New
in Newport
Friday, December 12th, 2025
Good morning, Newport. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 12th of December.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Impact100 Newport County is accepting applications for two nonprofit awards of $104,000 each — applications began Dec. 1 and must be in by Jan. 16 via the Impact100 Newport County website. Newport This Week
- ➤ Local nonprofit You Are Not Alone (YANA) held an expungement clinic on Dec. 4 at its Middletown facility on Aquidneck Avenue where public defenders Bruce McIntyre and Chelsea Kelly advised 13 former offenders seeking to clear old misdemeanors. The nonprofit plans another clinic in a few months to offer continued legal support. Newport This Week
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Rhode Island grocery stores will remain closed on Christmas Day because state law requires stores with over six workers on shift to close. Shoppers should call ahead as some small convenience stores may open with limited hours. The Newport Daily News
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ St. Columba’s Chapel will host organist Diana Mukusheva’s inaugural concert on Sunday, Jan. 11 at 3 p.m. at its historic 55 Vaucluse Ave location, featuring works by J.S. Bach, Felix Mendelssohn and Louis Vierne; a reception follows, and admission is $20 (or $10 for students and children). What's Up Newp
- ➤ Newport Rotary is offering grants to nonprofits for youth arts projects through a new partnership with Secret Garden Tours in The Point. Scholarships are available for residents upon request. Newport This Week
- ➤ At Overlap Gallery on Van Zandt Avenue, an exhibition featuring Veronica Mays' Rescue The Pershing Mami Wata supports plans for a Center for Black History at the historic Wanton-Lyman Hazard House. The center will open on Juneteenth — planning continues with local and academic partners. Newport This Week
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ After a Dec.-8 workshop, Middletown officials urged caution over a plan to merge the two school systems after twenty years of debate. Both councils approved forming an Academic Advisory Committee with a Feb.-1 deadline and plan to put the issue on a Nov.-3 ballot vote pending state approval. Newport This Week
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ A wind advisory covers Newport County through Friday morning—state emergency warming centers, including the center at 1 Eisenhower St, offer shelter from gusts of up to 50 mph. Motorists should drive with caution as winds may bring down unsecured objects. What's Up Newp
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Newport Mental Health begins five-year study today to test exposure therapy for childhood anxiety and OCD in partnership with Brown University Health. Families with children ages 5 to 18 can enroll by visiting the access center Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. + treatment is billed through insurance. The Newport Daily News
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ Newport fast food chains will vary in hours on Christmas Eve — Dec. 24 — and Christmas Day — Dec. 25, with places like McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Raising Cane’s open while others such as Taco Bell and Chipotle remain closed on Christmas Day. Locals should check their nearest store for specific holiday hours. The Newport Daily News
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ Diego’s Cantina — a 5,500 sqft Mexican restaurant with Easton Pond views — and Rejects Brewery, a 3,600 sqft space suited for diverse uses, are offered as a package on a 0.57-acre parcel at 116-124 Aquidneck Ave for $4.2 million, providing immediate income and potential for redevelopment. What's Up Newp
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Billy Gilman - Home For The Holidays
8:00-9:30 p.m. — The Greenwich Odeum — Cost info not provided — Celebrate the holiday season with a special performance by Billy Gilman.
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Bonsai Bar at Crafted Hope
1-3 p.m. — Crafted Hope Brewing Company — Workshop fee applies — Discover the art of bonsai as you create tiny trees with friends over drinks.
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Wednesday Trivia Night
6-8 p.m. — Newport Vineyards & Restaurant — Reservations recommended — Bring your friends and a thinking cap for 5 exciting rounds of trivia with prizes.
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Winter Afternoon Tea
11:00 AM – 12:15 PM — Blithewold Manor, Gardens & Arboretum — Cost TBA — Delight in freshly baked scones and a variety of sweet and savory treats with friends.
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Coastal Queen's Meet & Greet with Santa Cruise
11 AM - 12 PM — Coastal Queen Cruises — Cost Info Not Provided — Experience the magic of Christmas with a festive cruise and a special visit from Santa Claus.
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Frank Sinatra Christmas Celebration
1-2:30 p.m. — Courthouse Center for the Arts — Tickets required — Enjoy a festive mix of holiday favorites and classic Sinatra hits performed by renowned musicians.
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National Lampoon Christmas Vacation Party
6:30-8 p.m. — The JPT Film & Event Center — Ticket prices vary — Celebrate the holiday season with a classic film screening and festive fun.
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Wednesday Trivia Night
6-8 p.m. — Newport Vineyards & Restaurant — Reservations recommended — Test your knowledge while enjoying great drinks and tasty bites with friends.
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Alex Cohen Acoustic Performance
7-11 p.m. — Black Oak Kitchen & Drinks — Free entry — Enjoy acoustic renditions suitable for all ages in a festive setting.
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Badfish: A Sublime Tribute
9:00–10:30 PM — Ocean Mist — $20 — Experience the energetic tribute to the legendary band Sublime at a local favorite venue.
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 shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage.
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.
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