Governor Dan McKee today signed an Executive Order announcing that the 34th annual Governor’s Bay Day celebration will take place on Sunday, July 30. Major perks include free beach parking at all state beaches and free Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) beach bus service. Legislative and local leaders, state agency officials, the Rhode Island […]
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
WUN-ON-ONE: A conversation with Christian McBride, Newport Jazz Festival’s Artistic Director
Christian McBride is always part of the music, whether behind the bass as a performer, directing it as an Artistic Director, or talking about it on NPR’s Jazz Night in America and The Lowdown: Conversations With Christian on SiriusXM. McBride, an eight-time GRAMMY-winning bassist, composer, and bandleader, prepares to do some of it all at […]
Posted inArts & Culture
newportFILM raises more than $300,000 at annual Summer Benefit
It was a celebration at newportFILM’s annual Summer Benefit on Saturday, July 15th, at IYRS’s Restoration Hall in Newport. The Presenting Sponsor was the Stratus Foundation/FlyAdvanced. Raising over $300,000 – a record for the organization – the Summer Benefit is newportFILM’s biggest fundraiser of the year, supporting Outdoors screenings, year-round programming, and the educational initiatives Edu, […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up in Newport Today: Monday, July 24
Good Morning! Today is Monday, July 24. Today’s newsletter is 1,210 words, approximately a 6-minute read. 🎾 Second-seeded Adrian Mannarino defeated teenager Alex Michelsen, 6-2, 6-4, to win the Hall of Fame Open at the International Tennis Hall of Fame final on Sunday. 🎵 Playing the Newport Folk Festival is a lifelong dream for many musicians. Some […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
What’s Up in Newport Today: Sunday, July 23
Good Morning! Today is Sunday, July 23. Today’s newsletter is 1,364 words, approximately an 7-minute read. 🎾 Teenager Alex Michelsen beat four-time tournament champion John Isner 7-6 (6), 6-4 in an all-American semifinal on Saturday at the Hall of Fame Open at the International Tennis Hall of Fame. On today’s schedule, it will be Nathaniel Lammons/Jackson Withrow […]
Posted inNews
17 popular movies filmed in and around Newport
With the filming of Hocus Pocus 2 and HBO’s The Gilded Age in Newport recently, we’re taking a look back at some of the other films that also used Newport as a filming location. According to IMDB, there are more than 100 films, documentaries and tv show that credit Newport, Rhode Island as a filming […]
Posted inNews, Things To Do
What’s Up in Newport Today: Saturday, July 22
Good Morning! Today is Saturday, July 22. Today’s newsletter is 1,547 words, approximately an 8-minute read. ☂️ Umbrella Sky Newport @ Brick Market, the outdoor art installation that has taken social media by storm, will host its official ribbon-cutting ceremony today at 2 pm. The ceremony will feature a performance by the renowned Providence Drum […]
Posted inNews
Road Report: Schedule of lane closures and road construction projects (July 22 – 29)
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 July 23 – 29, 2023 Newport Claiborne Pell BridgeWestbound Right Lane Closure- 7/24 and 7/28- 6 am to 2 pm Jamestown Verrazzano BridgeEastbound […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council to host next Regular Council Meeting on July 26 at Pell Elementary School
Newport City Council will host their next Regular Council Meeting on Wednesday, July 26. The meeting will start at 5:30 pm, to accommodate a discussion on the excavated soil at Rogers High School. Two special meetings that have previously been scheduled to be held on the topic have had to be postponed, due to the […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
SirusXM’s Seth Rudestsky and Tony Award-winner Beth Leavel coming to Theatre By The Sea
In celebration of 90 years of Theatre By The Sea (TBTS), owner and producer Bill Hanney is thrilled to welcome back SiriusXM Radio’s Seth Rudetsky and his Broadway Concert Series featuring Tony Award-winner Beth Leavel on Monday, July 31 at 7:30 pm for one show only. SiriusXM radio host Seth Rudetsky is bringing his Broadway concert series to Rhode Island! He first appeared at Theatre By The Sea last season (and […]
Posted inNews, Things To Do
What’s Up in Newport Today: Friday, July 21
Good Morning! Today is Friday, July 21. Today’s newsletter is 1,403 words, approximately a 7-minute read. 🙏 Thanks to the sold-out crowd that came out to The JPT for The JPT & What’sUpNewp’s Jaws Summer Party! What a fun and fantastic night! Check out some photos on our Instagram. Tonight’s Jaws Summer Party is also sold […]
Posted inCity & Government
Department of Health recommends reopening Sandy Point Beach, Peabody’s Beach, and Third Beach
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) recommends reopening several beaches because bacteria counts have returned to safe levels. Lincoln Woods, Lincoln City Park Beach, Warwick Conimicut Beach, Warwick Oakland Beach, Warwick Third Beach, Middletown Peabody’s Beach, Middletown Sandy Point Beach, Portsmouth Warren Town Beach, Warren Camp Ruggles, Chepachet Marion Irons, Glocester Camp Watchaug, Charlestown […]
Posted inNews
DEM identifies man whoe drowned while attempting to rescue two swimmers at Scarborough North State Beach
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today is identifying Idmael Elmonus, 38, from Cranston, as the victim of the drowning that occurred at around 7 PM July 18 at Scarborough North State Beach in Narragansett. Mr. Elmonus was trying to rescue a 17-year-old boy and Moraida Medina, 20, both of Central Falls, who […]
Posted inNews
$2 million Powerball Power Play ticket sold in Rhode Island
A $2,000,000 winning Powerball Power Play ticket was sold in Rhode Island for last night’s $1.08 billion drawing, according to the Rhode Island Lottery. The winning ticket matched five numbers, but not the Powerball number, to win the standard payout of $1,000,000. However, since the winner opted to pay an additional dollar for the Power Play feature, and the […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
Illiterate Light bringing their bicycle-powered stage back to Newport Folk Festival
Building on the momentum of last year, Illiterate Light – the duo of singer-guitarist Jeff Gorman and drummer Jake Cochran – are very excited to continue hosting The Bike Stage at Newport Folk Festival, taking place July 28-30. The Bike Stage is a pop-up stage located near the beer garden in the quad that is powered by bicycles and solar energy. Find the current announced lineup […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
What’s Up in Newport this weekend: July 20 – 23
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this weekend, Thursday, July 20 – Sunday, July 23, 2023. Check back often as we continue to add and/or update events and listings as we learn about them/receive updates. Weather Cruise Ship Schedule Here’s what’s left on the July cruise ship schedule; July 20 […]
Posted inCity & Government
WUN-ON-ONE: Stephanie Beauté, Democratic Candidate for Congressional District 1, sits down with What’sUpNewp
Stephanie Beauté, a Democratic Candidate for Rhode Island’s Congressional District 1, joined What’sUpNewp for a live virtual video conversation at 11 am on Thursday, July 20, 2023. During the interview, we learn more about Stephanie, discover why she’s running in this special election, and discuss what she believes sets her apart from his opponents. Visit […]
Posted inCity & Government
What’s Up in Newport Today: Thursday, July 20
This is a What’sUpNewp newsletter. Sign up for our free daily newsletter and we’ll deliver this story straight to your inbox every morning! Good Morning! Today is Thursday, July 20. Today’s newsletter is 1,303 words, approximately a 6-minute read. 👉 Newport Board of Canvassers on Wednesday morning asked Newport Police to investigate possible fraudulent signatures submitted on […]
Posted inNews
The Special Meeting on the excavated soil at Rogers High School rescheduled to July 26
Update: At 1:31 pm on Wednesday, July 19 the City Clerk announced via email that “The City Council meeting tonight is cancelled due to a malfunction with the elevator” Update: 4:15 pm: This discussion will take place at Newport City Council’s next Regular Council Meeting on July 26. The meeting begins at 5:30 pm. Following […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
Comedian Juston McKinney is coming to The JPT on November 18
Spectacle Live today announced that they will present Comedian Juston McKinney on Saturday, November 18, at 8 pm at The JPT Film & Event Center in Newport. With multiple appearances on “The Tonight Show,” one-hour specials on “Comedy Central,” and “Amazon Prime,” including “Parentally Challenged” and “On Mid-Life Support,” Juston is at the top of his […]
Posted inBusiness
BankNewport awards more than $500,000 in grants
As part of its All In Giving program, BankNewport this week announced that it recently awarded over $505,000 in grant funds to organizations throughout Rhode Island that focus on areas of need, including food insecurity, education and workforce development, arts and culture, healthy lives, and underserved populations. Among the recipients are the Boys & Girls […]
Posted inNews
Massachusetts man charged with firing gun near Providence strip club
An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced that a Massachusetts man has been charged in Providence County Superior Court for his role in a shooting incident nearby a Providence strip club in February 2023. On May 31, […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up in Newport Today: Wednesday, July 19
Good Morning! Today is Wednesday, July 19. Today’s newsletter is 1,132 words, approximately a 6-minute read. 🗳️ Some 15 candidates – 13 Democrats and two Republicans, have qualified to appear on the primary election ballot for the U.S. House District 1 seat. The Secretary of State’s office will hold a lottery for ballot placement today at 5 […]
Posted inBusiness
Kevin O’Donnell of Giusto and Mother Pizzeria in Newport appointed to the 2023 RIHEF Board of Directors
Cranston, RI – July 18, 2023 – The RI Hospitality Education Foundation (RIHEF) has announced the appointment of North Kingstown, Rhode Island native Kevin O’Donnell to its 2023 Board of Directors. O’Donnell started his hospitality journey at a young age, working various roles in local establishments including the Bonnet Shores Beach Club and Junction Pizzeria in Wickford, where […]
Posted inCity & Government
RIDOH recommends closing Sandy Point Beach, Third Beach, Peabody’s Beach due to high bacteria levels
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) recommends closing several beaches because of high bacteria levels: Goddard Park, in Warwick Oakland Beach, in Warwick City Park Beach, in Warwick Conimicut Beach, in Warwick Barrington Town Beach, in Barrington Warren Town Beach, in Warren Sandy Point Beach, in Portsmouth Peabody’s Beach, in Middletown Third Beach, in […]