Good morning, Newport.

The Bike to the Beach event, held on Sept.

19, brought together cyclists riding 30-, 60- or 100-mile routes that ended at King Park on Newport Harbor to support autism and disability programs. Bike Newport led the ride (including stops along Mount Hope Bridge) to boost community spirit.

Residents seeking a Thanksgiving meal can register for MLK Community Center Holiday Help Programs, open until Friday, Nov.

13. Registration is in-person at the center on Monday–Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Wednesdays, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., with photo I.D. (Newport County address and household size required).

In Newport, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center now accepts in-person registration for its Holiday Help Programs—available Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Wednesday 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.—while Newport Pell Bridge will have lane closures on Oct.

26 to 27, so drivers should allow extra time.

Costco is set to open its first store in Smithfield in 2028 from a former landscaping lot along George Washington Highway (a site previously eyed in Cranston and Warwick), bringing over 200 jobs and offering Gold Star and Executive memberships with online bonuses.

Construction at Bellevue Gardens has brought loud noise, traffic snarls, and fewer parking spaces, while rent hikes have added pressure on local businesses (potentially leading to closures and job losses) as the project continues.

Airbnb will change its checkout rules so guests are not required to complete tasks like stripping beds & washing dishes.

The new guidelines will take effect globally on Friday, Nov. 20.

Salve Regina University’s theatre arts program will stage The SpongeBob Musical at the Casino Theatre (9 Freebody St.) from Nov.

5 to 8. The musical follows SpongeBob and Bikini Bottom residents as they try to save their town from an erupting volcano.

Christine M. Dunbar begins as the new Assistant Principal at Rogers High School effective Nov.

2. A Rogers alum with over 17 years of teaching experience, she will work to boost student success and a positive school culture.

AccuWeather warns that after rain on Thursday, Oct.

29, clear but chilly and breezy conditions will set in for Halloween in Rhode Island; families trick-or-treating on Oct. 31 should wear extra layers as a jacket is a costume essential.

Local advocates in Newport are opposing proposed federal changes — aimed at streamlining historic preservation rules — that could reduce public input and endanger landmarks like the Bliss House.

Preservation leaders say the revisions risk the community's heritage and are urging contacts with Congressional offices during the public review phase.

Middletown Town Council unanimously rejected a proposal from Newport resident Jay Michelson to designate a clothing-optional section at Third Beach, saying the beach must remain family-friendly.

Four years after a section of the Cliff Walk fell into the sea, CRMC approved a repair plan on Oct.

13. The city and property owners will use a modified design that strengthens an overlook under the arch bridge to restore the historic path.

On Oct. 19, the FDA recalled over 4 million tubes of toothpaste—including Brush Buddies kids' varieties sold at local retailers like CVS, Trader Joe's and Walgreens—after Pritam International's voluntary recall on Sept.

10 classified the products as Class II.

A study by Innerbody shows that Lemonhead topped searches in the weeks before Halloween and that 3 Musketeers was chosen as Rhode Island's favorite year-round candy.

The Ocean State ranked 37th nationally in overall candy search interest.

Newport native Ben Rosenberg, who grew up sailing with Sail Newport and the Ida Lewis Yacht Club, was named to ARC Team USA’s AC75 squad for the America’s Cup scheduled for Naples in 2027.

He will serve as both sailor and analyst alongside Olympian Annie Haeger.