The City of Newport is trying to address the issue of short-term rentals and the impact they have on the city’s neighborhoods and housing affordability. But local officials say illicit rentals pose a significant challenge.
Antonia Ayres-Brown
Newport Bureau Reporter
The Public's Radio
aayresbrown@ripr.org
@aayresbrown
Posted inArticle, Newport Bureau, Politics
Longtime chair of Newport Planning Board resigns, warning of diminishing quality of life
Kim Salerno, an architectural designer and decade-long member of the Planning Board, officially stepped down last week. During her tenure, she helped lead several large initiatives in the city, including the ongoing effort to redevelop Newport’s North End.
Salerno sat down with reporter Antonia Ayres-Brown to discuss her time on the Planning Board and her farewell letter, which warns of exorbitant housing costs, rising seas, and disappearing access to the waterfront.
Posted inArticle, Education, Newport Bureau
As school field trips return, Newport fourth graders set sail
With the COVID-19 pandemic stretching into a third school year, some districts are finally resuming field trips this fall. In Newport, that means the return of a program that brings the classroom offshore. Reporter Antonia Ayres-Brown tagged along with a fourth grade class to see what school is like on the water.
Posted inArticle, Arts And Culture, Newport Bureau
‘I want people to know that you can find yourself in my drawings’: Young artist unveils new mural at Newport Art Museum
The Newport Art Museum has unveiled a new mural on one of the museum’s main buildings, in collaboration with the organization Newport Public Art. The mural was painted by the local artist and designer Shaday Viruet, who graduated from Rhode Island College in 2020.
Viruet spoke with reporter Antonia Ayres-Brown about her inspiration for the mural — and what it was like being selected from more than 50 proposals.
Posted inArticle, Health, Newport Bureau
In Rhode Island, a hospital chaplain helps patients seek meaning in the midst of the pandemic
For the past year and a half, nurses, doctors, and other health care workers have been on the frontlines of fighting COVID-19 in Rhode Island hospitals. Out of the limelight, but alongside them, are hospital chaplains — staff members, usually members of the clergy, responsible for the spiritual care of patients, families, and coworkers. Early […]
Posted inArticle, Politics
Across southern New England, ceremonies mark the 20th anniversary of 9/11
As the nation marked the 20th anniversary of 9/11 with ceremonies in lower Manhattan, the Pentagon and Pennsylvania, people across southern New England gathered in towns and villages, beaches and churches, to commemorate those who died. Here are highlights from a few of those ceremonies. Rhode Island leaders gather in Providence Rhode Island elected officials […]
Posted inArticle, Education
‘You need to get it right’: Educators reflect on teaching 9/11 to a generation born after 2001
Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, which resulted in nearly 3,000 fatalities and continual pledges to “never forget.” But two decades later, many educators are tasked with teaching 9/11 to a generation with no personal memories of the day.
Three Rhode Island teachers shared their experiences with The Public’s Radio, as another school year begins.
Posted inArticle, Newport Bureau, Politics
Newport City Council approves North End zoning changes, amid continued equity concerns
Newport officials are moving forward with plans to redevelop the city’s North End, an area that has been physically and economically cut off from the rest of the city for decades.
Posted inArticle
Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts cope with the remnants of Hurricane Ida, after historic rainfall
In Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts, the remnants of Ida brought heavy rains, flooding, sewage overflow, power outages and road damage Wednesday night and Thursday. The region remains under a flood warning until 6:30 pm tonight. Aquidneck Island experienced some of the heaviest rainfall and flooding. In Portsmouth, a road partially collapsed from the force […]
Posted inArticle, Environment, Newport Bureau
Rhode Island Governor signs emergency declaration ahead of tropical storm’s expected landfall
Thirty years after Hurricane Bob, R.I. coastal communities prepare for another impending storm.