FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — “Control what we can control” is a mantra often regurgitated by New England players soon after they are indoctrinated into Bill Belichick’s conformist culture. The Patriots (8-8) somehow have control of their playoff fate entering the final week of the season — even after a year marred by poor offensive play […]
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What’s Up Today: Monday, January 2
Good Morning! Today’s newsletter is 977 words — a wicked good 5-minute read. 🎉 Happy New Year to all of our readers! May this year be filled with health, happiness, and prosperity. May you all achieve your goals and make your dreams a reality. Wishing you a wonderful year ahead! ✨ The Reef in Newport […]
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Dense Fog Advisory in effect for portions of Rhode Island, Southeastern Massachusetts
Drivers are being advised to take extra caution on the roads this evening as a dense fog advisory has been issued for the region. The National Weather Service warns that visibility may be reduced to as low as one-quarter to one-half mile in some areas, making for hazardous driving conditions. The advisory is in effect […]
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Rhode Island Community Health Centers to receive $2 million for COVID-19 vaccinations
Several Rhode Island community health organizations are set to receive $2,086,664 in funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to increase vaccination rates and improve outreach to vulnerable communities. The funding comes from a new $350 million initiative administered by HHS through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) that delivers […]
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Taxes fall, wages rise and jaywalking OK’d by new state laws
By DAVID A. LIEB and GEOFF MULVIHILL Associated Press Taxes will fall and minimum wages rise for residents in numerous states as a variety of new laws take effect Sunday that could impact people’s finances and, in some cases, their personal liberties. Some new laws could affect access to abortion. Others will ease restrictions on […]
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Tradition of hiking in the new year reaches all 50 US states
BOSTON (AP) — A simple plan to get more people enjoying the outdoors on New Year’s Day has become a nationwide movement after a hike at a Massachusetts park more than three decades ago. Just 380 people participated in the initial First Day Hike in 1992 at the nearly 7,000-acre (2,830-hectare) Blue Hills Reservation just […]
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Jay Flanders’ Tiny Kitchen Magic: A Recap of Delicious Dishes in 2022
What’sUpNewp columnist Jay Flanders cooked up a variety of delicious dishes in his Tiny Kitchen Magic series in 2022. On November 7, Flanders braised chicken in beer, creating a flavorful and tender meal. In October, he served up salmon burgers, a healthy and tasty alternative to traditional beef burgers. September’s Tiny Kitchen Magic featured a […]
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The most-read What’sUpNewp stories in 2022
It has been a busy year in Newport, with plenty of news and events to keep residents and visitors informed and entertained. Here’s a look at the top 10 stories on What’sUpNewp in 2022: ONE: The Blizzard of 2022 hit Rhode Island hard, with snowfall and wind gusts causing widespread disruption across the state. TWO: […]
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A look back at the musicians, artists, and entertainers What’sUpNewp interviewed in 2022
In 2022, What’s Up Newp had the opportunity to interview a diverse range of musicians, artists, and entertainers. From jazz guitarist John Pizzarelli and Dave Sarazen of Laden Valley to Marie Osmond and Erin McKeown, we were able to bring our readers exclusive insights and behind-the-scenes looks at the talents that graced stages across the […]
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A look back at Gerry Goldstein’s columns in 2022: From happiness to politics and beyond
Gerry Goldstein, a columnist for What’sUpNewp, has been writing about a variety of topics throughout 2022. In December, he wrote about the spelling and significance of Chanukah in the Jewish faith. In November, he touched on the use of Santa Claus in advertising and the challenges faced by elderly politicians. In October, he commented on […]
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Pope Benedict XVI: A man at odds with the modern world who leaves a legacy of intellectual brilliance and controversy
Mathew Schmalz, College of the Holy Cross Benedict XVI leaves behind a complex legacy as a Pope and theologian. To many observers, Benedict, who died on Dec. 31, 2022 at the age of 95, was known for criticizing what he saw as the modern world’s rejection of God and Christianity’s timeless truths. But as a […]
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Barbara Walters, dead at 93, was cultural fixture, TV icon
By FRAZIER MOORE AP Television Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Barbara Walters was that rarest of TV personalities: a cultural fixture. For more than a half-century, she was on the air, placing in front of her audience world figures, big shots and celebrities whose names and faces might have changed from year to year. But […]
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Where refugees to the US come from and why
In 2022, for the first time in history, the number of refugees worldwide reached more than 100 million people. Millions of people are fleeing violence, persecution, and economic instability, and attempting to start a new life in a more tolerant and secure country. Recognizing this global issue, the Biden administration has agreed to accept up […]
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Massachusetts elected officials to see pay hike in new year
By STEVE LeBLANC Associated Press BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts lawmakers will see their pay jump in the new year, as will statewide officeholders including the incoming governor. Minimum wage workers will also see a modest increase. Lawmaker pay hinges on changes to the state’s median household income. The median household income in Massachusetts rose by […]
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Road Report: Schedule of lane closures and road construction projects (Dec. 31 – Jan. 7)
The following road and lane closure notices have been scheduled by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) and Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA). All schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change. Rhode Island Turnpike & Bridge Authority January 1, 2023 – January 7, 2023 Newport Claiborne Pell BridgeEastbound Right Lane Closure- 1/4 […]
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New traffic signals, patterns coming to several intersections around the Pell Bridge Ramps project on Jan. 3
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) has announced new traffic patterns at several intersections around the Pell Bridge Ramps project in Newport. These changes are set to take effect during the evening commute on Tuesday, January 3. At the intersection of Admiral Kalbfus Road and Halsey Boulevard, a new signal will allow free right […]
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Woman sues Steven Tyler, alleging child sex assault in 1970s
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A woman who has previously said Steven Tyler had an illicit sexual relationship with her when she was a teenager is now suing the Aerosmith frontman for sexual assault, sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The lawsuit brought by Julia Misley was filed Tuesday under a 2019 California law that gave adult victims […]
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Recreational marijuana dispensaries on the rise in Vermont
By LISA RATHKE Associated Press MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — In the first three months that Vermont has allowed the retail sale of marijuana for adult recreational use, the number of dispensaries around the state has grown from just three to about 25, with several more are expected to open soon. Vermont is among nearly two […]
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22 of the biggest scientific discoveries of 2022
The year 2022 was an exciting one for science. NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope yielded two major breakthroughs: new infrared images of the universe and the first evidence of carbon dioxide outside of the solar system. The ongoing pandemic spurred the innovative development of a nasal vaccine for the latest variants of the coronavirus and […]
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Big winner in RI in 2022 – School building projects
After all the votes were counted in 2022, from the governor’s race to dog catcher (actually I don’t think anyone elects a dog catcher), the most impactful outcomes were likely the billion dollars in school construction projects that voters authorized across Rhode Island. The result is an infusion of not only dollars but enthusiasm and […]
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Charlotte and Liam lead the way as top baby names in Rhode Island in 2022
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) has released a preliminary list of the most popular baby names in the state for 2022. For girls, the top names are Charlotte, Amelia, Isabella, Olivia, Emma, Luna, Sophia, Ava, Isla, and a tie between Scarlett and Violet. In 2021, the top three names for girls were Olivia, […]
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Three Rhode Island counties designated as ‘medium’, two as ‘high’ in weekly CDC COVID-19 report
The Rhode Island Department of Health has announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated the weekly COVID-19 community levels for the state’s counties. According to the latest data, three counties in Rhode Island are now classified as “medium” risk – Bristol, Washington, and Newport – while Providence and Kent counties […]
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Sea Wall Repair, Beach Facilities Plan on agenda for Newport Beach Commission Meeting
The Newport Beach Commission will be holding its first meeting of the year on January 4, 2023, at 5:00 PM at 35 Golden Hill Street. The agenda for the meeting includes a review of the minutes from the December 7, 2022 meeting, as well as a beach report from Erik Reis. Under old business, the […]
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TSA’s 2022 Top 10 List of most unusual finds at airport security checkpoints includes incident involving a Rhode Island passenger
With the help of a Rhode Island man, John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) made it into the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) annual Top 10 List of most unusual items found at security checkpoints nationwide in 2022. TSA released the list in an on-line video it posted on the agency’s YouTube account. The item from the airport that […]
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Passenger caught with loaded gun at Boston Logan Airport checkpoint
BOSTON – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers prevented a Massachusetts resident from carrying a loaded firearm onto an airplane on Wednesday, December 28 at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). During Wednesday evening security screening in Terminal A, TSA officers detected a firearm in a man’s carry-on bag. A Supervisory Transportation Security Officer approached the man […]