Tuesday, June 13, 2023 💰 Newport’s new tax structure to encourage owner-occupied housing has cleared its final hurdle with yesterday’s Rhode Island General Assembly passage of legislation sponsored by Rep. Lauren H. Carson and Sen. Dawn Euer. The bill now goes to Governor Dan McKee for consideration. 🏘️ A bill sponsored by Sen. Dawn Euer and Rep. […]
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
Boylan/Lawson bill to allow 17-year-olds to vote in primaries passes General Assembly
STATE HOUSE – A bill that would allow some 17-year-olds to vote in primary elections is heading to the governor’s desk. The bill (2023-S 0035A, 2023-H 5055A) would permit someone to vote in a primary election as long as they are registered to vote and will be 18 by the time of the general election. “Many […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island General Assembly passes bill sponsored by Sen. Euer that extends foreclosure protections
STATE HOUSE – A bill sponsored by Sen. Dawn Euer and Rep. Leonela Felix that would help homeowners facing foreclosure has passed the House and Senate and heads to the governor’s desk for his signature. “I know how devastating foreclosures can be for families and communities firsthand. When I was a kid, my mom got […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island General Assembly approves bill to provide tax relief to year-round Newport residents
STATE HOUSE – Newport’s new tax structure to encourage owner-occupied housing has cleared its final hurdle with today’s Rhode Island General Assembly passage of legislation sponsored by Rep. Lauren H. Carson and Sen. Dawn Euer. The bill now goes to Governor Dan McKee for consideration. According to a press release from the Rhode Island General […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
What’s Up in Newport: June 12 – 18
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this week and weekend, June 12 – 18, 2023. Hosting or planning an event? Be sure to add it to our free event calendar so we can let the world know about it! Are you a musician or a venue that hosts live music and/or […]
Posted inThings To Do
Strawberry Fest returns to Trinity Church on June 17
Trinity Chruch’s Strawberry Fest is back! Scheduled to take place outdoors at Trinity Church in Queen Anne Square on Saturday, June 17, from 11-5 pm, there will be homemade strawberry shortcakes, fresh-squeezed lemonade, and strawberries by the carton for sale. The event will take place rain or shine.
Posted inNews
Volunteers needed for Save The Bay Swim
Save The Bay today announced that volunteers are in need for their annual Save The Bay Swim, which is scheduled for Saturday, July 15, 2023. The Save The Bay Swim is an annual fundraiser during which swimmers and kayakers tackle a two-mile open water swim from the Naval Base in Newport to Jamestown’s Potter Cove […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up Today: Monday, June 12
Monday, June 12, 2023 🥇 At the finish line of Leg 6 of The Ocean Race yesterday, the 11th Hour Racing Team and WindWhisper Racing earned some crucial wins. For the 11th Hour Racing Team, this is the third leg win in a row for the team, having bagged consecutive first places in hometown Newport, Rhode […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up Today: Sunday, June 11
Sunday, June 11, 2023 | Written by Ryan Belmore, Owner & Publisher of What’sUpNewp ☕ 12 Metre Cafe is moving from the Seamen’s Church Institute to the former Gary’s Handy Lunch (462 Thames Street). What’sUpNewp was in touch with the owners last week, and we hope to bring you a full story on this soon. […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up Today: Saturday, June 10
Saturday, June 10, 2023 Sign up for our free daily newsletter and we’ll deliver this story straight to your inbox every morning! 📜 One of the most celebrated events in Rhode Island history happened on this day in 1772. The Gaspee Affair, which is still celebrated annually with festivals, a parade, and a re-enactment, was a […]
Posted inBusiness
Discover Newport welcomes Meredith Brower as a new Board Member
Discover Newport today announced that it has welcomed a new board member to its Board of Directors. Meredith Brower, director, and market manager of the Tiverton Farmers Market, representing Tiverton, has been appointed to serve a three-year term. As the founder of the Tiverton Farmers Market, Brower manages a board of volunteers, develops, and implements […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What’s Up Newp partners with The JPT to host a special screening of ‘The Big Lebowski’ and ‘Jaws’
What’s Up Newp and The JPT Film and Event Center are teaming up once again this year to bring some of the most iconic and definitive classic films to the big screen. The Big Lebowski We’ll be kicking off things on Tuesday, June 20, when we present our annual screening of The Big Lebowski (1998). The hilariously […]
Posted inNews
CCRI to host Open Enrollment Day at Newport Campus on June 16
The Community College of Rhode Island is hosting an enrollment day at the Newport Campus (1 John Chaffee Blvd.) on Friday, June 16, from 9 am – 12 pm. The event will offer those interested in attending CCRI the opportunity to apply for free, receive assistance with filing for financial aid, schedule the ACCUPLACER placement […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up Today: Friday, June 9
Good Morning! Today is Friday, June 9, 2023. Secretary of the Navy Adolph E. Borie, ordered the construction of the first torpedo station on Goat Island on this day in 1869. Read More Here’s your chance to win tickets to see McCoy Mrubata Quartet at the Norman Bird Sanctuary. Here’s hoping the smoke clears this weekend, and we […]
Posted inSports
José Ramírez hits 3 homers to power Guardians to 10-3 win over slumping Red Sox
By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer CLEVELAND (AP) — José Ramírez’s only misses came on swings for history. Ramírez homered in his first three at-bats — and from both sides of the plate — to power the Cleveland Guardians to a 10-3 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Thursday night. Ramírez connected for a […]
Posted inNews
Adoptable Cat of The Week: Star
Meet your new best friend, Star – this week’s adoptable cat of the week! Available for adoption at the Potter League for Animals in Middletown, Star is a nine-year-old female Domestic Medium Hair. “Meet Star, a captivating feline with an enchanting personality. This stunning cat shines brightly, both in appearance and character”, Potter League for […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up Today: Thursday, June 8
When you sign up for What’sUpNewp’s free daily email, you’ll have this story emailed right to your inbox every morning! Good Morning! Today is Thursday, June 8, 2023. 👉 Rhode Island Governor John Collins was born on this day in 1717 in Newport. In 1786, he became the third Governor of the State of Rhode […]
Posted inNews
Newport School Superintendent provides weekly community update
Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain today provided the following weekly community update for Newport Schools parents, families, and staff.
Posted inSports
World’s top Court Tennis professionals to compete for Schochet Cup at National Tennis Club
The world’s top court tennis professionals will be gracing the court at the National Tennis Club at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport for the 47th U.S. Professional Singles playing for the Schochet Cup. The event starts on Monday, June 12th, and continues to Saturday, June 17th. Nine of the top ten players in the […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: Artemis G. Adamedes
Artemis G. (Gianakellis) Adamedes, 86, of Newport died on June 6, 2023 at Newport Hospital. She was the beloved wife of Thomas C. Adamedes. They would have celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary on June 28th. Born July 4, 1936, in Newport, RI, she was the daughter and youngest child of the late George and Dorothea […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
What’s On The Agenda: Newport City Council Meeting on June 14
Newport City Council will host their next Regular City Council Meeting on Wednesday, June 14 in the Council Chambers at Newport City Hall. The meeting is open to the public, here’s a look at what’s on the agenda; The following items of business, filed with the City Clerk under the Rules of the Council, will […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up This Weekend: June 8 – 11
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport and Rhode Island this weekend, June 8 – 11, 2023. Thursday, June 8 🎭 Things To Do 8:30 am to 10 am: “The Blue & You” Summer Speaker Series at Innovate Newport 11 am to 8 pm: Taproot Taco Thursdays at Newport Vineyards 1:15 pm […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Theatre By The Sea’s 90th Anniversary continues with ‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’ on June 14
In celebration of 90 years of Theatre By The Sea, owner and producer Bill Hanney is proud to present the Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, which will be presented from June 14 – July 8, 2023. “I have been a fan of Carole King’s music for many years,” said Bill Hanney. “From the minute I became aware of Beautiful, […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up Today: Wednesday, June 7
Good Morning! Today is Wednesday, June 7, 2023. ⚾ The Newport Gulls opened up their 2023 season with a 5-3 win versus the Mystic Schooners on Tuesday night. Middletown native Ryan Andrade will get the start when the Gulls take on the Bristol Blues at their home opener at Cardines Field at 6:35 pm this evening. 🚓 […]
Posted inNews
Bottomless supply? Concerns of limited Canadian hydropower as U.S. seeks to decarbonize grid
By SUSAN HAIGH and WILSON RING Associated Press HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Policymakers seeking to make the U.S. electric grid less reliant on fossil fuels have long looked north to Canada and its abundant surplus of hydropower, advocating for new transmission lines to bring more of that cheap, clean electricity south. But with demand for […]