Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport, Rhode Island, this week/weekend, Tuesday, October 1 through Sunday, October 6, 2024. Please note – weather and other circumstances may cancel or change the location of an event at any time. Please check with event organizers to confirm an event’s status. This story […]
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 inNews
Lifespan completes acquisition of 2 Massachusetts hospitals
Lifespan has finalized its acquisition of Saint Anne’s Hospital in Fall River, Massachusetts, and Morton Hospital in Taunton, Massachusetts. The acquisition was finalized on October 1, 2024. Lifespan of Massachusetts, a non-profit subsidiary of Lifespan, has acquired the hospitals. The acquisition will create a regional healthcare organization with a focus on expanding access to care. […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island sustains low uninsured rate, says survey
Rhode Island’s uninsured rate remains one of the lowest in the nation, according to the latest Rhode Island Health Information Survey, conducted on behalf of HealthSource RI, the state’s health coverage marketplace. The survey found that only 2.2% of Rhode Islanders were uninsured, a decrease from 2.9% in 2022. The decrease is within the margin […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Classical will celebrate the holiday season with four concerts in December
Newport Classical celebrates the holiday season with two weekends of festive programs in December – Cantus at the Mansion: Songs of the Season featuring Cantus with The Choir School of Newport County in two performances on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at 1pm and 3:30pm at Rosecliff (548 Bellevue Ave.), and Classical Christmas featuring Frisson on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 1pm and 3:30pm at Emmanuel Church (42 Dearborn St.). Tickets will go on sale on Monday, […]
Posted inNews
RISCA and RI Humanities to celebrate Arts and Humanities Month throughout October
The R.I. State Council on the Arts (RISCA) and Rhode Island Humanities (RI Humanities) have joined forces to celebrate Arts and Humanities Month throughout October. The Councils will host a series of programs, webinars, and events centered around the theme “Culture: A Beacon of Resilience.” This year’s theme highlights the power of arts and culture […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Daily Digest: Tuesday, October 1
This story originally appeared in our free daily newsletter, Daily Digest. More than 17,000 wake up to Daily Digest in their inbox. Sign up now to join them! Good Morning. It’s Tuesday, October 1 —the 275th day of the year; 91 days remain in 2024. 🌥️ Today’s Weather: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67°. 🚢 Cruise Ship: The Crystal Serenity […]
Posted inNews
Alliance Française de Newport to host Cabaret Night
The Alliance Française de Newport will host a Cabaret Night on Friday, October 18th, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The event will take place at the Vasco da Gama Society, located at 15 Fenner Avenue in Newport. The evening will feature musical entertainment by Gained in Translation, a group known for their diverse repertoire […]
Posted inNews
Providence Performing Arts Center announces “Life of Pi” tickets will go on sale on Oct. 4
The Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) has announced that tickets for the Broadway and West End sensation “Life of Pi” will go on sale on Friday, October 4, 2024, for performances running Tuesday, February 11 through Sunday, February 16, 2025. The tickets can be purchased via the PPAC website at pp acri.org or by phone […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Trinity Church’s Pumpkin Patch returns to Queen Anne Square Oct. 10 – 31
Get ready for a fall favorite in downtown Newport. Trinity Church’s Pumpkin Patch is returning to Queen Anne Square from October 10 to 31, 2024, bringing over 1,000 pumpkins to the heart of the city. Visitors can browse and buy pumpkins, gourds, and mums daily. The patch is open weekdays from noon to 6 pm […]
Posted inElection
Molly Kapstein Cote aims to bring fresh perspective, problem-solving approach to Newport School Committee
Molly Kapstein Cote, a candidate for Newport School Committee, is positioning herself as a problem-solver with a fresh perspective on the city’s educational challenges. In an interview with What’sUpNewp on Monday, September 30, Cote outlined her vision for Newport’s public schools, emphasizing the need for improved communication and a data-driven approach to student success. Cote, […]
Posted inElection
Ask The Candidate: A conversation with Mark Aramli, candidate for Newport City Council At-Large
Mark Aramli, a Newport City Council At-Large candidate, will join What’sUpNewp on Thursday, October 3, at 12 pm as part of our “Ask The Candidates” series. During the discussion, Mark will answer our and your questions about his candidacy, platforms, and important issues to voters. Tell us what you’d like us to Ask The Candidates […]
Posted inNews
Education champions to be celebrated at Newport’s ‘Evening for Education’
The Newport Public Education Foundation is set to honor four recipients of its annual Noreen Stonor Drexel Education Awards at its upcoming Evening for Education event. The awards recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the students of Newport’s public schools. This year’s honorees include Newport Community School as Partner in Education, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport String Project launches County Concert Series
The Newport String Project kicks off its Newport County Concert Series with two performances by the resident Newport String Quartet on October 26 and 27. At these upcoming concerts, music lovers can enjoy works by Franz Joseph Haydn, Felix Mendelssohn, Imogen Holst, and Carlos Simon. The first show will be at 2 pm on October […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Tickets go on sale on Oct. 1 for Halloween Trick or Treat, Sparkling Lights at The Breakers
As the holidays approach, tickets are now on sale for two seasonal celebrations that have become traditions at the Newport Mansions. On October 25, Halloween Trick or Treat at The Breakers returns, with admission in two sessions, at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to come in costume; there will be treats and prizes […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Halloween lineup at The JPT features special events and spooky classics
The Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center (The JPT) has announced its Halloween lineup. Throughout October, The JPT guests will have the opportunity to enjoy spooky classics and special events, including a musical, local business partnerships, and live music. “We hope you will join us at The JPT this October for a thrilling lineup of […]
Posted inCity & Government
Matt Grant aims to bring fresh perspective, transparency, and civility to Newport City Council
Matt Grant, a candidate for Newport City Council’s Ward 2 seat, is focusing his campaign on restoring civility in local politics, addressing housing affordability, and improving environmental resilience. Grant, a software engineer for Peloton and supporter of his wife’s local business, Bellevue Boards, shared his vision for Newport during an interview with What’sUpNewp on Monday, […]
Posted inNews
Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce to host ‘Politics & Pancakes’
The Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce is hosting a pancake breakfast on Thursday, October 3, 2024, to discuss the 2024 race in Rhode Island. The event, titled “Politics & Pancakes”, will feature a briefing and discussion of new polling released by the Pell Center at Salve Regina University. The center is part of a collaboration […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Rhode Island Medical Society honors Senator Euer for legislative leadership
The Rhode Island Medical Society honored Sen. Dawn Euer with its Civic Leadership award at Thursday’s annual meeting at the Squantum Association in Riverside. The society honored Senator Euer for her ongoing advocacy for patients and medical professionals in Rhode Island, in particular her work to sponsor and successfully pass the Health Care Provider Shield […]
Posted inBusiness
MLK Center invites public to Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center is gearing up for its Annual Meeting and Keeper of the Dream awards on Nov. 18. The event will spotlight individuals and organizations that have gone above and beyond in supporting the center’s mission. The gathering, which will take place from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm at […]
Posted inElection
Harris leads Trump by 14-percentage points in new Rhode Island survey from Pell Center at Salve
According to a new survey from the Pell Center at Salve Regina University, Rhode Island likely voters favor Vice President Kamala Harris over former President Donald Trump by a 52% to 38% margin with 7% still undecided. Harris substantially outperforms President Joseph Biden’s position in a June Pell Center survey that gave the incumbent only a 7% […]
Posted inNews
RITBA will extend hours at customer service walk-in center for next two weeks
Today, the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) announced that its customer service walk-in center will extend its regular hours and be open Monday through Friday, 9 am—4 pm, from September 30th to October 7th. “We wanted to add hours to allow people to sign up for an E-Z Pass or to handle other […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island LIHEAP Program offers heating assistance
The Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS) is preparing for another heating season. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is accepting applications from October 1, 2024 through May 1, 2025. The program provides one-time payments of up to $1,148 to eligible individuals and families. Every year, the federal government allocates funding for […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island College earns federal funds for Hispanic Designation
U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse announced the awarding of $226,000 in federal funding to support Rhode Island College’s designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution. The funding, which was secured by Whitehouse, will assist in the launch of a capacity building initiative aimed at increasing enrollment of Hispanic and Latino students at the public college. “Rhode Island […]
Posted inNews
DEM to stock 25 waterways across Rhode Island with trout
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is stocking 25 selected waterways with brook and rainbow trout in advance of the upcoming holiday weekend, beginning Friday, Oct. 4, and continuing through Thursday, Oct. 10. The stocking will take place from Oct. 4 to Oct. 10, the DEM said. Due to cyanobacteria alerts, DEM is […]
Posted inNews
Daily Digest: Monday, September 30
This story originally appeared in our free daily newsletter, Daily Digest. More than 17,000 wake up to Daily Digest in their inbox. Sign up now to join them! Good Morning. It’s Monday, September 30 —the 274th day of the year; 92 days remain in 2024. 🌥️ Today’s Weather: It is mostly cloudy, with a high near 67°. The sunrise […]