The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) today announced that due to reduced overnight traffic due to the effects of COVID-19, the toll booth cash collections on the Newport Pell Bridge going eastbound will temporarily be suspended from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m., effective Saturday, April 11th, until further notice. This change follows the same […]
Coronavirus Disease
Posted inNews
Visualizing the virus
Colette Gaiter, University of Delaware As a professor of visual communications, I can’t help but notice all the images of COVID-19 that have been circulating. You’ve probably seen some version of it: a ball with distinctive spikes that vary in style – from triangular bursts to rounded knobs. It’s become both an icon – a […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
COVID-19 Daily Update – April 9th: Rhode Island reports 277 new COVID-19 cases, 8 new related deaths
Governor Gina M. Raimondo and Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), made several announcements today about the state’s response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Governor signed an executive order today that clarifies Rhode Island’s requirements around quarantine and isolation: – Anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 – either […]
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Brian C. Jones: Difficult choices for those most at risk from COVID-19, candor makes the decisions easier
AS COVID-19 CONTINUES its rampage across America, I’ve joined an exclusive club whose members have just one thing in common – poor odds, if the coronavirus gets its microscopic hooks into us. I’m not complaining. We all die, and I’ve enjoyed a lifetime of close calls, near misses and lucky breaks that put me just […]
Posted inNews, Opinion
Reflections on one month of social distancing
Today marks one month that I’ve been practicing social distancing, though it feels like much longer. I returned home from a weekend ski trip on Monday, March 9th and that day, my husband and I decided that we’d begin taking social distancing seriously given that he falls into a high-risk category. Since then, we’ve only […]
Posted inThings To Do
2020 Black Ships Festival postponed
Organizers of the Black Ships Festival today announced that they have postponed the 2020 edition of the festival. “The Executive Committee of the Japan-America Society of Rhode Island has been closely monitoring the status of the Corona-virus (COVID 19) pandemic and how it is impacting our world. As always, our goal is to build on the […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
COVID-19 Press Conference – April 9: Governor, Department of Health provide daily update
Governor Raimondo and Director of Health Alexander-Scott will provide their daily COVID-19 press briefing today at 1 pm. What’s Up Newp will carry the video and provide updates as they happen below. Updates as they happen; Gov: Announces 8 new COVID-19 related deaths, total now 43. There are 277 more positive COVID-19 cases, brings total […]
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What does ‘recovered from coronavirus’ mean? 4 questions answered about how some survive and what happens next
Tom Duszynski, IUPUI The coronavirus is certainly scary, but despite the constant reporting on total cases and a climbing death toll, the reality is that the vast majority of people who come down with COVID-19 survive it. Just as the number of cases grows, so does another number: those who have recovered. In mid-March, the […]
Posted inCity & Government, Opinion
Guest View: Assembly does not need to meet during height of pandemic
The following was written by Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-District 4, Providence North Providence), President of the Senate and Nicholas A. Mattiello (D-District 15, Cranston), Speaker of the House. “Knock it off.” Governor Gina Raimondo’s recent demand of individuals violating social distancing directives struck a visceral tone in Rhode Island. The phrase, in a way, encapsulates […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
City of Newport: COVID-19 related processing delays reflected in utility bills
The City of Newport today announced that bank delays have lead to inaccurate past due amounts. The Announcement: Newport Water Division customers are being advised that due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, payments mailed prior to March 31st may have been delayed due to a processing lag experienced by the City’s bank. As a result, April […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
COVID-19 Daily Update – April 8: 220 new positive cases of COVID-19, Rhode Island’s count now 1,450
Governor Gina M. Raimondo and Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), today made several announcements today about the state’s response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Courts: The courts have extended their closure for all non-essential business–including residential and commercial evictions–through May 17th.Contact tracing: The state has partnered with SalesForce, […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles
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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Six local nonprofits get COVID-19 aid to help residents with food, rent, healthcare
The Rhode Island Foundation today announced that six local nonprofits on the frontlines of responding to the COVID-19 crisis are among the organizations that will share $2.4 million in grants from a special fund created by the Rhode Island Foundation and United Way of Rhode Island, which has now awarded $3.6 million in grants, including […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
COVID-19 Press Conference – April 8: Governor, Department of Health provide daily update
Governor Raimondo and the Department of Health will host their daily COVID-19 press briefing today at 2:30 pm. What’s Up Newp will have it for you live on our Facebook Page and website then. Updates as they happen; Gov: Reports 5 new deaths, total fatalities due to COVID-19 is now 35. There are 220 new positive cases of […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
COVID-19 Daily Update – April 7: Governor extends restrictions on gatherings, restaurants, businesses, and travel to May 8th
Governor Gina M. Raimondo and Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), today made several announcements today about the state’s response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Today the Governor announced that she plans to extend the following executive orders until May 8th: Gatherings: All gatherings of more than […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
COVID-19’s uncertainties have yet to derail school building projects statewide
School building projects, many strongly suggested by a Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) report identifying schools statewide needing billions of dollars in repairs or replacement to become safe and current, are still “moving forward,” according to Christine Lopes Metcalfe, executive director of RIDE’S School Building Authority. But they are moving forward in a COVID-19 […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Newport Restaurant Group reaches $100,000 goal for Employee Relief Fund; extends new offer
In an overwhelming display of community support, Newport Restaurant Group (NRG), today announced that they have reached its goal for its new employee relief fund. Announced on Tuesday, April 1, NRG committed to donating 100% of proceeds of all gift cards purchased to the fund until it reached $100,000, a goal reached in less than […]
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What’s Up Newp awarded grant to support COVID-19 coverage
What’s Up Newp is pleased today to announce that we have won a grant from Facebook Journalism Project (FJP) Community Network. What’s Up Newp is among 400 North American local newsrooms receiving FJP Community Network grants to support their coronavirus reporting. The program is run in partnership with the Lenfest Institute for Journalism and Local Media Association in the […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Newport City Council to host virtual workshop on Tuesday, City Manager to provide COVID-19 crisis update
The Newport City Council will receive their weekly COVID-19 Crisis Update from Newport City Manager Joe Nicholson on Tuesday, April 7th at 4:30 pm. The workshop will be held via telephone conference. The meeting is open to the public and can be accesses by calling 1-888-788-0099 or 1-877-853-5247. The meeting id is 360-610-170. On Wednesday […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
COVID-19 Press Conference – April 7: Governor, Department of Health provide daily update
Governor Gina Raimondo and Department of Health Director Nicole Alexander-Scott will host their daily press briefing today, April 7th, at 1 pm. What’s Up Newp will carry the press briefing for you live here as it happens and will continue to update this story with the latest information from the press briefing. Updates as they […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
VIDEO: Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott answers COVID-19 questions from kids
Rhode Island Department of Health Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott on Monday answered questions from kids about the science around COVID-19.
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Middletown suspends burn permit program
Effective Monday, April 6, the Middletown Fire Department will be suspending the issuance of new burn permits until further notice. The Town of Middletown says this suspension is necessary to promote public health, safety and welfare of town residents by limiting the amount of smoke in the air at a time when people who are […]
Posted inColumns
Messages of hope – from a window turned billboard
The message is as impossible to miss as it is hopeful: WE CAN DO THIS. It’s posted in a big picture window of a house at 65 Carroll Ave. in Newport’s Fifth Ward neighborhood, not far from Rogers High School. SIGN OF HOPE – David and Suzi Van Ness in front of the sign Suzi, […]
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COVID-19 Daily Update – April 6: 1,082 cases confirmed in R.I., Governor provides updates
Governor Raimondo Announces COVID-19 Testing Partnership with CVS Health Governor Gina M. Raimondo announced today that Rhode Island has entered into a partnership with CVS Health to make free, rapid COVID-19 tests available to Rhode Islanders, doubling the state’s testing capacity. Tests using the new Abbott ID NOW system will be provided by-appointment at a […]