The Rhode Island General Assembly voted last week in favor of a bill sponsored by state Sen. Alana DiMario and Rep. Carol McEntee that would increase the maximum amount of money that retired educators can receive in retirement. The current cap for retired adjunct professors is $18,000 per year. The new bill would increase that […]
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: Deborah L. (Kohn) Gazaway
Deborah L. (Kohn) Gazaway, 82, of Newport, RI, formerly of Narrowsburg, NY, passed away on June 12, 2024, in the Heatherwood Nursing Home. She was the wife of the late John C. Gazaway. Born and raised in The Bronx, NY, she was the daughter of the late Abraham and Helen (Schorr) Kohn. Deborah attended CCNY […]
Posted inNews
Ocean State Job Lot to hold in-store hiring event
Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL) is hosting a hiring event for 150 full-time and part-time positions across 34 of its locations in New England, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, and New York. The event will take place on Thursday, June 20 and Friday, June 21, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at […]
Posted inCity & Government
Placemaking Initiative grants awarded to organizations across Rhode Island to support summer events
Today, Governor Dan McKee and Secretary of Commerce Liz Tanner announced the recipients of new mini grant awards under the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation’s Placemaking Initiative. The RI Rebounds Placemaking Initiative is a statewide effort to support businesses in the tourism and hospitality industries. The mini grants, approved by the RI Commerce Corporation’s Board of […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What’s Up in Newport this week: June 17 – 23
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. WUN Stories Related […]
Posted inCity & Government
Governor McKee signs FY25 Rhode Island Budget
Governor Dan McKee today signed the FY25 “Team Rhode Island” budget, which provides crucial funding for K-12 education and out-of-school learning, includes the largest housing bond in state history and increased support for small businesses, local road improvements and retirees. The Governor was joined at the signing by Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, House Finance Committee […]
Posted inCity & Government
RI Department of State reminds candidates of the upcoming Declaration of Candidacy filing period
Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore and the RI Department of State Elections Division are today reminding potential candidates of the upcoming filing period for candidate declaration forms. Declarations of candidacy must be filed on June 24, 25, or 26. The deadline to file is June 26 at 4 p.m. Candidates for federal offices must […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority walk-in center to provide limited Tuesday hours this week
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) announced that its E-ZPass Customer Service Walk-In Center at One East Shore Road in Jamestown will be providing walk-in services from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m on Tuesday this week. The walk-in center will be closed Wednesday, Juneteenth, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The RITBA said […]
Posted inNews
The National Sailing Hall of Fame announces Class of 2024 inductees
The Sailing Museum and National Sailing Hall of Fame has revealed the names of 12 individuals who will be inducted into its fellowship of hall of famers this year. This diverse list includes Jan C. O’Malley, a three-time US Sailing Yachtswoman of the Year, two-time Adams Cup winner, and the first ever winner of the IYRU […]
Posted inSports
Vesper hangs tough to claim overall ORC Win in 170th Annual Regatta
By New York Yacht Club Newport, R.I. — On a light-air, four-race day, the final standings in a top-flight competitive fleet are as likely to come down to the mistakes you avoid as the things you do right. That was the case in ORC B at the 170th Annual Regatta. David Team’s Vesper squad fought all day […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Sail Newport to host Newport Regatta 40th Anniversary Event
Sail Newport will host an event celebrating 40 years of the Newport Regatta on Saturday, July 13, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The sailing event has been held since 1984 and gathers visitors from an average of 16 states and three countries. “This is a premier East Coast event every year,” says Brad Read, […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
IYRS School of Technology & Trades to host 27th Annual Summer Gala on July 13
IYRS School of Technology & Trades will host its 27th annual IYRS Summer Gala on Saturday, July 13, at 6 p.m. at IYRS, with musical guest Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue. “The IYRS Summer Gala isn’t just an event; it’s a celebration of craftsmanship, innovation, and the spirit of community that defines IYRS,” said Liz […]
Posted inBusiness, News
Following an incident involving its steam room, Newport County YMCA will reopen on June 16
Newport County YMCA on Saturday morning was forced to close due to an incident involving their steam room. Several readers alerted What’sUpNewp of a large fire department presence at the facility earlier Saturday morning. Newport County YMCA provided the following update on Instagram around 10:30 am on Saturday morning; Today we had an incident involving […]
Posted inNews, Sports
Doncic scores 29, Mavericks roll past the Celtics 122-84 to avoid a sweep in the NBA Finals
By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer DALLAS (AP) — There were two options for the Dallas Mavericks. Pack for Boston, or pack for vacation. Boston awaits. These NBA Finals are not over, thanks to one of the biggest blowouts in title-round history. Luka Doncic scored 25 of his 29 points in the first half, Kyrie […]
Posted inThings To Do
People’s Credit Union to host a free community shred day on June 29
People’s Credit Union’s Middletown Branch at 858 West Main Road will host a free Community Shred Day on Saturday, June 29th, from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. People’s has partnered with Shred-it to safely and securely destroy sensitive information using Shred-it’s cross-cutting technology. Everyone in the community is invited to bring documents suitable for destruction, […]
Posted inCity & Government
RIDOT provides weekly updates on Pell Bridge Ramps Phase 2 project
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation today provided the following weekly update on the Pell Bridge Ramps Phase 2 project; Overnight sitewide striping within a moving operation along portions of Route 138, JT Connell Highway, Admiral Kalbfus Road and America’s Cup Avenue is scheduled, with brief intermittent lane closures to allow the paint to dry, Sunday-Thursday nights from 8 […]
Posted inCity & Government
DEM: Historic bulkhead at Fort Wetherill State Park closed to the public until further notice due to safety concerns
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announces that the bulkhead behind DEM’s Division of Marine Fisheries at Fort Wetherill State Park in Jamestown will be temporarily closed to public vehicular and pedestrian traffic until further notice starting Friday, June 14. The closure is being enacted to protect public safety at this popular fishing and viewing […]
Posted inNews
Adoptable Dog: Thor is the hero that you’ve been waiting for
Meet your new best friend, Thor – this week’s adoptable dog of the week! Thor, a 10-year-old Mixed Breed, is available for adoption at the Potter League for Animals Animal Care and Adoption Center in Middletown. Here’s what the Potter League for Animals has to say about Thor; Despite his godly name, Thor is more […]
Posted inNews
11 students from Newport County named to Bryant University’s Spring 2024 Deans’ List
Bryant University recently recognized students who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to academic excellence and achievement, and they were named to the Spring 2024 Deans’ List. Students must have a GPA of 3.4 or better for at least 12 semester work hours to earn a place on the Dean’s List. Here’s a look at who […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Jaws Summer Party returns to The JPT on July 18 & 19
What’s Up Newp and The JPT Film & Event Center will present our annual Jaws Summer parties on Thursday, July 18, and Friday, July 19, 2024. The event is sponsored by Narragansett Beer, which will be in-house with merch, swag, and beer tasting on Thursday and Friday nights! Save The Bay will be on hand with a tank of live baby […]
Posted inNews
RIPTA to operate on Holiday Schedule for Juneteenth
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) will run a Sunday/holiday service schedule on Wednesday, June 19 in observance of Juneteenth National Independence Day. This schedule will apply to all regular fixed-route buses and trolleys operating in Rhode Island. RIPTA offices will be closed on Juneteenth, with the exception of the RIDE Paratransit Office and […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island lawmakers advance pay equity for domestic workers
The General Assembly passed a bill that would require employers to pay domestic workers the state’s minimum wage, according to a news release Thursday. The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Dawn Euer and state Rep. Leonela Felix, would classify domestic workers as employees and require them to be paid the state’s minimum wage of $7.25 […]
Posted inCity & Government
General Assembly approves bills for Newport
The General Assembly has approved bills sponsored by Rep. Lauren H. Carson and Sen. Dawn Euer enabling Newport to raise its landing and boarding fees for cruise ships and to seek city voters’ approval in November for $98.5 million bond for infrastructure improvements. The bills, both of which are backed by the City Council, now […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island General Assembly approves ADU bill to boost housing supply
The Rhode Island General Assembly has approved a bill that would allow homeowners to develop rental units in their basements or at the rear of their homes. The legislation, which now only awaits the governor’s signature, would create a new class of “accessory dwelling units,” or ADUs. ADUs are small, separate living spaces that are […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island General Assembly passes bill that would count mobile homes as affordable housing
The Rhode Island General Assembly has passed a bill that would allow mobile homes to be counted as affordable housing, helping to meet the state’s 10% affordable housing stock mandate. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Carol McEntee and Sen. Louis DiPalma, would allow municipalities to count mobile home units as affordable housing if they meet […]