Posted inCity & Government

Shoreline access expected to be among legislatures  top priorities when it convenes in January

When the Rhode Island State Legislature convenes on Jan. 4, it’s certain that shoreline access will be among its top priorities. In the 2022 session, the House of Representatives unanimously approved a shoreline access bill, only to see the Senate fail to consider the legislation. The shoreline access bill did not pass the House until […]

Posted inObituaries

Obituary: Ann Marie Swift

Ann Marie Swift, age 85 passed away peacefully on December 21, 2022, while residing under the compassionate care from staff at The Royal Middletown Nursing and Rehabilitation facility, Middletown, RI. Born on Jan 9, 1937, in Providence, RI. She was the daughter of late Christopher and Elizabeth (Rounds) Swift. She was preceded in death by her […]

Posted inNews

Road Report: Schedule of lane closures and road construction projects (Dec. 24 – 31)

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. RIDOT Pell Bridge Ramps Phase 2 Project RIDOT shared the following weekly update on the Pell Bridge Ramps Phase 2 project; […]

Posted inNews

Senator Reed secures over $450 million in transportation funds for Rhode Island

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, also known as an “omnibus” bill, includes $106 billion in funding for the U.S. Department of Transportation. U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) has announced that he has helped steer over $450 million in transportation funds to Rhode Island, including $33.3 million in earmarks for roads, bridges, pedestrian, and transit […]

Posted inNews

URI inducts 12 retirees, including Jamestown and Newport residents, into Lifetime Service Society

The University of Rhode Island recently honored 12 former employees for their dedicated service to the institution, inducting them into the Lifetime Service Society. The society recognizes individuals who have completed 40 years of service to the university. The inductees were honored during a ceremony on December 2nd at the Robert J. Higgins Welcome Center, […]

Posted inCity & Government

Senator Jack Reed leads bipartisan effort to reauthorize STAR Act, combat childhood cancer

The U.S. Senate has voted to reauthorize the Childhood Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access, and Research (STAR) Act of 2022 (S. 4120), a bipartisan legislation that aims to help thousands of children undergoing cancer treatment each year, support the pediatric cancer community, and find new cures and effective treatments. The STAR Act was introduced by Senators […]

Posted inBusiness

Record-breaking 5,556 gifts donated to Rhode Island children through BankRI’s Holiday Giving Tree Program

Bank Rhode Island’s 25th annual Holiday Giving Tree program has reached a record number of donations this year, with 5,556 gifts collected for underprivileged children served by local nonprofits. The program, which ran from November 1 to December 20, saw twenty BankRI branches display giving trees decorated with ornaments featuring the name, age, and wish […]

Posted inWeather

Coastal Flood Watch issued by National Weather Service for Rhode Island and Massachusetts

The National Weather Service has issued a coastal flood watch for residents living along the coast of Rhode Island and Massachusetts. According to the NWS, high tides and strong winds are expected to bring coastal flooding to the area over the next few days. Residents are advised to take precautions and prepare for possible flooding. […]

Posted inArts & Culture

What’sUpNewp, JPT to host its annual National Lampoon Christmas Vacation Party on Dec. 21

What’sUpNewp and The JPT are teaming up once again to host our annual National Lampoon Christmas Vacation Party! Join us on Wednesday, December 21 for live music by Dave /Tessier’s All-Star Stars at 6:15 pm, followed by a screening of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation at 7:30 pm. There will be complimentary Christmas Cookies with admission. […]

Posted inNews

11th Hour Racing awards grants to nonprofits for Ocean Ecosystem Restoration

11th Hour Racing, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting ocean literacy and stewardship, has announced eight new grants, funded by The Schmidt Family Foundation, to nonprofit organizations in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. In total, the organization has awarded nearly $4 million in grants to nonprofit organizations this year. These grants support initiatives that advance […]

Posted inCity & Government

RIPTA to close offices and operate reduced service on Christmas and New Year’s Day

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) has announced that it will be closed on Monday, December 26, 2022 and Monday, January 2, 2023. This includes all RIPTA offices, except for the Customer Service call center and RIde office. In observance of the upcoming holidays, RIPTA will operate all fixed-route bus service on a Sunday/Holiday […]

Posted inBusiness

Newport Hospital generates $54 million in annual economic impact, study finds

Newport Hospital generates $54 million in annual economic impact in the region, according to a study conducted by business students at Salve Regina University in an Introduction to Econometrics class. The study, which was commissioned by Crista Durand, the CEO of Newport Hospital, was recently presented to the hospital’s leadership team in a presentation at […]

Posted inWeather

Powerful storm system brings potential for damaging winds, coastal flooding, and heavy rain to Northeast

The National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for northern Connecticut, all of Massachusetts east of Berkshire County, and Rhode Island. According to the Outlook, a powerful storm system is expected to bring the potential for damaging southerly wind gusts, coastal flooding, heavy rain, and the risk of small river and stream flooding. […]

Posted inNews

Adoptable Dog of the Week: Mabel

Meet your new best friend, Mabel – this week’s Adoptable Dog of the Week! The Potter League for Animals shares on their website that Mabel is a 5-year-old female Coonhound, Bluetick. Here’s what else Potter League for Animals has to say about Mabel; Meet the mischievous Miss Mabel. Mabel is all hound, all day long. […]

Posted inOpinion

Letter To The Editor: School Regionalization – A Holiday Wish and Dream

My Christmas wish and New Year’s dream for school regionalization between Newport and Middletown are to establish a Regional School District containing a unified high school located in a central geographic area with a career technical center attached or adjacent.   Suggestions as to how this can become a reality: FIRST:  STOP current plans aimed at […]

Posted inCity & Government

Local businesses report stability and growth despite challenges

The Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce conducted its annual Business Walk on October 25, during which small teams of interviewers visited 60 businesses to gather feedback on the region’s business climate. According to the chamber, businesses reported stability and growing sales during the peak season of 2022, but continue to face challenges related to the […]

Posted inColumns

Comic – Sour Grapes: Out Of Hand

Here’s this week’s Sour Grapes, enjoy! Tim Jones is the creator, artist and writer of the widely popular, self-syndicated comic strip, “SOUR GRAPES”; a comic about “Aesop”, a miserable flying dog and his odd friends, all living in a problematic and troubled world. Sour Grapes is currently published in multiple newspapers in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, […]

Posted inWeather

Arctic air will blast much of US just before Christmas

By JEFF MARTIN and JULIE WALKER Associated Press ATLANTA (AP) — Forecasters are warning of treacherous holiday travel and life-threatening cold for much of the nation as an arctic air mass blows into the already-frigid southern United States. “We’re looking at much-below normal temperatures, potentially record-low temperatures leading up to the Christmas holiday,” said Zack […]

Posted inCity & Government

What’s On The Agenda: Newport Historic District Commission’s Dec. 20 Meeting

The Newport Historic District Commission will hold a meeting on December 20, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. to discuss a variety of items related to the preservation and maintenance of properties in the historic district. The meeting will be held remotely in compliance with Governor McKee’s executive order on COVID-19. One of the main items on […]

Posted inCity & Government

Emergency Sewer Line Repairs on Lower Thames Street to begin on Dec. 19

The City of Newport’s Department of Utilities has announced that it will be conducting repairs on the city’s sanitary sewer system infrastructure on Lower Thames Street between Narragansett Avenue and Stockholm Street starting Monday, December 19. The construction, which will be carried out by contractor Boyle & Fogarty, is expected to be completed by December […]

Posted inNews

Adoptable Cat of the Week: Bukowski

Meet your new best friend, Bukowski– this week’s Adoptable Cat of the Week! The Potter League for Animals shares on its website that Bukowski is a 4-year-old male Domestic Shorthair. Here’s what else Potter League for Animals has to say about Bukowski; Mr. Bukowski is a very sweet, almost five year old handsome man looking […]

Posted inNews

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker to be next NCAA president

By RALPH D. RUSSO AP College Sports Writer Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker will be the next president of the NCAA, stepping in to lead an organization with diminished power amid sweeping change across college sports. The NCAA announced Thursday that Baker will replace Mark Emmert as the head of the largest college sports governing body in the country, with […]

Posted inCity & Government

Office of the Attorney General reminds Rhode Islanders of approaching dates for recently enacted firearms legislation 

PROVIDENCE, R.I. –  Following the United States District Court issuing a decision today refusing to enjoin Rhode Island’s ban on large capacity magazines, the Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General reminds Rhode Islanders of two key dates for recently enacted firearms safety laws in Rhode Island: December 18, 2022, the last day for Rhode Islanders who […]

Posted inCity & Government

Lt. Gov. Matos joins What’sUpNewp on Dec. 14 for a discussion of her priorities as she enters her first full term in office

When Sabina Matos was a candidate for her first full term as lieutenant governor, she set her priorities as affordable housing, broadband, and tourism. Now, we’ll ask her how she hopes to address each of these issues during a 4 pm videocast on Wednesday, December 14. Matos was appointed as the 70th Lieutenant Governor of […]

Posted inCity & Government

HSBC updates climate policy to stop funding new oil and gas

HSBC, Europe’s biggest bank, announced Wednesday it will no longer finance new oil and gas fields as part of its updated climate strategy. Climate campaigners welcomed the moved saying HSBC provided a new baseline for other major banks but urged the bank to go further. The bank said it would still provide financing to existing […]

Posted inObituaries

Obituary: Roger H. King, Jr.

Roger Hamilton King, Jr., 81, a well-known national art expert, Newport gallery owner, television station advertising executive, entrepreneur and longtime Newport civic leader, passed away on December 11, 2022 at Village House following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He is survived by his devoted wife of 43 years, Sandra FitzGerald King of Newport. A […]

Posted inArts & Culture

The Gamm starts New Year with Brian Friel’s haunting ‘Faith Healer’

The Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre (The Gamm) opens the new year with a limited run of Faith Healer by celebrated Irish playwright Brian Friel. In a series of monologues both profound and poetic, this masterwork tells the tale of an itinerant faith healer performing in the forgotten corners of the British Isles. Unfolding in spellbinding revelations, Faith Healer explores truth and myth-making, and the […]

Posted inNews

RIHEBC awards $92,000 capital grant to Lucy’s Hearth for shelter HVAC repairs

On December 12th, the Rhode Island Health and Educational Building Corporation (RIHEBC) presented a ceremonial $92,647 Capital Grant Program check to Middletown’s Lucy’s Hearth to cover the cost of replacing HVAC units and related equipment providing heat and air conditioning for the shelter’s 15 family apartments, web server room, and staff rooms. “We’re pleased to […]

Posted inSports

Roger Federer’s final match outfit and retirement letter now on display at International Tennis Hall of Fame

By International Tennis Hall Of Fame Following his retirement from tennis, Roger Federer has loaned his UNIQLO apparel and On tennis shoes from his final professional match to the International Tennis Hall of Fame. The outfit, worn by Federer in September at the 2022 Laver Cup, is now on display in the museum, alongside a signed […]

Posted inNews

Adoptable Dog of the Week: Wilbur

Meet your new best friend, Wilbur – this week’s Adoptable Dog of the Week! The Potter League for Animals shares on their website that Wilbur is a 10-year-old male Mixed Breed. Here’s what else Potter League for Animals has to say about Mishka; Well, gee, Wilbur…Wilbur is an absolutely adorable older gent. Wilbur has a […]

Posted inCity & Government

Senator Reed wants more seafood served in schools

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. government spends billions of dollars annually to help feed K-12 students healthy meals at school.  U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) says the federal government should dish up more heart-healthy, delicious, nutritious sustainable seafood for kids in compliance with the federal government’s own nutritional standards. “If you want kids to grow up […]

Posted inCity & Government

Puppies available for adoption right now in Rhode Island

Stacker compiled a list of puppies available for adoption near Providence, Rhode Island on Petfinder. You may also like: Highest paying jobs in Providence for high school graduates Petfinder Olivia – Gender: Female- Breed: German Shepherd Dog- Read more on Petfinder Petfinder Bratton Faith – Gender: Female- Breed: Pointer, Standard Poodle (mixed)- Read more on […]

Posted inCity & Government

Newport Police Department to reward good drivers during ‘Mission Blue Santa’

The Newport Police Department today announced that it will be conducting “Mission Blue Santa” during the daytime of December 11, 12, and 16. Newport Police Department says in a press release that Mission Blue Santa is an effort to ” reward drivers around the city for their good driving”. When a Uniformed Patrol Officer observes […]

Posted inCity & Government

Bill protecting same-sex, interracial unions clears Congress

By MARY CLARE JALONICK Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The House gave final approval Thursday to legislation protecting same-sex marriages, a monumental step in a decadeslong battle for nationwide recognition that reflects a stark turnaround in societal attitudes. President Joe Biden has said he will promptly sign the measure, which requires all states to recognize […]

Posted inObituaries

Obituary: Peter S. Coble

Peter Simon Coble, 63, of Newport, Rhode Island, formerly of Jamestown, passed away on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, with his loving family by his side.He was married to Debbie (Bryan) Coble, of Newport. Peter was born July 30, 1959, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, to the late Andre Kamsteeg and Maria Goedhart Coble, who was well loved […]

Posted inSports

International Tennis Hall of Fame reaccredited by the American Alliance of Museums

By International Tennis Hall Of Fame The International Tennis Hall of Fame has been announced as one of 47 museums in the United States to earn reaccreditation awards from the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) this year. AAM accreditation is the highest national recognition afforded to the nation’s museums. “It is an honor to achieve […]

Posted inThings To Do

Tiverton Land Trust to host Winter Solstice Tree Lighting on Dec. 21

A family-friendly event is coming up at Pardon Gray Preserve in Tiverton! The Tiverton Land Trust (TLT), a private nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to preserving the rural character and scenic beauty of Tiverton for generations to come, today announced that it will be hosting a tree lighting to celebrate the winter solstice and our community. […]

Posted inNews

State, Local, Federal, and Environmental leaders will mark the 50th Anniversary of The Clean Water Act on Dec. 5

The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) will welcome Governor Dan McKee, Treasurer Seth Magaziner, members of the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation, leaders of environmental advocacy organizations, and local, state, and federal partners in an event on Monday, Dec. 5, marking the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act (CWA). “Implemented in 1972, the CWA is a bedrock […]

Posted inCity & Government

Road Report: Schedule of lane closures and road construction projects (Dec. 3 – 10)

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. RITBA Weekly Lane Closure Updates December 4 – 10, 2022 Newport Claiborne Pell Bridge Westbound Right Lane Closure 12/5 – 9 […]

Posted inNews

Former Newport man sentenced to serve 22.5 years prison for 2016 Providence manslaughter death

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced today that a former Newport man has been sentenced in Providence County Superior Court to serve 22.5 years at the Adult Correctional Initiations (ACI) after pleading to the manslaughter death of 50-year-old Patrick Douglas in Providence in 2016. At a hearing on November 25, 2022, Jose Medina (age […]

Posted inObituaries

Obituary: Kristina Caragianis

Kristina Leigh Caragianis, 27, of Portsmouth passed away surrounded by family on November 30, 2022 after a valiant battle with cancer. She was the beloved daughter of William Caragianis, Stephanie Caragianis, and sister of Samantha Caragianis, and John Caragianis (Kathryn Vincent). Kristina was a charismatic and empathetic daughter, sister, and friend who enjoyed nothing more […]

Posted inNews

Navy Band Northeast Woodwind Ensemble to perform during a free Holiday Community Concert on Dec. 4

The Navy Band Northeast woodwind ensemble will be performing a free holiday concert hosted at Calvary United Methodist Church at 3:00 pm on Sunday, December 4. The performance is open to the community. The concert will last about an hour and will feature musical seasonal favorites, according to organizers. The concert will last about an […]

Posted inArts & Culture

December schedule at The JPT features timeless holiday favorites, live music, and several critically acclaimed new films

Is Die Hard really a Christmas movie? Apparently so, as it’s a part of the exciting Christmas lineup at the Jane Pickens Film & Event Center (The JPT) this holiday season. After a busy summer and fall, The JPT has added several holiday films to an already busy December calendar. The venue will host an […]

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