What'sUpNewp: The Podcast

Newport City Manager Colin Kennedy provided updates on the city's plans following the approval of a $98.5 million bond measure and discussed recent staffing changes during his monthly interview with What's Up Newp on Thursday, November 21.The bond measure, approved by voters on November 5, gives the city authority to sell bonds over the next seven years. Kennedy emphasized a cautious approach to u...

Newport Public Schools Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain expressed gratitude to Newport City Council for recent funding approvals and provided updates on the new high school construction during her monthly live interview with What'sUpNewp. The City Council recently approved an additional $2.9 million for the school committee, completing the funding needed for the new high school project. Jermai...

Newport Schools Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain provided updates on several key issues during her monthly interview with What's Up Newp on Wednesday. The new Rogers High School construction project is progressing well, Jermain said. The building's exterior is nearly finished, with brick work almost complete and utilities being connected."It's a stunning building," Jermain said. "It really is...

State Representative Lauren Carson is gearing up for the upcoming legislative session, with a focus on short-term rentals and aging policy as key priorities. The Newport Democrat, who is running unopposed for reelection, outlined her plans during an interview with What'sUpNewp on Tuesday, October 22.Carson chairs two study commissions created by the House in 2023 - one on short-term rentals and an...

Newport City Manager Colin Kennedy addressed several pressing issues during his monthly chat with What'sUpNewp on Wednesday, October 16, including utility billing concerns, early voting procedures, and the upcoming bond referendum. Kennedy reassured residents about the delayed September utility bills, urging them to wait for the October bills before taking action. "The October bills will have the...

Lynn Underwood Ceglie, currently serving as an at-large Newport city councilor, is running to represent the Second Ward in the upcoming election. Ceglie, who previously held the Second Ward seat, cites a desire to focus more on constituent issues as her motivation for the switch."I was really a lot happier when I was a ward councilor. I felt as though I had more focus on constituent issues," Cegli...

Newport City Council Chair and Mayor Xaykham "Xay" Rexford Khamsyvoravong is seeking re-election to Newport City Council At-Large, emphasizing the need for continued action on pressing issues facing the city. In an interview with What'sUpNewp on Thursday, October 19, Khamsyvoravong highlighted the council's accomplishments over the past 22 months and outlined his priorities for another term."We ne...

Charlie Holder, currently serving as Newport's second ward councilor, is running for an at-large seat on the City Council in the upcoming election. In an interview with Whats'UpNewp on Thursday, October 10, Holder discussed his campaign strategy, key city issues, and his approach to governance. Holder, who will turn 55 the day after the election, has served two terms representing the second ward....

James Dring, seeking his third term on the Newport School Committee, is positioning himself as a voice of reason and fiscal responsibility as the district faces declining enrollment and budget constraints. In an interview with What’sUpNewp on Thursday, October 10, Dring highlighted his support for school regionalization with Middletown, a stance he says sets him apart from other committee members....

Loretta "Lori" Burke, a candidate for Newport School Committee, is running on a platform of getting "back to basics" in education. Burke, who works at the Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce, says her background as an Air Force child and deep family roots in Newport education give her a unique perspective on local school issues."Let's just get back to reading, writing, and arithmetic and having th...

Elizabeth "Beth" Cullen, a candidate for Newport School Committee, is emphasizing the need for new educational approaches and improved collaboration between city officials and educators as she campaigns for one of the open seats in the upcoming election. Cullen, a fourth-generation Newporter with 30 years of experience in the local school system, believes her background and passion for education m...

Newport’s City Council is set to convene at Pell Elementary School on Wednesday, October 9, at 6:30 p.m. for its regular meeting, temporarily relocating due to ongoing elevator maintenance issues at City Hall. Mayor Xaykham Khamsyvoravong views the change of venue as an opportunity to bring city government closer to residents. “We are embracing the opportunity we have to take our city council on t...

Stephanie Winslow, an incumbent Newport School Committee member, is seeking re-election for what would be her third term. Winslow, who was initially appointed to fill a vacancy in March 2020, has been a key figure in policy reform and equity initiatives within the Newport Public Schools system. Winslow, a Newport native and computer programmer by profession, emphasizes her commitment to improving...

Dr. Sandra J. Flowers, a longtime member of the Newport School Committee, is seeking re-election for her ninth term. With 16 years on the committee and 30 years as a teacher in Newport public schools, Flowers brings nearly five decades of experience to her candidacy."I'm approaching the end of my 8th term, which means 16 years," Flowers said in a interview with What'sUpNewp on Monday, October 7. "...

Newport School Committee Chair Becky Bolan has announced that if she is re-elected in November that her next term would be her last, citing a desire to see the Rogers High School project through to completion. Bolan, who has served on the committee for approximately 17 years, made the announcement during an interview with Ryan Belmore of What'sUpNewp."I'm gonna tell you right now, this is my very...

Dr. Robert B. Power, a candidate for Newport School Committee, is making the inclusion of vocational programs at the new Rogers High School a central issue in his campaign. Power, who has a doctorate in school administration and has served as superintendent in three Rhode Island school districts, says he entered the race primarily to advocate for the auto tech and cosmetology programs."What got me...

Kendra Wilson Muenter is running for re-election to the Newport School Committee, citing a desire to see through changes and implement new strategic plans. Muenter, who is wrapping up her first term and currently serves as vice chair, said during a What'sUpNewp interview on Thursday, October 3 that the role has been "challenging" and "rewarding" but also more time-consuming than expected."How much...

Steph Smyth, a candidate for Newport City Council At-Large, is running on a platform of increased community engagement and transparency in local government. In an interview with What'sUpNewp on Thursday, October 3, Smyth outlined her vision for leveraging existing resources and creating new avenues for resident participation to address Newport's most pressing issues. Smyth, who narrowly missed win...

Mark Aramli, seeking re-election to Newport’s City Council At-Large, is sounding the alarm on the city’s financial challenges and calling for a new approach to managing tourism. In a interview with What’sUpNewp on Thursday, October 3, Aramli highlighted the fiscal imbalance he discovered during his first term and outlined his priorities for addressing these issues if re-elected.“Newport as a city,...

Jeanne Marie Napolitano, seeking reelection to the Newport City Council At-Large, highlighted affordable housing, traffic management, and regional cooperation as key priorities in a interview with What'sUpNewp on Thursday, October 3.Napolitano, who has served on the council from 1991-1995 and from 2000 to present, emphasized the need for collaborative efforts with neighboring communities to addres...

Ian Billings Martins, a Newport native and owner of Harvest Market, is running for an at-large seat on the Newport City Council with a focus on preserving the city's year-round community character. Martins, who took over the former Sigs Market eight years ago, said during a What'sUpNewp interview on Wednesday, October 2 that his decision to run stems from a desire to actively shape Newport's futur...

Penelope "Penny" Billington Hunt, a newcomer to Newport politics, is running for a seat on the Newport School Committee with a focus on addressing funding challenges and leadership needs in the district. Hunt, who moved back to Newport in 2020 after living in the Boston area for 15 years, brings a background in nonprofit fundraising and financial analysis to her campaign."The financial skillset is...

Molly Kapstein Cote, a candidate for Newport School Committee, is positioning herself as a problem-solver with a fresh perspective on the city's educational challenges. In an interview with What'sUpNewp on Monday, September 30, Cote outlined her vision for Newport's public schools, emphasizing the need for improved communication and a data-driven approach to student success. Cote, who moved to New...

Matt Grant, a candidate for Newport City Council's Ward 2 seat, is focusing his campaign on restoring civility in local politics, addressing housing affordability, and improving environmental resilience. Grant, a software engineer for Peloton and supporter of his wife's local business, Bellevue Boards, shared his vision for Newport during an interview with What'sUpNewp on Monday, September 30."I w...

The Newport City Council voted Wednesday night to rescind a controversial $81 sewer fee increase that had sparked public outcry. The decision came after officials discovered miscalculations in the original fee structure. Vice Chair Lynn Ceglie explained the situation during a conversation with What'sUpNewp on Saturday morning, saying, "There were mistakes, there were miscalculations made. You know...