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 inThings To Do

Upcoming Adult Programs at Tiverton Public Library include Watercolor Group, Movie Night, and One-on-One Tech Help

by Ryan Belmore

The following is a list of library programs that adults can enjoy in September. Patrons are encouraged to visit https://tivertonlibrary.org or call 401-625-6796 to learn more and to register. All Month Long One-on-One Tech Help Tech help is available to everyone, regardless of your skill level. Come with specific questions or we can just chat about what […]

Posted inBusiness

NUWC Division Newport physicist advancing quantum computing at the warfare centers

by Ryan Belmore

Story by Public Affairs Office , Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport Quantum computing has the potential to exponentially improve the way the U.S. Navy operates. Possibilities include improved processing time that would quickly advance machine learning and autonomy efforts, the removal of noise clutter would optimize sensing, and encryption methods would become virtually impenetrable. This exciting […]

Posted inArts & Culture

Rhode Island native Stephen DeAngelis returns to Theatre By The Sea with a new concert featuring Broadway performers on Aug. 28

by Ryan Belmore

In celebration of 90 years of Theatre By The Sea (TBTS), owner and producer Bill Hanney is thrilled to welcome back New York Casting Director Stephen DeAngelis who returns with an all-new concert event created especially for Theatre By The Sea’s audience. Four of Broadway’s finest vocalists will recreate some of their most memorable and favorite musical moments as they celebrate the […]

Posted inNews

RIDOH recommends reopening Sandy Point Beach

by Ryan Belmore

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) recommends reopening Sandy Point Beach in Portsmouth because bacteria counts have returned to safe levels. RIDOH will continue to monitor and review beach water quality through Labor Day. The status of a beach may change as new data become available. The most up-to-date beach information is available through […]

Posted inNews

Potter League for Animals to participate in Nationwide Clear The Shelters Pet Adoption Event on Saturday

by Ryan Belmore

Potter League for Animals is proud to announce its enthusiastic participation in the highly anticipated Clear the Shelters™ national pet adoption event, in partnership with Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Greater Good Charities, & The Dodo taking place on Saturday, August 26. This special occasion marks a significant step towards providing loving homes for countless animals, as the Potter League dedicates […]

Posted inNews

Let’s Meet the Next Digital Frontier: Blue Mantis to host 2023 Cloudscape Technology Conference in Newport

by Ryan Belmore

Portsmouth, New Hampshire-based Blue Mantis, a strategic digital services provider delivering cloud, cybersecurity, and managed services, shared today that it is hosting its annual client conference in Newport, Rhode Island. The invitation-only event will be held at the Newport Marriott, October 2-3, 2023. The two-day event is expected to attract more than 300 Blue Mantis clients and technology […]

Posted inNews

BankNewport supports STEAM education by providing sunshade for outdoor classroom at Portsmouth AgInnovation Farm

by Ryan Belmore

Sun shading has been installed to enhance learning at the Portsmouth AgInnovation Farm’s outdoor classroom with funding from BankNewport. The sun shading provides a safe outdoor space for children to study science and learn-by-doing. “We are thrilled to support the Portsmouth AgInnovation Farm’s mission to foster STEAM education through hands-on learning,” said Jack Murphy, President […]

Posted inMusic & Entertainment

Smokey – Music & Memories: Smokey Robinson to perform at PPAC on Oct. 7

by Ryan Belmore

The Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) today announced that legendary singer, songwriter, and producer Smokey Robinson will make his PPAC premiere in Smokey – Music & Memories, an intimate concert on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at 8P.  Tickets will be sold to the public on Friday, August 25 at 10A at ppacri.org. Tickets will be available for purchase at the PPAC […]

Posted inArts & Culture

Why We Love Baseball: Charter Books to host author Joe Posnanski and Alex Edelman at The JPT on Sept. 6

by Ryan Belmore

Join Chater Books at the Jane Pickens Theater as they present Joe Posnanski, author of Why We Love Baseball: A History in 50 Moments, and The Baseball 100. Joe is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of six books and has been named National Sportswriter of the Year by five different organizations. Joe will be interviewed by award-winning stand-up […]

Posted inNews

Violinist and Dancer Lindsey Stirling will bring her North American Snow Waltz tour to PPAC on Dec. 14

by Ryan Belmore

Today, electronic violinist, dancer, and artist Lindsey Stirling announces her North American Snow Waltz 2023 tour. In support of her incredibly successful album, Snow Waltz, Stirling will be embarking on a journey across the United States, hitting 20+ cities, including a stop at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) in Providence, RI on Thursday, December 14, 2023 at 7:30P. […]

Posted inCity & Government

DEM Division of Fish and Wildlife announces fall family fun learning opportunities

by Ryan Belmore

Join the Department of Environmental Management’s Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) staff this fall for some fun education programs! Connect with the outdoors and learn some new skills; from women’s outdoor workshops to library lectures, there’s something for everyone. Join DFW’s Aquatic Resource Education Program, Hunter Education Program, and Wildlife Outreach and Volunteer Program staff to learn, explore, […]

Posted inCity & Government

DEM: 1,000 free trees available to Rhode Islanders through the Energy-Saving Trees program

by Ryan Belmore

The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and partners the RI Tree Council, Rhode Island Nursery and Landscape Association, and the Arbor Day Foundation are giving 1,000 trees away to Rhode Islanders this fall through the Energy-Saving Trees program. Registration opens Friday, August 25th. Now in its seventh year, this popular semiannual program helps Rhode Islanders save […]

Posted inNews

State Representative and House Majority Floor Manager John “Jay” Edwards endorses Sandra Cano for Congress

by Ryan Belmore

State Representative and House Majority Floor Manager John “Jay” Edwards (HD70 Tiverton) today announced his support and endorsement of Sandra Cano in the race for Congressional District One. “Edwards joins the growing diverse coalition that has now reached more than sixty leaders and organizations who have endorsed Sandra Cano for Congress,” Sandra Cano’s campaign says.. […]

Posted inNews

What’s Up Today: Monday, August 21

by Ryan Belmore

Good Morning! Today is Monday, August 21, 2023. 🗳️ If you’ve been following the race for Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District, you’ve probably heard more than enough about signatures on nomination papers. We’re hoping to help put all that you heard into context, by sharing data we collected last week on all fourteen candidates → Breakdown: […]

Posted inNews

Breakdown: Here’s how many signatures were collected, rejected in Rhode Island CD-1 race

by Ryan Belmore

For what seems like months now, Rhode Islanders and those interested in the Special Election for Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District have been talking about signatures on nomination papers. Specifically, the signatures on nomination papers submitted by Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos’s campaign in the Rhode Island 1st Congressional District race. The signatures on the nomination […]

Posted inNews, Weather

Communities across New England picking up after a spate of tornadoes

by Ryan Belmore

BOSTON (AP) — Communities across New England were picking up Saturday a day after a spate of tornadoes swept through the region. Four tornadoes were confirmed in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, and the National Weather Service was investigating a possible fifth in eastern Connecticut. Friday’s strong winds knocked down trees, damaged homes, flooded roadways and […]

Posted inThings To Do

What’s Up Today: Saturday, August 19

by Ryan Belmore

Good Morning! Today is Saturday, August 19. The Rhode Island Department of State’s Voter Turnout Tracker data visualization tool is now available for the September 5, special primary. Early in-person voting started on Wednesday, August 16, and runs through 4 pm on September 5. So far 1,363 votes (383 mail ballots, 980 early voters) have been cast […]

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