Good morning, Newport! Today is Tuesday, July 8, the 189th day of 2025. There are 176 days left in the year. 🚨 You need to know Get ready for some summer entertainment! Newport Recreation will kick off its 2025 free concert series tonight at Easton’s Beach. The series features Family Night Concerts on Tuesdays at […]
Rhode Island
Posted inHistory
On This Day in RI History: July 8, 1663 – King Charles II grants Rhode Island charter
On July 8th, 1663, 27 years after Roger Williams arrived in the colony, King Charles II gave Rhode Island its first royal charter. The Charter provided royal recognition to the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, as it was known at the time. It outlined many freedoms for the inhabitants of Rhode Island and was […]
Posted inNews, Police & Fire
57 arrested for DUI during Fourth of July holiday weekend in Rhode Island
Law enforcement agencies across Rhode Island arrested 57 individuals for driving under the influence during the Fourth of July holiday weekend, according to the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association. The arrests were made between 12 p.m. on July 3, 2025, and 6 a.m. on July 6, 2025, representing the combined efforts of all 38 municipal […]
Posted inCity & Government
R.I. Turnpike & Bridge Authority to pay $515K for State Police patrols over three years
by Christopher Shea, Rhode Island CurrentJuly 7, 2025 Rhode Island State Police will continue 24/7 patrols of the four bridges owned by the Rhode Island Turnpike & Bridge Authority (RITBA) for another three years, according to an agreement reached between the two agencies in mid-June. The memorandum of understanding calls for RITBA to pay the […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: Alan Thompson
With regret, I inform the world that we’ve lost one of our kindest, sweetest, most wonderful men. Alan Charles Thompson, lifelong resident of Portsmouth RI and proud Air Force veteran, passed away on Friday, the Fourth of July. Alan visited dozens of nations as a mechanical engineer for Bird Machine Company for 40+ years and […]
Posted inNews
From Concert Halls to Tennis Courts: Newport County serves up a week of world-class entertainment
Newport County is buzzing with activity this week as summer reaches its peak, offering residents and visitors an exceptional blend of world-class music, historic charm, and outdoor adventures. From Monday, July 7 through Sunday, July 13, the region showcases its cultural richness with the ongoing Newport Classical Music Festival presenting intimate performances at iconic venues […]
Posted inBusiness, News, Nonprofit
BankRI launches five-week food drive to combat rising hunger on Aquidneck Island
As food insecurity continues to climb across Rhode Island, Bank Rhode Island has launched its annual summer food drive with an early start date to address what officials are calling an unprecedented level of need in local communities. The five-week collection effort began Monday at all 22 BankRI branches statewide, including the bank’s Middletown and […]
Posted inBusiness
New fitness studio brings pilates-inspired workouts to Middletown
A new fitness concept has arrived in Middletown, offering a unique blend of Pilates-inspired movements and strength training that has already proven popular across New England. btone FITNESS officially opened its newest location at 288 E. Main Road in Middletown on Monday, marking the company’s 24th studio nationwide. The 2,700 square-foot facility is one of […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Book Review: An inheritance game, a steamy romance and family turmoil in ‘These Summer Storms’
By DONNA EDWARDS Associated Press It’s one thing to look at someone like Jeff Bezos or Elon Musk and envy their wealth and success. It’s a totally different thing to be the child of a tech pioneer, with a reputation to uphold lest stock prices suffer — at least according to Sarah MacLean’s latest novel, “These Summer Storms.” Alice […]
Posted inBusiness
American Cruise Lines christens ‘American Patriot’ at Fort Adams on July 4th weekend
Serendipitously for Independence Day weekend, American Cruise Lines (ACL) celebrated the official christening of its newest coastal ship, “American Patriot,” on July 2 at the historic Fort Adams State Park in Newport. The ceremony followed up the cruise industry’s return to Providence just last month, which featured American Cruise Line’s “American Liberty.” The Providence celebration […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Roger Williams Park Zoo to host adults-only Pride Night celebration
The Roger Williams Park Zoo will transform into a vibrant celebration of LGBTQIA+ community and culture on July 19th with its “Party with Pride” event, running from 6 to 10 p.m. The 21-and-over evening will offer queer adults and their allies an exclusive after-hours zoo experience featuring live entertainment, educational programming, and community connections. The […]
Posted inNews
Morning Notes: ESPN’s SportsCenter brings national spotlight to Hall of Fame Open’s ‘Women in Sports Day’
Good morning, Newport! Today is Monday, July 7, the 188th day of 2025. There are 177 days left in the year. 🚨 You need to know Newport’s International Tennis Hall of Fame takes center stage today as ESPN’s flagship program SportsCenter broadcasts live from the historic grass courts during the 6 p.m. edition, marking Rhode […]
Posted inInstagram, Sports
Nine Americans shine as historic Hall of Fame Open returns women’s tennis to Newport
The International Tennis Hall of Fame witnessed a piece of history Sunday as the qualifying round of the 2025 Hall of Fame Open began with 16 matches in front of a record-breaking crowd, marking the first time in 35 years that professional women’s tennis has returned to Newport’s hallowed grass courts. The day belonged to […]
Posted inCity & Government
What’s on the Docket: Newport City Council meeting on July 9
The Newport City Council will convene on Wednesday, July 9, at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at 43 Broadway for their regular meeting. The agenda is packed with summer event approvals, licensing matters, and several ordinance revisions. Summer Events Take Center Stage The consent calendar includes approval for 15 special events spanning the […]
Posted inNews
Morning Notes: Hall of Fame Open returns to Newport with historic combined format
Good morning, Newport! Today is Sunday, July 6, the 187th day of 2025. There are 178 days left in the year. 🚨 You need to know The International Tennis Hall of Fame Open kicks off today in Newport, marking a groundbreaking moment for professional tennis as the tournament debuts its new combined ATP Challenger and […]
Posted inSports
Rhode Island FC battles to 1-1 tie vs. Birmingham Legion FC
In front of a club-record, sellout crowd of 10,749 fans at Centreville Bank Stadium, Rhode Island FC and Birmingham Legion FC battled to a 1-1 tie on Saturday. After the visitors struck first, a brilliant curling effort from Noah Fuson leveled the game just before the halftime whistle as both teams shared the points in a […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: Pauline Davis
Pauline (Peterson) Davis, 80, of Newport, Rhode Island, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, July 3, 2025 surrounded by her children and her Pastor Jennifer Pedrick. Pauline was born in South Kingstown, RI to the late Paul Henry Peterson and Freelove Celina (Allen) Peterson. She grew up in North Kingstown and graduated from North […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter to the Editor: The purpose behind the revisions to the Rules of Council
The purpose behind the revisions to the Rules of Council – As the proposed resolution states, the current Rules of Council have not undergone any substantial revisions in over 10 years. My educational and professional background, among many things, deals with process improvement. That involves not only the analysis of a process but also the […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: Robert “Bob” Helmbrecht
Robert “Bob” Helmbrecht, 84, of Middletown, RI, passed away on July 3, 2025, at South County Hospital in South Kingstown, following complications from Alzheimer’s Disease. In his final weeks, Bob was surrounded by the love and presence of his family. He was the beloved husband of the late Bobbie Helmbrecht, with whom he shared 49 […]
Posted inNews
Morning Notes: Newport Kite Festival returns to Brenton Point State Park July 12-13
Good morning, Newport! Today is Saturday, July 5, the 186th day of 2025. There are 179 days left in the year. 🚨 You need to know The Newport Kite Festival is set to return to Brenton Point State Park next weekend, July 12-13, bringing spectacular aerial displays and family-friendly activities back to one of Newport’s […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: Robert Hurley
Robert Joseph Hurley, 95, of Cape Canaveral, Florida, and Portsmouth, RI died peacefully on June 15, 2025 surrounded by his family. Born in Somerville, MA on November 17, 1929, He was the son of the late Warren and Elizabeth (Cushing) Hurley. Bob began his life in the Boston area, working with his siblings and father in their roofing […]
Posted inNews
Morning Notes: Newport County celebrates Independence Day with historic festivities and spectacular fireworks
Good morning, Newport! Today is Friday, July 4, the 185th day of 2025. There are 180 days left in the year. This is Independence Day. On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by delegates to the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia. 🚨 You need to know Newport County is pulling out all […]
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 […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Preservation Society launches summer children’s programs at historic properties
The Preservation Society of Newport County is bringing history to life for young visitors this summer with two new children’s program series running throughout July and August. “Traveling Tuesdays” will take children on a journey through different historic properties each week, running every Tuesday from July 8 through August 19 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. […]