Newport Public Schools Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain joined What’sUpNewp owner and publisher Ryan Belmore and editor Frank Prosnitz on Wednesday afternoon for her penultimate monthly conversation before her June 30 retirement — a wide-ranging discussion dominated by the district’s deepening budget crisis, possible facility restructuring, and personnel changes at the top of Rogers High School. […]
Newport County
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Middletown to dedicate Liberty Tree May 31 in kickoff to America 250 events
Middletown will dedicate a historic Liberty Tree on Sunday, May 31, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Paradise Valley Park, the first major event from the town’s 250 Commission marking the 250th anniversary of American independence. The event will feature a keynote speech by R.I. Secretary of State Gregg Amore, along with a historic open […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Tiverton library to host ‘Rethinking Lawns’ talk on June 10
The Tiverton Public Library will host a free talk titled “Rethinking Lawns” on Wednesday, June 10, at 6:30 p.m. The presentation will be given by Emily Dutra of Butterfly Effect Farm and will cover the history of lawns, how to treat them organically and alternatives to traditional lawns, according to the library. The event is […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: Thomas L. Martin
Thomas Lawrence Martin passed and returned home to our Lord on May 25, 2026 to be with his parents and siblings after a long joyful life at the age of 98. He was born June 1, 1927 in Newport, Rhode Island to Dr. Henry A. Martin and Anna (Maloney) Martin. Besides his parents, he is […]
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Obituary: Burt D. Cross
Burt Douglas Cross, 87, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 25, in Tiverton, Rhode Island, leaving behind a profound legacy of devotion to family. Born on February 2, 1939, to parents Jack and Peggy Cross, Burt was shaped early by his father’s intellectual curiosity and his mother’s kindness and grace. A graduate of Teaneck High […]
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Obituary: Eleanor R. Good
Ellie was born November 7, 1930, in Brooklyn, NY the daughter of Calbraith Bourne Perry and Marie Léa Nicholson Perry. She was a registered nurse, and a graduate of Trusdale Hospital. She worked for numerous agencies and hospitals in IN, PA, OH, WV and RI. She loved caring for people and found her greatest gift […]
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Obituary: Lawrence Rebello
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Lawrence Rebello, a beloved father, grandfather, and friend, who left us peacefully on May 16, 2026, at the age of 83. Born on October 27, 1942, in Fall River, Massachusetts, to the late Lawrence and Henrietta Rebello, Lawrence found his way to Portsmouth, Rhode […]
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What Sold: A look at 21 homes that traded hands last week (May 19-23)
It may have been a wet Memorial Day weekend, but some lucky homeowners were still able to close just in time to enjoy the start of summer in Newport County. Despite the up’s and down’s, the market continues to move, with 21 conveyances recorded across Newport County last week as buyer activity steadily increases heading […]
Posted inOpinion
Just My Opinion: What’s a School Committee seat worth — Nine
Nine. It takes nine months for human gestation. There are nine defensive players on the baseball field. In the Baha’i Faith nine is considered the number of perfection and symbolizes the culmination of religious revelation. September is the ninth month, the only month in the English language whose letter count equals the number of the […]
Posted inCity & Government
Ellen Pinnock announces bid for second term on Newport City Council
Newport City Councilwoman Ellen Pinnock announced she will run for a second term representing Ward 1. Pinnock said advocating for young people has been central to her work on the council. During her first term, she said she pushed for expanded recreation opportunities, stronger connections between the city and its schools, safer spaces for children […]
Posted inSports
Newport Charter Yacht Show returns to Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard in June
The annual Newport Charter Yacht Show will return June 22–25 at Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard, drawing a fleet of charter yachts, brokers and industry professionals to Newport’s waterfront, organizers announced. The show serves as a marketplace for charter yachts preparing to cruise New England waters, giving crews a chance to present their programs and amenities […]
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Amo, Reed, Whitehouse announce $30,000 NEA grant for Newport Contemporary Ballet
Newport Contemporary Ballet has been awarded $30,000 in funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, U.S. Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Rep. Gabe Amo announced Tuesday. The funding will support the ballet’s annual Newport Dance Festival, which this year will explore the theme of freedom in honor of the nation’s 250th […]
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Obituary: Theresa A. Lacerda
Theresa A. (Laranjo) Lacerda, 89, of Middletown, Rhode Island, died peacefully at home on May 23, 2026. She was the wife of the late Anthony J. Lacerda. Born in Newport on July 20, 1936, she was the daughter of the late Jose and Maria (Medeiros) Laranjo. Theresa started her career at Walsh Brothers in Newport, […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rep. Lauren Carson announces bid for re-election in 2026
Rhode Island Rep. Lauren Carson, a Democrat, has announced she will run for re-election in 2026 to represent Newport in House District 75. Carson was first elected to the Rhode Island House of Representatives in 2014 and serves as a deputy majority leader. She said her work at the State House has focused on local […]
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Obituary: Joan Beachnau
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Joan Beachnau, beloved wife, mother, and friend. Joan was born on February 7, 1953, and departed this world peacefully on May 20, 2026, in Newport, Rhode Island, at the age of 73. Joan touched the lives of many with her kindness, warmth, and unwavering […]
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Obituary: John Regan
John “Jack” Regan, of Newport, Rhode Island, passed away peacefully on May 21 with his family by his side. Born on Christmas Day in 1940 in Waltham, MA, Jack never missed an opportunity to remind people he was “the second coming.” He was raised in Newton, MA, to Irish immigrants, Timothy and Katherine (King) Regan. […]
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Gerry Goldstein: Strength isn’t always what it seems
The pundits and TV talking heads have recently bandied about a relatively new term, “asymmetrical war.” As it suggests, this refers to a conflict in which one of the combatants is militarily far stronger than the other. The term was created in 1975 by the late political scientist Andrew J. R. Mack, whose seminal essay […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: Robert G. Martley Jr.
Robert G. Martley, Jr., 64, of Portsmouth, RI passed away peacefully at home with his wife, Celeste, and daughters, Collette and Suzanne, by his side on Saturday, May 23, 2026, after a hard-fought battle with ALS. Bob wasn’t just the life of the party; he was the party. He made friends everywhere he went and […]
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Obituary: Patricia Kirby
Patricia (Patsy) Kirby, formerly of Newport, Rhode Island, in her 94th year, peacefully at home in Churchtown, Dublin, Ireland, surrounded by her husband of 66 years, Patrick, and loving family. Born in Cork and raised in Drumcondra, Dublin, Patsy was employed in the Central Bank of Ireland and active in the Dublin Grand Opera Society […]
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St. George’s School honors Class of 2026 at Prize Day, with several students earning top awards
St. George’s School celebrated its 98 graduating seniors at its annual Prize Day ceremony, recognizing the Class of 2026 for achievement in academics, the arts, athletics and character, with several Rhode Island students among the top honorees. Julienne Patterson received the St. George’s Medal, awarded to the member of the sixth form who, in the […]
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The origins of Memorial Day and how it has evolved
Memorial Day is a U.S. holiday that is officially about mourning the nation’s fallen service members, but it has come to signal the unofficial start of summer and a long weekend of travel and discounts on anything from mattresses to lawn mowers. Here is a look at the holiday and how it has evolved: When is Memorial Day? It […]
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IYRS offers support to students affected by The Landing School closure
IYRS School of Technology & Trades is extending support to students, applicants and families affected by the recent closure of The Landing School of Boatbuilding & Design in Arundel, Maine, offering guidance and a pathway for those looking to continue their marine trades education. “We are saddened to learn of The Landing School’s closing and […]
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Charter Books to host bestselling author Annabel Monaghan at OceanCliff on June 8
Charter Books will host New York Times bestselling author Annabel Monaghan for a summer cocktail event at OceanCliff on Monday, June 8, to celebrate her latest novel, “Dolly All the Time.” The event runs from 4 to 6 p.m., with Monaghan, author of “Nora Goes Off Script,” in conversation with Kylie McCollough, founder of the […]
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Castle Hill Inn officially reopens Agassiz Mansion following February fire
NEWPORT, R.I. — Castle Hill Inn officially reopened the Agassiz Mansion on Thursday, welcoming guests back to the historic property just in time for Memorial Day Weekend, more than three months after a fire damaged the landmark retreat on Ocean Drive. The reopening encompasses the main level of the Mansion, including the lobby, The Lawn […]