Newport Good Trouble

06/02/2026

This petition is circulating requesting a more thorough review of the Bellevue Gardens Hotel Project:

https://www.change.org/p/bellevue-gardens-hotel-project-pending-full-public-review

04/21/2026

As an Independent, Ken is focusing on the structural "broken processes" that keep us stuck in a cycle of waste. It’s time for a data-driven approach that prioritizes results over politics.

https://blockforgovernor.com/

04/02/2026

Thoughts on Ken Block’s run for Governor?

An Independent voice is exactly what Rhode Island needs to break out of this unending cycle of mediocrity.

Rhode Island's political landscape is getting a reset.

01/23/2026

Democracy is a participatory sport. Please step off the sidelines and join the conversation.

Tomorrow/Saturday, 24 January, 9am, City of Newport RI Council Chambers.

📣📣📣 It's that time of year: City Councilors will be hosting their annual meeting with the City's State Legislative Delegation on Saturday, Jan. 24that 9 a.m.

The meeting is intended to allow Councilors the opportunity to share their thoughts on the needs that could be addressed by State legislation in the upcoming General Assembly session, and to hear from Newport's delegation on their priorities for the new year.

As always, the meeting is open to the public and all are welcome to attend. If you'd prefer to wake up and enjoy a cup of coffee at home, you can also stream the proceedings live or on-demand via the City's website at www.CityofNewport.com/TV.

01/22/2026

Nothing troubling about last night’s middle school concert!
Special musical events are exactly what our community needs!

🎶🩷❄️🎶🩷❄️ 🎶🩷❄️🎶🩷

Standing room only at Wednesday evening’s Thompson Middle School Winter Concert.

Congratulations to all the talented student musicians and choristers!

Special thanks to the music department faculty and the entire TMS staff for all their efforts to organize such a heartwarming event!

Click here to enjoy some of the performances:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/e8swpAienYnmANB5A

🎶🩷❄️🎶🩷❄️ 🎶🩷❄️🎶🩷

Shared album · Tap to view!

01/11/2026

📣📣📣📣📣📣📣📣📣📣📣
Please take part!
📣📣📣📣📣📣📣📣📣📣📣
Joint City Council Workshop with the Middletown Town Council - School Regionalization
When: Monday, January 12, 2026 5:30 PM
Where: Wyndham Hotel
240 Aquidneck Ave
Middletown RI

Sometimes pictures are better than words. The benefits outweigh the risks.

Let’s move past the fear…and finally do what is in the best interests of our combined future. Academically, socially, fiscally, athletically…sharing services makes sense. Two small districts, both facing declining enrollment and skyrocketing costs, can no longer offer students the robust educational experiences they deserve.

Nowhere in the 2022 enabling unification legislation is the phrase “administrative regionalization” written. This term was designed to obfuscate and to attempt to divide people. The ballot advocacy group was successful in defeating (by a small margin) Newport’s Q5 in 2022. They were ill-informed, the disinformation they spread wad invented out of their own conviction that Middletown wanted $$$, but not our students. A well-crafted disingenuous propaganda campaign managed to confuse enough voters. They won that battle. Who really lost? The students!

Look past the naysayers, do some research, study what mistakes were made in the most recent school regionalization process in Bristol/Warren, much of it fueled by turf wars and fear of losing control. Let’s learn how to do better and move on.

The students deserve adults willing to do what is in their best interest so they are well prepared to prosper in our evermore challenging world.

12/20/2025

Proud of my Newport School Committee colleagues for taking this bold step to bridge the gap between the classroom and the workforce.

By prioritizing career exploration and employer partnerships, we are building a direct pipeline to opportunity for our students and families.

This is a win for our schools and a major investment in the future of the Newport area community.

Thank you Newport This Week for spotlighting this important initiative.

12/07/2025

This path forward deserves to be explored…if not now, when? Our students deserve adults with the ability to look ahead and make informed decisions for the benefit of their futures!

The date of any special election is still to be determined, but it’s encouraging to see both councils taking this next step together.

Regionalizing two small — and rapidly declining — school districts isn’t just a budget exercise; it’s an opportunity to expand academic offerings, and give students access to programs neither community can sustain alone.

Monday’s joint meeting (agenda in comments) is another sign that we’re moving toward a stronger, more comprehensive public education system for all students, families, and the community in general.

Our goal must be to provide the most comprehensive education system possible for our future generations and the stability of our economy.
(The logo is AI generated just to give us all the a visual glimpse at what’s possible.)

12/06/2025

Take a few minutes to watch this segment. What consequences should be imposed on the Rogers football program?

What are your thoughts on this Ocean State Media Lively conversation regarding the recent violent incidents at RHS?

Recent hazing incidents in Smithfield and Newport have sparked a statewide conversation: How should Rhode Island schools respond — and is it time for a zero-...

11/30/2025

Bill Bartholomew and The Boston Globe’s columnist, Dan McGowan’s thoughts on our recent troubling school violence incidents are well stated and well informed perspectives.

They are especially meaningful as both men have firsthand
experience as youth sports coaches and referees. They understand what healthy team culture looks like, what safety and accountability require, and how quickly things can go wrong when standards slip. Their voices are an important reminder that restoring trust in our athletics programs will take more than statements. It will take decisive action.

I’m hopeful that Steven O’Donnell’s investigation will unearth the deep climate/culture issues that plague our community, and appropriate responses will follow.

See links below…