Newport Buzz — Newport, RI Local News, Breaking Stories & Community Coverage

RI State House

General Assembly Weekly Roundup: Disabled Voters, Veterans, Repealing Slavery, and Legalizing Super Bowl Squares and March Madness Pools

“Snow-covered street in Newport during mandatory parking ban”

City of Newport Issues Mandatory Parking Ban From 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday

Cast of The Real Housewives of Rhode Island from Bravo’s new reality TV series

Bravo Sets Premiere Date for “Real Housewives of Rhode Island”

Firefighters respond to overnight fire at Castle Hill Inn in Newport

Two-Alarm Fire Damages Newport’s Castle Hill Inn; Guests Evacuated, No Injuries Reported

Authorities allege stolen identities were used to obtain SNAP benefits in Mass. and R.I.

Four Charged in $1 Million SNAP & Pandemic Aid Fraud Spanning Rhode Island and Massachusetts

Sailboats competing in the Ida Lewis Distance Race off Fort Adams in Newport, Rhode Island

Ida Lewis Distance Race Returns to Newport August 12th for 24-Hour Offshore Challenge

Hayley Williams & Friends to Perform at Newport Folk Festival 2026

Paramore’s Hayley Williams & Friends to Perform at 2026 Newport Folk Festival

Jerry Kirby honored at the MLK Community Center annual meeting in Newport, Rhode Island

Buzzing Around Newport: MLK Center Honors Jerry Kirby as a Keeper of the Dream

Portrait of Janet M. Watkinson, longtime Newport nurse, educator and Trinity Church volunteer

Obituary: Janet M. Watkinson (1946-2026)

Newport Folk Fest 2026 Tickets

2026 Newport Folk Festival Sells Out in Under One Second — Again

The Washington Bridge over the Providence River as Rhode Island transportation leadership changes amid ongoing reconstruction work.

Road to Nowhere: Rhode Island DOT Boss Peter Alviti Finally Out

Nathaniel David Anderson of Newport, Rhode Island, remembered for his humor, love of family, cooking, and beach adventures.

Obituary: Nathaniel David Anderson (1957-2026)

Eugene R. Bob Pattison Jr.

Obituary: Eugene R. “Bob” Pattison Jr. (1976-2026)

Rhode Island House Speaker Joe Shekarchi announcing he will not run for governor

R.I. House Speaker Shekarchi Opts Out of Governor’s Race

Rosecliff mansion in Newport, Rhode Island, host site for an America 250 preservation panel discussion.

Panel at Rosecliff to Explore Rhode Island’s Role in America’s 250th Anniversary

Elizabeth “Betty” Whisler of Newport, Rhode Island, smiling, longtime teacher, Navy wife, artist and golfer

Obituary: Elizabeth L. “Betty” Whisler (1945-2026)

Aerial view of Narragansett’s rocky Atlantic coastline with oceanfront homes and sweeping water views in Rhode Island.

Mott & Chace Sotheby’s International Realty Sets a Record in Narragansett’s Anawan Cliffs

Snow removal crews clearing a narrow residential street in Newport, Rhode Island during winter storm cleanup.

The Point and Historic Hill Neighborhoods Under Daytime Parking Bans for Additional Snow Cleanup

Angus Davis appointed to Science and Technology Innovation Board with Newport Rhode Island connection

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth Taps RI Native Angus Davis for New War Department Science and Technology Board

Exterior of The Mews Tavern restaurant in Wakefield, Rhode Island, a popular South County dining and gathering spot.

Audrain’s Heritage Restaurant Group Under Contract to Acquire The Mews Tavern in Wakefield

Fishing Vessel Lily Jean missing (1)

Coast Guard Suspends Search for Lily Jean Crew Off Glocester; Seven Identified

Roxann Press volunteering at the Potter League in Middletown RI

Record $2.9M Gift From Longtime Volunteer Is Largest in Potter League History

Michael “Coach” Stinton, longtime Portsmouth High School soccer coach and Rhode Island educator

Obituary: Michael Francis Stinton (1950-2026)

Washington Bridge Providence

Rhode Island Lawmakers Eye RIPTA Cash Boost, Put RIDOT Spending Under the Microscope

Marilla (Whitty) Cervasio of Newport, Rhode Island and Orlando, Florida

Obituary: Marilla Whitty Cervasio (1959-2026)

Spring Street in Newport RI covered in snow

Newport Parking Ban on Thames and Spring Streets Runs Tuesday Night into Wednesday Morning

Patriots quarterback Drake Maye in snow game vs Broncos during 10–7 AFC Championship victory.

Patriots Beat Broncos 10–7 in Snowy AFC Championship, Advance to Super Bowl LX

Rhode Island State House exterior on a clear day

Rhode Island Lawmakers Advance Bills on Campus Safety, Maternal Health, and Taxes

Snow-covered Newport street as city enforces winter storm parking ban

Parking Bans Announced as Newport County Braces for Heavy Snowfall

Band performing during Newport Folk Festival at Fort Adams during a summer performance

Newport Folk Festival 2026 Tickets Go on Sale Feb. 4 — Expect Them to Sell Out In Seconds

Exterior of just listed coastal home at 8 Lookout Lane in Portsmouth RI

Open House: Modern Coastal Home Hits the Market in Portsmouth’s Aquidneck Village

Providence City Hall as City Council considers rent control proposal

Providence City Council’s Rent-Control Plan Sparks Backlash as Mayor Smiley Signals Veto

Girl Scout Troop 602 members receive firearm safety instruction at Newport Rifle Club in Middletown Rhode Island

Newport Rifle Club Hosts Firearm Safety Class for Local Girl Scouts

Stephen Robertson of Woonsocket, Rhode Island obituary photo

Obituary: Stephen Robertson (1947-2025)

Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance announce they are expecting their fourth child, a baby boy, due in July.

Vice President JD Vance and Usha Vance Announce They’re Expecting a Baby Boy

Kayak Dinghy Space Newport RI

Newport Residents Can Apply for Dinghy and Kayak Rack Lottery Starting Feb. 1

Mount Hope Bridge undergoing dehumidification system installation

Lane Closures Ahead as Mount Hope Bridge Gets Dehumidification System

Governor Dan McKee speaking at the Rhode Island State House while unveiling the FY 2027 state budget proposal

McKee Proposes New Taxes on Millionaires, Expanded Relief for Families in $14.8B FY 2027 Budget

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee delivers State of the State address focused on affordability

McKee Unveils ‘Affordability for All’ Agenda in State of the State Address

Linda McMahon touring Rhode Island history classroom during History Rocks initiative

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon Visits Exeter-West Greenwich Schools to Highlight History, Workforce Education

Newport Boys & Girls Club swimming lessons

Newport Kids Dive Back Into Swimming as Boys & Girls Club Programs Resume

Modern coastal estate at 12 Taylor Road in Portsmouth, Rhode Island

A Modern Estate in Portsmouth With a Taste for the Good Life Hits the Market for $3.15M

Ryan Duffy sworn in as vice president of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association

Newport Police Chief Ryan Duffy Appointed Vice President of Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association

Fire damage visible at Newport Elm Street residence after overnight blaze

Overnight Fire Rips Through Newport Home, Sends Two to Hospital