Source: Rhode Island Board of Elections On Friday, February 11th, the Rhode Island Board of Election hosted a group of national elections integrity experts to conduct a pilot Risk Limiting Audit (RLA) utilizing a new algorithm designed to improve the efficiency of the RLA process. The pilot was run using ballots cast for the November 2, […]
Rhode Island
Posted inNews
Why $73 million Sandy Hook settlement is unlikely to unleash a flood of lawsuits against gun-makers
Timothy D. Lytton, Georgia State University Families of the victims of the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School reached a historic US$73 million settlement with gun-maker Remington Arms. The Feb. 15, 2022, deal marks the first time a firearms manufacturer has settled a lawsuit brought by gun violence victims since Congress granted the industry […]
Posted inCity & Government
Westerly Council approves May special election to consider important charter changes
As expected, the Westerly Town Council last night (Monday) approved sending a series of charter revisions to voters in a May special election, changes that would double the length of council terms, and allow an unnamed councilor to seek the Ethics Commission’s permission to sidestep the state’s revolving door legislation. If voters approve the charter […]
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Aquidneck Land Trust accepting applications for grants from its Merritt Neighborhood Fund
Aquidneck Land Trust (“ALT”) is now accepting applications for grants from the Merritt Neighborhood Fund, an endowed fund that seeks to support the preservation of small parks, community gardens, and other natural spaces on Aquidneck Island. Established in 1999 to honor the late Peter M. Merritt, the organization’s president emeritus, the Fund supports projects that […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rep. Carson: RIDOT plan for infrastructure funds violates Act on Climate
Source: Rhode Island General Assembly Legislative Press and Public Information Bureau, Rep. Lauren H. Carson is calling on the Transportation Advisory Committee to put the brakes on a Department of Transportation proposal to spend $748 million in funding from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds while ignoring its legal responsibility to adhere to […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Historical Society announces completion of Gilded Age Digitization Project
The Newport Historical Society today announced that it has recently completed a digitization project in partnership with UK-based publishers Adam Matthew, to scan materials for their e-textbook: The Gilded Age and Progressive Era. The Newport Historical Society says that over 16,000 images of its collections were captured, including the Newport Casino Bulletin (1899-1910), Newport Directories […]
Posted inHistory
Rhode Island Slave History Medallions receives $10,000 grant from Rhode Island Foundation
Newport-based Rhode Island Slave History Medallions is among nonprofits across the state that will share $105,000 in grants from the Rhode Island Foundation through its Black Philanthropy Bannister Fund. Created in 2007, the fund supports the needs of the state’s Black community. Rhode Island Slave History Medallions will receive $10,000 to expand its Marking the Landscape […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Comic – Sour Grapes: Snowcial Distancing
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 […]
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James Galloway named Executive Director of Newport Open Space Partnership
The Newport Open Space Partnership (NOSP) on Monday announced that James Galloway has joined the partnership as its new Executive Director. Galloway, originally from Tiverton, is an experienced environmental conservationist who has led landmark projects in the Everglades and south Florida, according to NOSP. James Galloway “I am excited to be back in New England […]
Posted inNews, Sports
Newport Gulls name Frank Holbrook as their new manager
Source: Newport Gulls The Newport Gulls have named Frank Holbrook. as the ninth manager in the organization’s history, and fifth since 2005. Currently the Head Coach at Rhode Island College, Holbrook will now get the opportunity to lead the team he has been a member of throughout his life in a multitude of capacities. “The […]
Posted inBusiness
CCRI offering free workforce training in the fast-growing insurance industry
With an increasing need for qualified individuals to work in the insurance field in Rhode Island, CCRI’s Division of Workforce Partnerships and the Independent Insurance Agents of Rhode Island have partnered to develop and offer a workforce training program for those interested in a career in the insurance industry. The Rhode Island Property and Casualty […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up this week in Newport County: Feb. 14 – 20
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this week and weekend. This story may be updated as we learn about additional events or listings. Have an event you’d like to see added to this list or a future list? Add it to our event calendar. Note: An event or performance may […]
Posted inNews
Here’s how much snow fell across Rhode Island Feb. 13 -14
It was a snowy Super Bowl Sunday across Rhode Island. The National Weather Service and its team of trained weather spotters have recorded the following snowfall reports across Rhode Island. This story will be updated as more data is reported. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BOSTON/NORTON MA 150 PM EST MON FEB 14 2022 …SNOWFALL REPORTS FROM […]
Posted inCity & Government
Advocates: Don’t raid efficiency funds to pay for R.I. climate council
by Lisa Prevost, Energy News Network February 11, 2022 Rhode Island climate activists are criticizing a plan to fund the state’s climate council with money that otherwise would go toward energy efficiency programs. As part of his overall budget proposal last month, Gov. Dan McKee said he wants to direct $6 million annually to the […]
Posted inCity & Government
Westerly Councilors look to extend terms; seek exception to ethics regulation
To seemingly reverse the will of the people and give themselves an opportunity to extend their terms in office, the Westerly Town Council Monday night will vote on a resolution that calls for a special May election to revise the council’s length of terms. Additionally, the resolution asks voters to allow a “former” councilperson to […]
Posted inColumns
Tiny Kitchen Magic: Shrimp Scampi(ish)
Well, hello Newport. I missed you last month! Got the ‘Rona, all good now, and back with a simple yet very delicious recipe. This week, I’m going to show you my take on shrimp scampi. It’s got an interesting ingredient and a step that you don’t normally see. This is a pasta-less dish. I actually […]
Posted inColumns
Gerry Goldstein: By any definition, these folks watched their words
I looked out a backyard window the other day and saw a teewhitey digging up acorns that were covered with gorch and gurry. I got so caught up in the proceedings that I dreened my coffee. When I began a column this way years ago, there was editorial suspicion that I had truly lost it, […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island National Guard announces cancellation of 2022 Ocean State Air Show
Less than a month after being announced that the Rhode Island National Guard Air Show would continue as the Ocean State Air Show and would be hosted at Quonset in 2022, the Ocean State Air Show has been canceled. The Rhode Island National Guard issued the following statement this evening regarding the Ocean State Air […]
Posted inNews, Sports
Charlie Enright speaks on Ocean Health at One Ocean Summit
By 11th Hour Racing Yesterday, 11th Hour Racing Team Skipper, Charlie Enright (USA), spoke at the One Ocean Summit in Brest, France, calling for concrete action to protect the ocean and reverse its declining health. The conference, an initiative of the French President, Emmanuel Macron, with the support of the United Nations, aimed to establish […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council to discuss school bonds, possible bond premiums during special meeting
The Newport City Council will host a Special Council Meeting on Wednesday, February 16 at 6:30 pm for the purpose of discussing school bonds and possible bond premiums. The meeting will include a communication from School Building Committee Co-Chairs Rebecca Bolan and Louisa Boatwright in regards to the “School Building Funding Request” that was continued […]
Posted inSports
Sail Newport’s Program Director Kim Hapgood awarded U.S. Sailing Timothea Larr Trophy
Sail Newport today announced that its Program Director Kim Hapgood has been awarded the US Sailing Timothea Larr Trophy for her many decades of work with the national governing body for the sport of sailing. Sail Newport shared the following about Hapgood in a press release; “Kim Hapgood has made numerous contributions to US Sailing’s […]
Posted inBusiness
Take-out drinks to become permanent in Rhode Island
The General Assembly yesterday approved two measures to support Rhode Island’s restaurant industry as the pandemic stretches toward the two-year mark. The bills, which now head to the governor’s desk, will permanently allow restaurants and brewpubs to sell wine, beer, and mixed drinks with takeout food orders, and extend a provision that assists restaurants in offering outdoor […]
Posted inNews
Keri Anne O’Donnell Memorial Fund: ‘You have to keep going until the music stops’
Since its founding some 12 years ago, the Keri Anne O’Donnell Memorial Fund has provided tens of thousands of dollars for performing arts scholarships, inspiring more than 200 recipients who embrace the passion for the arts that had meant so much to Keri Anne. “We’re lucky enough to watch them grow and get better in […]
Posted inNews
Point Association raises $23,000 for MLK Center during year-end fundraising drive
The Point Association of Newport this week announced that it capped off its 2021 year of community activities with its eight annual year-end fundraising drive to benefit the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center. According to The Point Association, this fundraising campaign was directed by John Broughan and Bill Rauch, who has wonderfully led […]
Posted inThings To Do
Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England to host ‘Cookies & Cocktails’ at Crowne Plaza on March 10
In March 2022, Girl Scouts will celebrate its 110th anniversary and Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England is celebrating with our delicious annual event, Cookies & Cocktails! Once again, the festivities are shaping up to be an incredible evening celebrating 105 years of Girl Scouts selling cookies. Local chefs will be creating scrumptious desserts using everyone’s favorite […]