Posted inCity & Government

Coast Guard Cutter Campbell returns to Newport after Caribbean patrol

The Coast Guard Cutter Campbell returned to Naval Station Newport on Monday after a 54-day maritime border security patrol in the Windward Passage, according to the U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area. The 270-foot cutter deployed to support Operation Vigilant Sentry, according to the Coast Guard, which said the mission focused on preventing unlawful maritime entry […]

Posted inNews

Good news for Revolution Wind. Bad news for Rhode Island union painters

Orimartin Lima’s graduation from a weeklong offshore wind safety training program last Friday was bittersweet. The completion of the global certification through the Community College of Rhode Island was supposed to lead directly to a union job with the Revolution Wind project.  But instead of shipping out to sea to climb towering turbines in  Rhode […]

Posted inObituaries

Obituary: Dennis C Silvia

Dennis C. Silvia, 73, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family. Born on July 6, 1952, in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, Dennis was the son of the late Charles and Gertrude Silvia. Dennis was predeceased by his parents; his sister, Marie Bacon; his brother, Christopher; and his granddaughter, Danarya Camara. He is survived […]

Posted inNews

Letter to the Editor: Medicare dis-advantage

The federal government could have fixed the gaps in traditional government-run Medicare and created an improved Medicare for All single payer program, but instead, paid private middlemen billions to offer Medicare Advantage plans.  Seniors were lured into buying heavily advertised, “cheaper,” heavily subsidized Medicare Advantage plans while the private corporations that offered these plans saw their […]

Posted inNews, Nonprofit

Newport Mental Health named regional access point for housing support

Newport Mental Health has been designated a Regional Access Point by the Rhode Island Executive Office of Housing, becoming part of a new statewide network aimed at preventing and ending homelessness. Regional Access Points are community-based hubs that help individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of losing their homes. The primary goals […]

Posted inEnvironment & Health, News

State officials warn public to avoid Upper Melville Pond due to harmful algae bloom

State health and environmental officials are urging the public to stay away from Upper Melville Pond after confirming a harmful cyanobacteria bloom in the Portsmouth waterbody. The Rhode Island Department of Health and Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management issued the advisory Monday, warning that swimming, fishing, boating and kayaking pose health risks at the […]

Posted inObituaries

Obituary: John Duarte

Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Friend John Anthony “Biff” Duarte, a proud Vietnam War Veteran and beloved husband of the late Lois Jean Duarte, passed away peacefully in Newport, Rhode Island, on October 18, 2025. Born in Providence, Rhode Island, to the late John Joseph Duarte and Irene Facey, Biff exemplified courage, loyalty, and resilience […]

Posted inSports

Drake Maye throws 3 TDs as Patriots overcome Myles Garrett’s 5-sack game in 32-13 win over Browns

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel wanted to add energy in Gillette Stadium after watching his team lose two of its first three games at home to open the season. He did it by bringing back individual pregame introductions for the first time since 2001. It might have been exactly the […]

Posted inObituaries

Obituary: Robert Leno

Robert “Bob” Leno, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on October 8, 2025, in Newport, Rhode Island. Born on August 16, 1943, in Hardwick, Vermont, Bob lived a full life marked by determination, hard work, and deep love for his family. Bob’s education began in local schools in Vermont, but it was […]

Posted inCity & Government

Woman who escaped from boat fire off Cape Cod with her husband and son dies at a hospital

By MICHAEL CASEY Associated Press Asleep on their boat anchored off Cape Cod, the Sullivan family was awaken to their dogs barking, the sound of fireworks and smoke. Their boat was on fire. Tyler Sullivan and his parents jumped from the boat Monday night and, in the darkness, began swimming to a privately-owned island. Tyler […]

Posted inBusiness

Heritage Restaurant Group acquires Crisp Restaurant Group, adds Providence Coal Fired Pizza and Union Station Brewery

The Heritage Restaurant Group announced Friday it will acquire Crisp Restaurant Group, including Providence Coal Fired Pizza’s two locations and Union Station Brewery in downtown Providence. The transaction is expected to close within 90 days, subject to due diligence and approval processes. The acquisition marks Heritage Group’s strategic expansion into the Providence market, coming one […]

Posted inInstagram, Real Estate

42 open houses scheduled across Newport County this weekend

Good morning and happy Friday! This weekend, 42 homes across Newport County are hosting Open Houses and here at WhatsUpNewp, I have compiled a full list and link so you can plan your weekend tours accordingly. It’s a great opportunity to explore what’s available across Jamestown, Middletown, Portsmouth, Newport, Tiverton, and Little Compton, whether you’re […]

Posted inFood & Drink, Instagram, News, Things To Do

Yagi Noodles teams up with Rejects Beer Co. for punk rock-fueled party

This Sunday, Oct. 26, Yagi Noodles is trading its usual dinner service for something a bit louder and a lot more rebellious. The popular Long Wharf Mall noodle spot is hosting a cocktail party in collaboration with Rejects Beer Co. and Fortune Tattoos, bringing together Asian street food, craft beer, live punk rock vinyl spins […]

Posted inArts & Culture

Woman-led organizations prepare Rhode Island for historic 2026

When Discover Newport extends an invitation, I rearrange my schedule to attend. Newport’s equivalent of a local tourism board (which was recently awarded several “Best of’ Awards)’s monthly, off-peak Marketing Meeting is a gathering I never miss. When the topic is both steeped in Rhode Island’s history and outlining and educating us on our state’s […]

Posted inCity & Government

Coast Guard suspends plan to remove New England navigational aids

Rhode Island legislators welcomed the U.S. Coast Guard’s decision this week to suspend a plan that would have removed hundreds of navigational buoys along New England’s coast, including dozens marking hazards in Rhode Island waters. The Coast Guard announced Tuesday it was pausing its buoy modernization plan after receiving more than 3,200 public comments, according […]

Posted inNews, Police & Fire

Coast Guard audio captures stranded family’s mayday call. ‘Our ship burned while we were sleeping’

GOSNOLD, Mass. (AP) — Three family members who swam to a private island when their boat caught fire and sank were rescued two days later after their marine radio washed ashore. “Mayday, mayday, mayday! Our ship went down in Tarpaulin’s Cove!” Tyler Sullivan told a Coast Guard dispatcher early Wednesday morning. “Our ship burned while […]

Posted inBusiness

Heritage Restaurant Group to acquire Scales & Shells

The Heritage Restaurant Group announced Thursday that it will acquire Scales & Shells, the seafood restaurant at 527/537 Thames St., which has been a downtown Newport fixture for nearly 40 years. The transaction is expected to close within 90 days, subject to due diligence and approval processes. Heritage Group, a Newport-based restaurant and hospitality operator, will take […]

Posted inCity & Government

Prudence Island water association receives $100,000 grant for system upgrades

The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank has closed on a $100,000 loan with full principal forgiveness for the Prudence Park Water Association to install new pressure tanks and a flow meter, officials announced Thursday. The grant will fund critical infrastructure improvements for the small, nonprofit public drinking water system on Prudence Island’s west side. The system […]

Posted inCity & Government

Tiverton police launch online crime mapping tool

The Tiverton Police Department has launched a new community crime mapping page on its website, providing residents with an interactive tool to view recent police activity and general crime trends. The department announced the launch Wednesday on its Facebook page, describing the initiative as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen transparency, public engagement and awareness […]

Posted inObituaries

Obituary: Diane Dutra

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Diane Marie (McGee) Dutra who left us peacefully at the age of 81 on October 15th, 2025. She was the wife of the late Paul Costa Dutra for 57 years. Diane lived a life centered on love and family. Her happiest moments […]

Posted inCity & Government

Rhode Island’s congressional delegation asks to forgo pay during shutdown

All four members of Rhode Island’s congressional delegation have asked to have their congressional pay withheld for the duration of the federal government shutdown in a show of solidarity with federal workers.Democratic U.S. Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Reps. Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo all announced Wednesday afternoon that they intend to […]

Posted inNews

Rhode Island food pantries slammed as SNAP beneficiaries brace for funding to run dry

Six hundred dollars can’t cover an entire month of groceries for Yolanda Robertson’s family of five. But it’s a critical piece of how the 36-year-old single mom can put food on the table. Or at least, it was. Robertson is among the 42 million low-income people nationwide, including 140,000 Rhode Islanders, who stand to lose […]

Posted inCity & Government

Record 29.4 million visitors traveled to Rhode Island in 2024, spent $6 billion

Rhode Island welcomed 29.4 million visitors in 2024, marking a 3.7% increase over the previous year and representing a new record for the state, according to data released Wednesday by Governor Dan McKee and Rhode Island Commerce. The visitors spent $6 billion throughout the state, a 7% increase from 2023, according to research conducted by […]

Posted inCity & Government, News

Gov. McKee opens applications for $81M in housing bond programs

Governor Dan McKee and Housing Secretary Deborah Goddard on Tuesday announced the opening of applications for the first wave of programs funded by Rhode Island’s $120 million housing bond, with $81 million now available to municipalities and developers. The bond, approved by voters in 2024, aims to address the state’s housing crisis by expanding homeownership […]

Posted inSports

Best NFL players born in Rhode Island

Football has long been woven into the cultural fabric of America, and every state has produced its share of gridiron legends. From Hall of Fame quarterbacks to record-setting receivers and defensive stalwarts, some of the NFL’s greatest talents trace their roots back to Rhode Island. Using data from Pro Football Reference, Stacker compiled a ranking […]

Posted inNews, Nonprofit

Rhode Island youth climate conference set for Nov. 8 at Roger Williams Park Zoo

Rhode Island teenagers will gather at Roger Williams Park Zoo on Nov. 8 for a daylong climate action conference designed to empower young leaders to tackle environmental challenges in their communities. The Rhode Island Youth Climate Conference, hosted by the Rhode Island Environmental Education Association, will run from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is […]

Posted inArts & Culture

Ringling Bros. circus returns to Providence in May 2026

The circus is coming back to town. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey announced Tuesday that “The Greatest Show On Earth” will return to Providence for six performances at Amica Mutual Pavilion from May 29-31, 2026. Tickets are now on sale for the reimagined production, which promises a high-energy, music-driven experience featuring 65 world-class performers […]

Posted inInstagram, Real Estate

What sold last week in Newport County: Oct. 13-17

According to data from the Statewide MLS, 15 properties sold across Newport County last week, spanning a range of price points and property types. Sales included single-family homes, condominiums, and multi-family properties, reflecting continued buyer engagement across multiple market segments. Inventory, though improving, is still historically low, and for those considering a sale before the […]

Posted inArts & Culture

Rail Explorers celebrates one-millionth rider with lesson in aging well

On Friday, October 17, a simple, joy-filled celebration took place in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, as Rail Explorers marked its one-millionth ride. This achievement represents more than a milestone–it reflects how we can still find wonder in new experiences, the beauty of nature, and the shared happiness that comes from doing something together in the open […]

Posted inInstagram, News, Sports

Brad Read captures DF95 National Championship in Newport sibling showdown

Brad Read of Middletown outlasted his younger brother Ken in a three-day battle to win the DF95 National Championship on Sunday, completing 14 races of remote-controlled sailing at Sail Newport. The victory came down to the final day of competition, with Brad holding off Ken by three points. Brian Shores of Lakewood, Texas, finished third, […]

Posted inBusiness

International Tennis Hall of Fame adds eight to Board of Governors

The International Tennis Hall of Fame announced Monday it will welcome eight new members to its Board of Governors in 2026, bringing diverse expertise from business, philanthropy and the tennis industry. Three current board members were also appointed to the 24-member Executive Board, which helps guide the nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving tennis history and […]

Posted inArts & Culture

New PBS docuseries ‘Ocean State’ explores Rhode Island’s marine wonders

Rhode Island’s coastal waters are getting the nature documentary treatment they deserve. Ocean State Media and The Nature Conservancy announced Friday that filming has begun on “Ocean State,” a four-part PBS docuseries showcasing the remarkable marine ecosystems off Rhode Island’s coast, with special attention to the biodiversity hotspot surrounding Block Island. The series, produced by […]

Posted inCity & Government, News

Only Newport achieves affordable housing threshold

Only Newport among Newport County communities achieves the state’s goal of 10 percent housing classified as affordable, despite the state legislature’s creative revision to how it counts affordable housing units. That revision was meant to add housing units to those counted as “low and moderate income,” but still only eight of Rhode Island’s 39 cities […]

Posted inCity & Government, News

Newport opens applications for 2027 community grant programs

The City of Newport announced Friday the launch of its newly revised community grant programs, opening funding opportunities for local nonprofit organizations serving the community’s most vulnerable residents. Applications for fiscal year 2027 grants will be accepted through an online portal opening Nov. 13, with a firm deadline of Dec. 5. The initiative represents a […]

Posted inInstagram, Real Estate

On the Market: A look at 47 homes hosting open houses this weekend in Newport County (Oct. 18-19)

After a week in Austin, Texas, where I was attending the 2025 REMAX Elite retreat, we are back to your normally scheduled programming. Spending time with some of the top agents in the country is always inspiring, and hearing about the state of other markets throughout the country is always food for thought.This weekend’s Open […]

Posted inObituaries

Obituary: Michael O’Hara

Michael James O’Hara – “Mick” – tragically passed away after taking his own life on October 11, 2025, at 17 years old. At the time of his death, Mick was a Sixth-Form student at Portsmouth Abbey School and a Prefect in St. Martin’s House. Mick was born into a Navy family in Portsmouth, Virginia, to […]

Posted inSports

DF95 National Championship brings 60 top sailors to Newport

Sixty of the nation’s top sailors will guide 37-inch carbon fiber sailboats across the water at Sail Newport this weekend, competing in the DragonFlite 95 National Championship through Sunday. The diminutive radio-controlled boats, powered by wind and controlled from shore with hand-held transmitters, belie the expertise required to race them. “It’s like a chess match […]

Posted inArts & Culture

Historian to discuss Irish American identity shifts at Museum of Newport Irish History

The Museum of Newport Irish History will present the second talk of its 24th Annual Lecture Series on Monday, featuring historian Dr. Timothy J. Meagher discussing the transformation of Irish American identity across four decades. Meagher, retired professor of history and archivist at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., will deliver “Irish American Identity in Transition: […]

Posted inCity & Government, News

Coast Guard revises buoy removal plan after public feedback, but 20 markers still at risk in R.I.

Guided by the comments of more than 3,000 New England boaters and advocates, the U.S. Coast Guard has scaled back plans to remove hundreds of navigational buoys across the region, including in Rhode Island.Rhode Island is now poised to lose 20 buoys, rather than 37, under a revised plan unveiled by the Coast Guard in […]

Posted inObituaries

Obituary: Dennis Demessianos

Dennis Michael Demessianos Age 74 Born in Newport, Rhode Island on October 23, 1950 to Alexander and Mary (Nardelli) Demessianos. Dennis passed away at the Grand Islander Nursing Home in Middletown, Rhode Island on October 7, 2025. He is survived by, Lelanie Kratochwill, step-children, Talon and Jennah Kratochwill, his brother Paul (Paula Patalano) Demessianos and […]

Posted inSports

Patriots coach Mike Vrabel returns to face the Titans for 1st time since being fired

By TERESA M. WALKER AP Pro Football Writer NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Mike Vrabel congratulated Brian Callahan when Tennessee hired him as Vrabel’s successor as the Titans’ head coach. Vrabel also texted Callahan after being fired six games into his second season. “I just remember all those coaches or people that reached out after I was let go,” Vrabel […]

Posted inCity & Government

Newport City Council to tackle liquor licenses, holiday events and new commissions at Oct. 22 meeting

The Newport City Council will convene next Wednesday, Oct. 22, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall for a regular meeting packed with business ranging from holiday event approvals to the potential creation of new city commissions. Holiday events and special permits The consent calendar includes approval for several community events that will bring holiday cheer […]

Posted inObituaries

Obituary: Irene Haney

Irene Sullivan Haney, 87, of Centerville, Massachusetts passed away peacefully on October 6, 2025, surrounded by her family. Irene was a joyous enthusiast. She rode ziplines and loved helicopter rides. She specialized in flower arranging and blueberry pie making. She knit all her children’s sweaters. She loved the opera, Shakespeare and the symphony. The Cape […]

Posted inInstagram, News

Newport schools superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain to step down in June 2026

Colleen Burns Jermain, Ed.D., has announced she will step down as Superintendent of Newport Public Schools, effective June 30, 2026, bringing an end to her tenure leading the district. Jermain notified School Committee Chair James Dring and committee members of her decision in a letter dated Tuesday, October 14, 2025, citing the terms of her […]

Posted inNews

Newport receives $65,000 in state grants to boost math skills, student attendance

Gov. Dan McKee and Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green announced Tuesday that Newport will receive $65,000 in state grants aimed at improving math skills and student attendance through out-of-school learning programs. The funding is part of the fourth round of Learn365RI Municipal Learning Project grants, which awarded $1.39 million to 38 communities statewide. Other Aquidneck Island […]

Posted inCity & Government

Judge accuses Homeland Security of bullying states into accepting conditions to get FEMA money

By MICHAEL CASEY Associated Press A federal judge in Rhode Island on Tuesday accused the Trump administration of trying to “bully” states into accepting conditions that require them to cooperate on immigration enforcement actions to get disaster funding after he ruled earlier that those actions were unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge William Smith, who was appointed by former […]

Posted inArts & Culture

Narragansett Bay Symphony Community Orchestra to open season with Gershwin, Ravel

The Narragansett Bay Symphony Community Orchestra will kick off its 2025-2026 season with a diverse program ranging from French impressionism to American jazz Nov. 2 at East Providence High School. The 3 p.m. concert at the school’s auditorium, 2000 Pawtucket Ave., will feature interim Music Director John Eells leading the orchestra through works by Maurice […]

Posted inObituaries

Obituary: Anne Margaret Naisbitt

Anne Margaret Naisbitt was born the 16th of August, 1952 in Providence, Rhode Island to her mother, Gladys Condry and Father, George Condry, joining her older sister Lynne Condry. Anne was 73 when she passed away peacefully on the 25th of September, 2025. She is survived and celebrated by her son, Scott Condry Naisbitt, her grandson, Wyatt Shawn Naisbitt, and her late son, Roy William Naisbitt III (Billy), along with […]

Posted inCity & Government, News

Plane crashes onto a Massachusetts highway, killing 2 on board and hurting 1 motorist

DARTMOUTH, Mass. (AP) — A small airplane crashed straight into a major Massachusetts highway during the Monday morning rush hour, killing both people on board and scattering flaming debris across the interstate. Miraculously, no motorists on Interstate 195 were seriously injured, New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell said in a statement on Facebook. A woman whose […]

Posted inArts & Culture

Broadway Street Fair celebrates 10th anniversary with record crowds and community spirit

The 2025 Broadway Street Fair, which originated in 2016 following years of major construction up and down the main thoroughfare, was a massive success on its 10th calendar Anniversary. This free event is family-friendly and stretches from Equality Park down to Washington Square with six stages along the way serving up a broad array of […]

Posted inObituaries

Obituary: Antonio L. Lontoc Jr.

Antonio L. Lontoc Jr. MSCM, USN (Ret.), 90, passed away peacefully on October 5, 2025. Antonio was born October 1, 1935, in Naga City, Republic of the Philippines, to Antonio and Lourdes Lontoc. Master Chief Lontoc enlisted in the U.S. Navy on January 13, 1961, at the U.S. Navy station, Sangley Point in Cavite City, Republic of the Philippines. After completing […]

Posted inSports

Farrell, Davy complete comeback as Rhode Island defeats New Hampshire 38-27

KINGSTON, R.I. (AP) — Devin Farrell scored with 2:12 remaining, and Rohan Davy had a 45-yard scoop-and-score one minute later to finish FCS No. 17 Rhode Island’s comeback win over New Hampshire, 38-27 on Saturday. The Rams (5-2, 3-0 Coastal Athletic Association) snapped a two-game skid with a 10-point fourth quarter comeback, scoring 21 unanswered […]

Posted inInstagram, News, Police & Fire

Newport man charged in domestic assault that left victim in critical condition

A 21-year-old Newport man has been charged with multiple felonies in connection with a domestic assault Friday that left a victim in critical condition, police said Saturday. Preston Schuster of Newport was charged with two counts of felony domestic assault, felony possession of a knife during the commission of a crime and two counts of […]

Posted inInstagram, News, Real Estate

On the Market: 53 Newport County homes hosting open houses this weekend (Oct. 11 – 12)

It’s shaping up to be one of the busiest weekends of the fall here in Newport County, and not just in real estate. Between a jam-packed calendar of local happenings and one of my personal favorites, the Broadway Street Fair, the City by the Sea is buzzing with energy and activity. Even with an impending […]

Posted inArts & Culture

Charter Books to host cookbook event with Rhode Island author

Charter Books will host Rhode Island cookbook author Polina Chesnakova for a cooking demonstration and tasting on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at Pivotal Brewing. Chesnakova will demonstrate how to make varenyky, a stuffed dumpling featured in her recently published cookbook “Chesnok: Cooking from My Corner of the Diaspora: Recipes from Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central […]

Posted inColumns

Dr. Michael Fine: Three things that are smart, not crazy, about health care

Three logical, smart, and hopeful things happened in health care in the past few weeks.  I’m glad to be able to tell you about them. The first good thing is that the Rhode Island Department of Health joined Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York to form the Northeast Public Health […]

Posted inArts & Culture

Newport Art Museum reopens members’ exhibition after community feedback

The Newport Art Museum is bringing back its Members’ Juried Exhibition after a strategic planning process revealed strong community demand for the tradition. The exhibition, titled “Springboard,” opens Jan. 22, 2026, in the museum’s historic John N.A. Griswold House and will feature works by museum members displayed alongside pieces from the permanent collection. The show […]

Posted inArts & Culture

Spotlighting the busy women (and a few good men) behind the scenes at the Broadway Street Fair

Historians and cartographers will tell you that “Broadway” is typically one of the first streets laid out on a city map, designed as a central artery for commerce. The name, derived from the Dutch Breede weg, meaning “broad way,” likely originated from Native American footpaths that ran diagonally down the length of Manhattan Island. Newport’s […]

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