New
in Newport
Friday, October 24th, 2025
Good morning, Newport. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 24th of October.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Trinity Church’s annual pumpkin patch fundraiser has been a Newport tradition for 16 years and is open today through Oct.31—operating weekdays at noon and weekends at 10 a.m.—to raise funds for the church and local nonprofits with pumpkins provided by a program partnering with the Navajo Nation. The Newport Daily News
- ➤ At Innovate Newport on October 10, residents warned that heavy tourism had hurt daily life and strained housing while criticizing the strong focus on the hospitality industry — feedback that Discover Newport will use to shape its two-year strategic plan. The session lasted about two hours and reflected growing concerns about overtourism affecting local experiences. Newport This Week
- ➤ Aquidneck Island Land Trust has launched its annual art and writing contest for local students with submissions due Dec. 5, and Middletown is inviting residents to send holiday card art by Nov. 21. Jamestown Arts Center will screen David Lynch short films on Oct. 29 — and Newport Mental Health’s Rock the Beach Gala on Sept. 25 raised nearly $220,000 to support vital behavioral health programs. The Newport Daily News
- ➤ On Saturday, Oct 25, Sakonnet Vineyard will host its fifth annual trunk-or-treat event at 162 West Main Road in partnership with the Little Compton Fire & Police departments during its Hallowine Day celebration, running from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Families can enjoy trunk-or-treat from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., a hay maze, pumpkin bowling, alpaca visits from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and live music from 1 to 4 p.m. What's Up Newp
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Heritage Restaurant Group announced Thursday it will acquire Scales & Shells, a downtown Newport seafood restaurant that has been a local fixture for nearly 40 years at 527/537 Thames St.—the deal is set to close within 90 days pending due diligence. The restaurant will operate until the end of 2025 and then close in January for renovations before reopening with an elevated seafood concept. What's Up Newp
- ➤ Middletown-based MIKEL Inc.—led by Kelly Mendell—was given a $71 million contract by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Newport to work on engineering tasks for Navy submarine, ship and aircraft systems. The company will design and build key parts that support the Navy’s combat and support assets. Newport This Week
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Newport Art Museum will host a free Dia de los Muertos event on November 1 at noon with storytelling and a youth art exhibition—Middletown Public Library will offer a craft workshop at 1 p.m. where participants create traditional ofrendas to honor loved ones who have died. Newport This Week
- ➤ Newport held a welcoming reception on Thursday at the Edward King House for a delegation from Shimoda, Japan while ninth-grade students toured the new Rogers High. The weeklong exchange continues with a Japan America Friendship Festival at Touro Park on Saturday—followed by a karaoke night and a graveside ceremony on Sunday to honor Cmdr. Matthew Perry. What's Up Newp
- ➤ Chef Kevin O'Donnell of Giusto Restaurant and Mother Pizza will lead a culinary tour of Sicily from Sept 12 to Sept 19, 2026 that will visit Ortigia, Agrigento and Palermo—offering cooking demos, market tours and tastings to explore Sicilian food, wine, history and culture. What's Up Newp
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The cosmetology career program at Rogers High School Newport Area Career and Technology Center opened its Student Salon Clinic to customers on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning at 10:30 a.m. The clinic offers hair care, complimentary scalp and skin consultations, red light therapy, and high-frequency skin treatments provided by 60 students under close instructor supervision—displaying a new painting by artist Chris Wyllie. Newport This Week
- ➤ Mike Cullen writes a letter urging Newport leaders to support cybersecurity education after Rhode Island College launched a cyber simulation lab and CCRI hosted National Cyber League challenges in Newport—he calls on officials to expand local cyber programs and partner with colleges for a cybersecurity event on October 29 at 6 p.m. What's Up Newp
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ A panel of coastal scientists and business leaders met recently at an event sponsored by the Greater Newport County Chamber of Commerce to discuss how rising sea levels have complicated plans to protect local ports and infrastructure. They warned that communities must use detailed local data to plan long-term measures that could safeguard jobs and reduce future damage. Newport This Week
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Officials announced that the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank closed a $100,000 loan with full forgiveness for Prudence Park Water Association to install new pressure tanks and a flow meter on Prudence Island's west side. The grant helped the small nonprofit water system meet state standards + provide safe drinking water to 15 connections and about 100 seasonal residents. What's Up Newp
- ➤ Middletown Town Council has agreed to meet with Newport City Council to talk about regionalizing school districts after Newport formed an Academic Integration Committee. Despite concerns from the Middletown School Committee over costs and construction, councilors believe that a joint discussion—aimed at long-term change—is needed and a meeting date will be set soon. The Newport Daily News
-
Dueling Pianos Late Show at Top Of Pelham
7:30-9:30 p.m. — Dueling Pianos Bar at Top Of Pelham — 21+ event — Experience a lively night with audience-requested music and stunning views of Newport Harbor.
-
Halloween Party and Trick-or-Treat
3-7 p.m. — George Hail Library — Family-friendly fun — Enjoy crafts, games, and spooktacular trick-or-treating in costume for little ghosts and goblins.
-
Dueling Pianos at the Top of Pelham
8 p.m. – 1 a.m. — One Pelham East Bar & Grill — Ticket reservations recommended — Experience a lively dueling pianos show with audience interaction in a scenic Newport venue.
-
Bearly Dead: Grateful Dead Tribute
8:00 – 9:30 PM — The Greenwich Odeum — Ticket prices vary — Experience a vibrant Grateful Dead tribute band that brings exciting energy to the stage.
-
Cars & Coffee — Trunk or Treat
11 AM – 12 PM — Fort Adams Trust — Entry fee, canned goods donation — Enjoy a festive morning with cars, coffee, and community spirit.
-
Willie J Laws with the Ocean Mistics
5-9 p.m. — Ocean Mist — Ticketed event — Experience a night of modern funky Blues with Willie J Laws and the Ocean Mistics.
-
Uncorking the Possibilities: Food, Wine & Beer Tasting
5:30-8:30 p.m. — Newport Vineyards & Restaurant — Ticketed event — Savor exquisite wines and beers accompanied by live jazz from the Lois Vaughan Jazz Trio.
-
Pivot Point Exhibit Opening Night
5-7 p.m. — CUSP Gallery & Lifestyle — Free entry — Celebrate the inaugural fine art exhibition showcasing the talent of Newport artists and enjoy a vibrant community atmosphere.
-
Dueling Pianos Show at the Top of Pelham
8 PM – 1 AM — One Pelham East Bar & Grill — Tickets recommended — Enjoy a lively night of audience-requested songs at the unique Dueling Pianos performance with a stunning harbor view.
-
Carols of Birds, Bells, and Peace from Ukraine
6-7 p.m. — Redwood Library and Athenaeum — Free entry — Explore Ukraine’s rich tradition of carols and their historical significance with Professor Marika Kuzma.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Life is a game of leverage. The more leverage you create, the more luck you have.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
Reveal the authorAbout New in Newport
Welcome to the New in Newport, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Newport, Rhode Island community. If you like the New in Newport, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Newport.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Newport and across Rhode Island. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to New in Newport
A free Newport community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://newinnewport.com/sitemap