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Professor Bernardo Motta sits with his students, engaging in one-on-one conversations about environmental issues.

The call of the wild in the East Bay — calls for environmental advocacy

“Waaah” is a sound not sought by most, but there are some who seek it nightly. They head outside, after sunset, specifically listening for a low pitched “Waaah” sound. It is … more

By Michelle Mercure | 4/17/25

Alaina Zhang, a senior at Portsmouth Abbey School, is researching how sugar kelp farms can serve as a sustainable solution to environmental issues.

In Portsmouth: Kelp for the environment

PORTSMOUTH — Alaina Zhang apologized profusely for being late to our interview last week. The Portsmouth Abbey School senior had been chatting online with U.S. Rep. Gabe Amo, and just before … more

By Jim McGaw | 4/16/25

Former NUWC employee charged with making threats

PROVIDENCE — A former employee of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Middletown appeared in U.S. District Court in Providence on Tuesday, April 15, charged with transmitting a threat in … more

4/16/25

‘Stop the Bleed’ training in Portsmouth next week

The R.I. Medical Reserve Corps (RIMRC) will be offering “Stop the Bleed” training to the public from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23, at the CFP Arts, Wellness, and Community Center, 933 … more

4/15/25

Letter: On the paper's letters policy, and national politics

This paper’s decision, based on some opaque policy, to print letters to the editor on local issues only is their rightful business. This decision may rest on the belief that national … more

4/15/25

Letter: Remember the ladies

To the editor: I am writing regarding the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act which just passed the US House and is headed for the US Senate. I urge you to contact all senators to demand … more

4/15/25

This portrait of Julia Ward Howe was begun by John Elliott in 1910 and completed by William Henry Cotton in 1925. It hangs in the Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.

Julia Ward Howe — author of America’s proud ‘Battle Hymm’

On April 12, 1861, South Carolinians opened fire on Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor to begin America’s bloody Civil War and put our Union in peril. Several months later, a Rhode Island woman … more

By Patrick T. Conley | 4/15/25

Kiana Wright, 30, (In yellow) visits the aquarium frequently, listening to music while enjoying the tranquility of the sea creatures.

Sandy shores open doors at Save The Bay’s Hamilton Family Aquarium

Sand is a curious substance — soft yet gritty, smooth underfoot but rough to the touch. It’s fun to play with at the beach, yet impossible to fully shake off afterward. Now imagine a sand … more

By Michelle Mercure | 4/15/25

Portsmouth Police deal with DUI, warrant, suspended licenses

PORTSMOUTH — Here are some recent arrests made by the Portsmouth Police Department: Monday, April 7 Trinity M. Abeyllez, 20, of 196 Green Lane, Apt. 1, Middletown, was charged with … more

4/14/25

Since 2018, the Prudence Island Water District’s 328 customers have been under a boil water advisory due to the presence of total coliform in the water system.

$3.8M loan will lead to safe drinking water again on Prudence Island

PRUDENCE ISLAND — It will take a while, but Prudence Island residents can at least look forward to the return of safe drinking water. more

4/14/25

Reaction to global trade war is mostly breaking along partisan lines

1. STORY OF THE WEEK: Decades after supporters lauded the North American Free Trade Agreement as a way to add American jobs, there’s plenty of criticism of NAFTA from both the left and the … more

4/14/25

In Portsmouth High School’s production of the musical “Sister Act,” staged at Tiverton High School from April 3-5, the nuns react to Deloris (Aaliyah Turner) soon after disguising herself in their convent.

Portsmouth High takes ‘Sister Act’ on the road

PORTSMOUTH/TIVERTON — A leaky roof didn’t dampen the spirits of Portsmouth High School thespians. When a leaky roof put the Kate Grana Auditorium at PHS temporarily out of … more

4/11/25

League will start monitoring council, school board meetings

NEWPORT COUNTY — The League of Women Voters Newport County (LWVNC) is launching an initiative to attend and monitor public meetings of the city and town councils and school committees … more

4/11/25

Letter: Federal actions will impact us locally in many ways

I am writing again to express my concern about the damage that DOGE is doing to Social Security. They are now changing policies on what actions can be handled online, which will force thousands of … more

4/11/25

Booking photo of Michael Collins, 56, of Harrisville.

Man charged with soliciting a minor in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — A 56-year-old out-of-town man was arrested Monday, April 7, on a charge of indecent solicitation of a minor. At about 6:33 a.m. on Monday, Michael Collins, of … more

4/10/25

State Sen. Linda Ujifusa makes a point, flanked by fellow Democrats Rep. Jason Knight (left) and Rep. Susan Donovan (right), during an East Bay Chamber of Commerce “Legislators Breakfast” last Friday morning.

A shortage of houses, doctors and federal funding

The entire contingent of Bristol County legislators gathered for coffee and current affairs during a forum hosted by the East Bay Chamber of Commerce last Friday morning, April 4. They talked about … more

By Scott Pickering | 4/10/25

Lette: Citizens for Peace continues to speak out for peace and justice

Twenty-two years ago, on March 2, 2003, East Bay Citizens for Peace was born out of a sense of great urgency to stop the U.S. government from invading Iraq, and to defend our civil liberties … more

4/9/25

Home Improvement | Spring 2025

Home Improvement | Spring 2025 more

4/9/25

Letter: Many agencies make access to public records difficult

I have been a licensed private investigator in the state of Rhode Island since moving here in 1996. In my professional career, I have constantly been induced into battle with the majority … more

4/9/25

Rep. Terri Cortvriend, Sen. Linda L. Ujifusa, and Rep. Michelle McGaw, all from Portsmouth.

Here’s what Portsmouth legislators have been up to

PORTSMOUTH — If you’ve been wondering what your local legislators have been busy with in the General Assembly lately, here’s a guide. more

4/9/25

Letter: Portsmouth should have used competitive hiring process

To the editor: I’d like to respond to recent letters regarding the vacancy at the Department of Public Works and the broader discussion surrounding the hiring process. A competitive … more

4/9/25

Letter: Thanks for supporting Portsmouth rally on April 5

To the editor: On behalf of all the people who rallied in Portsmouth on April to support our democracy I would like to thank the towns of Portsmouth, Middletown and Newport for the unprecedented … more

4/8/25

“Hands Off” protesters gather at the intersection of East Main Road and Turnpike Avenue to show their displeasure with the administration of President Donald Trump.

‘Hands Off’ Portsmouth!

Colleen Pilat stood at the corner of East Main Road and Turnpike Avenue Saturday with a sign carrying a photo of her father, who died when she was 18. more

By Jim McGaw | 4/8/25

DEM sets April 12 as opening of the 2025 trout season

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has stocked more than 100 freshwater locations, including children’s-only ponds, with 60,000 fish — brook, brown, rainbow, and … more

4/8/25

For Democrats, it's not too early to start thinking about midterm elections

1. STORY OF THE WEEK: The mid-term elections of 2026 are almost 20 months away -- and that’s an eternity in politics. But after months of soul-searching after the Democrats’ devastating … more

By Ian Donnis | 4/7/25