A woman from Maryland cashed in the $2 million Mega Millions Megaplier ticket from the August 20, 2021, drawing, according to Rhode Island Lottery. The ticket matched five out of five numbers to win the standard prize payout of $1 million. However, Rhode Island Lottery says that since she purchased the Megaplier feature for an additional dollar, […]
Rhode Island
Posted inWeather
What does climate change have to do with snowstorms?
Michael A. Rawlins, UMass Amherst Bostonians may have grumbled about digging out from almost 2 feet of snow after a historic snowstorm clobbered the Northeast in late January 2022, but it shouldn’t have been a surprise. This part of the U.S. has been seeing a lot of storms like this in recent decades. In fact, […]
Posted inNews
Newport Restaurant Group raises more than $52,000 for six local nonprofits through holiday gift card incentive
Newport Restaurant Group (NRG) today announced that it has raised $52,838 for local nonprofits as a result of its annual holiday gift card program. This year, NRG doubled its commitment by donating $2.00 from every gift card order to community partners whose mission focuses on food insecurity. Each partner will receive approximately $8,800 and include: the RI Community Food Bank, Hope’s […]
Posted inNews
Local organizations help homeless population with GED preparation and other services
Local organizations are working together to support employment, mental health, GED tutoring, and other programs that specifically help homeless individuals gain footing toward finding permanent housing. Taking steps to mitigate negative effects of the affordable housing shortage in Newport County, BankNewport, the Newport Rotary, the Middletown Baptist Church, and Newport Mental Health are providing funding […]
Posted inNews
State Arts Council’s grant applications now open for selected arts grant programs
The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) announced today that applications are now open for grants to arts and culture organizations, individual artists and artists in healthcare. The deadline to complete an application is April 1. Four of the five grants being offered this granting cycle are newly updated and revamped to align with the agency’s new […]
Posted inBusiness
People’s Credit Union kicks off Centennial Celebration
People’s Credit Union has announced the kick-off of a year of activities to celebrate the Credit Union’s 100th year of service to its members and the community. The Credit Union’s centennial celebration started with a formal ceremony held at their Newport branch on Memorial Boulevard on February 1st with an Official Proclamation reading from the Mayor of […]
Posted inNews
Third annual Aquidneck Island Earth Week will take place April 16 – 26
Town committees, non-profits, schools, and local businesses are working together to plan a week-long celebration of environmental action, conservation, and sustainability. The third annual Aquidneck Island Earth Week (AIEW) will take place this April 16 through April 26. The event is in conjunction with worldwide Earth Day festivities on April 22. According to organizers, last […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Sour Grapes: Cartoonist
Here’s this week’s Sour Grapes, enjoy! About Tim Jones / Sour Grapes 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 […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Foulkes raises nearly $1 million in first few weeks of her gubernatorial campaign
Former CVS executive Helena Buonanno Foulkes, who entered the Democratic primary election sweepstakes in October has raised nearly $1 million in the first several weeks of her campaign, far outraising all other contenders. Foulkes, who has said she expects the campaign to cost millions, reported a fund balance of $830,896 at the deadline last night […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Save The Date: Newport Burger Bender returns Feb. 18 – 27
After a year off due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Newport Burger Bender, Discover Newport’s “best burger” contest returns to Newport and Bristol Counties February 18th – 27th, 2022! Local restaurants will once again be throwing their buns in the ring with hopes of being crowned the Best Burger (and there is more than just beef!) in Newport. Try […]
Posted inOpinion
Comic – Claytoonz: Republican Tip Lines
Virginia’s new Republican sweater vest governor (sic), Glenn Youngkin, has set up a “tip line” for parents to snitch on public school teachers who are promoting “divisive practices” or enforcing mask mandates. This tip line follows the governor’s (sic) very first executive order banning any history being taught that makes white people feel bad. The […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
New Grant Program open for small businesses impacted by COVID-19; $2,500 – $5,000 grants available
Today, Governor McKee announced a $12.5 million grant program to assist small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The grant program, part of Governor McKee’s Rhode Island Rebounds down payment initiative, will provide direct financial support of $2,500 or $5,000 to qualifying small businesses who meet eligibility and need criteria. More from Governor McKee’s office; “Small businesses […]
Posted inNews
Kip Moore to perform at Bold Point Park in East Providence on August 20
Waterfront Concerts and 98.1 Cat Country today announced that country music artist and songwriter Kip Moore will perform live at Bold Point Park in East Providence, RI on Saturday, August 20, 2022. General admission tickets start at $39.50. Tickets for this show will go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, February 4th at 10 am. Kip Moore joins […]
Posted inArts & Culture, News, People & Profiles
Local surfer’s One Last Wave Project helps thousands cope with grief
When he posted this TikTok video on January 4th in hopes of connecting with others experiencing profound grief, local surfer Dan Fischer didn’t know he was starting a worldwide movement to help people cope with the loss of a loved one. In less than four weeks, Fischer’s viral invitation to share the names and stories […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
RIPTA: Routes 13, 18, 21, 27, 55, 56, 60, and 87 are currently on detour due to winter storm
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) announced this morning that eight routes are on detour today, Sunday, January 30, 2022 due to winter weather conditions. Routes 13, 18, 21, 27, 55, 56, 60 and 87 are currently on detour. Riders may expect some delays on all routes due to weather conditions and are advised to use extreme caution at bus stops due […]
Posted inWeather
National Weather Service: Blizzard conditions were officially reached in Newport, Providence, Westerly, and Block Island
The National Weather Service has determined that official blizzard conditions were reached in Newport, Westerly, Providence, and Block Island. …JANUARY 29TH BLIZZARD IN MASSACHUSETTS AND RHODE ISLAND… BLIZZARD CONDITIONS WERE REACHED AT SEVERAL LOCATIONS ACROSS RHODE ISLAND AND EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 2022. LIGHT SNOW BEGAN LATE AT NIGHT ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 28. […]
Posted inNews
Here’s how much snow fell across Rhode Island
With snow still falling and expected to for several more hours, communities all across Rhode Island have already seen significant snow accumulation over the last twelve hours. Check This Out – Photo Gallery: Snow blankets Newport during ‘Blizzard of 2022’ Below are some snowfall and wind gust reports, and the time the measurement was taken, […]
Posted inNews
Jamestown, Pell, Mount Hope, and Sakonnet River Bridges’ will reopen to traffic at midnight
Update – 5:55 pm 0n Jan. 29. All bridges closed until midnight Emergency vehicles permitted JAMESTOWN, R.I. – Due to dangerous winter weather conditions a travel ban is in place for all vehicles on all Rhode Island roads today until 11:59 pm. The Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge, the Mount Hope Bridge, the Newport Pell Bridge and […]
Posted inArts & Culture, News
National Endowment for the Arts announces $450,000 in American Rescue Plan Grants to 6 R.I. arts organizations
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) announced this week that American Rescue Plan Grants totaling $450,000 are being recommended to six Rhode Island arts and culture organizations to assist in recovery from the pandemic. The six organizations recommended for grants are: Alliance of Artists Communities, Providence, $100,000.Dirt Palace, Providence, $50,000.DownCity Design, Providence, $100,000.Everett, Providence, […]
Posted inColumns
Just My Opinion: Snowstorm further challenges state’s blood supply, already at critical levels
Blood collection agencies across the country, Rhode Island included, are suffering from what the Red Cross calls “the worst blood shortage in a decade.” This weekend’s snowstorm has only made matters worse. Weather events are a nightmare for blood collection agencies, with blood centers closed for storms, blood drives non-existent, and donors slow to re-schedule […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Watch: Governor McKee, State Officials host a briefing to provide an update on blizzard
Governor Dan McKee, Lt. Governor Sabina Matos, and key emergency response Administration officials held a media briefing this morning at 9:30 am to provide updates on the storm response. The update took place at the Rhode Island Emergency Management Readiness Center in Cranston. A live stream of the Governor’s update is below and also available on […]
Posted inNews
Best places to go sledding and tubing on Aquidneck Island
Snow on the way, doesn’t mean you have to stay indoors all day! With the help and expertise of our loyal readers and followers, the What’sUpNewp Crew has compiled a list of the best and favorite places to go sledding and tubing in and around Newport, Middletown and Portsmouth. Places to go sledding and tubing on […]
Posted inColumns, Opinion
Just My Opinion: Reaching out during Blizzard of 2022
A lot has been written about blizzards in Rhode Island, from 1978 (the granddaddy of all) to what will now become the blizzard of 2022. What weaves these catastrophic events together, is the toll it takes on our seniors, those physically impaired, and the homeless. Just this week, volunteers scoured our neighborhoods in search of […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Updated: Governor McKee declares State of Emergency, announces there will be a Travel Ban on Saturday
During a press conference this afternoon, Governor Dan McKee declared a state of emergency in Rhode Island and issued a statewide travel ban. A tractor-trailer ban will be in effect from 6 am to 11:59 pm on Saturday. A full travel ban, which includes all other motor vehicles, will be in effect from 8 am […]
Posted inNews
What’sUpNewp’s top stories this week in Newport County
While snow has been at the top of everyone’s mind as of late, it was a busy week of news in and around Newport County. Of course, as you read this Rhode Island is preparing for a blizzard and everything that has to do with the upcoming storm and parking bans/cancellations/delays is among the most […]