Here are the weekly road construction reports from the Rhode Island Turnpike & Bridge Authority (RITBA) and Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT). All schedules are weather-dependent. Rhode Island Turnpike & Bridge Authority November 5 – 11, 2023 Newport Claiborne Pell BridgeUpcoming improvements in the roadway between the old toll plaza and the bridge which are […]
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 inCity & Government
Traffic improvements coming for Admiral Kalbfus Road
Some important safety improvements are coming to Admiral Kalbfus Road. The City of Newport shared today in a press release that the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) informed the City on Thursday that it has approved a number of important traffic calming measures on what is one of the City’s busiest roadways. The work, […]
Posted inCity & Government
Letter: Energy on Aquidneck Island, and the future of the LNG facility on Old Mill Lane
Following the natural gas outage that left Aquidneck Island in the cold for a week in 2019, National Grid proposed the liquefied natural gas storage facility on Old Mill Lane in Portsmouth as a temporary measure to protect our island from outages during peak winter demand. When presented with options for reducing the risk of […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council honors Joe Nicholson, Dorothy Pascale at Annual Meeting
The Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council (RIPEC) honored two public employees for their outstanding service at their annual meeting last night. The recipients of RIPEC’s 47th Annual Public Service Awards are Dorothy Pascale, State Controller at the Rhode Island Department of Administration, and Joseph Nicholson, the recently retired City Manager of Newport. A keynote address was given […]
Posted inReal Estate
On The Market: Weekend Open House lineup for Newport County
Are you on the hunt for your dream home? Are you interested in investing in Newport County? This weekend presents an exciting opportunity to explore a variety of homes across our community. Whether you’re seeking a cozy single-family home, a stylish condominium, or a spacious multi-family property, you’ll find a range of options to consider. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
‘Off Season’ opens at Gallery Sitka on Nov. 11
Gallery Sitka’s latest exhibition, Off Season by Mary Ann Rossoni opens with a reception on Saturday, November 11, from 2-4 pm at Gallery Sitka in Newport, on the corner of Spring and Franklin Streets. The reception is free and open to the public; the show is through December 1. Providence resident, Ms. Rossoni says, “Whether urban or pastoral landscapes, I strive for […]
Posted inCity & Government
Providence, South Kingstown, and Tiverton Police Departments among law enforcement agencies nationwide receiving COPS grants
United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha joins the Justice Department today in announcing several new commitments as part of the Justice Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime. Instituted by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in May 2021, the strategy focuses on harnessing federal resources, intelligence, and expertise as a force-multiplier with state, local, and Tribal […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island Delegation delivers $3.8 million for Port Infrastructure at Quonset
U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner today announced $3.8 million in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) to construct a ramp at the Port of Davisville’s Pier 1 to accommodate stern offload roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) vessels that carry automobiles and other wheeled cargo. […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up in Newport this weekend: Nov. 3 – 5
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport, Rhode Island this weekend. This Weekend Stories that have appeared on WhatsUpNewp.com that are related to this week; Friday, November 3 Things To Do Nov. 3 – 12: Newport Restaurant Week throughout Newport and Bristol Counties Nov. 3 – 12: Foodie Film Festival […]
Posted inCity & Government
U.S. Senate passes trio of Appropriations Bills with $73.6 million in Senator Reed-backed earmarks for Rhode Island
WASHINGTON, DC — Last night, the U.S. Senate voted 82-15 to pass an appropriations package including the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA); Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies (Agriculture-FDA); and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) appropriations bills as part of a bipartisan appropriations package. The […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Cahal Dunne to perform for Irish Museum members and friends
The Museum of Newport Irish History invites the public to a special performance by Cahal Dunne, “Ireland’s Happy Man,” on Monday, November 6 at 6:00 p.m. at the Wyndham Newport Hotel, 240 Aquidneck Avenue, Middletown and live-streamed via Zoom. Dunne is a composer, pianist, comedian, storyteller, and television personality who credits his winning of Ireland’s National […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Sports
All-access documentary – A Voyage of Discovery: The Ocean Race – to be released Friday on Eurosport
A three-part documentary featuring a deep dive into the lives of the sailors and teams competing in The Ocean Race 2022-23 will be released on Friday 3rd November on Eurosport. It will also be distributed within the USA on Max at a future date, with further global distribution to come. “A Voyage of Discovery: The […]
Posted inCity & Government
$90,000 grant from Rhode Island Foundation will help Social Enterprise Greenhouse expand help for historically marginalized communities
A $90,000 grant from the Rhode Island Foundation will help the Social Enterprise Greenhouse (SEG) expand its programs for entrepreneurs from historically marginalized communities. The initiative will focus on start-ups in Newport as well as Central Falls, Pawtucket, Providence and Woonsocket. “The demographics of our state are rapidly changing, but for too many, real opportunity […]
Posted inBusiness
Aquidneck Community Table welcomes the winter season with the reopening of the Newport Winter Farmers Market
Aquidneck Community Table (ACT) this week announced the re-opening of the Newport winter farmers market, a seasonal celebration of local agriculture and artisanal goods. The market will take place every Saturday from November 4th, 2023, to April 27, 2024, at Stoneacre Garden. “The winter farmers market offers an abundance of fresh, locally-grown produce, fish, meats, and […]
Posted inCity & Government
What’s On The Agenda: Newport City Council meeting on Nov. 8
Newport City Council will host their next Regular City Council Meeting on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. The meeting, which is set to begin at 6:30 pm, will take place in the Council Chamber at Newport City Hall. Here’s a look at what’s on the agenda; CITY OF NEWPORT DOCKET FOR THE […]
Posted inNews
BankNewport’s “Kind Heart Warm Soles” drive collects over 1,800 new pairs of socks for Rhode Island’s unhoused population
As part of its All In Giving program, BankNewport is pleased to announce that its “Kind Heart Warm Soles” drive to benefit organizations serving Rhode Island’s unhoused population resulted in the collection of over 1,800 pairs of new adult and children’s socks from its employees and members of the community who made donations at BankNewport’s 19 branch locations around Rhode Island […]
Posted inSports, Things To Do
Tickets are now on sale for the 44th U.S. Senior Open at Newport Country Club
Fans will have the opportunity to witness some of golf’s greatest players as daily tickets are now on sale for the 2024 U.S. Senior Open Championship. The 44th edition of the championship, conducted by the United States Golf Association (USGA), will be hosted for the first time at Newport Country Club., on June 26-30, 2024. […]
Posted inBusiness
MVYRADIO awards ninth round of ‘Business Diversity Initiative’ grants
MVYRADIO announced this week that it has awarded its latest round of quarterly ‘Business Diversity Initiative’ grants to local businesses.This round, MVacay in Oak Bluffs and Belonging Books Cape Cod were selected to receive a grant of sixty underwriting messages each on MVYRADIO to be used to inform the public about their business. The flight […]
Posted inReal Estate
Home on Winslow Road in Little Compton sells for $2.5 million
Residential Properties Ltd. today announced the sale of 1 Winslow Road in Little Compton for $2.5 million. RPL Sales Associate Jain Cern of our Little Compton office represented the seller as the listing agent in this transaction. According to State-Wide MLS data, this is the highest sale of any kind in Little Compton in 2023 […]
Posted inThings To Do
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey – The Greatest Show On Earth is returning to Providence
Feld Entertainment®, the worldwide leader in live entertainment experiences, is excited to welcome Children of All Ages© to the highly anticipated North American tour of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® The Greatest Show On Earth®. The immersive, live, family entertainment experience is unlike anything audiences have ever seen, filled with incredible feats that push the limits of human […]
Posted inSports
Narragansett Boat Club slices through competition at Head of the Fish Regatta
Narragansett Boat Club’s junior rowers sliced through the competition at the Head of the Fish Regatta in Saratoga Springs, New York this past weekend with top 10 finishes in sixteen of the twenty seven races they entered. Senior captain Cassin Edgar-Smith finished the season out strong with a silver medal in both the Boys U19 […]
Posted inCity & Government
Paid metered parking season comes to a close in Newport
Parking at a meter in Newport is free beginning today, Wednesday, November 1, 2023 In 2023, the paid metered parking season ran from May 1 through October 31. Through April 30, 2024, there is no fee for parking at meters but a 3-hour limit remains in effect daily. Newport Police Department and their Parking Division […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter – Let’s make our choice with care and consideration for the future we envision for Middletown
Dear Editor, As residents of Middletown, we have a significant decision to make on November 7th regarding the proposed $190 million school bond. It’s imperative that we fully understand the scope of this project, the potential benefits, and the impact on our community. The proposed project encompasses several vital components, including the construction of a […]
Posted inCity & Government
Buy Nothing Coat Exchange returns to Rhode Island State House on Nov. 24
The Buy Nothing Coat Exchange is back in full force this year to continue ensuring everyone who needs a coat this winter has one. Scheduled for the day after Thanksgiving on Friday, November 24 from 9 am–1 pm on the south lawn of the Rhode Island State House in Providence (across the street from the Cheesecake Factory), […]
Posted inNews
Newport in Bloom enhances Miantonomi Park with thousands of dazzling daffodils
With the help of the city’s crew and its bulb planting machine, a huge field of daffodil bulbs has been planted in Miantonomi Memorial Park. This planting was a cooperative effort among Newport in Bloom, the City of Newport, and the reNEWPORT Community Group. The bulbs were a gift to Newport in Bloom from Jane Timken and Dwight and Susan Sipprelle. “For too […]