by Nancy Lavin, Rhode Island Current January 6, 2026 Rhode Island and Connecticut attorneys general in legal filings Monday asked to consolidate their federal lawsuit against the Trump administration with a separate complaint lodged by the developers of the Revolution Wind project. Both lawsuits were initially filed in the wake of an Aug. 22 stop […]
Rhode Island
Posted inCity & Government
GoNetspeed begins construction on fiber internet network in Newport
Construction is underway on a new fiber-optic internet network that will bring speeds of up to two gigabits to Newport homes and businesses. GoNetspeed, the Northeast’s largest independent fiber-optic network builder, announced Monday that initial construction work has begun on the project, which will serve more than 8,200 residences and businesses. Newport marks the company’s […]
Posted inCity & Government
Middletown council approves license plate reader, tables request for six more
The Town Council approved a request from state police to install a license plate reader camera on West Main Road during its first meeting of 2026 on Monday. However, the council tabled a vote on a request to install six similar Flock cameras, asking the Middletown Police Department to develop a policy governing their use […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: Richmond Farias
Richmond Farias, 84, passed away on December 21, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, laughter, and a lifelong love of classic cars. Born on August 26, 1941, Richmond was the son of the late Adelia Payton and Jake Farias. He was a devoted father to his son, Michael Farias, a proud grandfather to Barry, Ryan, Christen, […]
Posted inNews
What’s up in Newport County: Tuesday, January 6
Discover all that’s happening for live music, entertainment, and events in Newport County. Organizing an event? Add it to What’sUpNewp’s event calendar. Weather Forecast Tuesday: Cloudy, with a high near 38. Light and variable wind becoming north around 6 mph in the morning. Tuesday night: Rain likely, mainly between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. Cloudy, with […]
Posted inNews
MLK Community Center to hold Keeper of the Dream celebration on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center will hold its Keeper of the Dream & Annual Meeting celebration on Monday, Jan. 19, from 5 to 7 p.m. The event, presented by Corrigan Financial, Inc. and Savant Wealth Management, will take place on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. During the event, the center will report […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Emmy award-winning ocean explorer Richard Vevers to speak at Sail Newport on Jan. 15
Sail Newport will host Emmy award-winning storyteller and ocean explorer Richard Vevers for “An Ocean (RE)Introduction” on Thursday, Jan. 15, as part of its Challenger Lecture Series presented by Hinckley Yacht Services. Vevers, who played the lead role in the Netflix documentary “Chasing Coral,” will share the surprising reality of the ocean and how it’s […]
Posted inColumns
Adequoyah Kamali Josephine Mathews on growing whole thoughts on the cost of silence
“Now is the time to step up, speak out, and lead with conviction. Be the change. Be the voice. Be the difference.” The call is timeless; the voice behind it belongs to 17-year-old Rhode Islander, Adequoyah Kamali Josephine Mathews. As our conversation unfolded it became clear to me that she doesn’t look at life through […]
Posted inReal Estate
What Sold: A look at 12 recent sales across Newport County (Dec. 22-Jan. 2)
As the calendar turns each year, the final two weeks of December are almost always a quiet period for real estate. Between holiday travel, family commitments, and law offices/title companies operating on reduced schedules or closing altogether, the normal rhythm of transactions tends to slow considerably. This year was no exception. From December 22, 2025, […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island Foundation panel urges R.I. to rewrite school funding formula, boost state share
by Alexander Castro, Rhode Island Current January 5, 2026 Boosting Rhode Island’s share of funding to K-12 public schools could relieve some pressure on municipal property taxes, according to a commission calling for an overhaul of the state allocation to local school districts. The group convened by the Rhode Island Foundation found the state only […]
Posted inNews
Revolution Wind developers seek second court order against Trump administration
by Nancy Lavin, Rhode Island CurrentJanuary 4, 2026 The year is new, but the argument is the same: The Trump administration has no constitutional authority to halt work on a major offshore wind project nearing completion south of Rhode Island’s coastline. Hundreds of pages of legal filings submitted in federal court on Jan. 1 and […]
Posted inSports
Portsmouth blanks RMT 1-0 in defensive battle at St. George’s
Rafe Dionne’s first-period power play goal proved to be the difference as Portsmouth defeated RMT 1-0 in Rhode Island Interscholastic League hockey action Saturday at St. George’s School. Dionne, a junior defenseman, found the back of the net at the 8:13 mark of the opening period with assists from captain Connor Rogers and Hadrian Dougherty. […]
Posted inCity & Government
Legislative Outlook: Azzinaro – ‘Fully fund the Veterans Home in Bristol’
With the Rhode Island General Assembly session scheduled to begin on Jan. 6, WBLQ and WhatsUpNewp have reached out to legislators in the Newport and Westerly areas to learn what they see as the most pressing issues facing Rhode Island in 2026, and legislation they are planning to introduce. Today, we focus on State Rep. […]
Posted inNews
Jaylen Brown ties career high with 50 points in Celtics’ 146-115 romp over Clippers
By DOUG PADILLA Associated Press INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Jaylen Brown matched his career high with 50 points and the Boston Celtics completed a successful West Coast swing with a 146-115 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night. Brown had 19 points in the third quarter. Derrick White added 29 points and Anfernee […]
Posted inSports
Vaaks sparks Providence in 2nd half and Friars beat St. John’s 77-71 despite Ejiofor’s 33 points
NEW YORK (AP) — Stefan Vaaks scored 15 of his 16 points in the second half and Jamier Jones had 15 points and 10 rebounds to help lead Providence to a 77-71 victory against St. John’s on Saturday despite a career-tying 33 points by Zuby Ejiofor. Vaaks made four 3-pointers and Jaylin Sellers added 15 […]
Posted inCity & Government
City of Newport seeking public input on stormwater funding
The city is asking residents for feedback as it explores how to fund its growing stormwater infrastructure needs. An online survey is now available at www.surveymonkey.com/r/Y8KWCW8. The city recently completed installation of a tide gate under King Park, which has dramatically reduced stormwater flooding along Wellington Avenue in the Fifth Ward. However, stormwater issues continue […]
Posted inCity & Government
Middletown Town Council to consider license plate reader cameras, capital improvement plan Monday
The Middletown Town Council will tackle a lengthy agenda Monday, Jan. 5, including consideration of a license plate recognition camera network and receipt of the town’s five-year capital improvement program. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 350 East Main Road. Virtual access is available via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89688800569 or by phone […]
Posted inSports
Orr, Mairs lead Portsmouth past Tiverton in girls basketball
Stella Orr and Gyselle Mairs each scored 15 points to lead Portsmouth to a 61-32 victory over Tiverton in girls basketball Thursday night at Portsmouth High School. Annie Hurd added 13 points for the Patriots, while Orr also led the team on the glass with seven rebounds. Tiverton’s Cami Oliveira put on a shooting display […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council to kick off capital improvement planning process Wednesday
The Newport City Council will meet Wednesday, Jan. 7, to begin discussions on the city’s annual Capital Improvement Plan. The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. at Innovate Newport and is open to the public. The capital improvement planning process covers a range of projects, from playgrounds to seawalls and resiliency-related initiatives. The process […]
Posted inNews
How gas prices have changed in Rhode Island in the last week
Stacker compiled statistics on gas prices in Rhode Island using data from AAA. Gas prices are as of January 2. Rhode Island by the numbers- Gas current price: $2.88- Week change: -$0.02 (-0.7%)- Year change: -$0.07 (-2.4%)- Historical expensive gas price: $5.02 (6/13/22) – Diesel current price: $3.81- Week change: -$0.01 (-0.2%)- Year change: +$0.10 […]
Posted inColumns
The wit and wisdom of Rhode Island women, and how they plan to navigate a new year
It is a universal fact that the new year is a time of reflection on past events, present obligations, and future hopes and plans. Setting resolutions for the new year is an age-old tradition dating back to the ancient Babylonians from over 4,000 years ago, who made promises to their gods that were focused on […]
Posted inNews
Westerly firefighters rescue a yellow Lab from an icy pond on New Year’s Day
WESTERLY, R.I. (AP) — A yellow Labrador out for a walk with his owner in Rhode Island had to be rescued by firefighters on New Year’s Day after he wandered onto a thin layer of ice covering a pond and fell through the center. According to the Misquamicut Fire Department, volunteer firefighters and other emergency […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Puddingstone to present internationally acclaimed Sitkovetsky Trio at Rough Point
Coming off a sold-out holiday double-header concert at Redwood Library, the Puddingstone chamber music series returns to Rough Point mansion on Jan. 27 with a performance by the internationally celebrated Sitkovetsky Trio. Known as one of today’s foremost piano trios, violinist Alexander Sitkovetsky, cellist Isang Enders and pianist Wu Qian have earned critical acclaim and […]
Posted inNews
What’s up this weekend in Newport County: Jan. 2 – 4
Discover all that’s happening for live music, entertainment, and events this weekend in and around Newport. Organizing an event? Add it to What’sUpNewp’s event calendar. Live Music & Entertainment Friday, January 2 Busker’s Irish Pub: Live music at 8 p.m. Johnny’s Restaurant: Briana White at 7 p.m. Narragansett Cafe: Live music at 8 p.m. Newport Blues […]