bill to reopen closed beds at Rhode Island Veterans Home
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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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. […]