Rhode Island held its statewide primary on Tuesday, but election officials say voters will have to wait longer for results this year as the Board of Elections counts over 33,000 mail ballots.
Antonia Ayres-Brown
Newport Bureau Reporter
The Public's Radio
aayresbrown@ripr.org
@aayresbrown
Posted inArticle, Politics
Record number of voters request mail ballots in statewide primary
Over 48,000 Rhode Islanders requested mail ballots for Tuesday’s primary. Officials and experts say the increase in mail voting could delay when voters hear results.
Posted inArticle, Business, Newport Bureau
Wedding vendors struggle as couples shrink and postpone events
Newport is one of New England’s most popular wedding destinations, but COVID-related restrictions brought many couples’ plans to a halt this summer. Some are now holding scaled-down “micro weddings” instead, but workers in the wedding industry say this trend isn’t solving their financial troubles.
Posted inArticle, Politics
Pro-Trump boat rally draws thousands in Bristol
A flotilla of about a hundred boats paraded across Narragansett Bay on Sunday afternoon in a rally supporting President Donald Trump. Roughly two thousand onlookers cheered from the shore.
Posted inArticle, Newport Bureau, Politics
Aquidneck Islanders rally around their bridges as state considers possible transportation consolidation
East Bay legislators and local government leaders are banding together in opposition to the potential consolidation of Rhode Island’s quasi-public transportation agencies. One of those agencies, the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority, operates four bridges in the East Bay region. And locals worry about handing the bridges over to the Department of Transportation, which has a track record of poor bridge maintenance.
Posted inArticle, Business, Newport Bureau
Newport residents seek to promote racial justice through Black business ownership
As protests against racism continue in Rhode Island this summer, several Black business owners in Newport hope to address systemic inequalities by providing camaraderie and logistical support to aspiring Black entrepreneurs. Antonia Ayres-Brown recently sat down with the cohort as they discussed why, in addition to marching with protest signs, they want more residents to march into city hall with binders full of business plans.
Posted inArticle, Newport Bureau
Large waves from Tropical Storm Isaias attract surfers to Newport beaches
Dozens of surfers speckled Newport’s beaches early Wednesday morning, hoping to take advantage of the waves that the storm left in its wake.
Posted inArticle, Education, Newport Bureau
Newport school officials prepare for new challenges as students potentially return to classrooms
As the beginning of the school year draws closer, the school district is recommending families brace for an unusual fall, whatever Governor Raimondo decides about full or partial in-person learning.
Posted inArticle, Newport Bureau
Newport officials, hired consultants present draft plan to reconnect the city’s North End with its downtown
The North End Urban Plan will include a number of recommendations to improve the area’s connectivity and streetscapes — such as building more pedestrian paths and hiding retail parking.
Posted inArticle, Newport Bureau
Newport ballet company adapts during pandemic, brings dance to city’s public parks
With many live performance venues still shuttered by COVID-19, Island Moving Company — a contemporary ballet company in Newport — is reaching audiences outdoors. On Thursday afternoon, a small ensemble in Perrotti Park continued the free weekly series.