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The Rhode Island DEM announced Friday that the H5N The Rhode Island DEM announced Friday that the H5N1 avian influenza strain has been detected in a small domestic bird flock in southern Washington County. About 40 birds were euthanized to prevent the virus’s spread. This marks the state’s latest encounter with H5N1, following a backyard flock case in 2022. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers the public health risk low, with no human-to-human transmission reported in the U.S. Rhode Island sits along the Atlantic Flyway, a key migratory bird route, increasing the likelihood of H5N1 exposure. The virus, initially affecting wild birds and poultry, has spread to some mammals, including foxes and seals. In 2023, Rhode Island confirmed one mammalian case in a fox kit. State Veterinarian Scott Marshall, DVM, stressed the importance of biosecurity. “Restricting access to your birds and keeping them separate from wild birds is critical,” he said. Rhode Island health officials assure the public the food supply remains safe, with rigorous surveillance programs in place. “Pasteurization inactivates the virus in milk, and infected poultry products are kept out of the food chain,” said Dr. Jerry Larkin, RIDOH Director. The positive case was confirmed by the University of Connecticut lab, part of the National Veterinary Services Lab network. Since 2022, H5N1 has been detected in every U.S. state but has not reached Rhode Island’s commercial poultry. DEM urges bird owners to adopt biosecurity practices, including disinfecting equipment and reporting sick or dead birds. Reports can be made to DEM’s Division of Agriculture or Fish & Wildlife. File photo via CDC #birdflu #avianflu #rhodeisland #newportbuzz #h5n1
Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport (PV Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport (PVD) has cemented its position as New England’s fastest-growing hub and a top-performing airport nationwide. With record-breaking passenger growth, December 2024 marked the airport’s best month since 1997, capping off a year in which it surpassed 4 million passengers. This milestone represents a 27.3% increase from the previous year and even exceeds pre-pandemic levels achieved in 2019. Based on Federal Aviation Administration data, PVD not only leads New England in growth but also provides the most per capita destinations to Rhode Islanders, with an impressive 34.7 routes per million population. Iftikhar Ahmad, President and CEO of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC), attributed this success to collaborative efforts, highlighting the importance of partnerships in transforming the airport into a major asset for the state. Governor Dan McKee echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the airport’s role as an economic engine for Rhode Island, contributing to local business, tourism, and the broader economy. Recent investments in infrastructure, marketing, and passenger amenities have bolstered PVD’s appeal. Airlines have responded to rising demand with expanded routes and increased seat availability. Notable developments include Breeze Airways’ rapid growth at PVD, with plans to operate 35 nonstop destinations, including international routes in the future. Southwest Airlines and JetBlue have also contributed, introducing new nonstop flights to key destinations like San Juan and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. The airport’s growing reputation as a convenient and affordable alternative to Boston’s Logan International Airport (BOS) is attracting both regional travelers and airlines. Rhode Island benefits significantly from civil aviation, with $2.7 billion in economic activity and over 19,000 jobs tied to the sector, according to the FAA. #pvd #tfgreen #rhodeisland #newportbuzz
Newport’s City Manager Colin Kennedy has quietly Newport’s City Manager Colin Kennedy has quietly greenlit the renewal of the concessions contract at Easton’s Beach for the 2025 season, bypassing consultation with the Newport City Council. The renewed contract ensures Audrain Hospitality stays in place for another year under terms that include a $72,000 annual lease payment and 10% of gross sales exceeding $750,000—a threshold they missed by nearly 75% in 2024. According to city data, Audrain reported $207,774.89 in total sales, plus an additional $8,103.70 from a subcontractor, Longade, LLC. Despite the City’s assertion that there was no controversy surrounding the contract, residents will surely remember otherwise. The uproar over demolishing the snack bar and carousel building has yet to settle, with many questioning the city’s decision-making process. According to city officials, the contract was extended using “long-standing routine administrative procedures.” They cited a lack of “material changes” or “indications of controversy” as justification for bypassing council review. Yet, critics argue that missing the $750,000 sales target amid record parking receipts in 2024 should have been enough to trigger council discussion. Others point to the public outrage over the original contract award as a glaring sign of controversy. This decision comes on the heels of City Manager Kennedy going rogue and installing a stop sign on Third Street and a speed camera on Ruggles Avenue without consulting the council. Those actions drew sharp rebukes from the council, with Mayor Charlie Holder saying, “This was a solution looking for a problem,” and Third Ward Councilor David Carlin adding, “This is just another example of the city manager acting unilaterally without consulting the people elected to represent this city. Decisions like these should be made with input from the council and the community, not by one person playing traffic cop.” This pattern of Kennedy’s unilateral decision-making and questionable leadership is fueling a growing rift between city administration, the City Council, and the citizens of Newport. (link in bio) #eastonsbeach #newportri #audrain #newportbuzz
The Newport Historic District Commission slammed t The Newport Historic District Commission slammed the brakes on plans for a new 91-room, 150,000-square-foot hotel at the Bellevue Gardens shopping plaza in a narrow 4-3 vote on January 14. The decision leaves the upscale development at an impasse. The Procaccianti Group, the developers behind the ambitious project at 181 Bellevue Avenue, envisioned the independent hotel as a cornerstone of Newport’s hospitality scene. The property promised a new chapter for the iconic avenue, aiming to complement its historic charm while drawing visitors to its state-of-the-art facilities. But the HDC’s ruling underscores the delicate balance between modern development and preserving Newport’s historic character. The commission raised concerns about the siting of the building, which would have occupied a corner of William Street and Bellevue Avenue. The proposal first came before the HDC on October 15, but progress was slow, with commissioners repeatedly requesting revisions to address issues related to scale, massing, design details, and siting. By the January 14 meeting, most of the project’s design elements had gained approval, but the building’s placement on the lot remained a sticking point. In a common procedural move, the HDC split the application, approving all elements except the siting in a 6-1 vote. The siting itself was denied 4-3, with opponents citing the city’s historic preservation standards. Under Newport’s guidelines, new construction must harmonize with the neighborhood’s size, scale, and overall aesthetic. With the siting denied, the hotel cannot move forward without a reversal of the HDC decision, either through an appeal to the Zoning Board of Review or the Rhode Island Superior Court Land Use Calendar. Until then, the hotel remains grounded, unable to move forward without the commission’s nod—or a legal reversal. #newportri #bellevuehotel #scenesofnewengland #newportbuzz
Happy Friday, January 24th! Here’s What’s Happ Happy Friday, January 24th! Here’s What’s Happening in Newport today. @newport.mansions @deborahwinthroplingerie @bottegabocconi @newportlobstershack @ticketsnewport @viestesimplyitalian @newportblues @newport_nightlife @gimmesnax @thequenchernewport @atticusallen #newportbuzz #newportri #rhodeisland #scenesofnewengland #newengland
Despite easing oil costs and lackluster domestic g Despite easing oil costs and lackluster domestic gasoline demand, pump prices eked out a three-cent gain since last week to $3.13. Meanwhile, today’s national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station remained at 34 cents. “The culprit for the pop in prices is likely old man Winter,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “It’s a little harder to distribute gasoline in bad weather, and refineries don’t operate well in freezing temperatures either.” According to new data from the Energy Information Administration, gasoline demand fell from 8.32 million b/d last week to an anemic 8.08. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks rose from 243.6 million barrels to 245.9, while gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.2 million barrels per day. Today’s national average for a gallon of gas is $3.13, nine cents more than a month ago and five cents more than a year ago. Oil Market Dynamics At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI fell 39 cents to settle at $75.44 a barrel. The EIA reports that crude oil inventories decreased by 1.0 million barrels from the previous week. At 411.7 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 6% below the five-year average for this time of year. Gas The nation’s top 10 most expensive gasoline markets are Hawaii ($4.54), California ($4.44), Washington ($3.93), Nevada ($3.66), Oregon ($3.54), Pennslyvania ($3.38), Maryland ($3.35), Alaska ($3.32), Illinois ($3.29), and Washington, DC ($3.28)8 The nation’s top 10 least expensive gasoline markets are Mississippi ($2.68), Oklahoma ($2.71), Texas ($2.74), Louisiana ($2.76), Arkansas ($2.77), Tennessee ($2.78), Kentucky ($2.78), Alabama ($2.81), Kansas ($2.81), and Missouri ($2.83). #gas #travel #oil #newportbuzz
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