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Offshore wind: Think twice before short-circuiting environmental protection laws
A majority of citizens agree with the goal to fight climate change and the urgency to act now. However, the country does not share a unified vision of how we should wage this battle. President … more
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The Acoaxet Chapel in Westport celebrates 150 years this July.
Acoaxet Chapel at 150: Construction was a true community effort
The notes below are taken from the historical record and continue from a previous article detailing the history of the Acoaxet Chapel in Westport, MA. They are being presented as the Acoaxet Free … more
Talking unions, organized labor and leadership in America
STORY OF THE WEEK: Organized labor has made a lot of headlines of late, what with strikes by writers in Hollywood and auto workers in Michigan. The common thread is how technology is extending the … more
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A troubling look behind the scenes in the seafood business
STORY OF THE WEEK: New Bedford’s half-billion-dollar commercial fishing catch is one of the economic bright spots in southern New England. But the underside of the seafood business includes … more
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Commentary: On Mother’s Day, don’t forget moms who struggle
Mother’s Day is the day when we celebrate our moms and the other women in our lives who have given us love, guidance, inspiration, and support.What we don’t often do on Mother’s … more
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Investigative team starts digging for Washington Bridge answers
STORY OF THE WEEK: “We’re leaving no stone unturned as far as accountability,” Gov. Dan McKee said last Friday, as he unveiled Max Wistow and Jonathan Savage as the lawyers who will … more
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Nurse Linda Pierce.
Westport Health Notes — Flu Shots to “Mom Talks”: The Role of our Public Health Nurse
Welcome to Westport Health Notes, a monthly column from the Westport Board of Health (BOH). The goal is to share information with our community about local issues and projects, public health alerts, … more
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Commentary: I miss my dad each Father’s Day and salute him for days and weeks beyond
He was born in London, the Edwardian early 20th century, when Britain still ruled the world's waves. But shortly after the death of his younger brother, their mother died and he was sent to New York … more
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Westport Health Notes: May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Welcome to Westport Health Notes, a monthly column from the Westport Board of Health (BOH). The goal is to share information with our community about local issues and projects, public health alerts, … more
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The Acoaxet Chapel was built in 1872, on a $35 lot of land near Westport Point.
Acoaxet chapel at 150 years: Faithful paid $35 for the land
Editor's note: This is a second in a series of articles commemorating this year's 150th anniversary of the Acoaxet Chapel Association. By Neil Timpson From 1840 on, neighbors in Acoaxet, … more
'At least I'm not boring' – A 2026 campaign preview?
STORY OF THE WEEK: “At least I’m not boring” – as Attorney General Peter Neronha quipped this week on X, formerly known as Twitter – could be the theme of a 2026 run for … more
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Commentary: Underage drinking during COVID-19
EAST BAY — Today we face a national crisis in the form of a deadly pandemic. However, we at the East Bay Regional Coalition remind all there is a hidden link between COVID-19 and other national … more
Commentary: Westport's helpful hardware girls
“I think I’m going to need one of the guys to help me with this.” “Wow, I’ve never seen a girl fill propane before.” It’s 2023, so one would be safe to … more
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Schneider's anti-Trump stance shows she's a rare breed in U.S. politics
STORY OF THE WEEK: Claudin Schneider is a rare breed in American politics: a Republican and former Rhode Island congresswoman who is doing everything in her power to stop Donald Trump from returning … more
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Severe weather creates an array of problems for municipal leaders
STORY OF THE WEEK: If you were driving around North Providence, parts of Providence or other local communities during torrential downpours early last week, you may have felt like an extra in … more
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Commentary: No measurable influence on climate change
Officially, offshore wind developers anticipate their projects will “have no measurable influence on climate change.” Knowing this, they offer a different rationale. In the “purpose … more
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Commentary: Let’s listen and speak to each other instead of being against our neighbors
The Harvest Moon holds appeal for people from a global range of cultures. We celebrate here at Thanksgiving and like to think we are thanking the indigenous tribes for helping us to prepare the local … more
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Commentary: Put your cell phone away for a minute...enjoy the beauty of nature in the fall
Look up from your cell phone. Please. The sky is on fire. Don’t miss it. Foliage is transitioning to flame and to tangerine and to ochre. These colors, hidden in summer, are becoming visible as … more
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Westport Health Notes: Tax relief for homeowners who upgrade septics
Welcome to Westport Health Notes, a monthly column from the Westport Board of Health (BOH). The goal is to share information with our community about local issues and projects, public health alerts, … more
Westport Community Schools Superintendent Thomas Aubin addresses the crowd at Saturday's commencement exercises.
From the superintendent: Graduates made me proud
As I relaxed on my La-Z-Boy Saturday evening following our 2023 Westport High School's Commencement exercises , I could not help but feel optimistic about the future of our Westport Community … more
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Poli-ticks: Gosh, I miss the America I grew up with
Normally, this is the column where I have the audacity to suggest New Year resolutions for resident politicians. Instead I have a more urgent resolution for all of us: I want us Americans to go back … more
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Commentary: Why Westport needs Route 6 project
Westport citizens will have the opportunity to vote for clean water at that ballot box on Tuesday, April 9. There will be a ballot question to allow for a debt exclusion of approximately … more
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Sen. Reed on world conflicts, national politics and the growth of Gina
STORY OF THE WEEK: In 1997, when Jack Reed first joined the U.S. Senate, the Cold War had ended and 9/11 had not yet happened. A quarter-century later, the world is a very different place, with a … more
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Commentary: Questioning the Wisdom of Offshore Wind
On April 20, 2010, the oil rig, Deepwater Horizon, exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, releasing millions of barrels of oil into pristine ocean waters. Desperate to contain the spill, the U.S. government … more
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This country has no plan for renewable energy (or anything else)
Governor Dan McKee signed into law legislation to increase renewable energy production and supply by requiring that 100 percent of Rhode Island’s electricity be offset by renewable production … more
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Jim McGaw

A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.

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