Spirit of Gallo has announced that it will acquire Fishers Island Lemonade, a female-founded beverage brand. A trailblazer in the ready-to-drink (RTD) category, Fishers Island Lemonade was one of the first premium craft cocktails to be packaged in a can. Fishers Island Lemonade (9% ABV) is positioned as a leader in the premium RTD category […]
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 inBusiness, Things To Do
Registration opens for the 12th Annual Citizens Pell Bridge Run
Registration is now open for the October 15th, 2023, Citizens Pell Bridge Run! The annual event is a 4-mile run, or walk, across the Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge and raises funds for local nonprofits. The course runs from Jamestown to Newport and is unique in that it is the only day of the year that […]
Posted inSports
Patriots trade back, select CB Christian Gonzalez at No. 17
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The New England Patriots waited patiently with their top pick of the NFL draft, trading back three spots and addressing a hole in their secondary by selecting Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez with the 17th pick on Thursday night. The Patriots entered the night holding the No. 14 selection but swapped first-round […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Paid and Residential Parking season begins May 1
The City of Newport is reminding residents and visitors that its paid parking and residential sticker programs are set to begin on May 1st with “no immediate change to rates or fees to start the season”. Metered parking, which features the use of multi-space parking kiosks, will be in effect from 9 a.m. until 9 […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Lane closures scheduled for Newport Pell Bridge on April 27 – 28
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority today announced the following lane closures: Traffic heading eastbound (towards Newport) on the Newport Pell Bridge will be one-lane from 9 am on Thursday, April 27th until 4 am on Friday, April 28th. Traffic heading westbound (towards Jamestown) on the Newport Pell Bridge will be one-lane from 9 […]
Posted inNews
ALT announces Merritt Neighborhood Fund grant recipients
The Aquidneck Land Trust (“ALT”) has awarded twelve grants totaling $12,000 to local community and neighborhood groups through its annual grant program, the Merritt Neighborhood Fund. Grant awards ranged from $500 to $1,500. Established in 1999 to honor the late Peter M. Merritt, the organization’s president emeritus, the Fund supports projects that strengthen community identity […]
Posted inCity & Government
Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos opens nominations for the 30th Annual Lieutenant Governor Leadership Awards
Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos is inviting high school administrators and guidance councilors to nominate a student from their school for the 30th Lieutenant Governor Leadership Awards, which celebrates exceptional graduating high school seniors across the state. “The seniors graduating this year spent more than half of their time in high school in a pandemic – […]
Posted inNews
Pennfield School announces Paul Amadio as next Head of School
Pennfield School in Portsmouth has announced that Mr. Paul Amadio will be the next Head of School, effective July 1, 2023. Mr. Amadio will be succeeding Rob Kelley, who has led the school for almost 20 years. Mr. Amadio is currently the Head of School at Verde Valley School, an International Baccalaureate independent, boarding, and […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Rep. Donovan sponsoring bill to require child-safe packaging for cannabis products
Rep. Susan R. Donovan is sponsoring legislation that would require packaging for all cannabis products sold in Rhode Island to use packaging that is child- and tamper-resistant, and that does employ imagery that typically appeals to children. The legislation also prohibits such packaging from mimicking the look of non-cannabis products that appeal to children and […]
Posted inNews
Newport School Superintendent provides weekly update
Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain shared the following weekly update with parents, families, students, and staff on Wednesday, April 19, 2023.
Posted inBusiness
Owners of Tavern On Broadway opening Bar 12, a speakeasy-style cocktail and wine bar, on Broadway
There’s a new restaurant and bar coming to Broadway and it’s being brought to you by some familiar faces. Jim Blumel has confirmed with What’sUpNewp that he plans on opening Bar 12 at 12 Broadway. The space was previously operated as Binge BBQ. Sign for Bar 12. Photo provided by Jim Blumel Binge BBQ, previously […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Newport Folk Festival adds Eastern Medicine Singers with Yonatan Gat and Lee Ranaldo to its 2023 lineup
Newport Folk Festival kept the 2023 lineup announcements rolling today. “Please welcome Eastern Medicine Singers with Yonatan Gat and Lee Ranaldo to this summer’s lineup,” Newport Folk Festival shared on Facebook. According to the group’s Facebook Page, Eastern Medicine Singers is an eastern Algonquin language drum group preserving the language by song. For their Artist […]
Posted inBusiness, News
Hyatt opens The Pell in Middletown, its first JdV Hotel in Rhode Island
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has recently announced the opening of The Pell, the first JdV by Hyatt Hotel. The boutique hotel, which will be managed by Highgate, is located at 425 East Main Road in Middletown and recently underwent a $9 million renovation. The hotel recently operated as Forest Trail Hotel and Ramada Middletown. “We are […]
Posted inFood & Drink
7th Annual Quahog Week to take place across Rhode Island April 23 – 29
Quahog Week, a statewide celebration of Rhode Island’s iconic clam, returns April 23 – 29, 2023. The initiative was created by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), in partnership with the Rhode Island Seafood Marketing Collaborative, with strong support from the Rhode Island Shellfisherman’s Association. “From April 23-29, 2023, Quahog Week highlights the many […]
Posted inSports
Red Sox top Twins 5-4 in 10 on Verdugo’s unusual hit
By DOUG ALDEN Associated Press BOSTON (AP) — Alex Verdugo singled home the winning run with two outs in the 10th inning on a fly ball that barely stayed fair at Fenway Park, giving the Boston Red Sox a 5-4 victory over the Minnesota Twins in a bizarre finish Tuesday night. Umpires needed a few […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
House approves bill to protect students’ privacy when using technology for school
The House of Representatives today approved legislation sponsored by Rep. June S. Speakman to prohibit public schools, school districts or third parties such as software providers from activating or accessing audio, video or recordings from public school students’ institutional or personal electronic devices. The legislation (2023-H 5561), which is supported by school superintendents and school […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Angel Olsen to perform at the 2023 Newport Folk Festival
As part of their rolling lineup announcements, Newport Folk Festival today announced that Angel Olsen will perform at their 2023 festival. “We can’t wait to welcome Angel Olsen back to the Fort this summer,” Newport Folk Festival shared on Facebook. “For her Artist Give, Angel asked that Newport Festivals Foundation provide a grant to Girls […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Newport Festivals Foundation and Salve Regina University announce Jazz Summer Camp
For sixty-nine years, the Newport Jazz Festival has hosted some of the most legendary moments in music history. Now, thanks to a new partnership between Newport Festivals Foundation and Salve Regina University, high school students from across the globe will have the opportunity to make the festival their classroom. The Newport Jazz Summer Camp at Salve […]
Posted inNews
Newport Democratic City Committee will host a panel discussion on elections and voting on April 24
Do we take our elections for granted? What are election experts talking about? How do other states handle their elections? What changes are being proposed in Rhode Island? More than 50 bills have been introduced to address voting issues. The Newport Democratic City Committee is inviting the public to join them on Monday, April 24 […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Remi Wolf joins 2023 Newport Folk Festival lineup
Newport Folk Festival announced today that Remi Wolf will be joining their lineup this summer. As is Newport Folk tradition, the festival has been rolling out the lineup over the last several weeks. Wolf, an American singer and songwriter from California, will perform on Sunday, July 30. For her Artist Give, she asked Newport Festivals Foundation to provide a […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Governor McKee provides an update about access to Mifepristone in Rhode Island
Governor Dan McKee issued the following update about access to Mifepristone in Rhode Island. “The State of Rhode Island is fortunate to have strong protections in place for reproductive freedom that other states may not have. Despite the federal court ruling in Texas, access to safe reproductive health care like Mifepristone remains legal in Rhode […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Newport City Council to host a budget workshop
Newport City Council will host a workshop at 9 am on May 6 in the Council Chamber at Newport City Hall. According to the notice of the workshop, the budget overview will focus on thirteen different departments included in the budget. The meeting is open to the public. Notice of Workshop CITY OF NEWPORT NOTICE […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Representative Magaziner submits 15 Community Project Funding requests to help cities, towns, and non-profit organizations
Today, Representative Seth Magaziner (D-RI) announced that he has submitted 15 Community Project Funding requests to the House Appropriations Committee. Local communities across Rhode Island’s Second Congressional District would directly benefit from these important investments, according to a press release sent on Magaziner’s behalf. These funding requests include: $500,000 for the town of Burrillville to build an accessible […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
What’s Up in Newport: April 17 – 30
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in Newport April 17 – 30, 2023. This story will continue to be updated as we are notified of additional events and changes. Monday, April 17 Things To Do Newport Daffodil Days Festival Newport Restaurant Week 10 am to 5 pm: National Mustang Day Discount at Newport Car […]
Posted inBusiness
A1 Roofing & Construction receives multiple awards, national recognition
A1 Roofing & Construction received multiple awards at the March GAF Wealth Builder Conference, an invitation-only event, held in Austin, TX. A1 earned the President’s Club Award, the highest designation honoring Master Elite contractors. A1 also earned one of the prerequisite awards for the President’s Club, the GAF Triple Excellence Award given to contractors that […]