A coalition of residents, mental health advocates, and lawmakers is calling on the state to install safety measures to prevent suicides on the three largest Narragansett Bay bridges. Among those behind the push are two local residents who have been talking about bridge safety for the last five years to anyone who would listen.
Newport Bureau
Posted inArticle, Newport Bureau
Tiverton repeals resolution supporting Second Amendment
In the aftermath of multiple mass shootings in the United States during March, Tiverton’s Town Council has repealed a resolution that encouraged local police to use “sound discretion” in enforcing state and federal gun laws.
Posted inArticle, Education, Health, Newport Bureau
‘Constant COVID-brain’: Newport’s school nurses describe the stress of keeping students, teachers safe during a pandemic
More than 90 students and teachers in Newport’s school buildings have tested positive for the coronavirus since September, and more than 900 have been told to quarantine. Much of the responsibility, and stress, of tracing potential exposures has fallen to the district’s four school nurse teachers.
Posted inArticle, Education, Newport Bureau
Salve Regina University works to better support LGBTQ+ students, as Vatican disappoints
Last week, the Vatican declared that priests cannot bless same-sex unions, crushing many Catholics’ hopes for greater inclusivity in the Church. But at Salve Regina University, a school with a long Catholic tradition, students and faculty are moving forward with efforts to make its campus a more accepting place for the LGBTQ+ community.
Posted inArticle, Arts And Culture, Newport Bureau
Folk Festival and Jazz Festival plan a return to Newport in 2021
Rhode Island has given the green light for Newport’s iconic music festivals to move forward this summer, with new restrictions and safety protocols.
Posted inArticle, Newport Bureau
Newport City Council votes no on adding equity language to Comprehensive Plan
Newport’s City Council voted 4-2 against a resolution to revise the city’s comprehensive plan with a greater emphasis on equity, diversity, and inclusion. The move comes after a 2020 report found the main planning document, which guides all local policy decisions, does not sufficiently prevent unfair outcomes and racial disparities.
Posted inArticle, Business, Newport Bureau
Newport prepares for summer season as many businesses remain ‘on the brink of closure’
Snow is still melting, but Newport is already planning for its peak summer season. Business leaders say these months could make or break the island’s already hard-hit hospitality industry.
Posted inArticle, Health, Newport Bureau
Young adults are struggling with mental illness. This new center in Newport wants to intervene earlier.
Young people in the U.S. face a lot of mental health challenges, and the pandemic has made the situation worse. A new mental health center in Newport hopes to intervene by catering exclusively to young adults, regardless of their ability to pay.
Posted inArticle, Newport Bureau
Newport planea abordar las barreras de idioma para residentes hispanohablantes
Newport es el hogar de una creciente población hispanohablante, pero muchos materiales de la ciudad todavía no están disponibles en inglés. En una reunión el miércoles, el Consejo Municipal de Newport acordó por unanimidad que debería cambiar. Una nueva resolución le exige a la ciudad crear un plan para que más documentos sean accesibles para personas que no hablen inglés.
Posted inArticle, Newport Bureau
Newport plans to address language barriers to Spanish-speaking residents
Newport is home to a growing Spanish-speaking population, but many city materials are still only available in English. In a meeting Wednesday night, the Newport City Council unanimously agreed that should change. A new resolution calls on the city to create a plan to make more documents accessible to non-English speakers.