Newport This Week

1 day ago | newportthisweek.com | Philip Cozzolino

The Newport Planning Board unanimously approved a large- scale renovation of the Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England’s Camp Rocky Farm on June 16, but with many conditions. The planned renovations include construction of a new alumni building, two covered pavilions and 10 parking spaces. The project will also reconfigure the existing 3,800-square-foot lodge’s interior and relocate the camp’s archery range to the north side of the property.

1 day ago | newportthisweek.com | Philip Cozzolino

The Rhode Island General Assembly approved legislation on June 20 that would prohibit the manufacture, purchase, sale or transfer of military-style or assault weapons. The legislation now goes to Gov. Dan McKee, who is expected to sign it into law. The bill was sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Louis DiPalma (Dist. 12 Middletown, Little Compton, Newport and Tiverton). DiPalma said the law’s passage is the result of many years of advocacy, work and collaboration.

1 week ago | newportthisweek.com | Philip Cozzolino

The use of artificial intelligence by the city of Newport will continue as the city council unanimously approved a $33,600, one-year contract renewal for the service on June 11. Started in January, the service from provider Polimorphic assists the public with virtual chat capabilities, fielding phone calls and answering inquiries. It collects data and provides the city a window into constituent needs.

1 week ago | newportthisweek.com | Philip Cozzolino

The Newport City Council is considering eliminating eight new positions included in the city administration’s proposed $122 million Fiscal Year 2026 budget. The council tentatively voted to do so at a June 11 meeting, though the budget process remains fluid. Changes can still be made before a July 1 deadline, and some councilors are confident at least some of the positions could come back, including a proposed deputy police chief.

1 week ago | newportthisweek.com | Philip Cozzolino

Salve Regina University business and economics professor Sam Sacco held management roles in private and public finance for three decades, but Newporters may know him for something else. Since 2018, Sacco and his students have studied the economic impact of places of interest, authoring a 2019 study of the Cliff Walk’s contribution to Newport and the state.