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

Home on Blueberry Lane in Jamestown sells for $3.225 million

by Ryan Belmore

Lila Delman Compass today announced the sale of 15 Blueberry Lane in Jamestown for $3,225,000. Bob Bailey, top producing Sales Associate, of Lila Delman Compass’ Jamestown Office, represented the Seller. According to data maintained by the Rhode Island Statewide MLS, this transaction marks the 2nd highest sale of a non-waterfront property in Jamestown this year.*  […]

Posted inMusic & Entertainment

What’s Up in and around Newport this weekend: Nov. 10 – 12

by Ryan Belmore

Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport, Rhode Island this weekend, Friday, November 10 through Sunday, November 12, 2023. WUN Stories Related To This Weekend Friday, November 10 Things To Do Nov. 3 – 12: Newport Restaurant Week throughout Newport and Bristol Counties Nov. 3 – 12: Foodie Film Festival at The JPT Film […]

Posted inBusiness

The Public’s Radio and Rhode Island PBS announce plans to merge

by Ryan Belmore

Rhode Island PBS and The Public’s Radio announced today their plan to merge, “creating an innovative and dynamic regional public media organization to best serve and support the communities of Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts”.  In a press release, the group says, “Pending federal and state regulatory approval, the unification of these trusted and respected […]

Posted inCity & Government

City of Newport seeks to crack down on noise with help of A.I.

by Ryan Belmore

In an effort to crack down on noise pollution, the City of Newport on Tuesday, November 7 announced that it is preparing to deploy a first-of-its-kind smart enforcement system that will be capable of identifying and capturing noise violations in real-time. The system, which pairs the City’s existing traffic camera capabilities with new sound-detecting technology, […]

Posted inArts & Culture

History of U.S.-Ireland Tourism is the topic of Nov. 13 Museum of Newport Irish History talk

by Ryan Belmore

The Museum of Newport Irish History announces the third presentation of its 22nd Annual Lecture Series, featuring guest speaker Maureen D. Brady’s talk titled “The Surprising U.S. Roots of  Ireland’s Tourism Industry, 1950s-1960s.” The illustrated lecture will be presented at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, November 13, at the Wyndham Newport Hotel, 240 Aquidneck Avenue, Middletown, and […]

Posted inNews

Newport Mental Health and Cereal for Dinner partner to meet people where they are in the heat of the moment

by Ryan Belmore

Cereal for Dinner, a Rhode Island nonprofit for people with serious depressed mood and other mental health challenges, is partnering with Newport Mental Health’s mobile emergency response team, known as RI Outreach (RIO). “We at Cereal for Dinner are committed to providing folks with free, accessible resources and information they need to live day-to-day with […]

Posted inBusiness

New food hall at Union Station in Providence will include Giusto PVD and Mother Pizzeria PVD

by Ryan Belmore

Marsella Development Corporation today announced that its highly anticipated food hall, located within the capital city’s historic Union Station, will be named Track 15.  In addition, the Marsella’s are thrilled to share Track 15’s first merchants: a seafood and raw bar concept from Dune Brothers; regional Mexican cuisine from Chef Maria Meza and her family […]

Posted inObituaries

Obituary: Fernella O. Smith

by Ryan Belmore

Newport, RI -Fernella O Smith, 95, of Newport, Rhode Island. We are sad to announce the passing of our beloved mother, Fernella Henry-Smith. Our mother passed away surrounded by her loving family on Sunday November 5, 2023.Our mother was a loving and caring mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She loved her family immensely. She is […]

Posted inCity & Government

Rhode Island KIDS COUNT to release new publication: ‘School-Based Mental Health Services in Newport: Perspectives from Newport Youth, Parents, and the Community’

by Ryan Belmore

Rhode Island KIDS COUNT will release its newest publication, School-Based Mental Health Services in Newport: Perspectives from Newport Youth, Parents, and the Community on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. at Innovate Newport. Rhode Island KIDS COUNT is a statewide children’s policy organization that works to improve the health, economic well-being, safety, education, […]

Posted inCity & Government

2023 General Election Results: Representative in Congress District 1 and Middletown School Bond

by Ryan Belmore

Unofficial results will begin to display after the polls close on November 7, 2023 at 8:00 PM. Updates will occur every 5-10 minutes as new data becomes available. 2023 General Election – Statewide Summary Unofficial results: Updated November 07, 2023 09:24 PM 95 of 96 polling places reporting (98%) Representative in Congress District 1 CandidateTotal votesPctGabriel […]

Posted inNews

Aquidneck Land Trust conserves 2.5-acre wetlands property in Portsmouth

by Ryan Belmore

The Aquidneck Land Trust (“ALT”) has announced the conservation of a 2.5-acre wetlands property, the “Sullivan Preserve,” on Portsmouth’s northwest shore. The parcel is adjacent to the Wood-Estabrook Preserve, another 5-acre property donated to ALT earlier in the year. The Sullivan Preserve is a part of a larger 44-acre marsh and beach. A CRMC-designated path […]

Posted inNews

Aquidneck Community Table to present ‘Common Ground’ at The JPT on Nov. 9

by Ryan Belmore

 Aquidneck Community Table (ACT) has announced the presentation of ‘Common Ground’, a documentary film featuring the regenerative agricultural movement; farming based on working with nature rather than against it. The film will be shown on November 9th, 2023, at 7:30 pm at the Jane Pickens Theater. The film profiles a hopeful and uplifting movement of a diversity […]

Posted inNews

BankRI’s ‘Holiday Giving Tree’ gift program returns to brighten season for local kids

by Ryan Belmore

 A long-running holiday program to benefit kids across the Ocean State has kicked off, and Bank Rhode Island (BankRI) is hoping it’ll lead to the biggest year yet. The Bank recently began its 26th annual Holiday Giving Tree program – an effort that collects gifts for underprivileged children served by local nonprofits. All twenty-one of […]

Posted inCity & Government

R.I. Board of Elections releases November 7 Special Election tabulation process and timeline overview

by Ryan Belmore

To better help Rhode Islanders understand the vote tallying and public results reporting process, the Rhode Island Board of Elections has released the following timeline: November 7thPolling PlaceThese are ballots cast in-person at polling places on November 7th, encrypted, and securely transmitted from the polling place to the Board of Elections when polls close. These […]

Posted inCity & Government

Governor McKee launches Institute for Cybersecurity & Emerging Technologies at Rhode Island College

by Ryan Belmore

Governor Dan McKee was today joined by Lt. Governor Matos, former Congressman Jim Langevin, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Director Jen Easterly, Rhode Island College President Jack Warner, General Assembly leadership and other elected leaders for the launch of the Institute for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies at RIC. “The Institute for Cybersecurity & Emerging […]

Posted inCity & Government

Short-term rental commission to meet Wednesday

by Ryan Belmore

STATE HOUSE – The special legislative commission studying the economic and social effects of the short-term rental industry will meet Wednesday for overviews of the short-term rental industry as it relates to municipalities. The Special Legislative Commission to Review and Provide Recommendations for Policies that Deal with Numerous Economic and Social Short-Term Rentals Issues will […]

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