Meet your new best friends, Falcor and Joey – this week’s adoptable dogs of the week. Available for adoption at the Potter League for Animals in Middletown, Falcor and Joey are a mom-and-pop duo looking for a forever home together. Here’s what the Potter League says about Falcor, a 2-year-old male Husky. Falcor, the handsome […]
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 inSports
Longtime Boston Bruins center David Krejci announces retirement at age 37
BOSTON (AP) — David Krejci has decided to retire, an expected development that leaves the Boston Bruins without their top two centers after setting records for the most wins and points in a season. Krejci announced his retirement in a statement Monday, thanking team president Cam Neely and general manager Don Sweeney for allowing time to make […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up Today: Monday, August 14
Good Morning! Today is Monday, August 14. Today’s newsletter is 979 words, approximately a 5-minute read. ⚓ Today is Victory Day in the state of Rhode Island. WPRI has a good look at why Rhode Island is the only state that celebrates Victory Day. ⚓ Tyler Bernadyn with a look at the 18 homes that changed hands in […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
What’s Up Today: Sunday, August 13
Good Morning! Today is Sunday, August 13. Today’s newsletter is 1,461 words, approximately a 7-minute read. 🌊 What’s Up Newp sat down with a trio of young artists at the Newport Jazz Festival last weekend. We met Matthew Whitaker, Julius Rodriguez, and members of Buther Brown at the festival. Here’s what they had to say. 🌊 […]
Posted inCity & Government
Road Report: Schedule of lane closures and road construction projects (August 12 – 19)
The following road and lane closure notices have been scheduled by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) and Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA). Rhode Island Turnpike & Bridge Authority August 13 – 19, 2023 Newport Claiborne Pell BridgeWestbound Right Lane Closure- 8/15 to 8/18- 6 am to 2 pm Jamestown Verrazzano BridgeThere […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up Today: Saturday, August 12
Good Morning! Today is Saturday, August 12. Today’s newsletter is 1,250 words, approximately a 6-minute read. 🌊 The 4th Annual Lobby Muddy Fest will take place today at Smuggler’s Waterfront Bar to support Newport Mental Health. Read More 🌊 The Butts Hill Fort Restoration Committee invites volunteers to their 2nd Summer Cleanup today. Cleanup starts at […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
A Newport Nutcracker at Rosecliff: Pre-sale tickets and youth cast auditions announced
Newport Contemporary Ballet, (NCB) announced today that premium seating for its annual production of A Newport Nutcracker at Rosecliff will be available for pre-sale starting Monday, August 14. Information and tickets are available at www.newportcontemporaryballet.org. Due to the unique nature of A Newport Nutcracker at Rosecliff, production capacity is limited to 100 guests per performance and historically sells out. There […]
Posted inNews
Newport teens are among just five students statewide to win scholarships worth up to $320,000 over four years
The Rhode Island Foundation is sending two Rogers High School graduates off to college with scholarships through its Carter Roger Williams Initiative, which was launched by philanthropists Letitia and the late John Carter. Antonio Boyd and Brettyn-Olivia Newsome of Newport are among just five students selected statewide based on their academic achievement, financial need, appreciation for […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: Joseph Joe H. Lorenz
Joe Lorenz, 88, of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, passed away unexpectedly on August 8, 2023, at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, MA. He was married to the love of his life, Terry (Warhanek) Lorenz, they were college sweethearts, with Joe as a College Basketball and Football standout, and Terry as Homecoming Queen. (You can guess […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
‘Chelcie Lynn: 2 Fingers and A 12 Pack’ coming to The JPT on Oct. 19
Spectacle Live will present Chelcie Lynn: 2 Fingers and A 12 Pack on Thursday, October 19 at 7 pm at The JPT. According to the event announcement; Chelcie Lynn is a comedian, actress, and internet personality extraordinaire. She started building a fan base in 2014 when her sketches featuring her alter ego, Trailer Trash Tammy went viral. Her videos […]
Posted inNews
Flood Watch issued for Newport County
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for Newport County, Rhode Island, and surrounding areas. Flood Watch Flood Watch National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA 1042 AM EDT Thu Aug 10 2023 …FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING… * WHAT…Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to […]
Posted inBusiness
Newport Hospital expands visiting hours, visitation guidelines
Lifespan, the parent company of Newport Hospital, today announced that visitation is being expanded at Newport Hospital. “Newport Hospital values the importance of family and friends in a patients’ healing process and is changing its visitation policy to allow more visitors and longer visiting hours in many areas of the hospital,” Lifespan says in a press release. “These […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up this weekend: August 10 – 13
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this weekend. Cruise Ships Here’s what’s coming up on the cruise ship schedule; Thursday, August 10: American Star Thursday, August 17: American Star Thursday, August 10 Things To Do 8:30 am to 10 am: “The Blue & You” Summer Speaker Series at Innovate Newport 12 pm […]
Posted inNews, Things To Do
What’s Up Today: Thursday, August 10
Good Morning! Today is Thursday, August 10. Today’s newsletter is 1,745 words, approximately a 8-minute read. 🌊 Rhode Island’s economy experienced no GDP growth and mixed results across key economic metrics, according to the Rhode Island Key Performance Indicators (KPI) Briefing for Q2 2023, released today. 🌊 Governor McKee announced on Wednesday that Bowen’s Wharf is […]
Posted inNews
Adopt Lucky: A sweet and friendly boy who likes to give big hugs
Meet your new best friend, Lucky – this week’s Adoptable Dog of the Week. Available for adoption at the Potter League for Animals in Middletown, Lucky is a 5-year-old male mixed breed. “Lucky is a sweet boy with the cutest freckled nose! This friendly guy likes to give big hugs and would do well with […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
‘The Staying Power of Books’ will be the subject of a Jamestown Arts Center talk on August 23
The Jamestown Arts Center will hold a JAC Talk, “The Staying Power of Books,” on Wednesday, August 23, at 6 pm with panelists Kate Lentz, executive director of the RI Center for the Book, Liz Nelson, Co-Owner and Director of Curiosity Store, and Tim O’Connell, editorial director for fiction at Simon & Schuster. This panel complements the […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
Dates announced for the 2024 Newport Folk Festival and Newport Jazz Festival
Newport Festivals Foundation, producers of the Newport Folk Festival and Newport Jazz Festival, announced the dates for the events in 2024. Celebrating its 65th Anniversary in 2024, Newport Folk Festival will be held at Fort Adams State Park on July 26 – 28, 2024. Celebrating its 70th Anniversary in 2024, Newport Jazz Festival will be […]
Posted inBusiness
Bowen’s Wharf is among eight major projects to receive Site Readiness Awards
Governor Dan McKee today announced over $650,000 in Site Readiness Awards to eight major projects across Rhode Island. The awards will fund site-specific planning improvements at several ongoing local economic development projects and will support municipal technical assistance, helping to increase local economic activity. “From supporting local artists to preventing flooding, and expanding the growing pharma […]
Posted inNews
Newport Firefighters donate to Friends of Newport Skatepark
Members of the Professional Firefighters of Newport, Local 1080, the union representing the members of the Newport Fire Department, presented The Friends of Newport Skatepark with a $1,080 check this morning. Sid Abruzzi, Owner of Water Brothers, and Mike Richards, President of Friends of Newport Skatepark, were on hand for the presentation. “Many members of […]
Posted inNews
RIPTA to run holiday schedule on August 14 in observance of Victory Day
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) today announced that it will run a Sunday/Holiday service schedule on Monday, August 14, 2023, in observance of Victory Day, an official state holiday. The Sunday/Holiday schedule will apply to all regular fixed-route buses and trolleys. All RIPTA offices, except for the Customer Service Kiosk at the Newport […]
Posted inCity & Government
RITBA Customer Service Center will open two evenings this month
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority today announced that its customer service walk-in center will be open for special evening hours on Thursday, August 24th, and Thursday, August 31st, from 3:30 pm-6:30 pm. “We had a good response to our extended hours in March and wanted to add hours during the last weeks of summer […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
What’s Up Today: Wednesday, August 9
Good Morning! Today is Wednesday, August 9. Today’s newsletter is 1,476 words, approximately a 7-minute read. 🌊 The Newport Gulls defeated the Bristol Blues, 8-4, on Tuesday night to earn their seventh Fay Vincent Sr. Cup in team history. This was the Gulls’ first championship since 2014. 🌊 Westerly Town Council President Ed Morrone has abruptly resigned from the […]
Posted inNews
Block Island Airport Gallery features the works of Middletown artist Annabel Manning
The gallery at the Block Island Airport, a partnership between the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) and the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC), announced the opening of its late summer exhibit featuring works by Middletown’s Annabel Manning. According to her official bio, Manning is “a Middletown visual artist and educator currently teaching at […]
Posted inSports
Royals hit 3 home runs, beat Red Sox 9-3 to spoil season debut of Boston’s Trevor Story
BOSTON (AP) — Drew Waters, MJ Melendez and Michael Massey each hit two-run home runs and the Kansas City Royals snapped a three-game losing streak with a 9-3 win over the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night. Brady Singer (8-8) allowed three runs off five hits over 6 2/3 innings, and the Royals finished with […]
Posted inNews
Something to Chirp About: Cruiser is looking for a forever home
Looking to add to your flock? Cruiser is this week’s adoptable pet of the week! Available for adoption at the Potter League for Animals in Middletown, Cruiser is a one-year-old female. “This tweetie pie’s name is Cruiser! Cruiser literally cruised his way into the property of our shelter, and landed right next to an actual […]