It’s been nearly five months since Russia invaded Ukraine, spurring a war that has shaken Ukrainian communities across the world. Among those impacted in Rhode Island is Liubov Corsi, a Newport resident who immigrated from Ukraine to the United States eleven years ago. Now, her small hometown of Nikopol is at the center of Russia’s […]
Antonia Ayres-Brown
Newport Bureau Reporter
The Public's Radio
aayresbrown@ripr.org
@aayresbrown
Posted inArticle, Arts And Culture
Eminent composer will premiere new work inspired by Black music history in Newport
In 2021, the Newport Classical Music Festival — formerly called the Newport Music Festival — launched a new initiative to commission a BIPOC composer or woman composer to create an original piece for the festival each year. This week, the organization will premiere a new work by award-winning, Illinois-based composer Shawn Okpebholo.
Newport Reporter Antonia Ayres-Brown sat down with Okpebholo to discuss how his piece draws inspiration from 18th-century composer Newport Gardner and the legacy of slavery in Rhode Island.
Posted inArticle, Newport Bureau
RI Attorney General’s Office investigating violent weekend arrest in Newport
In a video that has now been widely shared on social media, Newport police officers can be seen shoving and hitting bystanders during an altercation that occurred early Sunday on Thames Street.
Posted inArticle, Politics
Rhode Island General Assembly approves bill extending driving privileges to undocumented immigrants
The Rhode Island House passed a bill Wednesday allowing undocumented immigrants in the state to receive driver’s ID cards. The legislation, which was already approved by the state Senate, will head to Gov. Dan McKee to be signed into law.
Marcela Betancur is the executive director of the Latino Policy Institute at Roger Williams University, which has advocated for this legislation for many years.
Posted inArticle, Education
Two years into pandemic, Rhode Island’s English learners are falling further behind
The pandemic has brought a long list of challenges for K-12 students and educators in Rhode Island. Among those most set back have been the state’s English Learners, who already struggled with lower attendance and test scores before COVID-19.
Posted inEducation, En Español
Después de dos años de la pandemia, los estudiantes de inglés de Rhode Island se están quedando atrás
La pandemia ha traído una larga lista de desafíos para los estudiantes y educadores K-12 en Rhode Island. Entre los más afectados están los estudiantes de inglés, quienes ya enfrentaban muchas ausencias y puntajes bajos en exámenes antes de COVID.
Posted inArticle, Newport Bureau
Investigations begin into Newport hotel fire
No injuries were reported among employees and guests at the Wayfinder Hotel, but the 197-room hotel suffered devastating damage, including a collapsed roof.
Posted inArticle, Newport Bureau
Firefighters battle blaze at Wayfinder Hotel in Newport
Firefighters worked Monday evening to contain a large fire at one of Newport’s largest hotels, the Wayfinder. Officials say the hotel was evacuated and no injuries are reported.
Posted inArticle, Education, Newport Bureau
Proposal to unify Newport and Middletown school districts is one step closer to the ballot
Officials in Newport and Middletown have approved a ballot measure to consolidate their communities into one school district, but keep their children in different schools. The proposal, which now goes to the state General Assembly, is aimed at saving money, but some locals have expressed doubts about how a unified school district could impact students’ learning and school segregation.
Posted inArticle, Newport Bureau, Politics
How proposed changes to Newport’s charter could shake up city government
A group studying Newport’s official charter is recommending the city implement term limits for the City Council, and allow voters to select the local mayor.