Good morning, Newport.

Labor Day on Monday, Sept.

7 will honor the efforts of workers in our community, including hospitality staff working during the holiday weekend (a nod to their hard work). Newport residents may support these workers by dining at local spots as summer comes to an end.

Middletown Public Library is hosting an after-dark candlelight tour of Belcourt on Friday, Oct.

2 to raise funds for its new building project; guided tours run from 7 to 8:30 and tickets cost $40.

The Newport International Boat Show runs Sept.

17-19 and adds a Fishing Village where top fishing brands and experts will offer free workshops and interactive seminars. Tickets include access to boat tours and display exhibits in downtown Newport (led by The Saltwater Edge) starting at $33.

Award-winning sailor Cole Brauer will sign copies of her debut memoir First Light at Jane Pickens Theater on Wednesday, Sept.

16 at 6:00 p.m. She became the first American woman to race solo around the world & her memoir recounts her 27,000-mile adventure.

Curator Nicole Williams will present a lecture titled “Revolution Reimagined: Memory and Freedom Struggles from 1976 to 2026” at Rosecliff on Thursday, Sept.

10 from 6 to 7 p.m., linking Newport's revolutionary past to modern civil rights efforts. The talk is part of the current exhibition and available on Zoom.

Save Perrotti Park has asked HUD to verify whether the federal dedication for Perrotti Park was modified as the City plans to use the land for a new municipal building.

The inquiry follows findings that the Harbormaster building sits on a separately acquired parcel (raising legal questions before millions are spent).

More than 400 defense and military leaders met in Newport this week for SENEDIA's 12th Defense Innovation Days to address the local workforce shortage.

Michael Cadenazzi and Capt. Matthew Lewis explained how initiatives like the New England Submarine Shipbuilding Partnership have trained thousands to strengthen the defense industry.

Dr. Michael Fine reflected on the impact of Ed Ehlinger, Wendell Berry, and Dolly Parton, whose contributions influenced public health and culture, with Ehlinger advising the Rhode Island Department of Health (a key community health leader) and Berry writing on community interdependence. Their legacies remind us to care.

Middletown Prevention Coalition received a nearly $240,000 federal grant to boost opioid, counterfeit pill and fentanyl awareness programs — adding to its current $489,089 funding.

Director Lori Verderosa said youth, young adults and parents will join in creating prevention messaging locally.

Rhode Island high school football season is set to begin with two games this weekend and a full slate next week.

A local portal offers preseason coverage — featuring rankings, photos and player profiles to help fans track teams throughout the season.

Middletown beat Tiverton 21-6 on Thursday night in the Injury Fund game.

Junior Jack Silvia ran for over 100 yards, and senior quarterback Kyle Keef threw and rushed for a touchdown.