Newport City Council will host a workshop regarding “Strategic Plan Consultant,” according to a meeting notice published by the City Clerk today. The meeting will take place on August 17 at 5:30 pm in the Conference Hall at Innovate Newport. What’sUpNewp followed up with Newport Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong for more background on the reason for […]
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 inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
newportFILM: RSVP’s required for the screening of ‘Water Brother: The Sid Abbruzzi Story’ on August 17
newportFILM announced today that RSVP’s will be required for their screening of Water Brother: The Sid Abbruzzi Story at Fort Adams State Park on August 17, 2023. RSVP’s will open on August 11 at 10 am and will be limited to two RSVPs per person due to limited spots available. newportFILM says in an email […]
Posted inJobs, News
CCRI offering free Case Manager Training in partnership with Newport Mental Health
The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI), in collaboration with Newport Mental Health and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), is accepting applications for its new Case Management Workforce Program. This initiative, funded by EOHHS, is designed to prepare a portion of Newport Mental Health’s current staff to enter a new career […]
Posted inCity & Government
Senator Whitehouse welcomes new class of U.S. Naval War College students
U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today welcomed a new class of more than 500 graduate students to the U.S. Naval War College in Newport. Whitehouse underscored the security risks posed by the climate crisis and kleptocratic threats to the rule of law around the world. “Make no mistake: climate risk is a security risk, and democracy […]
Posted inReal Estate
What Sold: 28 Newport County real estate sales, transactions (July 31 – August 4)
Here’s a look at what sold last week in Newport County. Data and information via Rhode Island Statewide MLS. Newport 211 Third Street sold for $549,000. This 1,448 sq. ft single-family residence has three bedrooms and three bathrooms. This home was initially listed for $549,000. 75 Pelham Street #B sold for $1,010,000. This 1,510 sq. […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport and Middletown among recipients of $3.8 million in Learn365RI Grants
Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) today announced the recipients of nearly $3.8 million in Advancing Learning Beyond the 180-Day School Year grant program funding aimed to support Rhode Island communities launch or expand extended learning programming in alignment with the Governor’s Learn365RI initiative. “Our Learn365RI grants will help us […]
Posted inNews, Things To Do
What’s Up Today: Tuesday, August 8
Good Morning! Today is Tuesday, August 8. Today’s newsletter is 1,348 words, approximately a 7-minute read. ⚾ Monday night’s NECBL Championship Game in Bristol, Connecticut, between the Newport Gulls and Bristol Blues was postponed due to inclement weather. Game two will now be played this evening in Bristol at 6:30 PM. The Gulls lead the […]
Posted inCity & Government
DEM planning on prescribed burns on Prudence Island and in Exeter and Coventry
The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is announcing that depending on weather and wind conditions, it plans on conducting low-severity prescribed burns on state lands on Prudence Island and in Exeter and Coventry later this month ahead of DEM’s Forest Fire Program’s fall-prescribed fire season. Prescribed or planned, burning is a versatile tool that natural resources […]
Posted inNews, Things To Do
Save The Bay seeks Beach Captains for this year’s International Coastal Cleanup effort
If donning a pair of gloves and a trash grabber and guiding volunteers through a coastal cleanup sounds enticing, then becoming a Beach Captain might be in your future! Save The Bay has announced a series of Beach Captain training to teach reliable, responsible volunteers the safety and data collection protocols needed to lead an […]
Posted inThings To Do
A new exhibition, ‘The Celestial City: Newport and China’, is coming to Rosecliff
By The Preservation Society of Newport County An exhibition illustrating Newport’s deep connections with China from the 18th century through the Gilded Age will open September 1 at historic Rosecliff. “The Celestial City: Newport and China” will include more than 100 extraordinary works in a range of media, from paintings, sculptures, prints and photographs to […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
What’sUpNewp and The JPT to host a Jaws Summer Party on August 31
Following on the heels of two-sold-out “Jaws Summer Party” events in July, What’sUpNewp and The JPT Film & Event Center are proud to announce that we’ll host one more Jaws Summer Party before this summer comes to an end. Our third Jaws Summer Party will take place on August 31, hope to see you there! […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up in Newport Today: Monday, August 7
Good Morning! Today is Monday, August 7. Today’s newsletter is 1,183 words, approximately a 6-minute read. ⚓ The Newport Jazz Festival had something for everyone this year, featuring dozens of artists performing in various sub-genres of jazz all weekend long. Sunday, August 6th, included funky rhythms from The Soul Rebels, pristine throwback vocals from Grammy-winning […]
Posted inSports
Serious, tight racing at the 12 Metre World Championship
After participating in a morning parade around Newport Harbor that was punctuated by cannon salutes from yacht clubs and other prime waterfront viewing spots, ten historic 12 Metres moved on to Rhode Island Sound for Saturday’s final race of the 12 Metre World Championship. To be named the World Champions at the end of the day, […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: Gail W. Allen
A brilliant mind, a force of nature, a woman of impeccable style; Gail Allen passed away on August 1st, 2023. Gail was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on June 19th, 1952. She married her late husband, Guy Allen, on June 17th, 1978. Guy was in the US Navy, stationed in Newport, RI. and developed an […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up in Newport Today: Sunday, August 6
Good Morning! Today is Sunday, August 6. Today’s newsletter is 941 words, approximately a 5-minute read. 🎵 A sold-out crowd for Day 2 of the 2023 Newport Jazz Festival was served some of the best music anywhere on the planet. From a Coltrane-inspired set from legend Charles Lloyd to the high-energy antics of jazz and […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up in Newport Today: Saturday, August 5
Good Morning! Today is Saturday, August 5. Today’s newsletter is 1,070 words, approximately a 5-minute read. 🎺 The 2023 Newport Jazz Festival kicked off on Friday, August 4, playing to a near-sellout crowd comprised of the youngest jazz festival audience in recent memory. What brought the younger crowd to Fort Adams? A slew of contemporary […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
What’s Up in Newport Today: Friday, August 4
Good Morning! Today is Friday, August 4. Today’s newsletter is 1,751 words, approximately a 8-minute read. ⚾ The Newport Gulls emerged victorious in game one of the semifinals, 11-6 against the Danbury Westerners on Thursday night at Cardines Field. The series will continue on this evening when Newport travels to Rogers Park in Danbury, Connecticut for game […]
Posted inCity & Government
What’s On The Agenda: Newport City Council Meeting on Aug. 9
Newport City Council will host its next Regular Council Meeting on Wednesday, August 9 at 6:30 pm at Innovate Newport. The meeting is open to the public. CITY OF NEWPORT DOCKET FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 9, 2023 The following items of business, filed with the City Clerk under the Rules of the […]
Posted inNews
RI Department of State reminds voters of upcoming registration, disaffiliation deadlines
Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore and the RI Department of State Elections Division are today reminding eligible voters of important deadlines for the special elections being held this fall. There are special elections for Congressional District 1, State Senate District 1, Cranston City Council (Ward 6), and Foster Town Council this fall. The primary […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
What’s Up in Newport this weekend: August 4 – 6
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this weekend! Friday, August 4 Things To Do Newport Jazz Festival at Fort Adams State Park 12 pm to 6 pm: Ca’ del Bosco Wine Garden at The Chanler at Cliff Walk 12 pm to 5 pm: IYRS Maritime Library Summer Book Sale at IYRS […]
Posted inCity & Government
WUN-ON-ONE: A conversation with Stephen Casey, Democratic Candidate for Congressional District 1
Stephen Casey, a Democratic Candidate for Rhode Island’s Congressional District 1, joined What’sUpNewp for a live virtual video conversation at 2 pm on Thursday, August 3, 2023. During the interview, we learn more about Stephen, find out why he’s running in this special election, and discuss what he believes sets him apart from his opponents. […]
Posted inFood & Drink, Things To Do
Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival tickets are now on sale
Tickets for the 18th Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival Presented by J.P. Morgan Wealth Management, scheduled for Sept. 22-24 at Rosecliff, are now on sale to the general public. Closed since January 2 while undergoing an extensive restoration, Rosecliff will host 21 seated tasting seminars featuring fine wines and other beverages from around […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
What’s Up in Newport Today: Thursday, August 3
Good Morning! Today is Thursday, August 3. Today’s newsletter is 1,294 words, approximately a 7-minute read. 👏 The Newport Gulls advanced to the second round of the NECBL playoffs after a winner-take-all victory, 7-1 against the Ocean State Waves on Wednesday night at Cardines Field. 🗳️ We wrap up our conversations with candidates for Rhode Island’s 1st […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: Beatrice E. ‘Bea’ Monroe
Our dear mother Beatrice E. “Bea” (Marques) Monroe sadly passed away peacefully July 17, 2023 at the Newport HospitalShe was very loved and will be sadly missed. She was the 11th child of the late John and Bertha (Chenette) Marques. She had many hard times as a child but never complained. Bea and her late […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
CCRI Players to present ‘Antony & Cleopatra’
The Community College of Rhode Island Players presents Antony & Cleopatra as part of CCRI’s Summer Repertory program at the Bobby Hackett Theatre in Warwick on August 3 – 6. Directed by Ronald K. Lewis, this modern-day adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Antony & Cleopatra is a tale of the tragic romance of one of history’s greatest love stories which utilizes […]