The Rhode Island Board of Elections has certified the results of the Sept. 9 primary after completing one recount and two rereads, none of which changed an outcome. Staff conducted a reread of electronic data from election night memory devices in the Republican gubernatorial primary, which showed no change. Aaron Guckian is the winner. A […]
Ryan Belmore
Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020).
He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide.
Ryan is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, Online News Association, and Local Independent Online News Publishers. He is committed to the codes of ethics of these organizations: accuracy, independence, accountability, and transparency.
In Newport, Ryan served on the boards of the Fort Adams Trust and Potter League for Animals, and hosted a daily radio talk show for four years.
In 2021, Ryan moved to Alexandria, Virginia, to support his wife Jen's career. He launched The Alexandria Brief in 2025, applying what he learned in Newport to a new community. With the help of some talented on-the-ground contributors, he still runs What's Up Newp — and always will.
Contact: ryan@whatsupnewp.com.
Posted inInstagram
Three cult classics at the Jane Pickens this month, with live music, beer and a costume contest
The Jane Pickens Theater has three cult film nights left in September, each built around something more than a screening. “The Road Warrior” plays Thursday, Sept. 17, at 8:30 p.m. in a 4K restoration from Warner Bros., part of the theater’s Cult Classic Collection. George Miller’s 1981 film sent Mel Gibson’s Max across the Australian […]
Posted inSports
Sweden’s Ida Svensson wins the first race of the inaugural Women’s International Championship
Ida Svensson of the Royal Swedish Yacht Club won the opening race of the New York Yacht Club’s inaugural Women’s International Championship on Tuesday, taking the finish by less than a boat length. The regatta, which began Saturday and runs through Sept. 19, is sailed out of the club’s Harbour Court on a fleet of […]
Posted inReal Estate
Ocean Drive estate sells for $7.1 million, third-highest Newport sale of the year
A shingle-style estate at 41 Castle Hill Avenue sold for $7.1 million, the third-highest sale recorded in Newport so far this year, according to the Rhode Island Statewide MLS. Kate Leonard of Lila Delman Compass represented the seller. The house, known as Castleberry, sits off Ocean Drive with private beach access through the Castle Hill […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Sitkovetsky Trio plays Rough Point on Sept. 29
The Sitkovetsky Trio will perform at Rough Point on Tuesday, Sept. 29, as part of Puddingstone Music’s salon series. Doors open at 7 p.m. with the concert at 7:30, and small bites and drinks are included. The program, titled “Romanticism and Musical Poetry,” includes Beethoven’s Piano Trio in D major, known as the “Ghost” for […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Four shows added to the Park Theatre calendar, with Billy Gilman’s holiday concert in December
The Historic Park Theatre has added four shows running from December through March, with tickets going on sale Friday, Sept. 18, at 10 a.m. Billy Gilman brings “Home for the Holidays — 25 Years of Christmas” on Friday, Dec. 18, at 7:30 p.m. The Westerly native, who broke through as a country singer at 11 […]
Posted inNews
Your Newport County weather forecast: 7 days on land and sea
Whether you’re heading out on the water, planning a weekend event, or just trying to dress for the day, here’s your full 7-day forecast for Newport County — pulled live from NOAA’s National Weather Service and refreshed automatically. Weather Forecast Marine Forecast
Posted inBusiness
Carpionato CEO departing as company markets Newport Grand site as retail
The Carpionato Group announced Monday that CEO Kelly Coates and outside counsel Angelo Marocco are ending more than 30 years with the company, removing the executive who has been its public voice on the former Newport Grand property. Both retire as trustees in October, with Coates stepping down as CEO and Marocco as outside counsel […]
Posted inNews
Norman Bird Sanctuary taking entries for Harvest Fair home and garden competition
The Norman Bird Sanctuary is accepting entries for the home and garden competition at its 52nd Harvest Fair, held Oct. 3 and 4. The competition is open to anyone — gardeners, cooks, families, businesses, school groups — and entrants can compete in as many categories as they want, so long as they grew or made […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Mansions sets its fall calendar, with the Newport Symposium asking “What Makes It American”
The Preservation Society of Newport County has released its fall program schedule, anchored by the two-day Newport Symposium on Nov. 5 and 6 at Rosecliff and Marble House. This year’s symposium theme is “What Makes It American,” examining the origins of American art, architecture, landscape and design. Robyn Asleson, curator of prints and drawings at […]
Posted inArts & Culture
newportFILM screens “Unbowed” free in Providence on Oct. 6
newportFILM will present a free screening of “Unbowed,” a documentary about Rhode Island refugee advocate Omar Bah, on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at the Hope High School auditorium. Doors open at 6 p.m., the film starts at 6:30 and a conversation follows at 7:20 with directors Mae Gammino and David H. Wells, Bah, and Refugee Dream […]
Posted inNews
Newport International Boat Show opens Thursday with more than 450 boats across seven sites
The 55th Newport International Boat Show opens Thursday, Sept. 17, and runs through Sunday, with more than 450 boats spread across 17 acres and seven connected sites along the harbor, centered at the Newport Yachting Center Marina. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
State advises avoiding all contact with Lower Melville Pond in Portsmouth over algae bloom
State health and environmental officials are advising people to stay out of Lower Melville Pond because of a harmful algae bloom, with all recreation — swimming, fishing, boating and kayaking — considered high risk. The Department of Environmental Management collected water samples that were tested at the Department of Health’s state laboratories. The advisory remains […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Manhattan Short returns to Jamestown Arts Center with 10 films from 10 countries
The Jamestown Arts Center will screen the 29th Manhattan Short Film Festival over two weekends starting Friday, Sept. 25, with audiences voting on the winners alongside moviegoers at more than 500 venues worldwide. Screenings are at 7 p.m. on Sept. 25 and 26 and Oct. 2 and 3 at 18 Valley St. Tickets are $20, […]
Posted inSports
Payton Tolle starts with immaculate inning, Roman Anthony gets key hit as Red Sox beat Royals 4-1
By KEN POWTAK Associated Press BOSTON (AP) — Payton Tolle opened the game with an immaculate inning, Roman Anthony hit a go-ahead single and the Boston Red Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 4-1 on Sunday in a game that’s start was delayed by rain. Tolle is the first Boston pitcher to throw an immaculate inning […]
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Navy holds off Red 8-7 in American Polo Classic; player taken to hospital after fall
The Navy All-Stars beat the Red All-Stars 8-7 on Saturday in the 26th American Polo Classic at BD Field at Glen Farm, holding off a late Red charge in Newport Polo’s annual Pro-Am. The match was interrupted in the fourth chukker when Red’s Oscar Monzon was thrown from his horse during a defensive play at […]
Posted inSports
12 Metre North American Championship returns to Newport Sept. 18-20
The 12 Metre North American Championship runs Sept. 18 to 20 on Narragansett Bay, bringing back the class of yacht that defined America’s Cup competition in Newport for nearly 30 years. Twelve Metres were the Cup boats from 1958 through 1987, including Australia II’s 1983 win that ended the New York Yacht Club’s 132-year defense. […]
Posted inSports
Pro-Am polo returns to Glen Farm this afternoon with a Barbados trip on the line
Newport Polo hosts the American Polo Classic at 4 p.m. Saturday at BD Field at Glen Farm, pairing professional players with amateurs across two teams for six chukkers. Now in its 26th year, the Pro-Am is one of the more unpredictable matches on the calendar, matching international professionals with amateurs on the same sides. Gates […]
Posted inHistory
On This Day In Newport History – Sept. 12, 1953: Jacqueline Bouvier and John F. Kennedy married in Newport
Massachusetts Senator John F. Kennedy, the future 35th President of the United States, and Jacqueline Bouvier were married at St. Mary’s Church in Newport on September 12, 1953. It is estimated that between 750 – 800 guests, including many notable individuals, attended the wedding on Spring Street and an additional 400 – 450 attended the reception at […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport’s Italian heritage celebration runs Sept. 25 through Oct. 16
Forum Lodge #391 of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America will mark its 32nd annual celebration of Newport’s Italian heritage with six events between Sept. 25 and Oct. 16. The run opens Friday, Sept. 25, with the John Panaggio Original Ziti Night at Vasco da Gama Hall, 15 Fenner Ave., from 5 […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport holds third workshop Sept. 17 on shifting stormwater costs to a fee based on paved area
The city’s Department of Utilities will hold a public information session Thursday, Sept. 17, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall on a proposal to change how stormwater services are paid for. Newport currently funds stormwater through the sewer rate. The proposal would create a separate stormwater fee based on how much of a property is […]
Posted inPolice & Fire
Island police made 4,059 traffic stops and 48 DUI arrests over the summer
Police in Newport, Middletown and Portsmouth, working with the Rhode Island State Police, made 4,059 traffic stops on Aquidneck Island between July 4 and Labor Day as part of a coordinated enforcement effort called Operation Safe Summer. Officers made 48 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and charged 81 drivers with […]
Posted inCity & Government
McKee endorses Foulkes and the full Democratic ticket a day after losing the primary
Gov. Dan McKee endorsed Helena Foulkes and the rest of the Democratic ticket Thursday night, a day after Foulkes defeated him in the Democratic primary for governor. “That is why I am endorsing the full Democratic ticket: Helena Foulkes for Governor, Sabina Matos for Lieutenant Governor, Kim Ahern for Attorney General, James Diossa for General […]
Posted inCity & Government
On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Reed calls for declassification of documents on attack financing
Sen. Jack Reed marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks with a statement that paired remembrance with unfinished business, calling on President Donald Trump to declassify records related to who financed the attacks. “While Al Qaeda was driven from Afghanistan and Osama bin Laden was pursued and taken out years after the attack, […]
Posted inPolice & Fire
Middletown crash that killed a toddler followed a terminated Portsmouth police pursuit
The early morning crash that killed a child under 3 on West Main Road came minutes after a Portsmouth police officer terminated an attempted traffic stop of the same vehicle, according to a release from the Portsmouth Police Department. A Portsmouth officer clocked a white sedan traveling south on West Main Road near Mill Lane […]