Wondering how many have “recovered” from COVID-19? Wonder how race, ethnicity, or zip code are trending among positive cases of COVID-19 and those who have died? What’s Up Newp got a little bit closer to an answer today. Following their daily press briefing, Governor Raimondo and Director of Health Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott answer approximately a […]
Ryan Belmore
Ryan Belmore is the Owner and Publisher of What'sUpNewp. He has been involved with the award-winning local news website since shortly after its launch in 2012, leading it to be named Best Local News Blog in Rhode Island by Rhode Island Monthly readers in 2018, 2019, and 2020. Ryan has spent 38 years living in Rhode Island, and after making Newport his home for more than a decade, he recently moved to Alexandria, Virginia to support his wife's career opportunity. Despite this move, Ryan continues to focus solely on What'sUpNewp and travels back to Newport at least once a month. He is dedicated to building the site into the go-to news source for Newport and beyond. Ryan is also a member of several organizations, including the Board of Directors for Potter League for Animals.
Posted inCity & Government, News
Watch: Governor Raimondo, Governors from across Northeast discuss regional approach to reopening economy
Governor Gina Raimondo joined New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, and Delaware Governor John Carney to discuss a regional approach to reopening the economy. Following the press conference, Governor Raimondo’s office issued the following press release; Raimondo Joins Fellow Governors in Announcing Partnership […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Video & Updates: Governor, Department of Health provide daily COVID-19 update (April 13)
Governor Gina M. Raimondo and the Department of Health provided updates to reporters about Rhode Island’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response today at 1 pm. Updates as they happen; Governor reports another 10 COVID-19 associated deaths, brings total to 73. Announces an additional 311 positive cases, brings total to 2,967. There are 197 currently hospitalized. […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Barbara Ann (Gray) Cloutier
This obituary originally appeared on Memorial Funeral Home. Barbara Cloutier, age 86, of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, passed away on April 8, 2020 at Warren Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Barbara was born in Fall River, MA to John and Dorothy Gray. Barbara married Ronald Cloutier of Fall River, MA in 1972 at a private ceremony […]
Posted inSports
Newport Polo ready for competition, when permitted
Ahead of it opening of its 2020 season, Newport Polo is closely monitoring the impact COVID-19 is having on gatherings, international travel, and sports. What’s Up Newp reached out to the organization to see how they were feeling and preparing for the upcoming season. “We are closely following the guidelines set by our Governor and […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Monday storm could result in power outages, says National Grid
Monday will bring high winds that could knock out power for as many as 30% of National Grid Customers, the company wrote on Sunday. National Grid on Sunday announced that they are preparing for a powerful storm headed towards New England on Monday. National Grid states that the current forecasts indicate that weather conditions could […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
COVID-19 Daily Update – April 12: Positive COVID-19 cases in Rhode Island rises to 2,665, associated fatalities now 63
Because of the wind and heavy rain forecast for Monday, April 13th, all outdoor coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing sites in Rhode Island will be closed tomorrow. This includes testing sites at: • URI in South Kingstown; • CCRI in Warwick; • Rhode Island College in Providence; • Rhode Island Hospital in Providence; • Kent […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
COVID-19 Daily Update – April 11: 334 new positive cases of COVID-19, Rhode Island’s count now 2,349
Governor Gina M. Raimondo and Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), provided an update today on Rhode Island’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) data. Rhode Island has 334 new cases of COVID-19. This brings Rhode Island’s count to 2,349. RIDOH also announced seven additional COVID-19 associated fatalities. One […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
COVID-19 Press Conference – April 11: Governor, Department of Health provide daily update
Governor Gina M. Raimondo will provide updates to reporters about Rhode Island’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response on Saturday, April 11th, at 1:00 p.m. We will carry the briefings live below and on our Facebook Page as it happens. Updates as they happen; Governor: Reports 7 more COVID-19 associated deaths, brings total to 56. The […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
COVID-19 Daily Update – April 10: 288 new positive cases of COVID-19, Rhode Island’s count now 2,015
Governor Gina M. Raimondo and Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), made several announcements today about the state’s response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). • Unemployment Insurance: The Governor signed an executive order yesterday ensuring that individual businesses that have closed as a result of COVID-19 will […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up Podcast: Neil Steinberg, CEO of Rhode Island Foundation, discusses programs that are helping non-profits during COVID-19
Neil D. Steinberg, president and Chief Executive Officer of the Rhode Island Foundation joins WUN’s Frank Prosnitz, talking about some $10 million in grant programs that are helping critical non-profits during this COVID-19 crisis, including Child & Family in Middletown, the East Bay Community Action Program in Newport, the James L. Maher Center in Middletown, […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
COVID-19 Press Conference – April 10: Governor, Department of Health provide daily update
Governor Raimondo and the Department of Health will host their daily COVID-19 press briefing today at 1 pm. What’s Up Newp will have it for you live below on our Facebook Page and website then. Updates from the press conference as they happen; Gov: There will be no daily press briefing on Easter. She will pre-record a message […]
Posted inBusiness, News
Hogan Associates launches ‘1 More Helping’ challenge
As the pandemic ravages our economy, real estate brokerage, Hogan Associates, yesterday announced that they are launching the 1 MORE HELPING challenge – a social movement to help friends and neighbors make it through this difficult time. The initiative encourages those who can, to do something helpful, post it on social media with hashtag #1morehelping, […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
COVID-19 Daily Update – April 9th: Rhode Island reports 277 new COVID-19 cases, 8 new related deaths
Governor Gina M. Raimondo and Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), made several announcements today about the state’s response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Governor signed an executive order today that clarifies Rhode Island’s requirements around quarantine and isolation: – Anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 – either […]
Posted inOpinion
Editor’s Note: Why becoming a What’s Up Newp Supporter now is more important than ever
In case you haven’t heard or read, our collapsing economy is endangering news businesses all across this country, and even right here in Rhode Island. It’s all happening while news consumption is high, people need journalism desperately, Some, including us, would argue that journalism and local, independent news is more important now than ever. With […]
Posted inThings To Do
2020 Black Ships Festival postponed
Organizers of the Black Ships Festival today announced that they have postponed the 2020 edition of the festival. “The Executive Committee of the Japan-America Society of Rhode Island has been closely monitoring the status of the Corona-virus (COVID 19) pandemic and how it is impacting our world.  As always, our goal is to build on the […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
RECAP: Newport City Council hosts first virtual Regular Council Meeting
The Newport City Council hosted their first virtual Regular Council Meeting on Wednesday, April 8th at 6:30 pm. The meeting was open to the public by phone and Zoom. While the public was invited to attend/watch, there was no public comment. All seven city councilors were present for the meeting, which lasted nearly two hours. […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
COVID-19 Daily Update – April 8: 220 new positive cases of COVID-19, Rhode Island’s count now 1,450
Governor Gina M. Raimondo and Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), today made several announcements today about the state’s response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Courts: The courts have extended their closure for all non-essential business–including residential and commercial evictions–through May 17th.Contact tracing: The state has partnered with SalesForce, […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Governor Raimondo: “In the months to come it’s going to be very difficult for us to allow large group gatherings”
Following today’s press briefing, Governor Raimondo and Director of Health Alexander-Scott took questions from the media. Today, What’s Up Newp asked “Wedding season has arrived in Rhode Island. With hundreds of wedding scheduled across the state over the next three months, what advice or guidance do you have for those couples who are planning to […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
COVID-19 Press Conference – April 8: Governor, Department of Health provide daily update
Governor Raimondo and the Department of Health will host their daily COVID-19 press briefing today at 2:30 pm. What’s Up Newp will have it for you live on our Facebook Page and website then. Updates as they happen; Gov: Reports 5 new deaths, total fatalities due to COVID-19 is now 35. There are 220 new positive cases of […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary for Steven William Bruce
The following originally appeared on Memorial Funeral Home. Steven Bruce, 59, of Newport RI, Passed away unexpectedly on April 6, 2020. Steve was born on June 21, 1960 in New Bedford, MA. The son of Patricia Bruce of Plattsmouth, NE and the late Vincent Bruce. Steve is survived by his brothers, Vincent Bruce, Jr. and […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
COVID-19 Daily Update – April 7: Governor extends restrictions on gatherings, restaurants, businesses, and travel to May 8th
Governor Gina M. Raimondo and Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), today made several announcements today about the state’s response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Today the Governor announced that she plans to extend the following executive orders until May 8th: Gatherings: All gatherings of more than […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Newport Restaurant Group reaches $100,000 goal for Employee Relief Fund; extends new offer
In an overwhelming display of community support, Newport Restaurant Group (NRG), today announced that they have reached its goal for its new employee relief fund. Announced on Tuesday, April 1, NRG committed to donating 100% of proceeds of all gift cards purchased to the fund until it reached $100,000, a goal reached in less than […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Newport City Council to host virtual workshop on Tuesday, City Manager to provide COVID-19 crisis update
The Newport City Council will receive their weekly COVID-19 Crisis Update from Newport City Manager Joe Nicholson on Tuesday, April 7th at 4:30 pm. The workshop will be held via telephone conference. The meeting is open to the public and can be accesses by calling 1-888-788-0099 or 1-877-853-5247. The meeting id is 360-610-170. On Wednesday […]