On these pages, an Op-Ed (Let Rhode Island Pharmacists Close the Primary Care Gap) by a number of trusted colleagues argued that allowing pharmacists to bill insurance directly for clinical services might close the primary care gap. I’m not sure where I stand on letting pharmacists bill insurance directly. On the one hand, pharmacists are critical […]
Newport County
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House Committee approves Electric Leaf Blower Rebate Bill
A bill proposed by a Barrington lawmaker would create a rebate program for electric leaf blowers in an effort to reduce air and noise pollution. Rep. Jennifer Boylan’s office says the proposal would allocate $250,000 in funding for the pilot program. It would be run by the Office of Energy Resources with the goal of […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island General Assembly approves bill to educate buyers of shoreline property of the public’s right to access the shoreline
The Rhode Island General Assembly recently passed new legislation that aims to protect property owners from any surprises that may arise from buying property located on the coastline. The law, which was sponsored by state Sen. Victoria Gu and state Rep. Terri Cortvriend, requires all sellers of oceanfront property to clearly disclose any public access […]
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Senator Reed joins World Leaders and U.S. Veterans in France for D-Day 80th Anniversary & Remembrance Ceremony
Today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, traveled to Normandy, France, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, which occurred on June 6, 1944. Traveling as part of a bipartisan Congressional delegation, Senator Reed joined President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, Britain’s King Charles III, […]
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Acrobatica crowned 2024 Atlantic Cup Champions
The Italian team #204 Acrobatica sailed by Alberto Riva and Jean Marre completed their dominate two-week run, becoming the 2024 Atlantic Cup Champions. Their first place finish in the Coastal Series yesterday guaranteed them victory for the overall Atlantic Cup. However, the points standings for the rest of the podium was far from decided going into […]
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Quicksand doesn’t just happen in Hollywood. It happened on a Maine beach
PHIPPSBURG, Maine (AP) — A Maine woman enjoying a walk on a popular beach learned that quicksand doesn’t just happen in Hollywood movies in jungles or rainforests. Jamie Acord was walking at the water’s edge at Popham Beach State Park over the weekend when she sunk to her hips in a split second, letting out […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: Evelyn DeAscentis
Evelyn M. “Kim” DeAscentis, age 100, of Newport, Rhode Island, died on June 5, 2024. She was the wife of the late Attilio “Arthur” DeAscentis. Born in Johnston, RI on February 27, 1924, she was the daughter of Hiram Kimball, Jr. and Eva (Batalitzky) Kimball, and the youngest of 7 children. She was a graduate […]
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Rhode Island moves to regulate Kratom distribution
The Rhode Island House of Representatives passed a bill Thursday that would regulate the distribution of kratom, a natural substance used to treat opioid addiction and other conditions. The Kratom Consumer Protection Act (2024-H 7231Aaa) would ban the adulteration of kratom with a dangerous non-kratom substance as to render the product injurious to a consumer. […]
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Middletown aims for safer roads with speed cameras
The Middletown town council has approved speed cameras in several school zones to reduce speeding and make the roadways safer for children. The cameras will be in effect when school is in session and will only be operational on school days and hours. The speed cameras will also issue civil violations rather than tickets for […]
Posted inBusiness
New small business, Newport Sailing Lessons, opens this summer
Aquidneck Islanders and Newport summer visitors alike will be delighted to discover new sailing opportunities out of Newport Harbor. Kate Richardson, a native Rhode Islander and U.S. Navy veteran, is now the proud small business owner of Newport Sailing Lessons. She runs the lessons out of her 1978 Pearson 30 sailboat, Hope, in Newport Harbor. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Classical expands Community Concerts Series with a free Children’s Concert on August 17
Newport Classical today announced that it is proud to announce that it will expand its Community Concerts Series, presented by BankNewport, into August with a free Children’s Concert featuring WindSync at the Newport County YMCA on Saturday, August 17 at 4 pm. This new partnership with the Newport County YMCA strengthens Newport Classical’s mission to provide Aquidneck Island children and families free access to […]
Posted inCity & Government
RIPTA will not move forward with previously proposed service reductions
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) officially announced today that it will not move forward with previously proposed service reductions, which were scheduled to go into effect on Saturday, June 15, 2024, as part of the Authority’s seasonal service adjustments. Christopher Durand, interim Chief Executive Officer, asked RIPTA’s Board of Directors not to act […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Movies and TV shows casting in Rhode Island
The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures the attention of Americans starting from an early age. Beyond celebrities’ Instagram Stories and red carpet poses, there are actors out there paying their dues and honing their craft in pursuit of a sustainable career or a fulfilling sideline. Submitting to casting calls is a big part of […]
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Grey Sail Brewing collaborates with New England Brewing Company to support Work Vessels for Veterans
Grey Sail Brewing of Rhode Island has announced the launch of a special collaboration beer, Work Vessel Double IPA, crafted in partnership with New England Brewing Company (NEBCO). “This unique Double IPA is a testament to our shared commitment to quality brewing and the community,” Grey Sail Brewing says in a press release. Grey Sail Brewing shares that […]
Posted inCity & Government
Preview: Docket for Newport City Council Meeting on June 12
Newport City Council will hold its next Regular Meeting on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will take place in the City Council Chamber at Newport City Hall and is open to the public. Here’s a look at what’s on the docket; CITY OF NEWPORT DOCKET FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING […]
Posted inSports
Analysis: This NBA Finals will show if the Celtics are ready for pressure
By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown said all the right things after the Boston Celtics fell in the NBA Finals two years ago. They said losing that series to the Golden State Warriors was going to be part of their journey. A learning experience. Fuel for the future. They won’t […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: Dr. Charles P. Shoemaker, Jr.
Born in Franklin, New Jersey, son of Charles P. Shoemaker, Sr. and Alice Haight Shoemaker, Dr. Shoemaker was a 1959 alumnus of Amherst College. He graduated from Albany Medical College and did his internship and residency in general surgery at The Yale-New Haven Medical Center. After completing his training, he entered the Navy in 1969 […]
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Newport Gulls fall to Vermont in extra innings
The Newport Gulls home opener was an offensive fight between two of the best teams in the NECBL. In the end, the Gulls were defeated by the Vermont Mountaineers 12-8 in 10 innings. Prior to the game’s start, the Gulls honored members of the 2023 NECBLchampionship roster and brought out their 7th Fay Vincent Sr. Cup. […]
Posted inCity & Government
Eleventh hour bottle bill reignites debate between environmental, business groups
by Nancy Lavin, Rhode Island CurrentJune 5, 2024 Disagreement over a state bottle recycling program is as pervasive as the piles of recyclable bottles and cans littering Rhode Island streets, beaches and waterways. So it’s no surprise that controversy again clouded the bottle bill conversation Wednesday night. Hours of debate unfolded in an airless second-floor […]
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Newport Bermuda Race will kick off with fun and festivities at Fort Adams
With the Newport Bermuda Race just around the corner, the race is preparing to start for the first time in its history off the coast of Fort Adams State Park on Friday, June 21. This year marks a historic change as the race starts for the first time in its 118-year history just off the […]
Posted inJobs, News
Volunteers needed at Trinity Episcopal Church
Trinity Episcopal Church in Newport needs volunteers to help lead tours of the church and welcome visitors. If you can spare three hours a week, you could receive training to become a volunteer tour guide. Anyone interested must have good communication skills, be willing to learn about history and architecture, and is not required to […]
Posted inCity & Government
Free concerts returning to Easton’s Beach in July and August
The City of Newport’s Recreation has announced the return of Family Night Concerts and Children’s Nights at Easton’s Beach this summer. There will be six Family Night Concerts at Easton’s Beach in 2024. All Family Night Concerts will take place on Tuesday evenings at 6 pm and are free and open to the public. The […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
NIMFest returns in 2024 with eight concerts at King Park
The Annual NIMFest Concert Series, which takes place at the Gazebo on Wellington Avenue in King Park, will begin on Sunday, July 7. NIMFest announced the new schedule as well as its new leadership in a Facebook Post on June 3; “Hello music lovers! My name is Rand Bradbury Jr., I’m the president of NEMO […]
Posted inCity & Government
Lineup for Middletown’s ‘Music in Paradise’ and ‘Second Beach Music Series’ announced
On Wednesday, June 5, the Town of Middletown announced the 2024 lineup for their “Music In Paraide” and “Second Beach Music Series”. Music in Paradise 2024Monday nights in July at Paradise Park Enjoy a peaceful night of music under the backdrop of the historic Boyd’s Windmill in Middletown’s Paradise Valley Park! Food trucks available and […]
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Legislation would allow smaller apartment buildings under residential codes
The Rhode Island House of Representatives has unanimously approved legislation that would allow for the construction of apartment buildings with three or four units. The legislation, which is sponsored by Rep. June S. Speakman, aims to address the “missing middle” of Rhode Island’s housing market by making three- and four-unit dwellings subject to residential building […]