What's Up in Newport: Wednesday, November 19

Good morning, Newport! I’m Ryan Belmore, publisher of What’sUpNewp. Here’s what you need to know for Wednesday, November 19, 2025.

Well, this will come as no surprise to anyone who’s paid any attention over the past quarter-century: Roger Federer was elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, the Newport-based Hall announced Wednesday. Read more

The International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHF) TeamFAME middle and high school girls were joined by the Salve Regina University Women’s Tennis Team at the first ever Rally for Her: From Teammate to Leader empowerment event. Launched by ESPN and Tennis Channel commentator and six-time major champion Rennae Stubbs, the event included an afternoon of tennis round robin competition, skill-building and a candid conversation about leadership between Stubbs and participants on Monday. Read more

Newport’s Department of Utilities will waive all interest and late fees for October and November utility bills after a processing error caused some customers to see incorrect account balances, officials announced Tuesday. Read more

Newport is recruiting volunteers to serve on a newly re-established commission focused on making Newport more accessible to people with disabilities. Read more

Middletown can expect a significant increase in the hotel tax collected in Fiscal 2026. “Thanks to the hard work of Middletown officials and local legislators, the General Assembly approved a 1 percent hike in the amount paid by those who stay in area lodging,” the Town of Middletown shares. Read more

Today in Newport

Weather Forecast

Today: Cloudy through mid-morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 47. North wind 3 to 6 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 33. Calm wind becoming north around 6 mph after midnight.

Sun & Tide Information

Sunrise: 6:39 a.m., Sunset: 4:22 p.m. Daylight: 9 hours & 43 minutes
High tides: 6:53 a.m. & 7:11 p.m. Low tides: 12:38 p.m.
Lunar phase: Waning Crescent.

Things To Do

3:30 p.m.: Free Wednesday Walk at Norman Bird Sanctuary
5 p.m.: Creative Nonfiction Workshop at Jamestown Philomenian Library
6 p.m.: Lecture: The Artistic Legacy of Helen Hooker O’Malley
6:30 p.m.: Fermentation Class at Forty 1 North
Organizing an event? Add it to our community calendar.

Live Music & Entertainment

Buskers - Open Mic with Mike Warner at 9 p.m.
Fastnet Pub - Trivia at 9 p.m.
Newport Playhouse: Lam Jam at 6 p.m.
Newport Vineyards - Trivia at 6 p.m.
The JPT: Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere at 2 p.m., The Wizard of Oz at 5 p.m., Ordinary People at 7:30 p.m.
The Quencher - Karaoke at 9 p.m.

Newport County Government

Jamestown: Board of Canvassers at 1:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m., Affordable Housing at 5 p.m., Planning Commission at 6:30 p.m., Tree Preservation & Protection at 6:30 p.m.
Middletown: Open Space And Fields Committee at 5:30 p.m., Library Building Committee at 6 p.m., Prevention Coalition at 6 p.m.
Newport: Trust & Investment Commission at 8 a.m., Cemetery Advisory Commission at 4 p.m., School Committee - Policy Subcommittee at 5:30 p.m., Energy and Environment Commission at 6:30 p.m.
Portsmouth: Economic Development Committee at 5:30 p.m.
RITBA at 8:30 a.m.
Tiverton: Historic Preservation Advisory Board at 4:30 p.m., Wastewater District at 5:30 p.m.
Find more meetings here.