Saturday, June 17, 2023 🔥 The Newport Gulls triumphed over their division rival, the Northshore Navigators, last night in a shutout victory of 2-0 at the celebrated Cardines Field. Maintaining an undefeated record at home, the Gulls’ season record improved to 8-1, while the Navigators fell to 2-7. 🍓 Trinity Chruch’s Strawberry Fest is back! Scheduled to […]
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 inCity & Government
Road Report: Schedule of lane closures and road construction projects (June 17 – 24)
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). All schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change. Rhode Island Turnpike & Bridge Authority June 18 – 24, 2023 Newport Claiborne Pell BridgeWestbound Right Lane Closure- 6/19 to 6/23- […]
Posted inNews
Adoptable Cat of the Week: Neptune
Meet your new best friend, Neptune – this week’s adoptable cat of the week! Available for adoption at the Potter League for Animals in Middletown, Neptune is a four-year-old male domestic shorthair. “Meet Neptune, a charming feline with an enchanting personality,” the Potter League for Animals shares on their website about Neptune. “At first, Neptune […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up Today: Friday, June 16
Sign up for our complimentary daily newsletter, and we’ll deliver this story to your inbox every morning! Friday, June 16, 2023 👉 The leader of The Ocean Race, 11th Hour Racing Team, was forced to suspend racing approximately 15 minutes after the start of the final leg, after suffering extensive damage when they were hit by GUYOT […]
Posted inCity & Government
Bill clarifying public shoreline access clears Assembly
STATE HOUSE – The General Assembly today approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Terri Cortvriend and Sen. Mark P. McKenney to establish that the public area of the shoreline is 10 feet landward of the recognizable high tide line. The bill now goes to the governor. The bill (2023-H 5174A, 2023-S 0417A) is intended to finally provide […]
Posted inSports
Disaster at the start of Leg 7 of The Ocean Race for 11th Hour Racing Team
At 18:32 local [16:32 UTC], just 17 minutes into the start of the final leg of The Ocean Race 2022-23 and during the short, inshore race course, 11th Hour Racing Team’s 60-foot race boat was hit by competitor Guyot environnement – Team Europe on its port side, leaving a large hole in the aft section […]
Posted inNews
Aquidneck Land Trust announces conservation of 9.85-acre wetland property in Portsmouth
The Aquidneck Land Trust (“ALT”) has announced the conservation of a 9.85-acre wetland property on Hedly Street in Portsmouth. Across from Maplewood Farm, ALT purchased the land from JIC Capital LLC to protect its important habitat and water resource value. With this purchase, Aquidneck Land Trust will have protected 97 properties totaling 2,801.85 acres. The […]
Posted inCity & Government, People & Profiles
Mayor Xay joins What’sUpNewp for a WUN-ON-ONE conversation
Newport Mayor Xaykham (Xay) Khamsyvoravong joined What’sUpNewp for a live virtual video conversation at 2 pm on Thursday, June 15. Among the topics, we recap the June 14 Regular Meeting of the Newport City Council and talk to the Mayor about the Cliff Walk, short-term rental application fees, the Rogers High School and Pell Bridge […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council adopts FY24 budget
Newport City Councilors adopted an FY2024 Budget during their Regular Council Meeting on Wednesday, June 14. The roughly $110 million spending plan, which goes into effect at the start of the City’s fiscal year on July 1st, includes several changes to both revenue and expenditures. TAX RATE FY2024 will be the first year of the […]
Posted inBusiness
Taproot Brewing Co. to celebrate 5th Anniversary on June 21
Taproot Brewing Co., located at Newport Vineyards, is saying “cheers to five years” with a celebration alongside their Wednesday Music Series kickoff on Wednesday, June 21 from 5 pm – 8 pm. Focusing on small-batch brews, Taproot offers new releases weekly with a consistent dozen options on draft and cans to-go. The brewery has produced over […]
Posted inJobs
CCRI’s Division of Workforce Partnerships teams with IIARI to offer free training in the fast-growing insurance industry
With an increasing need for qualified individuals to work in Rhode Island’s insurance field, the Community College of Rhode Island’s Division of Workforce Partnerships and the Independent Insurance Agents of Rhode Island (IIARI) are partnering to relaunch a free workforce training program in the fall for those interested in a career in the insurance industry. […]
Posted inJobs
Now Hiring: Job opportunities available right now in the Newport area
Looking for a new gig, job, or career? Here’s a look at some of the job opportunities available in the Newport area. All jobs were posted or provided to us within the last seven days and are located within five miles of downtown Newport. Have a job opportunity that you’d like to promote via What’sUpNewp? Click […]
Posted inBusiness, News
Undersea Technology Innovation Consortium awards $30,000 to STEM students
Middletown, RI- The Undersea Technology Innovation Consortium (UTIC) has announced six recipients for its first annual scholarship awards. The students, ranging from undergraduate to PhD candidates, will each receive a $5,000 scholarship to assist in their studies in undersea technology related fields. “The future of undersea tech holds many possibilities for climate change, Defense, and the […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up Today: Thursday, June 15
Sign up for our complimentary daily newsletter; we’ll deliver this story to your inbox every morning! Thursday, June 15, 2023 ⚾ On Wednesday night, the Newport Gulls swept a doubleheader over North Adams at Cardines Field. 🧢 Alex Verdugo and Rob Refsnyder had two RBIs apiece and the Boston Red Sox rallied in a five-run seventh inning to […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport School Superintendent provides weekly community update
Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain shared the following community update for Newport Schools Parents, Families, and Staff on Wednesday, June 14.
Posted inCity & Government
House OKs commission to study short-term rental issues
A special legislative commission will study the economic and social effects of the short-term rental industry under legislation sponsored by Rep. Lauren H. Carson and approved by the House today. “Like many of the tech-enabled industries that have grown exponentially within just a few short years of being introduced, short-term rentals have downstream effects that […]
Posted inCity & Government
RIPTA’S Summer Service Changes to take effect on June 17
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) today announced that it will implement summer service changes effective Saturday, June 17, 2023. RIPTA says that it makes regular service adjustments three times yearly in response to seasonal changes and/or passenger use. 2023 Summer Service Changes These annual changes include the start of select summer services and […]
Posted inNews
Adoptable Dog of the Week: Skully
Meet your new best friend, Skully – this week’s adoptable dog of the week! Available for adoption at the Potter League for Animals in Middletown, Skully is a 10-month-old male mixed breed. “Meet Skully! He’s an active pup who’d make a great running buddy, jogging partner or fetching friend,” the Potter League for Animals shares […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Norman Bird Sanctuary and Newport Live swing into the season with the Summer Outdoor Concert Series
The Summer Outdoor Concert Series is returning to Norman Bird Sanctuary, bringing renowned musicians from around the globe for a summer of music hosted by the Norman Bird Sanctuary and Newport Live. Following the success of the 2021 and 2022 seasons, the two Aquidneck Island non-profit organizations are collaborating for the third year to offer […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up Today: Wednesday, June 14
Wednesday, June 14, 2023 🩸 Today is World Blood Donor Day. The day celebrates donors and is meant to encourage blood donations and raise awareness of the need for blood. The Rhode Island Blood Center today is encouraging locals to sign up, donate blood, and bring a friend or family member to donate alongside. 👉 […]
Posted inNews
On this World Blood Donor Day, Rhode Island Blood Center encourages blood donations ahead of critical summer months
This World Blood Donor Day, Rhode Island Blood Center (RIBC) is encouraging locals to sign up, make a blood donation and bring a friend or family member to donate alongside with. Every year, countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day. The day celebrates donors and is meant to encourage blood donations and raise […]
Posted inNews
Governor McKee issues Declaration of Disaster Emergency to address Newport Cliff Walk damage
Governor Dan McKee today issued a Declaration of Disaster Emergency to help address significant damage to the Newport Cliff Walk that occurred in 2022. This State Disaster Declaration designation means the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) may now apply for federal Emergency Relief (ER) assistance from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to help […]
Posted inCity & Government
Infrastructure Bank closes on $77 million Green Bond to support clean and drinking water projects across Rhode Island
Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank has closed on a $77,260,000 Green Bond to support clean water projects for the Narragansett Bay Commission and the communities of East Greenwich, East Providence, Middletown, Woonsocket, and Warwick, and for drinking water projects in the City of Providence. “Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Rhode Island’s Clean and Drinking Water […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
newportFILM announces its 2023 newportFILM Outdoors schedule
newportFILM today announced the return of newportFILM Outdoors presented by Lila Delman Compass, with an exciting lineup of world-class and award-winning documentaries. Events will be held every Thursday this summer from June 22nd through August 31st at Aquidneck Island’s iconic mansion lawns, sports fields, and public parks, including The Elms, Fort Adams State Park, and the […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
2023 Newport Folk Festival lineup announcements
The Newport Folk Festival began its tradition of a rolling lineup announcement for its 2023 festival on February 2. The sold-out 2023 Newport Folk Festival will take place at Fort Adams State Park on Friday, July 28; Saturday, July 29; and Sunday, July 30. General admission tickets for the festival went on sale on Wednesday, February 1, […]