What'sUpNewp Podcast

Newport Public Schools are grappling with declining enrollment and staffing challenges as the new academic year enters its fourth week, Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain reported during a conversation with What'sUpNewp on Wednesday, September 25. Enrollment is down compared to projections, with about 70 fewer students than anticipated. This continues a downward trend seen since the COVID-19 pan...

Newport City Council is set to vote on a proposal to ban new short-term rentals in the city, a move Councilor Mark Aramli says is necessary to address the ongoing housing crisis. The proposed moratorium, which will be discussed at Wednesday evening's council meeting, aims to halt the conversion of residential properties into Airbnb-style rentals. "Housing, housing, housing. The renters are getting...

Newport City Council will consider a citywide moratorium on new short-term rentals at its Wednesday meeting, aiming to curb the loss of housing units to vacation rentals. "We are now looking at a moratorium on all new short-term rentals across the entire city," Xaykham (Xay) Khamsyvoravong, Mayor and City Council Chair, said during a conversation to preview the agenda with What'sUpNewp on Monday....

Newport City Manager Colin Kennedy addressed residents' concerns about utility bills and infrastructure needs during What'sUpNewp's Wednesday monthly " Ask the City Manager " session. Please note that this newsletter allows supporters to read, listen to, and/or watch the conversation. Kennedy acknowledged the city "missed the mark" in rolling out recent changes to sewer and stormwater fees that re...

Good Morning! Today is Wednesday, September 18. 📰 In this What’sUpNewp Daily Digest… * Newport City Manager joins What’sUpNewp for an interview on Wed. * A look at the thirteen homes that sold in Newport County last week. * Red and green okra are in abundance at Anna D’s Backyard Farmer’s Market * City of Newport hosting a pair of recycling days this fall * Middletown honors EMS Coordinator, addr...

Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain provided updates on teacher contract negotiations, school construction, and plans for the upcoming academic year during her monthly virtual conversation with What'sUpNewp on July 31. Listen to our conversation above, watch below, and/or read it below. The Latest From What’sUpNewp WUN-ON-ONE: A conversation with Newport School Superintendent Colle...

What'sUpNewp kicked off the 2024 season of our "WUN-ON-ONE: A Conversation with" series on January 8 by hosting a conversation with Newport Mayor Xaykham (Xay) Khamsyvoravong. Mayor Xay joined What'sUpNewp's Ryan Belmore and answered questions and gave insight on a wide variety of topics, including the latest on the demolition of the Easton's Beach Rotunda, where the City is at with Cliff Walk rep...

With absenteeism a major concern of schools throughout Rhode Island, Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain discusses how the school system is trying to improve attendance and turn around a poor showing by pupils in recent statewide testing when she joined What’sUpNewp for a live virtual video conversation o nWednesday. Recent independent reports have identified absenteeism as a signi...

Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain sat down with What’sUpNewp today at 1:30 pm for a live virtual video conversation. During the conversation we discuss how the new school year is going, get an update on the Rogers High School construction project, and get answers to your questions. Watch below or listen above. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other...

Former White House aide Gabe Amo could become the first person of color to represent Rhode Island in Congress after his win Tuesday in the crowded Democratic primary for the state’s 1st Congressional District. Amo, a Pawtucket resident, will square off against Jamestown resident Gerry Leonard, a U.S. Marine veteran and political newcomer who defeated fellow Republican candidate Terri Flynn, a form...

Stephen Casey, a Democratic Candidate for Rhode Island's Congressional District 1, joined What'sUpNewp for a live virtual video conversation at 2 pm on Thursday, August 3, 2023. During the interview, we learn more about Stephen, find out why he's running in this special election, and discuss what he believes sets him apart from his opponents. A special primary for the Congressional District 1 Spec...

Walter Berbrick, a Democratic Candidate for Rhode Island’s Congressional District 1, joined What’sUpNewp for a live virtual video conversation at 1:30 pm on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. During the interview, we learn more about Walter, find out why he’s running in this special election, and discuss what he believes sets him apart from his opponents. Have a question for Walter? Please leave it in the c...

Newport is among the 31 municipalities that have signed Governor Dan McKee's Learn365RI Municipal Compact, committing to increase out-of-school learning opportunities for young people in their communities. During his Education Address on April 12 in Newport, Governor McKee said, “We’re here in Newport for a reason. Newport is going to be a model for success.” What does that mean (and look like) fo...

Sandra Cano, a Democratic Candidate for Rhode Island's Congressional District 1, will join What'sUpNewp for a live virtual video conversation on Thursday, July 31, 2023, at noon. During the interview, we learn more about Sandra, find out why she's running in this special election, and discuss what she believes sets her apart from her opponents. A special primary for the Congressional District 1 Sp...

Colleen Burns Jermain, Superintendent of Newport Public Schools, joined What'sUpNewp for a live virtual video conversation on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at 1:30 pm. During our conversation with the Superintendent, we catch up on what's happening at Newport Public Schools over the summer break, get an update on construction at Rogers High School, and get answers to your questions. The Latest from Wh...

Gabe Amo, a Democratic Candidate for Rhode Island's Congressional District 1, joined What'sUpNewp for a live virtual video conversation at 2:15 pm on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. During the interview, we learned more about Gabe, found out why he's running in this special election, and discuss what he believes sets him apart from his opponents. A special primary for the Congressional District 1 Specia...

Aaron Regunberg, a Democratic Candidate for Rhode Island's Congressional District 1, joined What'sUpNewp for a live virtual video conversation at noon on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. During the interview, we learn more about Aaron, discover why he's running in this special election, and discuss what he believes sets him apart from his opponents. A special primary for the Congressional District 1 Spec...

Sabina Matos, a Democratic Candidate for Rhode Island's Congressional District 1, joined What'sUpNewp for a live virtual video conversation at 2 pm on Tuesday, July 25. During the interview, we learn more about Sabina, find out why she's running in this special election, discuss last week's issue around signatures, and hear what she believes sets her apart from her opponents. A special primary for...

Stephanie Beauté, a Democratic Candidate for Rhode Island’s Congressional District 1, joined What’sUpNewp for a live virtual video conversation at 11 am on Thursday, July 20, 2023. During the interview, we learn more about Stephanie, discover why she’s running in this special election, and discuss what she believes sets her apart from his opponents. Visit http://beauteforri.com/ for more informati...

City of Newport Mayor Xaykham (Xay) Khamsyvoravong joined What’sUpNewp for a live virtual video conversation today at 4:30 pm. During the wide-ranging forty-seven-minute conversation, we discuss the resignation of Newport’s Election Administrator, construction and soil at Rogers High School, the search for a new City Manager, and much more. Watch our conversation below or listen to the audio of ou...

Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain joined WUN’s Ryan Belmore and Frank Prosnitz on the first day of summer school vacation to recap the year that was, talk about the challenges ahead, and more. Watch our conversation below or listen above. The Latest on WUN What’s Up Interview: Catching up with RI music legend James Montgomery Local great on his recent film, upcoming shows and blu...

Newport Pride Weekend returns today through Sunday. NewportOUT’s Sean O’Connor joined What’sUpNewp to provide details about Pride Weekend , give us some background and information on the new Pride Center in Newport, and more. For more information on Newport Pride Weekend or the Newport Pride Center, visit www.newportprideri.org . Watch our conversation below or listen above. More Recent WUN-ON-ONE...

“Fletcher Michael’s GLASS BOTTLE SEASON is a closely observed coming-of-age tale set against the backdrop of the insular culture of Newport royalty. This boozy, immersive novel will resonate with anyone who has ever felt like an outsider or has experienced that painful passage between the last gasps of childhood and the beginnings of adulthood. It’s a terrific beach read, and just like summer, you...

Cathleen Carr, Executive Director of newportFILM, joined What’sUpNewp for a live virtual video conversation today. During the conversation, Ryan Belmore and Cathleen discuss the upcoming newportFILM 2023 Outdoors lineup, which includes an exciting lineup of eleven world-class and award-winning documentaries. Patrick And The Whale kicks off the summer schedule on Thursday night at The Great Friends...

Newport Mayor Xaykham (Xay) Khamsyvoravong joined What’sUpNewp for a live virtual video conversation at 2 pm on Thursday, June 15. Among the topics, we recap the June 14 Regular Meeting of the Newport City Council and talk to the Mayor about the Cliff Walk, short-term rental application fees, the Rogers High School and Pell Bridge Ramps construction projects, the 2023 city budget, and more. Watch...