Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport, Rhode Island this week. This story will be updated throughout the week as we learn of events, meetings, and listings, so please check back often. Do you have something to add to this list or an upcoming roundup? Email ryan@whatsupnewp.com. Cruise Ship Schedule […]
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 inObituaries
Obituary: Helena L. Chaves
Helena L. Chaves, 89, of Portsmouth, RI, formerly of Hudson, MA, passed away on June 29, 2024, in Newport Hospital. She was the wife of Herculano M. Chaves for 66 years. Born in Santa Maria, Azores, Portugal, she was the daughter of the late Joao de Chaves Loura and Maria Moreira de Sousa. Throughout her […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Chelley Knight and The Dope Things headline NIMFest at King Park on July 7
The New England Music Organization and North End Entertainment are thrilled to announce acclaimed local artists Chelley Knight and The Dope Things as the headliners for this year’s first NIMFest concert at the King Park Gazebo on Sunday, July 7th, from 3 pm to 6 pm. Known for her soulful voice and captivating stage presence, Knight […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the Revolution to host Independence activities in Newport
Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the Revolution will host its annual Independence Day celebration on Thursday, July 4, throughout Newport. Schedule Of Events 9:00 am: Colony House on Washington Sq. will be open for inspection. The Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the Revolution will join the Daughters of the American Revolution […]
Posted inCity & Government
Shoulder closures scheduled for Pell Bridge Ramps project July 1 – 5
Work on the Pell Bridge Ramps project will involve temporary shoulder closures next week. Today, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) provided an update on the Pell Bridge Ramps project; “Our sitewide weekday operations next week involving shoulder closures, Monday-Wednesday and Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., will focus on continuing to spread loam and seed, […]
Posted inNews
Playful pup Trapper seeks forever home
Meet your new best friend, Trapper – this week’s adoptable dog of the week! Trapper, a two-year-old male Australian Shepherd, is available for adoption at the Potter League for Animals in Middletown. Trapper is described by the Potter League as a “smart and playful” dog, and he’s always eager to show off his intelligence. “Meet […]
Posted inNews
Fort Adams Trust’s 4th of July Celebration offers fun for all ages
The Fort Adams Trust is preparing to host its annual 4th of July celebrations. This year’s event will be extra special as the trust celebrates its own 200th anniversary. The fireworks show will be held on July 4th, 6:30 pm – 10:30 pm, with a rain date of July 5th. The event will take place […]
Posted inNews
Visiting Nurses Home & Hospice named beneficiary of the 2024 Newport Polo Gala
Newport Polo announced Visiting Nurses Home & Hospice as the beneficiary of its 23rd annual charity gala, Argentango Fandango, Presented by BD on Friday, August 2, 2024, to fete the Argentine Polo Team at Rosecliff. “As a small community, Newport has a highly diverse population that has always enriched the fabric of life here. Our efforts this year are to ensure sound […]
Posted inReal Estate
On the Market: A look at 33 homes hosting Open Houses this weekend across Newport County (June 29 – 30)
Welcome to this week’s edition of On the Market, where we spotlight the best opportunities for homebuyers in Newport County. Open houses are invaluable for those looking to explore the market and see what’s available firsthand. In today’s competitive real estate climate, where options can often be limited, open houses offer a unique chance to […]
Posted inNews
Kabuki: A cat who’s ready for a new home
Meet your new best friend, Kabuki – this week’s adoptable cat of the week. Available for adoption at the Potter League for Animals in Middletown, Kabuki is a 2-year-old female domestic medium hair cat. “Kabuki is a delightful and resilient tabby looking for a new home. She loves lounging around and watching the world from […]
Posted inNews
Sailors are ready for racing at the 22nd C. Thomas Clagett Memorial Clinic and Regatta
The docks are the Alofsin Pier at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island, are full to the brim with the boats of the 32 sailors with disabilities from across the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico who are in Newport for the 22nd C. Thomas Clagett Memorial Clinic and Regatta presented by Clagett Sailing. […]
Posted inNews
RIPTA to operate on a holiday schedule for July 4th
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) will run a Sunday/holiday service schedule on Thursday, July 4 to accommodate the Bristol Fourth of July Parade. This schedule change affects all regular fixed-route service. RIPTA offices will be closed on Thursday, July 4, in observance of the holiday. The agency also will be offering a detour […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island enacts Energy Storage Systems Act
The Energy Storage Systems Act, signed into law on Wednesday, June 26, will help build a more resilient and sustainable grid in Rhode Island by increasing energy storage capacity. “Rhode Island is a leader in our commitment to ending our reliance on polluting carbon-emitting energy. Keeping that commitment means we need to innovate and we […]
Posted inCity & Government
Middletown’s Zoning Board of Review grants a special use permit
Middletown’s Zoning Board of Review granted Robert P. and Susan Thornton a special use permit and variance for property improvements at 1 Prospect Ave. during a meeting Tuesday at Town Hall. The board unanimously approved the Thorntons’ petition to construct an addition to their detached garage and install an in-ground pool on their property, which […]
Posted inNews
Green, Fujita start U.S. Senior Open with 63s. Local favorite Andrade shot back at Newport CC
NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) — Richard Green and Hiroyuki Fujita each shot 7-under 63 in the U.S. Senior Open on Thursday, taking advantage of low wind in the morning to attack the seaside Newport Country Club course and pull a stroke ahead of local favorite Billy Andrade. Andrade, a native Rhode Islander, shot 64 in tougher […]
Posted inNews
Tornado confirmed in northern Rhode Island
The National Weather Service has confirmed that a tornado touched down near Breakneck Hill Road in Lincoln, Rhode Island and traveled to the east-northeast around 11:23 pm on Wednesday, June 26. Several large hardwood trees were uprooted, some of which fell onto homes and otherstructures in both Lincoln and Cumberland, according to the National Weather […]
Posted inReal Estate
Purgatory Road home sells for $4.8 million
Gustave White Sotheby’s International Realty today announced the sale of one of Middletown’s Land Trust Cottages at 107 Purgatory Road. The waterfront property was listed in February and sold today for $4,800,000, according to Gustave White Sotheby’s International Realty. Jose Aguon of Gustave White Sotheby’s International Realty represented the sellers, and Teri Degnan of Teri […]
Posted inNews
Tower Hill Road paving starts sunday
Drivers traveling on Tower Hill Road will want to prepare for possible delays as the Rhode Island Department of Transportation repaves sections of the road in North and South Kingstown. The work will continue from 9 p.m. on Sunday June 30 to early September, affecting travelers from Shermantown Road to the Oliver Stedman Government Center […]
Posted inNews
Newport honors Rogers High School Baseball Team for State Championship
The Newport City Council recognized the Rogers High School varsity boys baseball team Wednesday for winning the 2024 Rhode Island Division Three State Baseball Championship, their second title in five years. Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong read a proclamation declaring June 26, 2024, as “Rogers High School Vikings Varsity Boys Baseball Day” in Newport to honor the […]
Posted inNews
Newport City Council debates school funding, adopts Strategic Plan
The Newport City Council held a contentious meeting Wednesday, grappling with funding for the Rogers High School construction project and approving a new strategic plan for the city. The council voted 5-2 to approve $3 million in additional funding for the Rogers High School project, down from an initially proposed $4 million. The funding comes […]
Posted inNews
Report: Affordable housing remains out of reach for many Rhode Islanders
According to Out of Reach, an annual report published jointly today by the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) and Homes RI, full-time workers need to earn $33.20 per hour to afford a modest, two-bedroom apartment at fair market rent in Rhode Island. Founded in 1974 by Cushing N. Dolbeare, NLIHC educates, organizes and advocates […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Sundance Film Festival hit, and a ‘Blockbuster Blast’ series headed to The JPT
The Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center (the JPT) is kicking off the summer season with Sundance Film Festival favorite, Thelma, and a “Blockbuster Blast” series featuring some of the greatest movie hits from the 1980’s. Thelma (Friday, June 28 – Thursday, July 11): Inspired by a real-life experience of first-time director Josh Margolin’s own grandmother, Thelma puts a clever spin […]
Posted inNews
CCRI, Partnership launch work-based learning pilot
The Partnership for Rhode Island and the Community College of Rhode Island have announced plans to launch a pilot program that will provide students with hands-on experience in the work environment. The pilot program is a collaboration between the two organizations and will leverage the EPIC Network, a national program that supports work-based learning for […]
Posted inBusiness
People’s Credit Union donates $1,000 to Aquidneck Community Table
People’s Credit Union Head of Community Development, Courtney Hunter, recently presented a check for $1,000 to Rose Jones, Executive Director of Aquidneck Community Table, to support their mission of growing a healthy local food system for everyone on Aquidneck Island. The organization was selected through People’s Catalyst for a Cause program, in which contributing employees honor […]
Posted inNews
New law to protect patients’ pharmacy options
The General Assembly earlier this month passed new legislation to protect patients from an insurance scheme known as “white bagging.” The law will prohibit insurers from requiring patients to get their prescriptions from a pharmacy that is only mail order-only. “White bagging is simply bad for patient care. It is a money-making effort for insurers […]