What'sUpNewp Podcast

What’s the latest with the Pell Bridge Ramps project? Is school regionalization between Newport and Middletown still being discussed? What are members of Newport City Council focusing on and what can we expect to change in 2023?

Newport Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong joined What’sUpNewp this afternoon to answer those questions and discuss much more. Listen above or watch below.

More from What’sUpNewp

Aquidneck Land Trust conserves 4.91-acre coastal property in Portsmouth

The site includes salt marsh and scrub-shrub habitat, visible from the path, railroad, surrounding houses, and boats out at sea

1 current, 1 former officer face union embezzlement charges

One current and one former Rhode Island police officer are facing charges related to the alleged embezzlement and misuse of police union funds, the state attorney general’s office said.

Representative Finkelman appointed to Small Business and Corporations Committees

Elected to the House of Representatives in November 2022, Representative Finkelman is the Owner/President of The Egis Insurance Group, specializing in insurance, consulting, and employee benefits.

MVYRADIO awards 6th round of ‘Business Diversity Initiative’ grants

MVYRADIO announced this week that it has awarded its latest round of quarterly ‘Business Diversity Initiative’ grants to local businesses.

City of Newport to open Emergency Overnight Warming Center

At-Risk Residents Encouraged to Seek Overnight Shelter at City’s Maritime Center

Brady’s unprecedented career filled with highlight moments

Brady did more than his part to fill the video vaults at NFL Films. Here are just a few of his greatest moments:

Nantucket schools targeted by ransomware attack

Public schools on the Massachusetts island of Nantucket remained closed on Wednesday a day after a ransomware attack targeted the district’s computer system and prompted officials to send students home early.

Treasurer Diossa marks National Unclaimed Property Day with a Call to Action

Today, on National Unclaimed Property Day, Rhode Island General Treasurer James A. Diossa is encouraging all Rhode Islanders to find out if they have unclaimed property.

Reaction to Tom Brady announcing his retirement for 2nd time

Reaction from social media and elsewhere poured in after Tom Brady announced his retirement for the second and final time on Wednesday.

Boston Symphony announces lineup for 2023 Tanglewood season

There will be something for everyone at Tanglewood this summer, from traditional performances by the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops to shows featuring dozens of new performers, conductors, and composers as well as the crowd-pleasing popular artist series, the BSO announced Wednesday.

26 athletes who competed into their 40s

Looking for inspiration to stay fit and competitive as you age? Check out our list.

Tom Brady retires at 45, insisting this time it’s ‘for good’

Tom Brady, who won a record seven Super Bowls for New England and Tampa, has announced his retirement.

Cities with the most expensive homes in Providence metro area

Stacker compiled a list of cities with the most expensive homes in Providence metro using data from Zillow.

Beyoncé to perform at Gillette Stadium on August 1

Following the wildly successful release of BEYONCÉ’s seventh studio album, RENAISSANCE, the global superstar has announced RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR today, her first solo tour in over six years.

Tennis Hall of Fame is celebrating Black History Month with two new education initiatives

The ITHF has announced 16 new additions to the digital exhibit Breaking Boundaries in Black Tennis, and will partner with the National Archives to host a lecture discussing Althea Gibson on Feb. 27

Municipal leaders announce priorities for legislative session

The League’s priorities reflect their focus for the legislative session and position on areas of critical importance to municipalities and taxpayers.

The Ocean Race: Back on track

Five IMOCAs are charging south in the tradewinds

Recent Local Obituaries

Jo Stuehler

November 29, 1930 – January 27, 2023

Patty Lou Griffin

September 22, 1950 – January 29, 2023

Anna Maria Di Mattino

March 21, 1961 – January 25, 2023

Weather

* 7-Day Weather forecast for Newport County

* 3-day Surf Forecast for Rhode Island

* Snow Report: Mountain Conditions at New England Ski Resorts

* List of Rhode Island cancellations, closures, and delays

Popular Stories Right Now

* Here are the 8 homes that changed hands in Newport County last week

* Obituary: Elizabeth 'Tippy' Hussey

* Obituary: Anna Maria Di Mattino

* Newport Restaurant Group donates $60,750 to local nonprofits through 2022 Gift Card Donation Program

* Tickets for the 2023 Newport Folk Festival go on sale on Feb. 1

Delivering worthwhile local news is truly a community-wide effort. It takes a dedicated crew and a loyal readership working together to make it happen. If you appreciate what we do, please consider supporting us today!

When you support What’s Up Newp, you support your community. 

Brad Read, Executive Director of Sail Newport, joined What'sUpNewp on Tuesday, January 31 to chat about the upcoming The Ocean Race Newport Stopover, which is scheduled to take place at Fort Adams State Park from May 13 - 21, 2023.

For more information, visit www.theoceanracenewport.com, www.theoceanrace.com, and www.sailnewport.org.

You can listen to our conversation above or watch our conversation below.

With construction underway at Rogers High School, regionalization with Middletown in limbo, and growing concerns in schools across the country about behavioral health issues – What'sUpNewp welcomed back Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain for her regular monthly What’sUpNewp conversations on Wednesday.

We took a break over the holidays, but issues did not, and we were anxious to catch up with the superintendent about Rogers High School construction, regionalization, the current school year, and more.

More from What’sUpNewp

Registration now open for the 2023 Behan Bros Newport Night Run

The race benefits the Newport Public Education Foundation, and sponsorship opportunities are available for local businesses.

Newport International Boat Show generates $26.1 million in economic impact

A recent economic study found that the boat show, which is one of the largest in-water events in the country, had a total economic impact of $26.1 million.

Boston’s The Wondertwins will bring their unique style to Providence for one-night show on March 3

Identical twin dance crew takes audiences from the roots of street dance to the glitz and glamour of Broadway

Federal Grant provides the gift of mobility to Newport’s North End Seniors

Seniors Living in Newport’s North End to Get the Gift of Mobility Thanks to New $70K Federal Pilot Program

11th Hour Racing Team sets off for Leg 2 of The Ocean Race

US-flagged 11th Hour Racing Team sets off on Leg 2 of The Ocean Race 2022-23 from Cabo Verde, to Cape Town, South Africa

The Ocean Race: Leg two starts with difficult choices ahead

Conditions are slow, but tactically challenging

Lieutenant Governor’s Entrepreneurship Challenge finalists announced

Lieutenant Governor Matos Announces Entrepreneurship Challenge Finalists & Live Pitch Competition

Dueling defending champions look to carry momentum into 8th edition of Premiere Corinthian Championship

Among the 20 prestigious yacht clubs that will toe the line for Corinthian sailing’s premiere event will now be two teams hoping to carry forward the momentum from the last time they competed in this event: Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron and Southern Yacht Club from New Orleans, which claimed the title in 2021.

Odds of 50 random events happening to you

Stacker took the guesswork out of 50 random events to determine how likely they are to happen.

Rhode Island launches statewide program to assist first-time homebuyers

Governor McKee Announces $17,500 Down Payment Assistance for First-time Buyers in Rhode Island

Two Portsmouth students land on the Fall 2022 Dean’s List at Holy Cross

To qualify, students must pass four or more letter-graded courses with no failing grades during the semester and earn a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

States with the most registered anglers

Read on to find out how Rhode Island stacks up and for more information about the best fishing holes and species in each state.

States with the most registered hunters

So which states are holding steady with hunting traditions? Take a look to see where Rhode Island ranks on the list.

A look at what’s on tap for library programs at the Tiverton Public Library in February

The following is a list of library programs that adults can enjoy at the Tiverton Public Library in February 2023.

URI Sailing team wins McMillan Cup, poised for strong spring

New head coach takes over program that has won national championships, produced Olympians and All Americans

Weather

7-Day Weather forecast for Newport County

3-day Surf Forecast for Rhode Island

Snow Report: Mountain Conditions at New England Ski Resorts

List of Rhode Island cancellations, closures, and delays

Recent Local Obituaries

Obituary: Gary Smith

March 28, 1958-January 16, 2023

Obituary: Bradford J. Faxon Sr.

January 21, 2023

Obituary: Loretta Clarkson

September 19, 1932 – January 22, 2023

Popular Stories Right Now

* Hardest college to get into in every state

* Del's Lemonade franchise, a Middletown deli, a profitable sandwich shop, and other businesses that are currently for sale in Rhode Island

* $4.795 million sale of Jamestown home among 9 real estate transactions across Newport County last week

* Wind Advisory issued for Southern Rhode Island, Cape Cod, and the Islands

* Obituary: Geraldine Selecta Orosco

Newport Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong joined What’sUpNewp for a live virtual video conversation on Wednesday, December 28 at 2 pm.

Over thirty minutes, What’sUpNewp’s Ryan Belmore chats with the Mayor about the Mayor’s first month on the job, what solutions he has for the Pell Bridge ramps construction project, what he sees as the latest with school regionalization, two-tiered residential taxes, priorities, and much more.

You can watch the interview below or listen above.

More From What’sUpNewp

Newport homeowners can file an application for two-tier residential tax rate starting Jan. 1

Newport Zoning Board to consider multiple applications for special use permits and variances at Jan. 3 meeting

Obituary: Lois G. Remong

Maximum vehicle weight on Mount Hope Bridge reduced to 30 tons

‘It’s just horrendous’: Highway fatalities top 170 in Maine

Newport Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong joins What’sUpNewp for a live conversation on Dec. 28

Newport County real estate transactions for the week ending Dec. 24

Obituary: Margaret Berard

Rep. Carson demands better communication from DOT on Pell Bridge realignment project

Obituary: Mary “Bushy” Bushnell Henry

7-Day Weather forecast for Newport County

3-day Surf Forecast for Rhode Island

What's Up Newp is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos joined What’sUpNewp on December 14 to chat about a few of her top priorities - affordable housing, broadband, and tourism.

Listen above or watch below.

Since its founding in Rhode Island more than 50 years ago, Common Cause Rhode Island has consistently been at the forefront of ethics reform, serving as a significant watchdog over local and state government in Rhode Island.

John Marion, Common Cause executive director, joined What’sUpNewp for a conversation on ethics, the upcoming legislative session, challenges, and more.

If you’d prefer to watch the conversation, you can so below.

For Colleen Burns Jermain, Newport’s School Superintendent, it has been a challenging time — from the failed regionalization vote to revelations of expected substantial cost overruns for the Rogers High School construction project.

Colleen joined WhatsUpNewp at 1:30 p.m. on November 30 for her monthly live virtual video conversation with us.

Is regionalization dead? Or does Colleen believe this will surface again, and if so, will it not only include Newport and Middletown, but also Portsmouth? How will Newport address Rogers’ cost overruns? Scale back the project, look for other financial resources, or some combination?

There are other issues, of course, and we hear from the superintendent about how schools are going in general, the impact of the renovated Pell building, special programs, test scores, reportedly down across the nation due to COVID, and more.

We also touch on employee contracts, budget, and whether there are any issues of teacher or school bus driver shortages in Newport.

If you prefer to watch the conversation, you can do so here → Newport School Superintendent Jermain joins WUN for a conversation on Wednesday

When Pete, Ron and Nick Cardi’s father opened a small furniture store in Cranston decades ago, he could have never imagined the dynamic growth of the store into one of the leading furniture stores nationwide, and the impact Cardi’s has had in its support of numerous non-profit organizations.

With the holidays upon us, Cardi’s is once again a major sponsor of many activities and non-profits, from the Edaville Family Theme Park in Carver, Ma. to Roger Williams Park in Cranston. Pete and Ron joined WhatsUpNewp to talk about the company’s philanthropic activities and especially the events its sponsoring this holiday season. Pete and Ron carry on the tradition embraced by both of them, and Nick, who passed away a few years ago.

Among those vents are: The Holiday Lights Spectacular at Roger Williams Park Zoom; the Edaville Family Theme Park; It’s a Wonderful Life at the Gamm Theatre in Warwick; events at the Stadium Theatre in Woonsocket; Toys for Tots at all its locations; A Christmas Carol at Trinity Repertory Co. in Providence; Holiday Cards by Meeting Street; Santa’s Arrival; and more.

We also talk about the company’s growth over the years, its expansion throughout New England, plans for the future, and its underlying commitment to giving back to the community.

Xaykham Rexford Khamsyvoravong, “Xay” (pronounced “Sigh”) for short, joined What’sUpNewp for a one-on-one live virtual video conversation on Friday.

Xay was the top vote-getter for Newport City Council At-Large in last week’s election and was chosen among Newport City Council-elect earlier this week to serve as the Chair/Mayor beginning in December.

During the 40-minute conversation, we chat about his campaign, what he hopes to accomplish on the council, what his priorities are as Mayor, his plan for housing, the next steps for school regionalization, and more!

Watch (below) or listen (above) to our conversation now.

You might say Brendan Kirby has been obsessed with Seinfeld, and you’d be right, leading to his latest project, publishing “Seinfeld: The Official Cookbook,” written along with co-author Julie Tremaine.

Kirby joined WhatsUpNewp for a live virtual video conversation on Thursday at 4:30 p.m.

The book includes more than 60 recipes, from appetizers to main courses, drinks to desserts.

In the interview, you'll hear whether Brendan and Tremaine have actually made each of the recipes, what are their favorites, and what inspired them to undertake this project.