A new protected bike lane on Harrison Avenue significantly improved safety for cyclists attending the Newport Folk Festival, with organizers considering making it a permanent feature for future events. The dedicated two-way bike lane, implemented through collaboration between Bike Newport and local police, addressed safety concerns on a steep section of the road where cyclists […]
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 inMusic & Entertainment
Celebrate Ukraine’s Independence Day with the Sunflower Family Festival in Jamestown on Aug. 24
The 3rd Annual Sunflower Family Festival in Jamestown, R.I., will honor Ukraine’s Independence Day while marking the end of summer in southern Rhode Island. The event, scheduled for Aug. 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., promises a day filled with live music, food, crafts, and activities for all ages. Held at Lawn School on […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport County weekly road construction update: Aug. 3 – 10
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation and Rhode Island Turnpike & Bridge Authority have announced the following lane closures and road construction projects for the week of August 3 – 10, 2024. Rhode Island Department of Transporation August 3 – 9, 2024 Newport Pell Bridge Approaches – Phase II Newport: Mobile operations sitewide will occur with […]
Posted inNews
Rep. Cortvriend gathers insights on advancing renewable energy legislation
Rep. Terri Cortvriend has gained valuable insights into advancing renewable energy legislation after attending the Clean Energy Legislative Academy in Colorado. The academy, which is hosted by the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University, provides information and resources for developing state-level clean energy policies. Cortvriend was one of 25 to 30 […]
Posted inNews
RIDOH: Spouting Rock Beach Association and Camp Fuller YMCA beaches now safe for swimming
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) has announced that they have recommended that the swimming area at Spouting Rock Beach Association and Camp Fuller YMCA has reopened for swimming. This comes after the bacteria counts at the beaches returned to safe levels, according to RIDOH. The RIDOH will continue to monitor the water quality […]
Posted inNews
Newport Jazz Festival opens doors to Newport’s youth
The Newport Jazz Festival is expanding its student outreach program, offering free tickets to Rogers High School seniors for the second consecutive year. Dan Swain, Director of Development and Programs for Newport Festivals Foundation, says the initiative aims to cultivate lifelong jazz fans among the younger generation. “We started last year offering any senior student […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Newport Folk & Jazz Festival’s Family Tent evolves with local nonprofit partnerships
The Newport Festivals Foundation is enhancing the family experience at its Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals with a revamped Family Tent featuring local nonprofits and hands-on activities for children. Dan Swain, Director of Development and Programs for the Newport Festivals Foundation, says the idea for the new format emerged about two or three years ago […]
Posted inNews
Pint For A Pint: Rhode Island Blood Center offers free beer for donors
What’s better than a free beer? A free beer and a blood donation. The Rhode Island Blood Center is hoping you’ll pick up a voucher for a free beer when you donate blood this summer. The blood center’s newest campaign, Pint for a Pint, runs August 1st to September 10th. Blood donors will receive a […]
Posted inNews
CCRI receives $75,000 grant from Metallica Scholars Initiative
The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) has been selected as one of 18 community colleges nationwide to receive a grant from the prestigious Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI). CCRI was awarded $75,000 to provide financial support for students enrolled in the college’s medical assistant and patient support specialist workforce training programs. The grant, part of […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Chase Ceglie to perform his latest album at King Park on August 9
The Friends Of The Waterfront, New England Music Organization, and North End Entertainment today announced that they will host a “thrilling evening” of original music with pop singer/songwriter and award-winning saxophonist Chase Ceglie at King Park in Newport on Friday, August 9, from 5 to 7 pm. Chase and his full pop band will perform […]
Posted inNews
Newport Historical Society among three Rhode Island museums set to receive a total of $134,000 in federal grants
Three Rhode Island museums are set to receive a total of $134,000 in federal grant money that will be used to expand exhibits, accessibility and training. The Newport Historical Society, Tomaquag Museum and Providence College Galleries are the beneficiaries of the grants, which are coming from the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ Inspire! Grants […]
Posted inNews
Charlestown woman convicted in teen’s crash death
A Charlestown woman has been convicted of several charges in connection with the 2022 death of a 17-year-old girl in East Greenwich. Alicia Peckham, 27, was found guilty of four other charges as well. She was convicted of aiding and abetting a criminal, one count of aiding and abetting the driver who failed to stop […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Gallery Sitka to host an exhibition featuring 15 National Association of Women Artists—MA Chapter artists
Gallery Sitka has announced that it will host an “Art with Intention II” exhibition featuring 15 National Association of Women Artists—MA Chapter artists. The opening reception and celebration on Sunday, August 11, from 1 to 3 p.m. is free and open to the public. The show features multi- and mixed mediums, such as varnish, pigment […]
Posted inReal Estate
Home on Atlantic Avenue in Newport sells for $4.6 million
A home near Brenton Point State Park on Ocean Drive in Newport has changed hands. 27 Atlantic Avenue in Newport recently sold for $4,600,000, according to Lila Delman Compass. Kate Leonard, of Lila Delman Compass’ Newport office, represented the Seller in this transaction, according to Lila Delman Compass. According to data maintained by the Rhode […]
Posted inNews
Peggy Guggenheim’s influence will be explored in Preservation Society of Newport County lecture
The Preservation Society of Newport County will present a lecture by Dr. Philip Rylands, President, and CEO of the Society of the Four Arts in Palm Beach, Florida, on Thursday, August 8, 2024, titled “Peggy Guggenheim: Heiress and Collector.” The event, which takes place at 6 p.m. in the Rosecliff ballroom, will feature a presentation […]
Posted inNews
New York ensemble to bring ‘Symphony of Laughter’ to Westerly
A New York-based ensemble will perform at the United Theatre in Westerly on August 24. Parlando, and conductor Ian Niederhoffer, are expected to entertain audiences with a concert titled, “Symphony of Laughter.” The concert, described as, “an unforgettable evening of laughs, wittiness, and harmony,” will feature a number of works, including some by the late […]
Posted inCity & Government
RIDOH recommends reopening Sandy Point Beach, several other beaches
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) recommends reopening the swimming area at Oakland Beach, Conimicut Beach, and City Park Beach in Warwick; Warren Town Beach in Warren; Bristol Town Beach in Bristol; and Sandy Point Beach in Portsmouth for swimming because bacteria counts have returned to safe levels. RIDOH will continue to monitor and […]
Posted inArts & Culture
The Street Project: Film screening and panel to address safer streets in Newport
A film screening and panel discussion aimed at promoting safer streets for pedestrians and cyclists is coming to Newport on Aug. 13. The event, organized by Ride Island, will feature “The Street Project,” a documentary examining unsafe street designs across the United States. The screening will take place at 6 p.m. at the JPT Film […]
Posted inNews
Safe Harbor Race Weekend returns for fourth year
The fourth annual Safe Harbor Race Weekend is set to make waves in Newport from Aug. 9-11, 2024, with 65 teams already registered for the three-day sailing extravaganza. The event, which has quickly become a summer regatta staple for Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island Sound, will host up to 10 classes competing in ORC, IC37 […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Playful Husky pup seeks experienced owner for new adventures
Meet your new best friend, Uce – this week’s adoptable dog of the week. Uce, an 8-month-old Siberian Husky, is currently available for adoption at the Potter League for Animals Animal Care and Adoption Center in Middletown. “Meet Uce, a young, playful, and curious dog who is full of life and energy. His smart and […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island launches ‘PowerUpRI’ to boost residential EV charging
Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources, in collaboration with the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank (RIIB), today announced the launch of PowerUpRI. Opening on August 1, 2024, PowerUpRI incentivizes Rhode Island residents and landlords to install electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure within residential properties across the Ocean State. Through tailored rebates, […]
Posted inNews
Young actors sought for Trinity Rep’s Annual ‘A Christmas Carol’
Rhode Island’s Tony Award-winning theater, Trinity Repertory Company (Trinity Rep), is currently seeking young actors to participate in the company’s 48th annual production of A Christmas Carol. The production runs November 23 through December 29, 2024 and is open to children ages 8-12. Auditions for A Christmas Carol will be held on Saturday, August 24, […]
Posted inNews
URI and RISD awarded $3.4 million for climate research
The National Science Foundation has awarded $3.4 million in funding to researchers at the University of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island School of Design for a four-year collaborative research project on climate change mitigation. The funding, which was announced Thursday, will support research aimed at developing strategies to enhance community resilience to climate change. […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association launches #CheckTwiceSaveALife campaign
With summer temperatures in full swing, the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association is launching a new public awareness campaign to help prevent children from dying in parked cars. The #CheckTwiceSaveALife campaign, launching July 31, features a :30-minute English and Spanish language radio ad, as well as social media elements, reminding parents and caregivers of the […]
Posted inNews
Newport Paddle Festival will celebrate Rhode Island’s water sports on August 17
Rhode Island’s paddling community is gearing up for a day of aquatic adventure and environmental awareness at the Newport Paddle Festival. The event, set for Aug. 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at King Park in Newport, promises a splash of excitement for paddlers of all skill levels. The festival, free and open to […]