Gov. Dan McKee has called for a statewide pause on installing or activating new automated license plate reader cameras and ordered a 60-day review aimed at setting uniform standards for the technology and the data it collects. “Automated license plate readers can be an important tool for law enforcement to solve crimes, recover stolen vehicles, […]
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 inArts & Culture
Comedian Juston McKinney coming to the JPT in November
Spectacle Live will present comedian Juston McKinney on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 7:30 p.m. at The JPT Film & Event Center. McKinney has made multiple appearances on “The Tonight Show” under both Jay Leno and Conan O’Brien, and has released two Comedy Central specials and two Amazon Prime specials, including “Parentally Challenged.” He has performed […]
Posted inNews
People’s Credit Union donates $2,500 to Butler Basketball Club
People’s Credit Union has donated $2,500 to the Butler Basketball Club as a presenting sponsor of the club’s 10th annual golf tournament. “Our belief in what the Butler Basketball Club represents goes far beyond the game itself,” said Courtney Hunter, head of community development at People’s Credit Union. “Butler Basketball Club is about building upon […]
Posted inCity & Government
Pell Center survey: Foulkes leads McKee by 20 points; former Newport mayor within two points in LG race
Helena Foulkes leads Gov. Dan McKee 48% to 28% in the Democratic primary for governor, according to a survey released Monday by the Pell Center at Salve Regina University. Twenty-two percent of Democratic primary voters remain undecided — enough to swing the race either way. Foulkes drew her strongest support among voters under 50 (58%), […]
Posted inNews
Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge joint work shifts to eastbound lanes tonight
Joint replacement work on the Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge moves to the eastbound lanes tonight, the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority announced Tuesday. Westbound work is complete. Crews begin on the eastbound side at the North Kingstown end at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18. Work will run overnight, Sunday through Thursday, from 7 p.m. to […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Ghost Hunters’ Amy Bruni brings haunted cookbook to Portsmouth’s Valley Inn
Charter Books and the Newport Ladies Book Club will host paranormal investigator and author Amy Bruni at the Valley Inn Restaurant on Monday, Aug. 24, to celebrate her new cookbook, “Cuisine to Kill For.” The venue is in the book. The Valley Inn, a 17th-century colonial property at 2221 West Main Road, is tied to […]
Posted inSports
Light air and long calms test fleet in 21st Ida Lewis Distance Race
Forty-six boats set spinnakers for a downwind start off Rose Island on Friday morning, opening the 21st Ida Lewis Distance Race with a run past Castle Hill onto Rhode Island Sound and an overnight test of seamanship that not every crew finished. “This year’s challenges included lighter-than-predicted winds and periods of calm that lasted longer […]
Posted inNews
$13.5 million in federal funding headed to Providence Ferry Terminal
The Rhode Island congressional delegation has steered $13.5 million in federal funding to upgrade the Providence Ferry Terminal, the northern end of the seasonal ferry route connecting Newport, Bristol and Providence. The money goes to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation for work at the terminal at 25 Portugal Parkway in Fox Point, which currently […]
Posted inNews
Middletown police identify man killed crossing Coddington Highway
Police have identified the 80-year-old Middletown man who died Sunday night after being struck by a vehicle while crossing Coddington Highway as Ronald Moore. Middletown Police and Fire personnel responded to the intersection of Coddington Highway and Underwood Lane at approximately 8:10 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, for a reported collision involving a pedestrian. First responders […]
Posted inSports
New York Yacht Club takes fifth straight Hinman Masters at Harbour Court
The New York Yacht Club won its fifth consecutive Hinman Masters Team Race over the weekend, taking the best-of-five championship series 3-1 against Eastport Yacht Club of Annapolis, Md., at Harbour Court. The 24th edition ran Aug. 14-16. NYYC Levesque and Eastport were the class of the round robin, with the host team going 16-2 […]
Posted inNews
Today In Newport History: August 17, 1790 – George Washington Arrives In Newport
On the morning of August 17th, 1790 George Washington arrived in Newport. He was accompanied by Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, Governor George Clinton of New York, U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Blair of Virginia, and U.S. Congressman William Loughton Smith of South Carolina. The following recount of this historic visit is from the Touro […]
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 inCity & Government
McKee ceremonially signs bill creating Dominican heritage license plate
Gov. Dan McKee ceremonially signed legislation Friday creating a special charity license plate supporting the Dominican Independence Heritage Award Committee of Rhode Island. The bills, H833 and S3362, were sponsored by Rep. Grace Diaz and Sen. Ana Quezada, both Providence Democrats. McKee was joined at the signing by Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos, Treasurer James A. […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island opens applications for new federal Workforce Pell Grant program
Rhode Island has opened applications for training providers seeking to participate in Workforce Pell, a new federal program extending Pell Grant aid to short-term workforce training, Gov. Dan McKee and the Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner announced Friday. Providers can apply for state-level approval from Friday through Sept. 14. To qualify, programs must run 8 […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island Foundation awards $290,000 to Newport County nonprofits
More than 50 nonprofits serving Newport County will share $290,000 in grants from the Rhode Island Foundation, the organization announced Friday. The grants come through the Foundation’s Newport County Fund, which awards up to $10,000 per organization to expand established programs, support advocacy, fund new projects or build partnerships. Funding decisions were made with an […]
Posted inBusiness
UTIC names Donald McCormack board chair as founding chair Debbie Proffitt retires
The Undersea Technology Innovation Consortium has elected Donald McCormack as chair of its board of directors following the retirement of Debbie Proffitt, a founding board member who led the board through the organization’s first decade. McCormack is senior consultant to McLaughlin Research Corporation and brings more than 40 years of experience with the Navy’s research, […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Health department recommends closing King Park Beach to swimming
The Rhode Island Department of Health is recommending that the swimming area at King Park Beach be closed due to high bacteria counts, the department announced Thursday afternoon. RIDOH will continue monitoring beach water quality through Labor Day, and a beach’s status can change as new samples come in. Current beach information is available on […]
Posted inNews
Newport County man diagnosed with rare tick-borne Powassan virus
A Newport County man in his 70s has been diagnosed with Powassan virus, a rare tick-borne illness, the Rhode Island Department of Health announced Thursday. The man began experiencing symptoms in late July. It is the state’s second confirmed Powassan case in 2026 and the tenth since Rhode Island first reported the disease in 2016. […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council calls Saturday special meeting on city manager’s employment
The Newport City Council will hold a special meeting Saturday, Aug. 15, at 10 a.m. at City Hall to meet in executive session regarding City Manager Colin K. Kennedy’s employment. According to the docket released Wednesday afternoon, the council will meet in the city solicitor’s office “to discuss issues involving the City Manager’s employment with […]
Posted inSports
47 boats set for Ida Lewis Distance Race starting Friday
The 21st Ida Lewis Distance Race starts Friday, Aug. 14, at 11 a.m. in Narragansett Bay’s East Passage between Rose Island and Fort Adams, with 47 entries signed up for the 24-hour coastal challenge. The fleet spans a wide range. At one end are two 30-foot high-performance sport boats — EC Helme’s J/92S Spirit of […]
Posted inNews
Aquidneck Resilience seeks public input on islandwide climate plan at four listening sessions
Aquidneck Resilience is inviting island residents to help shape an islandwide Climate Resilience Plan through a series of community listening sessions beginning Aug. 25. The plan is intended as a guidebook for reducing the island’s climate risks — flooding, extreme heat and cold, and severe storms that cross town lines. Aquidneck Resilience has engaged more […]
Posted inSports
Record 75-boat fleet turns out for Safe Harbor Race Weekend
Seventy-five teams raced across 10 classes at the 2026 Safe Harbor Race Weekend, a record fleet for the regatta, organizers said. Narragansett Bay delivered light to moderate breezes of 8 to 14 knots for the nine classes racing there, while five Superyachts found a sportier 14 to 17 knots on Block Island Sound. Friday’s traditional […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Newport Classical brings audience-driven concerts to Dearborn Street in October
Newport Classical will present Ensemble Mélange in two free concerts on Sunday, Oct. 18, at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the Newport Classical Recital Hall, 42 Dearborn St. The concerts hand the programming over to the audience. The ensemble arrives with a menu of more than 30 selections spanning classical, jazz, Latin and Broadway, […]
Posted inNews
IYRS to host international STEM clinic connecting women to marine tech careers
IYRS School of Technology & Trades will host one of two international Ocean Racing STEM Clinics on Aug. 24-25, a program aimed at drawing women into technical careers in the sailing and marine industries. The clinic is a partnership between The Magenta Project, a global initiative working to expand opportunities for women in sailing and […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Chicago tribute act Beginnings coming to the JPT in November
Spectacle Live will present Beginnings – A Celebration of the Music of Chicago on Saturday, Nov. 28, at 7:30 p.m. at The JPT Film & Event Center. Tickets go on sale Friday, Aug. 14, at 10 a.m. at JanePickens.com or by phone at 1-800-657-8774. The tribute act performs the catalog of Rock and Roll Hall […]