Residents of Newport County are invited to enjoy free admission to open Preservation Society of Newport County properties on Saturday, April 22, and Sunday, April 23, 2023. The Preservation Society of Newport County announced today that residents of Jamestown, Newport, Middletown, Portsmouth, Tiverton, and Little Compton are included in this offer. Free admission is also extended 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 inNews
Improving Student Outcomes: Governor Dan McKee delivers Education Address in Newport
Governor Dan McKee was welcomed to Newport by Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong at the Boys & Girls Club Newport Gymnasium at 11 this morning. At the event, McKee delivered the following speech outlining his vision to improve education outcomes and meet Massachusetts levels by 2030. Governor Dan McKee Education Address April 12, 2023 As Prepared for […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
Willi Carlisle will perform at the 2023 Newport Folk Festival
Newport Folk Festival kept their rolling lineup announcements going today with the news that Willi Carlisle will perform at Fort Adams State Park on Saturday, July 29, 2023. Willi Carlisle, an award-winning folksinger, writer, and theater artist from Northwest Arkansas, shares the following on his website as part of his bio; Willi Carlisle is a poet […]
Posted inNews
Massachusetts group seeks on-ramp to electric vehicle industry for Black-owned businesses
by Sarah Shemkus, Energy News NetworkApril 12, 2023 A Massachusetts organization is stepping up its efforts to help Black-owned businesses tap into the influx of money expected to pour into the electric vehicle sector in coming years and become full participants in an industry that is likely to see significant growth. “There’s plenty of money. […]
Posted inJobs
Now Hiring: 50+ 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? […]
Posted inNews
Representative Abney is running for Congress
Representative Marvin Abney, who has represented District 73 (Newport and Middletown) since 2012, announced on Tuesday that he is running for Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District seat. In February, Rhode Island congressman David Cicilline announced that he will step down this summer to lead the Rhode Island Foundation. Abney currently serves as the chair of […]
Posted inNews
Adoptable Dog of the Week: Lucy
Meet your new best friend, Lucy – this week’s Adoptable Dog of the Week! Available for adoption at the Potter League for Animals in Middletown, Lucy is a 1-year-old female mixed breed. “This sweet, fluffy girl would love to be your new best friend! Lucy would prefer a home with adults, and enjoys playing with […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
City On Fire: Charter Books to host a book signing with Author Don Winslow on April 22
With City on Fire, Rhode Island native Don Winslow delivered the best-reviewed crime novel of 2022, topping over 20 best-of-the-year lists, receiving rave reviews from the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times, and many others. Now, the #1 internationally bestselling author of the Cartel trilogy (The Power of the […]
Posted inNews
City of Newport seeking public’s input on Police Chief search
As part of its search for a new Chief of Police, the City of Newport on Tuesday released an online community survey intended to help better inform the City’s hiring process. Community stakeholders are encouraged to fill out the survey – in English or in Spanish – by visiting www.CityofNewport.com/PoliceChiefSurvey There, residents, business owners, and all […]
Posted inFood & Drink
6th Annual Newport Burger Bender contest breaks records
The 2023 Newport Burger Bender contest broke records and sold thousands of burgers. The Newport Burger Bender contest, which ran February 17 to 26, featured a record-breaking 56 burgers from 42 restaurants. Competing restaurants served more than 6,200 burgers. This year over 1,800 people voted for their favorite burger. Chef Erica Costa and The Mooring […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
Chelsea Handler coming to The Vets on November 19
Grammy-nominated comedian, television host, best-selling author and advocate, Chelsea Handler is celebrating the kickoff week of her 2023 Little Big Bitch Tour by adding 24 more dates to the run. The tour will stop at The VETS in Providence on November 19. Tickets are available Friday, April 14 at TheVetsRI.com. Produced by Live Nation, the newly extended Little Big Bitch Tour will now bring Handler to […]
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Senator DiPalma to deliver the keynote address at CCRI’s 2nd Annual Cybersecurity Night
The Community College of Rhode Island is hosting its second annual Cybersecurity Night on Tuesday, April 18 at its Warwick campus featuring a keynote address from Rhode Island State Senator and Chair of the Senate Finance Committee Louis DiPalma. Senator Lou DiPalma Hosted by the college’s Computer Studies and Information Processing department, Cybersecurity Night is […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
Rickie Lee Jones to perform at The JPT Film & Event Center on June 17
Spectacle Live today announced that they will present An Evening with Rickie Lee Jones on Saturday, June 17 at 8 pm at the JPT Film & Event Center in Newport, RI. Tickets are on sale Friday at 10 am at JanePickens.com or by calling 1-800-657-8774. RICKIE LEE JONES Rickie Lee Jones’ upcoming album Pieces of Treasure is a […]
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Attorney General Neronha joins multistate coalition to fight back against decision to block medication abortion access
Attorney General Peter F. Neronha today joined a multistate coalition to challenge the decision issued by a district court judge in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas that could restrict medication abortion access nationwide. The amicus brief, filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, urges the court […]
Posted inSports
South African High School Rugby Team to play Rugby RI at Fort Adams on April 13
St. Andrew’s College Rugby Team, of Makhanda, South Africa, will play the Rugby Rhode Island “Fightin’ Quahogs” Select Team at Fort Adams State Park on Thursday, April 13th with kickoff at 4 PM. The game is free and open to the public. The match, sponsored by Rugby Rhode Island, the state’s youth rugby organization, and […]
Posted inBusiness, News
Discover Newport adds three new board members
Discover Newport today announced that it has welcomed three new members to its Board of Directors. Keri Cronin, representing Warren, Peter Connerton, representing Middletown, and Patrick Fitzgerald, representing the restaurant industry in Newport, has been appointed to serve three-year terms. “The new board members are committed to advancing our mission to promote and encourage tourism […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Providence Pizza Week returns April 16 – 22
The Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau (PWCVB) today announced the return of Providence Pizza Week, the much-anticipated celebration of one of Rhode Island’s favorite foods. Following the success of last year’s inaugural pizza extravaganza, the PWCVB has rounded up more than 30 of the top pizza joints and restaurants in and around Providence to take part […]
Posted inNews
Noah Kahan added to the 2023 Newport Folk Festival lineup
Newport Folk Festival continued their rolling lineup announcements today with the news that Noah Kahan will perform at their 2023 festival on Friday, July 28, 2023. “As Noah Kahan changes, he casts those experiences onto songs like light through a film projector. At the core of the music’s upbeat energy and unfiltered lyrics, you’ll hear […]
Posted inCity & Government
Sen. Ujifusa introduces bill to audit Medicaid middlemen
Taxpayers pay almost $2 billion each year to three private health insurance companies, also known as Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), to administer benefits for about 90% of Rhode Island Medicaid enrollees. Sen. Linda Ujifusa, a member of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, has proposed legislation to audit these companies to ensure those taxpayer dollars […]
Posted inNews
Rite-Solutions receives Next-Generation Attack Submarine Navy Contract
Middletown-based Rite-Solutions today announced that it has been awarded a new contract by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport (NUWCDIVNPT) with a potential value of $850,000 over the next two years. The company will support the development, configuration, and delivery of a user-friendly interface software called the SSN(X) Sail Model Tool. The tool will […]
Posted inThings To Do
Annual Pawcatuck River Duck Race returns on April 29
The 23rd Annual Pawcatuck River Duck Race will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2023, in downtown Westerly, R.I. – Pawcatuck, CT. In spectacular fashion 20,000 rubber ducks will be released en masse off the Westerly-Pawcatuck Bridge for an amazing race down the Pawcatuck River. This community event is the largest charitable fundraiser in the […]
Posted inSports
Hauser scores career-high 26, Celtics beat Raptors 121-102
BOSTON (AP) — Sam Hauser scored a career-high 26 points and the Boston Celtics cruised past the Toronto Raptors 121-102 on Friday night. Jayson Tatum finished with 21 points and sat out the entire second half as the Celtics posted a 4-0 sweep in the season series. It is Boston’s first sweep over Toronto since […]
Posted inNews
Road Report: Schedule of lane closures and road construction projects (April 8 – 15)
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 April 9 – 15, 2023 Newport Claiborne Pell BridgeWestbound Alternating Lane Closures- 4/10 to 4/12- […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
This Week at the General Assembly: Bills advance on renewable energy, employee protections, and more
The Rhode Island General Assembly had a busy week, with several important bills passing through both the House and Senate. Here are some highlights of what happened: The Senate passed a bill sponsored by Sen. Alana DiMario to establish a new state program called Renewable Ready that would help offset the costs to prepare certain […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
The Harlem Gospel Travelers will perform at the 2023 Newport Folk Festival
Newport Folk Festival kept their 2023 lineup announcements going today with the news that The Harlem Gospel Travelers will join them at Fort Adams State Park on Sunday, July 30, 2023. At their request, Newport Festivals Foundation has made a grant to Entertainment Community Fund, a nonprofit that provides programs and services such as emergency […]