The Portsmouth AgInnovation Farm has received a generous grant in the amount of $20,000 from Rhode Island Energy and the PPL Foundationโs Empowering Communities Grant program to support programming at the Portsmouth AgInnovation Farm. The Portsmouth AgInnovation Farm serves as a hands-on educational platform for students, driving them towards immersive community farming experiences. By integrating […]
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 โ and always will.
Contact: ryan@whatsupnewp.com.
Posted inBusiness
Cassandra Earle named new Communications Director at Discover Newport
Cassandra Earle has joined the Discover Newport team as the new Communications Director, he official destination management organization announced today. Earle will be responsible for implementing public relations and media strategies for Discover Newport and facilitating editorial coverage of the destination.ย โCassandra brings a unique expertise of the coastal communities we serve with her experience […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up Newp: Thursday, September 28
Good Morning, โ Today is Thursday, September 28 – the 271st day of the year; 94 days remain until the end of the year. Today is World Maritime Day, National Drink Beer Day, and National Good Neighbor Day! ๐๏ธ Audrainโs Newport Concours & Motor Week kicks off to the public today and runs through Sunday. […]
Posted inBusiness
Flo’s Clam Shack announces end of season closing dates for Middletown, Portsmouth locations; new location in Naples
Flo’s Clam Shack dropped some “sad news, good news, and great news” on Facebook recently. “We have some ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐, and ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ to share! SAD NEWS: Floโs Drive-In Island Park will be closing for the season on October 9th. GOOD NEWS: Floโs Clam Shack Middletown will be open until November 27th! GREAT […]
Posted inBusiness
Frosty Freez closes for the season on September 30
Frosty Freez, the ever-so-popular ice cream shop located at 496 East Main Road in Middletown, has announced that it will close for the 2023 season on Saturday, September 30. Frosty Freez, a season business in operation since 1956, will reopen for the 2024 season around April 1. Frosty Freez is open from 11:30 am to […]
Posted inBusiness
Becky’s BBQ to close its doors after 25 years
Becky’s BBQ, located at 82 East Main Road in Middletown, is set to close on Saturday, September 30 after more than 25 years of service. In a conversation with What’sUpNewp on Wednesday, owner Bob Bringhurst told us that he has been wanting to retire and the time has come. “There are things I want to […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Watch: A conversation with Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain
Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain sat down with WhatโsUpNewp today at 1:30 pm for a live virtual video conversation. During the conversation we discuss how the new school year is going, get an update on the Rogers High School construction project, and get answers to your questions.
Posted inCity & Government
Washington Trust agrees to pay $9 million to resolve redlining claims in Rhode Island
PROVIDENCE, RI โ The United States Attorneyโs Office for the District of Rhode Island and the Justice Departmentโs Civil Rights Division announced today that Washington Trust Company (Washington Trust), the oldest community bank in the nation, has agreed to pay $9 million to resolve allegations that it engaged in a pattern or practice of lending […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Theatre By The Sea announces 2024 Summer Season
Theatre By The Seaย ownerย and producerย Bill Hanneyย is proud to announce theย 2024 Summer Scheduleย forย Theatre By The Sea,ย which will includeย four sensational musicals. The season will open with A Chorus Line, the ultimate celebration of the American Musical, shared in the story of 17 dancers competing for a few coveted spots in the chorus of a Broadway musical. Itโs what theyโve […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, News, Things To Do
What’s Up Newp: Wednesday, September 27
Good Morning, Today is Wednesday, September 27 – the 270th day of the year, 95 days remain in 2023. Today is also World Tourism Day and Ancestor Appreciation Day! ๐บ Join the conversation: Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain sits down with WhatโsUpNewp today at 1:30 pm for a live virtual video conversation. We will discuss […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport Community Electricity winter rates announced
The Newport Community Electricity program is announcing new winter electricity supply prices to go into effect beginning with the November meter read. The new prices are fixed for six months and will be adjusted to summer rates in May 2024. Current participants do not need to take any action to remain in the program and […]
Posted inCity & Government
Portsmouth Community Electricity announces electricity prices for Winter 2023-2024ย
The Portsmouth Community Electricity program is announcing new winter electricity supply prices to go into effect beginning with the November meter read. The new prices are fixed for six months and will be adjusted to summer rates in May 2024.ย Current participants do not need to take any action to remain in the program and receive […]
Posted inNews
Greater Newport Chamber to host Women in Business Dinner with Author, TV Contributor, Samantha Ettus
The Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce will welcome best-selling Author, TV Contributor, and Womenโs Advocate Samantha Ettus, as keynote speaker at their Women in Business Dinner taking place on Thursday, October 19th at Rosecliff. Guests will enjoy networking and dinner in the ballroom and hear Ms. Ettus speak on The New No Boundary Workplace: How to Thrive […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
The Breakers: A Tribute to Tom Petty will perform at The JPT on Aug. 9, 2024
Spectacle Live will present The Breakers: A Tribute to Tom Petty, the country’s premier Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers tribute band, on Friday, August 9, 2024 at 8 pm at The JPT Film & Event Center. Established to let the fans of the late great Tom Petty continue to enjoy the live experience of Tom […]
Posted inSports
International Tennis Hall of Fame announces Class of 2024 Ballot
Indian tennis great Leander Paes is one of six nominees in the Player Category for the International Tennis Hall of Fameโs ballot for the Class of 2024. In addition to Paes, Cara Black, Ana Ivanoviฤ, Carlos Moyรก, Daniel Nestor and Flavia Pennetta return to the ballot in the Player Category. The ballot will also include […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up in Newport: Tuesday, September 26
Good Morning, Today is Tuesday, September 26 – Better Breakfast Day, National Chimichanga Day, National Family Day, and National Pancake Day. โต It was on this day 40 years ago (September 26, 1983) that Australia II defeated Liberty in Newport to win the Americaโs Cup trophy that had been in the hands of the New York Yacht Club since […]
Posted inNews
League of Women Voters Newport County seeks nominations for the Joan C. Arnold Award
This award honors the life of the late Joan C. Arnold, a member of the League of WomenVoters, who passed away in February 2011. Joan was a great admirer of Margaret Meadwho said, โNever doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can changethe world.โ Joan believed in her power to โchange the world.โ […]
Posted inNews
Providence man sentenced for robbing five Rhode Island banks
A Providence man who previously admitted to a federal judge that he robbed five banks in Rhode Island within five weeks in early 2022, including three in three days, was sentenced today to 30 months in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha. Dashawn Diaz, 24, admitted that on January 12, 13, and […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Allianceย Franรงaise de Newport is offering two levels for learning French language and culture
The Alliance Franรงaise de Newport is offering two levels for learning French language and culture for the Fall 2023 semester: French 1-Beginning and French 4-Conversation Salon. There is still time to register to learn French and to savor the joys of French culture. The French 1-Beginning class will be held on the campus of Salve […]
Posted inArts & Culture
‘Wild Weather’ย exhibit opens at Rhode Island’s State Archives
Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore and the Rhode Island State Archives today announced the opening of a new Archives exhibit titled Wild Weather. Wild Weather tells the story of how Rhode Island has prepared for, reacted to, and recovered from weather-related impacts dating as far back as colonial times up to and including recent years. The […]
Posted inNews
Largest cruise ship of the season sails into Newport as MSC Cruises launches Canada & New England itineraries
MSC Meraviglia arrived in Newport this morning on her inaugural Canada & New England itinerary, marking the first time she has ever visited Rhode Island. MSC Cruisesโ award-winning ship is offering 10- and 11-night itineraries this fall, visiting destinations in Canada & New England just in time for the changing of the leaves and Newportโs crisp […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up in Newport: Monday, September 25
Good Morning, Today is Monday, September 25 – Yom Kippur, National Lobster Day, and National Daughters Day. ๐ถ Toad The Wet Sprocket dropped into Newport and played a sold-out Jane Pickens Theater on September 22, 2023. WUN photographer Jack Casey was there and shares this concert recap and photo gallery from the show. ๐ Mac Jones threw […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up in Newport: Sunday, September 24
Sunday, September 24, 2023 | Reading Time: 6 minutes Good Morning, ๐ถ Van Morrison thrilled fans in the first of two shows at the Providence Performing Arts Center on Friday night. WUN photographer Rick Farrell was there and shares some photos of the evening. ๐ฎ๐ช The Museum of Newport Irish Historyโs first talk of its […]
Posted inNews
Adoptable Cat of the Week: Maleficent
Meet your new best friend, Maleficent – this week’s Adoptable Cat of the Week. Available for adoption at the Potter league for Animals in Middletown, Maleficent is a 15-year-old female. “Just like her namesake in Disney’s classic movie, Maleficent is a strong and independent creature who knows what she wants,” Potter League shares on their […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up in Newport: Saturday, September 23
9 – 23 – 23 | Reading Time: 7 minutes Good Morning, ๐ Happy Fall! The Autumnal Equinox occurred at 2:50 am this morning. ๐ถ The live music continues this weekend at The JPT with a performance by Livingston Taylor and Tom Chapin this evening at 8 pm. ๐ Newport City Council will meet in an executive […]