Tiverton High School’s boys varsity soccer team dominated in a 4-1 win against Rogers High School on Wednesday, September 25. The game, played at Tiverton High School, showcased Tiverton’s offensive prowess, with multiple players finding the back of the net. Miles Cormier (No. 18) led the charge for Tiverton, netting two goals. Teammates Rhuan Santos […]
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 inReal Estate
Sandy Point Farm up for grabs in October auction
A piece of American history is up for grabs as Sandy Point Farm, a former Vanderbilt estate in Portsmouth, heads to auction next month. The property, listed at $3.5 million, will be sold through Sotheby’s Concierge Auctions in cooperation with Mott & Chace Sotheby’s International Realty. Bidding for the historic equestrian estate is scheduled to […]
Posted inNews
Newport Public Schools may consider moving fifth grade back to Pell Elementary School
Newport Public Schools is considering moving fifth grade back to Pell Elementary School and reconfiguring Thompson Middle School to serve grades six through eight. Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain revealed the potential change during an interview with What’sUpNewp on Wednesday, citing declining enrollment as a key factor in the consideration. “We’re going to go over there […]
Posted inBusiness
Rock the Beach Gala raises more than $225,000 for Newport Mental Health
In a powerful show of support for mental health, guests at this year’s Rock the Beach Gala donated over $225,000 to Newport Mental Health, sending a resounding message about the importance of community-based mental health care. The evening’s overwhelming generosity will help fund vital programs and services that provide immediate care to individuals and families in Newport […]
Posted inArts & Culture
The JPT will celebrate Silent Movie Day on Sept. 29 with a double-feature and live musical score
The JPT celebrates International Silent Movie Day on September 29 with a double-feature starring silent movie icon Buster Keaton. Both films will be accompanied by a live musical score performed by silent film musician Jeff Rapsis. The first film shown will be Sherlock Jr., celebrating its 100th anniversary, followed by one of Keaton’s best narratives, Our Hospitality. For […]
Posted inCity & Government
Councilor Holder addresses proposed sewer rate change and short-term rental moratorium
The Newport City Council is set to tackle two major issues at tonight’s meeting: a reversal of the recent sewer rate change and a proposed moratorium on short-term rentals in business districts. Councilor Charlie Holder announced plans to move the sewer rate item to the top of the agenda, acknowledging a mistake in the council’s […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport School Superintendent discusses enrollment decline, staffing, school construction
Newport Public Schools are grappling with declining enrollment and staffing challenges as the new academic year enters its fourth week, Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain reported during a conversation with What’sUpNewp on Wednesday, September 25. Enrollment is down compared to projections, with about 70 fewer students than anticipated. This continues a downward trend seen since the […]
Posted inNews
SNHU celebrates Summer 2024 Dean’s List with three Newport County students
Southern New Hampshire University has released its Summer 2024 Dean’s List, including four New Hampshire students. The students were chosen based on academic merit and will participate in summer classes from May to August. Students from Newport County recognized were Albert Cuaresma of Portsmouth, Austin Coyne of Middletown, and Christopher Cosgrove of Little Compton. The […]
Posted inCity & Government
Ask The Council: Councilor Aramli discusses proposed moratorium on short-term rentals, other agenda items
Newport City Council is set to vote on a proposal to ban new short-term rentals in the city, a move Councilor Mark Aramli says is necessary to address the ongoing housing crisis. The proposed moratorium, which will be discussed at Wednesday evening’s council meeting, aims to halt the conversion of residential properties into Airbnb-style rentals. […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport Democrat Susan Taylor selected as Alternate Presidential Elector for 2024
The Rhode Island Democratic Party has selected Susan Taylor of Newport as an alternate Presidential Elector for the 2024 election. Taylor, who chairs the Newport Democratic City Committee, was chosen alongside five other electors at a special State Convention held in Providence. The convention, mandated by Rhode Island General Laws, brought together Democratic candidates for […]
Posted inNews
Jamestown’s Jack Fallon earns Gold Stars for Academic Excellence at Citadel
Jack Fallon from Jamestown is one of more than 620 cadets and students across the country who received gold stars for their academic achievements this spring, according to a press release from The Citadel. The Citadel is a military college located in Charleston, SC. Enrollment is not required to serve in the military, but about […]
Posted inBusiness
Track 15 Food Hall completes roster with Newport favorites and local stars
Track 15, the highly anticipated food hall in Providence, has revealed its complete merchant lineup, adding two final vendors to round out a diverse culinary offering. The $25 million project, set to open in February 2025, will feature seven Rhode Island-based restaurateurs in the renovated historic Union Station building. Little Chaska and Tolia join the […]
Posted inNews
Expert on meditation and near-death experiences to speak in Tiverton
The Tiverton Public Library will be hosting a free event on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, featuring a talk by Dr. Alan Post on the topic of “ Meditation and the Near Death Experience.” The event is free and open to the public and will take place at 6:30 pm in the library located at 34 […]
Posted inNews, Police & Fire
Newport man arrested for disorderly conduct and trespassing
Newport’s police activity remained low from Tuesday morning through early Wednesday, according to the latest arrest and dispatch logs. The 24-hour period starting at 7 am Tuesday saw no arrests, with the calm streak ending just after midnight. At 1:15 a.m. Wednesday, officers arrested a 39-year-old Newport man. He’s facing charges of disorderly conduct, resisting […]
Posted inNews
Building Bridges: CCRI to host fair chance hiring summit
The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) will host its next “Building Bridges” event on October 4, bringing together employers, community organizations, and other stakeholders to discuss opportunities for people leaving prison. The event, titled “Building Bridges: Fair Chance Hiring Summit – Leveraging Fair Chance Hiring for a More Inclusive Rhode Island Workforce,” aims to […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island secures $500K for cold case investigations
Rhode Island will receive $500,000 to improve the state’s cold case investigative capacity, as announced by U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo. “This federal funding for Attorney General Neronha and his skilled team of prosecutors, investigators, and law enforcement personnel will help make Rhode Island safer […]
Posted inNews
Daily Digest: Wednesday, Sept. 25
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! It’s Wednesday, September 25 —the 269th day of the year; 97 days remain in 2024. 🌥️ Today’s Weather: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64°. Sunrise was at 6:35 […]
Posted inNews
Newport City Council to discuss short-term rental litigation in Executive Session
The Newport City Council will meet in executive session prior to their Regular Council Meeting on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, to discuss the potential litigation over the city’s ban on short-term property rentals in commercial zoning districts. The council will meet in an executive session in the Teachers’ Lounge at Pell Elementary School at approximately […]
Posted inNews
Middletown Valley unveils new trail extension
Middletown Valley, a 50-acre park nestled in the heart of Middletown, has seen notable enhancements with the completion of a new trail extension. Public Works Director Robert Hanley expressed his delight, stating, “I think it looks great and every time I’m by the Valley, I see people out using the trails. That’s what these spaces […]
Posted inNews
Middletown secures $750K for shoreline upgrade
The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank announced today that Middletown is among eight communities across the state to receive a share of $5.2 million in grants to fund projects aimed at strengthening the towns against the impacts of climate change. The funding comes from a $16 million bond approved by voters in 2022 that dedicates the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
‘Secret Mall Apartment’ receives the 2024 newportFILM Outdoors Audience Award
newportFILM announced today that SECRET MALL APARTMENT has been voted the audience favorite for this year’s BankNewport Audience Award. This critically acclaimed documentary follows eight Rhode Island artists who created a secret apartment in the Providence Place Mall and concluded newportFILM’s Outdoors series, screening for thousands on the lawn at the Elms in Newport on September 5th. Residents […]
Posted inNews
People’s Credit Union welcomes new Board Members
People’s Credit Union recently elected several members to the Board of Directors and Supervisory Committee, as announced in a press release on September 24, 2024. The appointments include 3-year terms for John Trifero and Timothy DelGiudice, and a one-year term for Steven Kozlowski. Trifero is a retired naval undersea warfare center employee, DelGiudice is a […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Classical to present Pianist Anton Mejias in October Chamber Series Concert
Newport Classical continues its fourth full-season Chamber Series, featuring twelve concerts held on select Fridays at 7:30 pm at the organization’s home venue, Newport Classical Recital Hall (42 Dearborn St.), with a performance by Finnish-Cuban pianist Anton Mejias on Friday, October 18, 2024 at 7:30pm. Mejias will give the US premiere of Twelve Preludes: The Art of Memory by composer Philip Lasser, alongside Book II […]
Posted inNews
Operation Stand Down Rhode Island awarded $100K grant
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded Operation Stand Down Rhode Island with a $100,000 grant to help the organization support recently separated veterans and their spouses with employment services. The funding will allow Operation Stand Down Rhode Island to offer resume assistance, interview training, job placement services and other resources to help veterans […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport Police take two individuals into custody on Monday
The Newport Police Department has provided the following arrest and dispatch logs for 7 am on Monday, September 23, through 7 am on Tuesday, September 24, 2024. Arrest Log Monday, September 23 At 8:45 am, a 44-year-old male, whose address was withheld, was taken into custody on charges of Domestic – Disorderly Conduct and Domestic […]