No injuries were reported among employees and guests at the Wayfinder Hotel, but the 197-room hotel suffered devastating damage, including a collapsed roof.
Newport Bureau
Posted inArticle, Newport Bureau
Firefighters battle blaze at Wayfinder Hotel in Newport
Firefighters worked Monday evening to contain a large fire at one of Newport’s largest hotels, the Wayfinder. Officials say the hotel was evacuated and no injuries are reported.
Posted inArticle, Education, Newport Bureau
Proposal to unify Newport and Middletown school districts is one step closer to the ballot
Officials in Newport and Middletown have approved a ballot measure to consolidate their communities into one school district, but keep their children in different schools. The proposal, which now goes to the state General Assembly, is aimed at saving money, but some locals have expressed doubts about how a unified school district could impact students’ learning and school segregation.
Posted inArticle, Newport Bureau, Politics
How proposed changes to Newport’s charter could shake up city government
A group studying Newport’s official charter is recommending the city implement term limits for the City Council, and allow voters to select the local mayor.
Posted inArticle, Newport Bureau
Newport changes North End zoning to prioritize workforce housing, open space
Newport officials are altering the city’s plan to redevelop Newport’s North End in response to concerns about equity. The move follows discussions raised by local residents about the potential negative consequences of redevelopment, like displacement.
Posted inArticle, Arts And Culture, Newport Bureau
Embracing a new tune, Newport festival is reimagining classical music for a wider audience
Fun, casual, approachable. For many people, those aren’t the first words that come to mind when they think of classical music, a genre that’s often associated with music lessons and formal concert halls. But the group that hosts Newport’s long-running classical music festival is hoping to change that. It’s part of a larger effort to reimagine the summer concert series into a year-round organization with programs and performances for Newport residents less familiar with the musical genre.
Posted inArticle, Education, Newport Bureau
Newport and Middletown to consider unifying school districts
Newport and Middletown are renewing talks to consolidate their school districts in order to save money, while maintaining existing schools.
Posted inArticle, Newport Bureau, Politics
Facing housing shortage, Newport moves to restrict Airbnbs in residential zones
Newport’s City Council is planning to prohibit new short-term rentals in the coastal city’s residential zones, citing concerns that properties like Airbnbs and VRBOs are contributing to the local housing crunch.
Posted inEn Español, Newport Bureau
La vida en el Motel 6: El motel en Newport se ha convertido en un refugio para personas sin hogar durante la crisis de la vivienda
A medida que la crisis de la vivienda empeora en Newport, el Motel 6 se ha convertido en un refugio para personas sin hogar. Se convirtió oficialmente este invierno para adaptarse a la creciente necesidad de refugio temporal. Esta es la historia de una madre que ha pasado meses tratando de hacer una vida para su familia dentro del motel — y un futuro fuera del edificio.
Posted inArticle, Newport Bureau
Life at the Newport Motel 6: The motel has become a shelter for people experiencing homelessness as affordable housing grows scarce
As the housing crunch worsens around Newport, the local Motel 6 has been turned into a homeless shelter. It was officially converted this winter to accommodate the growing need for temporary housing. Almost 80 people currently live there, including one mother who has spent months trying to make a life for her family inside the motel — and a future outside it.
