Newport Hospital has awarded $185,000 to 26 local organizations through its Frederick Henry Prince Memorial Fund, continuing its commitment to youth wellness across Aquidneck Island. The “Powered by Prince” grants, ranging from $2,500 to $15,000, will help support and expand a broad mix of programs serving children and teens in Newport County, from athletics and […]
News
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Fort Adams Trust unveils two new guided tour experiences for 2026 season
The Fort Adams Trust is launching two new guided tour experiences this season, giving visitors deeper looks at both the military engineering and the human stories behind one of Rhode Island’s most recognizable landmarks. “Storm the Fort” and “Life at the Fort” are now available as part of the 2026 visitor season, the trust announced […]
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Bike to work day rolls into Newport on Friday
Commuters are invited to leave the car at home this Friday as Bike Newport and RIPTA Commuter Resources host the annual Bike to Work Day, part of May is Bike Month on Aquidneck Island. From 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Friday, May 15, organizers will greet bike commuters in front of Newport City Hall […]
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Newport Hospital briefly locked down after threatening phone call
Newport Hospital was placed on lockdown Saturday afternoon after a man called the facility’s switchboard and threatened to “shoot the place up” with a rifle, police said. The hospital alerted the Newport Police Department at 3:50 p.m. on May 9, reporting the caller said he would arrive at 4 p.m. armed with a rifle, according […]
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RI Commerce Corp. to open satellite office at Innovate Newport
The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation will open a satellite office at Innovate Newport, expanding access to its business services across Aquidneck Island and the Greater Newport region. A press conference and ribbon cutting to officially launch the new office are scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday, May 11, at the front entrance of Innovate Newport, 513 […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Aurelia at Castle Hill reopens May 22 with new chef de cuisine, Forbes Five-Star designation
Aurelia at Castle Hill, the signature restaurant at Castle Hill Inn, will reopen May 22 with a new chef de cuisine and a fresh Forbes Five-Star designation, the Inn announced Thursday. Reservations are available starting today on OpenTable, with dinner service offered nightly from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Reservations are required and available two weeks […]
Posted inCity & Government
Shekarchi steps down as House speaker to pursue Supreme Court seat; Blazejewski elected to succeed him
Rhode Island’s House of Representatives saw a sweeping leadership change Thursday as Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi announced his intent to seek a seat on the state Supreme Court, Rep. Christopher R. Blazejewski was elected to succeed him as speaker, and Rep. Katherine S. Kazarian became the first woman elected House majority leader in state history. […]
Posted inCity & Government
Euer bill would address failing toll transponders, warn drivers before licenses are at risk
Sen. Dawn Euer has introduced legislation that would require the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority to proactively replace failing toll transponders and to notify drivers of unpaid tolls before their licenses and vehicle registrations are jeopardized. The bill, 2026-S 2728, would direct the authority to establish rules and regulations covering transponder failures, including outreach […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council to weigh Bellevue Avenue liquor license transfer, noise enforcement trailer at May 13 meeting
The Newport City Council will take up a wide-ranging agenda Wednesday, May 13, including a proposal to purchase an automated noise enforcement trailer, dozens of summer event approvals and a show-cause hearing for a Thames Street coffee shop. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 43 Broadway. A Citizens’ […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
RI health officials urge tick and mosquito bite prevention as warmer weather arrives
With warmer weather settling in across the state, the Rhode Island Department of Health is reminding residents to take steps to prevent tick and mosquito bites when spending time outdoors. State officials said avoiding bites is the most effective way to prevent the spread of tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis and babesiosis, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Author Michael Klein to discuss ‘Happiness Ruined Everything’ at Jamestown Arts Center
Local author Michael Klein will discuss his new essay collection, “Happiness Ruined Everything,” during an evening event at the Jamestown Arts Center on Tuesday, May 12. The talk, presented by Newport’s Charter Books in collaboration with the arts center, will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at 18 Valley St. RSVPs are encouraged for the pay-what-you-can […]
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Middletown postpones Sweet Berry Farm planning board hearing, citing anticipated overflow crowd
A planning board public hearing on a major development proposal at Sweet Berry Farm that was scheduled for May 13 has been postponed because the town anticipates more people than Town Hall can accommodate, according to a notice issued Wednesday morning by the Town of Middletown. “Due to an anticipated overflow crowd that cannot be […]
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Discover Newport to host marketing strategy workshop June 9
Discover Newport will host a Marketing Strategy Workshop on Tuesday, June 9, inviting members of the local tourism and hospitality community to help guide the organization’s future marketing direction. The interactive session is scheduled for 9 a.m. at Innovate Newport, 513 Broadway. Organizers said the workshop will facilitate discussion around industry priorities and opportunities, with […]
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Arts & Cultural Alliance opens nominations for LeRoy White Soul & Conscience Award
The Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County and the White Family Foundation are accepting nominations for the fourth annual LeRoy White Soul & Conscience Award, a $5,000 prize given each year to a musician whose life or art contributes to and connects the community. Musicians may apply on their own behalf or be nominated […]
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Newport Hospital’s safety rating slips in latest survey
Newport Hospital, which for the last three years received top ratings for safety from a national organization that measures patient safety, slipped in the spring 2026 rankings from the top A rating to a B. In the latest rankings, released today by the Washington, D.C. Leapfrog Group, three hospitals in Rhode Island – The Miriam, […]
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Community invited to Krupowicz Planetarium for one of its final public shows in Middletown
The public is invited inside the Krupowicz Planetarium at Gaudet Middle School next week for a community night billed as a rare chance to experience the historic facility before it is taken down. The Gaudet Parent Teacher Group will host the event on Tuesday, May 12, at 1113 Aquidneck Ave. Two shows are scheduled: 5 […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Newport’s Yagi opens second location at Providence’s Track 15
Yagi, the acclaimed Newport restaurant from Chef Basil Yu and Kodi Keith, has officially opened its second location at Track 15, the food hall at 1 Union Station in downtown Providence. The opening, announced Tuesday, follows news in March that Yagi would fill the space previously occupied by Giusto PVD, which closed at the end […]
Posted inBusiness
Heritage Restaurant Group completes acquisition of Mews Tavern in Wakefield
Heritage Restaurant Group has finalized its acquisition of Mews Tavern, the company announced Monday, completing a deal that was first disclosed in February when the Newport-based hospitality firm went under contract for the longtime South County gathering spot. The tavern, founded in 1947 as a small fisherman’s bar serving the local coastal workforce, will continue […]
Posted inRhode Island
Rhode Island state beaches set to open May 23 for Memorial Day weekend
Rhode Island’s eight state beaches will open for the 2026 season on Saturday, May 23, the Department of Environmental Management announced Wednesday, marking the official start of summer at the shore. DEM said most locations will have lifeguards, beach staff, concessions, restrooms and other amenities in place through Labor Day. Two facility improvement projects are […]
Posted inSports
Sail Newport to commission new J/7 fleet Saturday at Fort Adams
Sail Newport will commission its new fleet of J/7 sailboats Saturday, May 9, at 10:30 a.m. at the Alofsin Piers in Fort Adams State Park. The public is invited to the ceremony, which will officially launch the season for the boats. Designed and produced by Newport-based J/Boats, the new vessels were purchased for community sailing […]
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Brown Health wants state aid for Newport Hospital birthing center. Lawmakers want answers first.
by Nancy Lavin, Rhode Island Current May 5, 2026 Brown University Health made a hazy promise to keep Newport Hospital’s birthing center open if it can secure an extra $4.9 million in state and philanthropic aid. But lawmakers aren’t ready to deliver any taxpayer money without assurances.“We don’t just take what somebody puts on a […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
DEM closes Lower Providence River shellfish area after 800,000-gallon sewage discharge in East Providence
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has closed the Lower Providence River conditional shellfish area, known as Area 16E, after a break in an East Providence sewage line discharged roughly 800,000 gallons of untreated sewage into the river. The closure took effect immediately and will remain in place until further notice, DEM said in […]
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REGENT CEO Billy Thalheimer to deliver commencement address at IYRS graduation May 30
Billy Thalheimer, co-founder and CEO of North Kingstown-based REGENT, will deliver the commencement address at IYRS School of Technology & Trades’ 28th annual Graduation & Launch Day on Saturday, May 30. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. in Restoration Hall at IYRS, 449 Thames St. REGENT is pioneering maritime mobility through high-speed hydrofoiling wing-in-ground effect […]
Posted inCity & Government
Reed marks 250th anniversary of Rhode Island’s break from King George III at Old State House reopening
U.S. Sen. Jack Reed joined community leaders and the Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission on Monday to mark the 250th anniversary of Rhode Island Independence Day at the newly reopened Old State House, the building where the General Assembly voted on May 4, 1776 to sever ties with King George III. The vote […]
Posted inRhode Island
Endangered whale protections may be delayed to 2035 under Trump-backed plan
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — For roughly 380 right whales left in the North Atlantic, which can die after getting tangled in fishing ropes or hit by ships, the Trump administration said this month it wants to delay new protections by almost a decade in favor of commercial fishing interests. The sleek black whales, which weigh as much as a […]