Middletown Town Councilor Henry ‘Rick’ Lombardi Jr. has announced his candidacy for Rhode Island House District 74 (Jamestown, Middletown). We’ll chat with Rick about his decision to run for District 74 and more.
People & Profiles
Posted inPeople & Profiles
WUN-ON-ONE: A conversation with Casby Harrison
WUN-ON-ONE: A conversation with Casby Harrison, Owner of Harrison Law Associates and former Deputy Legal Counsel to Governor Bruce Sundlun, will join us to chat about the protests, long standing issues, and more.
Posted inPeople & Profiles, Sports
What’s Up Podcast: A conversation with Bekah Salwasser, Executive Director of Red Sox Foundation
For Bekah Salwasser, a Brown University graduate and former professional soccer player and now executive director of the Red Sox Foundation, the rewards come by way of helping to find food for those displaced by COVID-19; by helping organizations cope with their community’s mental health needs; or by way of an 11-year-old boy, his father […]
Posted inCity & Government, Environment & Health, People & Profiles
WUN-ON-ONE: A conversation with Dr. James McDonald, Rhode Island Department of Health
Dr. James McDonald from the Rhode Island Department Of Health will join us on this edition of WUN-ON-ONE on Tuesday, May 19th at 2 pm to discuss the latest on COVID-19. Dr. McDonald has served at the Rhode Island Department of Health since 2012 as the Chief Administrative Officer of the Board of Medical Licensure […]
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What’s Up Podcast: Caitlin Frumerie, executive director of Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless
The headline reads “During the Covid-19 pandemic, nowhere is safe for homeless people.” That is as valid in San Francisco and London as it is in Rhode Island, where estimates range from 1,000 to 5,000 homeless. The variation depends upon who is measuring, from the very narrow definition by federal Housing and Urban Development, to counts by a variety of advocacy groups. […]
Posted inCity & Government, People & Profiles
WUN-ON-ONE: A conversation with Lt. Governor Dan McKee
Lt. Governor Dan McKee joins us to chat about the impact COVID-19 has had on small businesses in Rhode Island, to share what resources are available, and much more.
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What’s Up Podcast: Suzanna Laramee, president and chief executive officer, Newport Music Festival
To many, the Newport Music Festival, the chamber music festival in the city’s mansions, is the stepchild of the city’s folk and jazz festivals. But it has been a major force for more than 50 years, and according to Suzanna Laramee, president, and chief executive officer, generates $2 million in revenue to the city each […]
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What’s Up Podcast: Heather Strout, executive director, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center
“I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education, culture of their minds, and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits.” These words by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. were never more appropriate for those individuals on the front lines like Heather Strout and her […]
Posted inCity & Government, News, People & Profiles
WUN-ON-ONE: A conversation with Representative Lauren Carson
Representative Lauren Carson (District 75, Newport) joined us today on May 6th to chat about how COVID-19 is impacting her district.
Posted inCity & Government, News, People & Profiles
WUN-ON-ONE: A conversation with Newport Mayor Jamie Bova, Vice Chair Susan Taylor, and City Manager Joe Nicholson
Newport Mayor Jamie Bova, Vice Chair Susan Taylor and City Manager Joe Nicholson will join What’s Up Newp on Wednesday, May 6th at 10 am to chat about COVID-19 in the city. Find out more about the city’s response to COVID-19, resources available, what’s to come during the phases of reopening, and more. For additional […]
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What’s Up Video: A convo with Evan Smith, CEO and President of Discover Newport
Evan Smith, President & CEO of Discover Newport, joins What’s Up Newp’s Ryan Belmore to chat about the impact COVID-19 has had on tourism, travel, and hospitality. Discover Newport, a non-profit destination management organization, is dedicated to the promotion of the City of Newport and its eight surrounding townships in Newport and Bristol Counties. In […]
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What’s Up Podcast: A conversation with Paul Wayne, the penultimate opening act
You might call Paul Wayne the penultimate opening act. He’s been doing it for more than three decades, opening for the likes of Harry Belafonte, Chuck Berry and numerous stars of today and yesterday. He works in night clubs and at assisted living facilities, pounding out a living every day. But today the clubs are […]
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What’s Up Podcast: A conversation with Colleen Burns Jermain, Superintendent of Newport Public Schools
Newport Superintendent of Schools Colleen Burns Jermain joins WUN’s Frank Prosnitz this morning for our latest edition of What’s Up Podcast. In today’s episode she discusses the status and success of the school system’s distance learning program, talks about a grading system that might be used this year, budget issues, and the status of the […]
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Retired NUWC Division Newport employee quilting hundreds of cloth masks for those who need them
The following story is by the Public Affairs Office at Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport. When Tammy Ruggeri retired from the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport in August 2019, after 32 years of service, she thought she would have more time for one of her hobbies, quilting. She never imagined, though, that […]
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A Newporter’s COVID-19 ‘billboard’ has a new message, aimed at passerby with four legs as well as two
Suzi Van Ness has posted a new message on her homegrown billboard-of- hope that may add cheer to both humans and their four-legged best friends: SHARE JOY “WAG” YOUR TAIL! THE WINDOW turned billboard at 65 Carroll Ave., Newport, has a new message to cheer passersby during the COVID-19 crisis, this one aimed at both […]
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What’s Up Podcast: Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea discusses COVID-19 crisis
Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea today joined What’s Up’s Frank Prosnitz to discuss changes her office is making during this coronavirus crisis to make things easier for voters and businesses. Gorbea also touches on the move of the state archives to a new location, importance of the census, and puts off questions about her own […]
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What’s Up Podcast: Ivan Colón, Philanthropy Officer for Care New England
With today being 401Gives Day, What’s Up Newp and What’s Up Rhode Island are touching base with local and statewide nonprofits to see how funds raised today and throughout the year help support their organization and mission. In this edition of What’s Up Podcast, we catch up with Ivan S. Colón, Philanthropy Officer Annual Giving […]
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Photos: ‘Hearts For Healthcare Workers’ in North Kingstown
The parents of a six-year-old in North Kingstown yesterday told What’s Up Rhode Island photographer Morgan Macia that their daughter wanted to make this sign and hang it out in front of their house to thank healthcare workers. ???? Photos by Morgan Macia / Macia Photography for What’s Up Rhode Island.
Posted inCity & Government, People & Profiles
What’s Up Podcast: John Marion, executive director of Common Cause in Rhode Island
John Marion, executive director of Common Cause Rhode Island, talks with WUN’s Frank Prosnitz about the challenges that COVID – 19 puts on state and local government open meeting and ethics laws. John Marion, Executive Director of the Common Cause in Rhode Island They also talk about the census, its importance to Rhode Island, which faces […]
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What’s Up Podcast: Conversations and moments from Newport, R.I., and beyond
From the award-winning team behind What’s Up Newp and What’s Up Rhode Island, What’s Up Podcast brings you interesting conversations and moments from Newport, Rhode Island & beyond. Listen to “What's Up Podcast” on Spreaker.
Posted inNews, People & Profiles
Unsung Heroes: Jenni Field
Editor’s Note: What’s Up Newp and What’s Up Rhode Island are asking readers to nominate unsung heroes from the community during this COVID-19 crisis. Jenni Field was among those nominated. Normally, Newport-based Master Seamstress Jenni Field puts her passions for sewing and upcycling to work by creating eco-friendly personal accessories, housewares, and décor out of […]
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COVID-19: We want to hear about the ‘unsung heroes’ during these tough times
To say that we’re living in a unprecedented time would absolutely be an understatement. Most businesses are closed, the healthiest option for us is to lock ourselves in our homes, and we don’t know when any of it is going to end. But in tough times there are always those who step up, go above […]
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Guest View – Suzanne McDonald: COVID-19 results: Keep up the fight
The following was written by Middletown-resident Suzanne McDonald. McDonald is a former Boston Globe journalist and is the founder of Newport Interactive Marketing networking-learning community. This is a follow up to her story on March 18th – Guest View – Suzanne McDonald: I’m writing to you from day 6 of DOH-mandated quarantine The outpouring of […]
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Guest View – Suzanne McDonald: I’m writing to you from day 6 of DOH-mandated quarantine
The following was written by Middletown-resident Suzanne McDonald. McDonald is a former Boston Globe journalist and is the founder of Newport Interactive Marketing networking-learning community. According to the world’s majority of infectious disease experts, you may be in my socks in the next weeks or even months. You may have been out in Newport for […]