The weather forecast for this weekend in Newport is expected to be varied, with the possibility of some precipitation and strong winds. According to the National Weather Service, the area will experience mostly cloudy skies on Friday, with a high temperature of around 52 degrees. The light southeast wind in the morning is expected 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
Adoptable Cat of the Week: Mariana
Meet this week’s Adoptable Cat of the Week, Mariana – your new best friend! Available for adoption at the Potter League for Animals in Middletown, Mariana is a 15-year-old female Domestic Shorthair. “Mariana is an independent cat. She’s pretty much set in her ways, and she does not require too much attention,” the Potter League […]
Posted inFood & Drink, Things To Do
Easter Weekend in Newport County: Egg Hunts, brunches, and more!
Newport County is gearing up for a festive Easter Weekend (April 8 – 9, 2023) with various events and activities for locals and tourists alike. One of the most exciting events happening is the Easter Egg Hunt at Castle Hill Inn on April 8th, 2023, starting at 11:00 AM. The event, which costs $30 per […]
Posted inCity & Government
Senate approves legislation to rename CCRI’s Newport campus in honor of former Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed
The Rhode Island Senate today approved legislation to rename the Community College of Rhode Island’s Newport campus in honor of former Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed. “Teresa is a trailblazer who has made a powerful, positive difference for our state, for her home community of Newport and for CCRI. Naming CCRI’s Newport campus in […]
Posted inSports
Pitino again a hot commodity at 70 and with checkered past
By RALPH D. RUSSO AP College Sports Writer ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — It’s a March Madness tradition as predictable as a 12-5 upset. A successful coach at a small school enters the NCAA Tournament with speculation swirling about being a candidate at a more glamorous school, forcing that coach to dodge questions about his future […]
Posted inNews
Dr. Meghan Hughes, President of Community College of Rhode Island, to step down in August
Dr. Meghan Hughes, President of the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) since 2016, has announced today that she will step down from her position, effective August 31, 2023. CCRI shared the news in a press release this afternoon, saying President Hughes oversaw the transformation of the community college and the implementation of a model […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
What’s Up This Weekend: March 16 – 19
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do this weekend in and around Newport, Rhode Island. Thursday, March 16 Things To Do Newport Irish Heritage Month 12 pm: Museum Reads – “Gods and Girls: Tales of Art, Seduction and Obsession” at Newport Art Museum 12 pm to 2 pm: St. Mary’s Church Open 5 pm to 9 pm: Rock […]
Posted inNews
Who is the ultimate Rhode Island personality? Vote in the 2023 ‘Rhode Island Personalities Matchup’
It’s March, and all eyes are on the season’s most heated competition – the “Rhode Island Personalities Matchup.” GoProvidence (The Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau) is getting in on the basketball tournament hype by picking 32 of Rhode Island’s best-known faces – and voices – to face off in our first-ever knockout tournament. “There […]
Posted inThings To Do
Glen Manor House to host Easter Egg Hunt and Brunch on April 8
The Town of Portsmouth and the Friends of the Glen Manor House today announced that they will celebrate the coming of Spring and management of its Glen Manor House by Russell Morin Catering & Events (RMCE) with an Easter Egg Hunt and Brunch on Saturday, April 8. RMCE took over management of the house on […]
Posted inThings To Do
Spring Blooms in Newport: 12th Annual Daffodil Days set to take over Newport in April
Spring has arrived in Newport, and with it comes the 12th Annual Newport Daffodil Days celebration! According to the press release from Newport in Bloom, the month-long celebration will feature over 1.3 million daffodil buds that are set to bloom in the city throughout the month of April. The event will kick off on April […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport School Superintendent shares weekly community update
Newport School Superintendent Collen Burns Jermain shared the following weekly update with Newport Public Schools parents, families, and staff on Wednesday, March 15.
Posted inCity & Government
What’s on the agenda: Newport City Council Meeting on March 22
Newport City Council will host their next Regular Council Meeting on Wednesday, March 22, at 6:30 pm in the Council Chamber at Newport City Hall. Here’s a look at what’s on the agenda. The meeting is open to the public. To watch the meeting remotely live or anytime afterward, click here. CITY OF NEWPORT DOCKET […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
What’sUpNewp & The JPT will host Annual Jaws Summer Party on July 20 & 21
What’sUpNewp and The Jane Pickens Film & Event Center (The JPT) are excited to announce today that our Jaws Summer Party will be returning in July. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and film availability, it has been a couple of years since we have been able to host our annual party in July and we’re […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Aimee Mann has been added to the 2023 Newport Folk Festival lineup
The Newport Folk Festival today announced that Aimee Mann has been added to the 2023 Newport Folk Festival lineup. Mann will perform at Fort Adams State Park on Saturday, July 29, 2023. Aimee Mann is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and bassist known for her distinctive voice and introspective, often melancholy lyrics. She was born in Richmond, Virginia […]
Posted inNews
The Countdown is on: 401Gives returns in just 2 weeks
Rhode Island is just two weeks away from its largest single day of giving when 401Gives returns in support of the state’s nonprofit sector and does so bigger than ever before. Not only has United Way of Rhode Island set the effort’s most ambitious goal yet, aiming to raise $4.01 million, but 401Gives will enjoy […]
Posted inNews
NOAA is moving Marine Operations Center-Atlantic from Virginia to Naval Station Newport
Rhode Island is set to receive a boost to its economy and Blue Economy initiative as the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Operations Center-Atlantic (MOC-A) is set to move from Norfolk, Virginia, to Naval Station Newport. This will bring hundreds of jobs and NOAA research vessels to the area, in addition to long-term […]
Posted inNews
Most commonly seen birds in Rhode Island: Feb. 18 – Mar. 3
Stacker compiled a list of the most common birds seen near feeders in Rhode Island using data from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Project FeederWatch. Birds are ranked by the percent of sites visited from Feb 18-Mar 3. Ties are broken by the average group size when seen, any further ties were not broken. Data […]
Posted inNews
Middletown Police identify man found dead at home on West Main Road
Middletown Police Department released new information on the body discovered at a residence at 916 West Main Road in Middletown on Tuesday, March 14. The victim has been identified as 39-year-old John Edward-Corbett. According to the authorities, officers were dispatched to the home around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday for a welfare check after family and […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rep. Speakman introduces legislation to enable more Rhode Islanders to develop accessory-dwelling units on their property
Rep. June S. Speakman, chairwoman of the House commission that has been studying ways to improve housing affordability in Rhode Island, has introduced legislation to enable more Rhode Islanders to develop accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on their property. The bill (2023-H 6082), which is scheduled for a hearing before the House Municipal Government and Housing Committee Thursday, […]
Posted inNews, Weather
Here’s how much snow has fallen across Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut: March 14 – 15
The National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA released a public statement regarding the latest snowfall reports. Public Information Statement National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA 1228 AM EDT Wed Mar 15 2023 …SNOWFALL REPORTS… Location Amount Time/Date Provider …Rhode Island… …Kent County… TF Green AP 0.1 in 0755 PM 03/14 Official NWS Obs …Providence County… 1 ENE […]
Posted inNews
Celebrating 11 years of What’sUpNewp
Can you believe it’s been 11 years since What’sUpNewp first launched on March 12, 2012? Time truly flies! Our readership has grown exponentially since those early days when we pretty much just focused on what was up at bars and restaurants in Newport. We now publish more than 550 stories to our website every month, […]
Posted inThings To Do
Portsmouth Historical Society to present ‘Dark Voyage’ by historian Christian McBurney on March 29
Historian Christian McBurney will speak about his new book, Dark Voyage: An American Privateer’s War on Britain’s African Slave Trade (Westholme, 2022) on March 29 at 6:30 pm at the Portsmouth Historical Society. Based primarily on a little-known ship’s log penned by a Newport captain’s clerk, McBurney’s new book chronicles the remarkable voyage by this Rhode Island […]
Posted inCity & Government
Coalition of 30 groups calls for same-day voter registration in Rhode Island
Today 30 groups came together to announce their support for the creation of a system for same-day voter registration in Rhode Island. The House resolution (H 5770) introduced by Representative Karen Alzate (D-Pawtucket) has a hearing before the Committee on State Government and Elections tonight. The Senate companion (S 608) by Senator Alana DiMario (D-North […]
Posted inNews
The Nature Conservancy, Tiverton Land Trust conserve Cook Farm in Tiverton
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Tiverton Land Trust (TLT) recently announced the permanent conservation of a 48-acre tract of coastal forest in Tiverton. Situated between the City of Newport’s reservoirs at Pachet Brook and Nonquit Pond, the land was a top priority for conservation in the Sakonnet. It helps connect hundreds of acres of […]
Posted inNews
Dates set for 52nd Annual Newport International Boat Show
The Newport Exhibition Group has announced that the 52nd Annual Newport International Boat Show will be held from September 14th to 17th, 2023. The four-day event, presented by BankNewport, will take place at the Newport Yachting Center and feature the latest marine technology and innovation. The Newport International Boat Show is one of the largest […]