With days growing shorter, the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is cautioning motorists to be on high alert for deer crossing roadways, particularly at dawn and dusk. The deer breeding season (known as the “rut”) begins in late October and continues through November until early December. Deer tend to move around more frequently during this […]
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 inNews
Letter: The time has come for us to invest in our children in Middletown
Middletown voters have an opportunity to vote on a $190 million bond for construction of a new Middle/High School on November 7th. I agree, that the time has come for us to invest in our children in Middletown. With 3 terms on the Middletown Town Council, two as President, 2008-2014 I have been involved in […]
Posted inSports
DeGennaro’s big day receiving, 3 turnovers, 6 sacks help Richmond beat Rhode Island 24-17
KINGSTON, R.I. (AP) — Nick DeGennaro had a career-high 132 yards and two touchdowns on six catches to spark Richmond to a 25-17 win over Rhode Island on Saturday. DeGennaro, who set his career highs of eight catches for 113 yards and three touchdowns a week earlier, put the Spiders up for good with his 69-yard […]
Posted inCity & Government
Governor McKee nominates Neil Steinberg as Board Chair of the new Rhode Island Life Science Hub
Surrounded by leaders from across local government and the life science industry, Governor Dan McKee today announced that he is appointing Neil Steinberg to chair of the board of the new Rhode Island Life Science Hub. The Governor was joined by House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and Rhode Island Commerce Secretary Liz Tanner for the […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island Road Report: Travel Advisories for Oct. 14 – 21
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 October 15 – 21, 2023 Newport Claiborne Pell BridgeThe Citizens Pell Bridge Run will take place on Sunday, October 15, 2023. Expect delays […]
Posted inNews
Grey Sail Brewing and Raw Seafoods partner to brew ‘City Pier New England Double IPA’; proceeds will benefit Clean Ocean Access
Grey Sail Brewing of RI and Raw Seafoods, Inc. have joined forces in a unique collaboration to produce City Pier™ New England Double IPA, a limited-edition craft beer. All proceeds from the sales of this beverage will go towards supporting Middletown-based Clean Ocean Access, a non-profit organization with the vision of A Clean, Healthy Ocean […]
Posted inCity & Government
RIDOT provides updates on Pell Bridge Ramp and Aquidneck Avenue construction projects
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation today provided an update on two large projects that are currently underway on Aquidneck Island. Pell Bridge Ramps Phase 2, Newport Businesses remain open with traffic personnel onsite while the majority of our daytime operations continue weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. We plan to install the median island along […]
Posted inCity & Government
RITBA reminds drivers that lane restrictions on the Newport Pell Bridge may cause delays
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority today is reminding drivers of upcoming improvements that will impact travel times for those crossing the Newport Pell Bridge. “As we make these upgrades to the roadway near the Newport Pell Bridge, we want to remind drivers to leave extra time for their travels,” said Lori Caron Silveira, […]
Posted inNews
Recap: Top What’sUpNewp stories of the week
It was a busy news week in and around Newport, here’s a look at the most-read What’sUpNewp stories over the past week, October 8 – 13, 2023. Obituaries From This Week
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Newport Classical presents its next Chamber Series Concert on Nov. 3
Continuing its commitment to ongoing year-round programming, Newport Classical today announced that it will present its next Chamber Series concert featuring the internationally acclaimed violinist William Hagen in an evening of virtuosic chamber music. Joined by renowned pianist Orion Weiss, Hagen takes the stage in downtown Newport at Newport Classical’s home venue, Newport Classical Recital Hall (42 Dearborn St.) on Friday, November 3, 2023, at 7:30 pm. In […]
Posted inCity & Government
Governor McKee and Secretary Pryor outline Rhode Island’s strategy for addressing homelessness this winter
Governor Dan McKee and Housing Secretary Stefan Pryor today outlined Rhode Island’s strategy for addressing homelessness through expanded shelter options and other services as winter approaches. Anchored around prevention, expansion, and collaboration, Governor McKee’s office says that the state’s strategy already features a more than 30 percent increase in shelter bed capacity when compared to January […]
Posted inNews
Tortitude: Beautiful Agatha seeks forever home
Meet your new best friend, Agatha – this week’s adoptable cat of the week! According to the Potter League for Animals, Agatha is a 10-year-old female. “A beautiful Tortie is one thing, but a Tortoiseshell as beautiful as Agatha is, is quite another,” says the Potter League for Animals on their website. “Her markings are […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island State Police report for Oct. 12
Here’s a look at the Rhode Island State Police arrest reports for Thursday, October 12. What’sUpNewp has edited the arrest log to withhold home address information. All persons arrested or cited are presumed innocent until convicted in a court of law. Detective Bureau On October 12, 2023, members of the Rhode Island Violent Fugitive Task […]
Posted inArts & Culture
RAIN: A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES coming to PPAC in 2024
RAIN: A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES is an electrifying journey through the iconic eras of Sgt. Pepper and Magical Mystery Tour in addition to songs from the early years all the way to Abbey Road. RAIN: A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES stops by the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at 7 pm. […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
What’s Up This Weekend: October 13 – 15
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this weekend, Friday, October 13 through Sunday, October 15. CRUISE SHIPS On the cruise ship schedule this week; Friday, Oct.13 Seaborn Quest Saturday, Oct. 14 MSC Luxury Saturday, Oct. 14 Crystal Serenity Sunday, Oct.15 Emerald Princess FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13 Things To Do 10 am: Trinity […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
The Alliance Française de Newport will present ‘An Evening of Cabaret’ on Oct. 25
The Alliance Française de Newport will present An Evening of Cabaret on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at the Elks Lodge located at 141 Pelham St., Newport, RI at 7:00 p.m. An Evening of Cabaret will feature Mathilde Mauguière, an internationally acclaimed French singer. She began her career in the Department of the Haute-Marne where, accompanying […]
Posted inArts & Culture
SHUCKED to launch tour across North America – performances begin in Providence in 2024
Lead producers Mike Bosner and Jason Owen have announced that Shucked, the Tony Award-winning musical comedy The Wall Street Journal calls “flat out hilarious,” will embark on a North American tour in the fall of 2024. The tour will tech and begin performances at the Providence Performing Arts Center in Rhode Island and will play over 30 cities in its first season. “Shucked is a […]
Posted inCity & Government
Eco-Depot being held at Easton’s Beach on Oct. 14
Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corp. (RIRRC) and the City of Newport will be hosting an Eco-Depot at Easton’s Beach on Saturday, October 14 from 8 am to 12 pm. According to RIRRC, Eco-Depot’s “are free collections for properly disposing of household hazardous waste from RI households. Household hazardous waste is anything labeled with a skull […]
Posted inNews
Meet your new best friend, Maverick – this week’s Adoptable Dog of the Week!
Meet your new best friend, Maverick – this week’s Adoptable Dog of the Week! Maverick, a 1-year-old male mixed breed, is available for adoption at the Potter League for Animals Animal Care & Adoption Center in Middletown. “Maverick is a super handsome boy, and even more super special! He’s all about the soft gazes and […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
Newport String Project announces opening concerts of its Newport County Concert Series
The Newport String Project announces the opening concerts of its Newport County Concert Series on Saturday, October 28th, and Sunday, October 29th. The project’s resident ensemble, the Newport String Quartet, will perform works by Haydn, Mendelssohn, Dvorak and Matsui at St Paul’s Methodist Church in Newport (Saturday, October 28th) and St Matthew’s Episcopal Church (Sunday, October […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Special live performance traveling to Jamestown from Slovenia
Direct from the premiere in Ljubljana, Slovenia in late September, a hybrid video and dance performance entitled The Moment Before will take place at the Jamestown Arts Center on Saturday, October 28 at 5 pm. The Moment Before is a collaborative piece of visual and live performance art from three Slovenian artists that incorporates the viewer’s experience into […]
Posted inNews
Police identify woman killed in Admiral Kalbfus Road crash
On October 11, 2023, at approximately 7:50 a.m., Newport Police Officers responded to a call regarding a motor vehicle accident involving injuries at the intersection of Admiral Kalbfus Road and Hillside Avenue. In a press release, Newport Police Department says that preliminary investigations reveal that a Ford F800 bucket truck, driven by James Drape, a […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Arts & Cultural Alliance accepting applications for 2024 Artist Award
The Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County’s (ACA) is now accepting applications for the 2024 Artist Award. The award is presented annually to a Newport County artist to support artistic endeavors that benefit the community. The application deadline is March 1, 2024. Now in its sixth year, the ACA’s Artist Award provides up to […]
Posted inFood & Drink, Music & Entertainment, News, Things To Do
Trinity Church’s annual Pumpkin Patch returns Oct. 11 – 31
Trinity Church opened its 15th Annual Pumpkin Patch to the public on Wednesday, October 11, 2023. This year’s pumpkin patch will be open daily outdoors on the lawn of Trinity Church from 12 pm to 6 pm on weekdays and 10 am to 6 pm on weekends through Tuesday, October 31. The patch includes cider, hot […]
Posted inNews, Things To Do
Break Through Waves to host its Annual Paddle Out Ceremony at Easton’s Beach on Oct. 15
Break Through Waves, a group of volunteers who are passionate about bringing wellbeing to people through a variety of programs such as yoga and surf therapy, will host their 3rd Annual Paddle Out Ceremony at Easton’s Beach on October 15, 2023 at 3 pm. “We invite friends, family, program supporters, beach lovers, the local surf community, […]