Boaters on Narragansett Bay should plan ahead for August 8, when a portion of the East Passage will be temporarily closed to vessel traffic for the Save The Bay Swim. The closure runs from 8 to 11 a.m. and covers the area between Gould Island and Conanicut (Jamestown), extending to the Pell Newport Bridge. Vessel […]
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 inCity & Government
Point Neighborhood residents asked to weigh in on flooding and climate resilience in new survey
The Point Association and Rhode Island House Representative Lauren Carson are asking residents of Newport’s Historic Point Neighborhood to participate in a new survey focused on climate resilience, flooding, and sea level rise. The survey, open exclusively to Point Neighborhood residents, is designed to capture firsthand experiences and priorities related to stormwater flooding and sea […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Boston saxophonist Seba Molnar brings contemporary jazz to NIMFest at King Park on August 2
The New England Music Organization will present The Seba Molnar Band and The John Monllos Trio at NIMFest 2026 on Sunday, August 2, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the King Park Gazebo, 125 Wellington Ave. The event is free and open to the public. Headlining the afternoon is The Seba Molnar Band, a Boston-based […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Classical announces 2026-2027 Chamber Series with twelve concerts starting in September
Newport Classical has announced its 2026-2027 Chamber Series, a twelve-concert season running from September through June at Newport Classical Recital Hall at 42 Dearborn St. Tickets go on sale to the public August 4 at newportclassical.org. The series opens September 18 with Invoke, a multi-instrumental quartet exploring American musical traditions from bluegrass and Appalachian fiddle […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Mansions’ “Sessions” series continues with BBMak acoustic performance at the Isaac Bell House
BBMak, the British trio that topped charts on both sides of the Atlantic in the early 2000s, recently recorded a three-song acoustic set at the Isaac Bell House as part of the Newport Mansions’ ongoing “Sessions” music video series. The video will be released Wednesday, July 30, on the Newport Mansions YouTube channel (@newport.mansions). The […]
Posted inNews
Newport Beach Fest to bring NFL legends, beach football, and live entertainment to Fort Adams over Labor Day weekend
Fort Adams State Park will host an inaugural two-day waterfront festival over Labor Day weekend, bringing professional beach football, NFL legends, live entertainment, and more than 1,000 tons of sand to one of New England’s most iconic event venues. Newport Beach Fest is scheduled for September 5-6 and will serve as the debut of the […]
Posted inNews
Biking to Newport Folk Festival hits all-time high with more than 5,000 bikes over three days
Newport Folk Festival 2026 set a new record for bicycle arrivals, with Bike Newport reporting 5,148 bikes over the three-day sold-out event at Fort Adams State Park — the highest three-day total ever recorded. Friday led the way with 1,816 cyclists arriving by bike, the highest single-day count in the festival’s history. Saturday drew 1,720 […]
Posted inPolice & Fire
Four arrested, 24 citations issued during law enforcement operation at Aquapalooza in Portsmouth
Four people were arrested and 24 citations issued during a multi-agency law enforcement operation at the 2026 Aquapalooza event held Saturday at Potter’s Cove, the Portsmouth Police Department announced Monday. Officers arrested Robinson Alves, 23, of Fall River, Mass., and Justin Taymes, 39, also of Fall River, each on charges of operating a watercraft while […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Jamestown Arts Center to host talk on Vermeer forgeries and the Van Meegeren affair
One of the most sensational scandals in art history comes to Jamestown Arts Center next week when renowned Vermeer scholar Arthur K. Wheelock Jr. takes the stage for a JAC Talk on Wednesday, August 5, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. In “Vermeer, Vermeer Forgeries, and the ‘Van Meegeren Affair,'” Wheelock will examine the 1947 trial […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Boil water advisory issued for Stone Bridge Fire District customers in Tiverton
The Rhode Island Department of Health has issued a precautionary boil water advisory for customers of the Stone Bridge Fire District public water system following a water main break Monday on Lawton Ave that caused a loss of water pressure. A drop in pressure can allow bacteria to enter the system. Stone Bridge Fire District […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport Democratic City Committee endorses Helena Buonanno Foulkes for governor
The Newport Democratic City Committee has endorsed Helena Buonanno Foulkes in the race for Rhode Island governor, the latest show of support for the former CVS executive making her second bid for the state’s top office. “I’m grateful to have the support of the Newport Democratic City Committee,” Foulkes said. “From the cost of housing […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Folk Festival closes out with Nathaniel Rateliff, Dave Matthews, Joan Baez, and Mavis Staples in unforgettable Sunday finale
The 2026 Newport Folk Festival went out in style Sunday at Fort Adams State Park, closing its sold-out three-day run with a finale that few in attendance will soon forget. Nathaniel Rateliff & Friends headlined the Fort Stage to close the weekend, but it was the surprise guests that sent the crowd into a frenzy. […]
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 inArts & Culture
Newport Folk Festival Day 2: The Lumineers close out a packed Saturday at Fort Adams
NEWPORT — Day 2 of the sold-out 2026 Newport Folk Festival delivered another full slate of music Saturday at Fort Adams State Park, with The Lumineers closing out the Fort Stage to cap an afternoon and evening that built steadily toward one of the weekend’s most anticipated headliners. Gillian Welch & David Rawlings turned heads […]
Posted inInstagram
Newport Folk Festival opens with Hayley Williams, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Courtney Barnett and more
The 2026 Newport Folk Festival kicked off Friday at the sold-out Fort Adams State Park, delivering a full day of music across more than three stages from morning through evening. The Fort Stage headliners set the tone for the weekend, with Courtney Barnett, Lucy Dacus, and Hayley Williams & Friends closing out the night. Ms. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
newportFILM and Newport Jazz Festival to present world premiere of documentary on pioneering photographer John Shearer
newportFILM, the Newport Jazz Festival, and the Newport Restoration Foundation will present the world premiere of John Shearer: American Moments on Thursday, July 30, at Rough Point, the historic Newport estate of philanthropist Doris Duke. The evening will also feature a live performance by the Alison Shearer Quartet, led by saxophonist Alison Shearer — daughter […]
Posted inInstagram
newportFILM raises over $375,000 at 16th anniversary summer benefit
newportFILM’s 16th Anniversary Summer Benefit raised more than $375,000 last weekend to support the organization’s year-round documentary film programming and educational initiatives. Hundreds attended the July 18 event at IYRS’s Restoration Hall. The evening was presented by the flyGATEWAY Aviation Institute, with additional support from The Newport Experience and BankNewport. Remarks were delivered by newportFILM […]
Posted inNews
Gansett Run Club bringing Ice Bucket Challenge back to Providence to benefit ALS Rhode Island
More than a decade after the Ice Bucket Challenge swept the internet and raised millions for ALS research, a Providence running club is bringing it back. Gansett Run Club, ALS Rhode Island, and Narragansett Brewery will host a community Ice Bucket Challenge on Wednesday, August 12, at the brewery’s Providence location at 271 Tockwotton Street. […]
Posted inThings To Do
Coggeshall Farm Museum takes visitors back to 1776 with new immersive program
Coggeshall Farm Museum will debut a new immersive experience this weekend that puts visitors in the middle of the American Revolution. Voices of a Revolution runs Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2, transporting guests to 1776 and the building tensions of a small New England community like Bristol during the fight for independence. Visitors […]
Posted inNonprofit
MLK Community Center hosts free dinner and art workshop next week
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center has two free community events on tap next week, including a sit-down dinner prepared by Stoneacre Hospitality and a poetry and art-making workshop led by a Jamestown Arts Center resident artist. On Tuesday, July 28, from 4 to 6 p.m., ceramic artist Kelly McDermott will lead participants […]
Posted inNews
Newport Public Schools names new Rogers High School principal, student services director
Superintendent Dr. Peter Sanchioni announced two senior leadership appointments Friday, naming a new principal for Rogers High School and a new executive director of student services as the district continues to build out its leadership team. Robert E. Young, Jr. has been appointed principal of Rogers High School, effective July 27, while Sarah Kraeger will […]
Posted inInstagram
Newport man dies after alleged drunk driver struck him in Memorial Boulevard crosswalk; DUI charge upgraded
A Newport man struck by an alleged drunk driver while crossing Memorial Boulevard in a motorized mobility scooter earlier this week has died, Newport Police announced Friday. John Miles, of 4 Chapel Terrace, Newport, was killed in the crash that occurred at approximately 10:39 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of Memorial Boulevard and Chapel Street. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Jamestown Arts Center hosts Indonesian batik artists for illustrated talk and trunk show July 30
Internationally recognized batik artists Agus Ismoyo and Nia Fliam will visit the Jamestown Arts Center on Thursday, July 30, from 6 to 8 p.m. for an illustrated artist talk and trunk show exploring the cultural, philosophical, and creative dimensions of Indonesian batik. Drawing on more than 40 years of artistic practice at their studio, Babaran […]
Posted inNews
Women’s Resource Center raises more than $85,000 at Seaside Celebration, with 100 supporters gathering on Newport Harbor
The Women’s Resource Center welcomed more than 100 supporters to its annual Seaside Celebration on Monday evening, raising more than $85,000 to support free and confidential services for survivors of domestic violence in Newport and Bristol Counties. Co-hosted by Elizabeth Leatherman and Susan Sipprelle on a tented dockside terrace overlooking Newport Harbor, the evening featured […]
Posted inNews
Newport Police identify suspect, seek second individual in July 19 Park Holm double shooting
Newport Police have obtained an arrest warrant for Tyquan Johnson, date of birth January 14, 2007, in connection with the double shooting that occurred July 19 in the Park Holm area near Truman Road, and are also seeking to identify a second individual connected to the incident. Johnson is wanted on charges of felony assault […]