Good Morning! It’s Thursday, January 2.
I tend always to look forward, but I took a few moments yesterday to reflect on what we accomplished at What’sUpNewp in 2024. It was our best year yet as a business. I’m most proud that we published the most stories we ever had (5,388 stories) with the largest team of paid local contributors (18) we’ve ever had.
Publishing nearly 15 stories every day of the year takes a herculean effort, and I’m proud that we continue to find ways to add new contributors with different and diverse backgrounds to our pages. It’s very important that our team reflects the community we hope to serve.
Get in touch if you’re a writer, author, or journalist interested in contributing to What’sUpNewp in 2025. It can be a one-time contribution or an ongoing gig! We do pay all of our writers for every story.
I aim to use this platform, which turns 13 in March, to inform, inspire, and empower. I think Ken Abrams and Justin Walker do a great job in their latest stories (below) on what I’m hoping we can do a lot more of in 2025.
If you’re a What’sUpNewp supporter/paid subscriber, thanks for making all of this possible! We honestly couldn’t write those 5,000+ stories without your support.
Wishing you a healthy and happy 2025,
Ryan
📬 Send feedback, news tips, and story ideas to [email protected].
THE LATEST
Two local children battling life-threatening illnesses to benefit from New Year’s Day fundraiser.

Electric Dylan controversy. (2025, January 2). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_Dylan_controversy
With the film ‘A Complete Unknown’ creating renewed interest in Dylan, meet current and former Newporters who recall the moment.
The Heritage Hotel Group is acquiring the historic Vanderbilt hotel, according to The Providence Journal.
RECENT LOCAL OBITUARIES
WHAT’S UP TODAY
Weather
Mostly sunny, with a high near 41. Breezy, with a west wind 20 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 46 mph.
Marine
W wind 17 to 19 kt, with gusts as high as 40 kt. Mostly sunny. Seas 1 ft or less. The coastal water temperature in Newport is 46 degrees.
Sun, Moon & Tide
Sunrise at 7:11 am. Sunset at 4:27 pm. High tide at 9:09 am and 9:36 pm. Low tide at 2:15 am and 3:05 pm. The lunar phase is a Waxing Crescent.
Things To Do
3:30 pm: Teen & Tween: Dungeons & Dragons at Newport Public Library
Live Music & Entertainment
JPT Film & Event Center: A Complete Unknown at 4:30 pm & 7:30 pm
Newport Craft: Trivia at 7 pm
Ragged Island Brewing Company: Trivia at 6 pm
Newport County Public Meetings
Jamestown: Town Council at 5:30 pm
Little Compton: Agricultural Conservancy Trust at 7 pm
Newport: Beach Commission at 5 pm
Portsmouth: Harbor Commission at 7 pm
Tiverton: Economic Development Commission at 12 pm
EXTRA! EXTRA!
Providence Business News: Custom Newport home built in 2019 sells for $2.9M
Rhode Island Current: A massive budget deficit means fewer hands out to R.I. lawmakers as 2025 begins
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