Susan Craven, principal of Tiverton High School, has been named Rhode Island’s 2025 Secondary Principal of the Year by the Rhode Island Association of School Principals (RIASP). RIASP announced the award on their social media platforms, spotlighting Craven’s leadership in driving her school to achieve the state’s biggest jump in SAT scores and its highest […]
News
Posted inNews
Civilian honored by Portsmouth Police for heroic rescue on Mt. Hope Bridge
A man has received the Civilian Lifesaving Award from the Portsmouth Police Department after preventing a potential tragedy on the Mt. Hope Bridge. Brian Finn was driving across the bridge on January 7, 2024, when he noticed a woman trying to climb over the railing. He immediately stopped his car and rushed to help her. […]
Posted inCity & Government
Legislators tour West House II: New affordable housing for seniors in Middletown
On Wednesday, February 12, the Housing Network of Rhode Island and Church Community Housing Corporation welcomed state and local legislators to a guided tour of West House II, a recently completed affordable housing development for older adults in Middletown. “West House II is a prime example of how affordable housing can transform communities, in this […]
Posted inNews, Nonprofit
Looking for a cuddly and loyal companion this Valentine’s Day? Look no further than Jubilee
Meet Jubilee, a 9-year-old mixed breed dog looking for her forever home through the Potter League for Animals in Middletown. This 60-pound sweetheart is our Adoptable Dog of the Week at What’sUpNewp. Jubilee may be a bit shy at first, but she quickly warms up to people and becomes a total cuddle bug. The Potter […]
Posted inBusiness
CVS Health steers through rising insurance costs in a strong fourth quarter
By TOM MURPHY and MICHELLE CHAPMAN Associated Press CVS Health steered through rising costs in its insurance division to handily beat profit expectations on Wall Street. The drugstore chain and pharmacy benefits manager earned $1.64 billion, or $1.30 per share for the period ended Dec. 31. A year earlier the company earned $2.05 billion, or […]
Posted inCity & Government
Equity policy debate draws crowd at Newport School Committee Meeting
The Newport School Committee voted 6-1 Wednesday night to refer Policy 1050, the Student Excellence and Success policy, back to the policy subcommittee for further legal review. The motion, which passed 6-1 with only Councilor Leary dissenting, came after nearly an hour of committee debate and public comment about the future of the equity-focused policy. […]
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Rhode Island officials rally for assault weapons ban
Governor Dan McKee and Rhode Island state leaders are pushing for an assault weapons ban during this year’s legislative session. McKee, alongside Lt. Governor Sabina Matos, Secretary of State Gregg Amore, General Treasurer James Diossa, lawmakers, and gun safety advocates, announced the initiative in the State Room. The proposed ban aims to prohibit the manufacture, […]
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Middletown to send out second Tiered Residential Tax Program mailing
The Middletown Tax Office is sending out a second round of mailings to make sure that everyone eligible for the Tiered Residential Tax Program (TRTP) files an application by the March 15 deadline. The mailings, which will go out this week in an official Town of Middletown envelope and will be postmarked, include a “Residency […]
Posted inHistory
Black History Month – People, Places & Events: Remembering a group of 19th and 20th Century African Heritage Leaders in Newport
February is Black History Month, also known as African American History Month, an annual time to celebrate the achievements, and a time for recognizing the central role, of African Americans in U.S. history. During the month of February, What’s Up Newp plans to use our platform to highlight and recognize the achievements by local African Americans. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport artist earns spot in National Juried Exhibition at Bristol Art Museum
Newport’s own Felicia Touhey is making waves in the art world with her piece “Evening Trilogy,” selected for the 2025 National Juried Exhibition at the Bristol Art Museum. The exhibition, titled “Rock, Paper, Scissors,” runs from February 13 to April 4, 2025. It brings together artists from over 25 states, showcasing a diverse range of […]
Posted inBusiness
Aquidneck Island Land Trust preserves 13 acres of Greenvale Vineyards
Aquidneck Island Land Trust Secures 13 Acres of Historic Vineyard A piece of Rhode Island’s agricultural heritage is now protected for future generations. The Aquidneck Island Land Trust has successfully conserved 13 acres of Greenvale Vineyards in Portsmouth, safeguarding it as open space and farmland. The conservation easement, announced on February 11, is a team […]
Posted inNews
Massachusetts woman wins $60,000 on ‘Mega Loteria’ instant ticket she purchased in Newport
A Massachusetts woman has hit the jackpot, winning $60,000 in the Rhode Island Lottery’s “Mega Loteria” instant game. The lucky winner, who hails from East Freetown, Massachusetts, bought her ticket at Cumberland Farms on Broadway in Newport. She claimed the ticket on Tuesday, February 4, and told the Rhode Island Lottery that she’s planning to […]
Posted inBusiness
MVYRADIO’s diversity initiative shines light on Bodhi Spa
The Bodhi Spa, a woman-owned business that operates in Newport and Providence, is one of three businesses chosen for a grant from MVYRADIO’s Business Diversity Initiative. Based in West Tisbury, Massachusetts, MVYRADIO gives out quarterly grants to business owners who’ve traditionally been underserved. The initiative supports businesses owned by women, people of color, immigrants, LGBTQIA+ […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Folk Festival unveils first acts for 2025 lineup
The Newport Folk Festival is starting to reveal its 2025 lineup, with Jeff Tweedy, Mt. Joy, and Waxahatchee among the first performers announced. On February 6, organizers shared that Tweedy will perform on the festival’s Sunday lineup. This announcement came just a day after general admission tickets sold out within minutes of going on sale. […]
Posted inBusiness
Salve Regina University receives $12 million gift to boost business education
Salve Regina University announced today that it has received a $12 million gift from the Jean and David W. Wallace Foundation. The gift focuses on creating innovative experiences in business with the naming of the Jean and David W. Wallace Department of Business and Economics. It also supports the creation of the Anita and Robert R. […]
Posted inNews
Middletown to install flashing stop signs
The Town of Middletown will be installing flashing stop signs at several locations as part of a multi-phase approach to improving traffic safety. The new signs, which will flash as cars approach, will be installed initially in the Chase’s Lane neighborhood and along Green End Avenue near the Green End Pond reservoir. The objective, officials […]
Posted inCity & Government
Legislators to tour new affordable housing for seniors in Middletown
Housing Network of Rhode Island and Church Community Housing Corporation are hosting a tour of West House II, a new affordable housing development for older adults in Middletown, Rhode Island. State and local legislators will get a firsthand look at the 54-unit complex on Feb. 12, 2025, from 11 a.m. to noon at 170 Enterprise […]
Posted inCity & Government
Senator Euer bill would help Rhode Islanders pass on their homes without probate
While Rhode Islanders can avoid the costly and complex process of probate when they pass along financial assets like pension plans and life insurance policies to a named beneficiary, these mechanisms do not exist for Rhode Islanders looking to leave their home to a loved one after their death. Legislation sponsored by Sen. Dawn Euer […]
Posted inCity & Government
Stricter lobster fishing rules scrapped after complaints from fishermen about harm to industry
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Fishing industry regulators have decided to scrap stricter new lobster fishing standards off New England in the wake of months of protest from lobster fishermen that the rules were unnecessary and would bankrupt harvesters. The regulators were planning to institute new rules this summer that increased the minimum legal harvest size for lobsters […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport School Committee to vote on rescinding equity policy
The Newport School Committee is set to vote on rescinding Policy 1050 – Student Excellence and Success at its regular meeting on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 6:30 pm. The policy, which focuses on educational equity and inclusivity, was approved last fall but is now under scrutiny due to potential legal issues. James Dring, Chair […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Charles L. Roberts: If the world is one’s oyster – George T. Downing learned how to pry it wide open, enabling others to find a pearl
The famous saying “the world is your oyster” was originally written by Shakespeare in 1602 to be spoken as “the world’s mine oyster” by one of his swash-buckling characters in his comedy The Merry Wives of Windsor. The metaphor in that context was more about a money heist and less about a prosperous future life, […]
Posted inCity & Government
Euer among legislators demanding greater nursing home transparency
A bill that would mandate greater financial transparency at the state’s nursing homes by establishing a nursing home workforce standards advisory board, has been reintroduced in the state Senate a year after it passed the legislature, but was vetoed by the governor. “We have a crisis of care in our nursing homes,” said state Sen. […]
Posted inCity & Government
Governor McKee provides update on state’s readiness for upcoming winter storm
Today, Governor McKee shared an overview of the State’s preparations for the upcoming winter storm expected to begin tonight. “Rhode Island is fully prepared to respond to the upcoming storm and keep residents safe. We have all necessary resources in place and remain in contact with local communities,” said Governor Dan McKee. “I urge all Rhode […]
Posted inNews
BermudAir to connect Rhode Island and Bermuda with new flights
BermudAir on Friday announced it will be launching new nonstop service between Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD) and Bermuda’s L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA). The new service, which will operate year-round on Thursdays and Sundays, will begin on May 22, 2025. This announcement marks the latest expansion for PVD, which recently surpassed 4 […]
Posted inNews
Obituary: Lisa Remy
Lisa Remy of Portsmouth, RI passed away peacefully at Newport Hospital on February 5, 2025. Lisa was born October 14, 1953 in Fall River, MA to adoring parents Philip and Elaine(Schneierson)Zalkind. She grew up in the Highlands of Fall River where she attended local schools and graduated from Durfee High School in 1971. Lisa’s adventurous […]