Good morning, Newport.

Newport Harbor is preparing for heavy fall cruise ship traffic with 29 calls scheduled at Perrotti Park between today and Nov.

12 — October sees 21 visits, including weekly stops by the Majestic Princess, promising a busy season for the waterfront.

Local residents can vote for Rhode Island's favorite jingle as the first round runs until Sunday, Sept.

27 at 11:59 p.m. The contest features 16 entries from landmark commercials to nostalgic local tunes, with the second round scheduled for Monday, Sept. 28 at noon.

Nine Central Film Festival returns to the Jane Pickens Theater on Friday, Oct.

2 and Saturday, Oct. 3 with local short films by neighborhood filmmakers; tickets are available on janepickens.com. Earlier on Sept. 30 the theater will show Situations with filmmaker Greg Q&A host Vrotsos.

Salve Regina University climbed eight spots to 16th among regional colleges per the 2027 U.S. News Report released Tuesday — it also gained nods in Princeton Review’s guide and Time magazine’s list and enrolls over 2,700 students in 60+ programs.

A powerful nor'easter is expected to hit the coast today with heavy rain, rough seas, and strong winds, prompting small craft advisories and canceling some high-speed Block Island Ferry services, and it may bring coastal erosion and flooding into the weekend.

Average September weather kept conditions mild so far, but a Nor'easter may bring heavy rain late this month that could damage fall colors expected to peak mid to late October (NWS reports along the coast).

Foliage expert Jim Salge says conditions in nearby Rhode Island remain encouraging.

The Navy awarded a $271.2 million contract for the second phase of Pier 1's reconstruction at Naval Station Newport, which will create a resilient 1,000-foot pier with four berths for Coast Guard cutters.

Construction and cutter deliveries will continue through 2030 — transforming Newport's waterfront.

City contractors are chip sealing 15 streets in the Kay Street and Bliss Mine Road area, restricting parking from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. until work is finished.

Rain may delay the three-day project, and residents are asked to move irrigation systems away from roads (sidewalk work continues).

Reed, Whitehouse and Amo asked the EPA Tuesday to help Tiverton residents whose private wells exceed safe PFAS levels—some readings reached 4,000 ppt—and to secure safe drinking water.

Local officials are providing bottled water while filtration systems are installed.

Newport Hospital now uses the da Vinci 5 surgical system — the newest robotic platform — to enhance minimally invasive surgeries in urology, gynecology, thoracic and general procedures following a year of community donations.

High school sports on Super Tuesday delivered statewide wins — La Salle won 3–0 over East Greenwich and Cumberland secured a 4–1 victory in girls soccer — and games scheduled for today begin at 4 p.m. at local venues.