By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER and ANNE D’INNOCENZIO AP Business Writers WASHINGTON (AP) — With prices across the economy — from food, gas and rent to cars, airfares and hotel rooms — soaring at their fastest pace in decades, you might think Americans would tap the brakes on spending. Not so far. Consumers as a whole are […]
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 inThings To Do
What’s Up Today: Sunday, May 22
Good Morning, today is Sunday, May 22. 🌊 WUN’s Frank O’Donnell with a dispatch from A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Gamm Theatre – High Drama at the Gamm – Cast resilient after Covid delay 🌊 Newport In Bloom’s Plant Sale returns today. This year, in addition to locally grown plants, herbs, and colorful hanging […]
Posted inBusiness
Marina Cafe and Pub reopening on May 25
The Marine Cafe and Pub will be reopening this summer after all. On January 15, the Marina Cafe and Pub announced that it would be permanently closing because it couldn’t come to terms with an extended lease with its landlord. An agreement has been reached and The Marina Cafe and Pub will be opening for […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up Today: Saturday, May 21
Good Morning, today is Saturday, May 21, 2022. 🌊 You’ll notice things look a little different in our newsletter and here on our website this morning. Short explanation – our newsletter format has become the victim of our own success. What’sUpNewp is publishing more stories on a daily basis than ever before and we are […]
Posted inNews
Top stories this week on What’sUpNewp
It was a busy week in Newport County and across Rhode Island. Here’s what stories our readers were reading the most. Top Stories 1 – Gillette Stadium kicks off its 2022 concert series this week with two Garth Brooks shows 2 – Owners of Scales & Shells retiring, restaurant sold to Nautilus Restaurant LLC/Peregrine Group […]
Posted inNews
Rogers High School Class of 2023 hosting a Spring Cleaning Fundraiser on Saturday
Rogers High School Class of 2023 wants to help you out with your spring cleaning this weekend. Their clothes drive/spring cleaning fundraiser will be held on Saturday, May 21 from 11 am to 1 pm in the parking lot of Rogers High School. More details are below.
Posted inNews
Shops on Franklin Street to host Spring Into Summer Stroll on Saturday
The shops on Franklin Street in Newport will be hosting a Spring into Summer Stroll on Saturday, May 21 from 2 to 6 pm. The shops invite the public to enjoy refreshments, snacks, and promotions while strolling along the downtown street. Hosts of the event are Noon Designs, Athalia of Newport, Meeka Fine Jewelry, Zurner […]
Posted inWeather
Newport County weather forecast: May 20
According to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service, today will be mostly sunny, with a high near 69 degrees. 7 Day Forecast The following is the National Weather Service 7-day weather forecast, centered on Newport State Airport; Dense Fog AdvisoryHazardous Weather Outlook Today: Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up This Weekend: May 20 – 22
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport, Rhode Island this weekend. Six Picks Events: What’s Up in RI this weekend (May 20-22) Six Picks Music: The best in live music this weekend (May 20-22) Friday, May 20 This Day in RI History: May 20, 1959 – Susan Cowsill is bornConcert […]
Posted inNews
Staircase at Mohegan Bluffs will be closed to the public beginning May 23 due to repairs
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today announced that the Edward S. Payne overlook and Mohegan Bluffs staircase on Block Island will be closed to the public due to repairs on the staircase beginning May 23. DEM says in a press release that it is partnering with the Town of New Shoreham Fire Department […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Foodlove Market enhances café experience with the launch of Foodlove Provisions
Foodlove Market, the upscale specialty market from Newport Restaurant Group, announced today an enhanced café experience for guests with the launch of Foodlove Provisions this Spring. “We are always looking for ways to improve guest experiences and expanding our café menu with a selection of freshly prepared salads, warm grain bowls and crafted sandwiches will do […]
Posted inWeather
Weather Forecast for Newport: May 19
According to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service, today we’ll have a chance of showers, with a high near 57 degrees. 7 Day Forecast The following is the National Weather Service 7-day weather forecast, centered on Newport State Airport; Hazardous Weather Outlook Today: Rain, mainly before 5pm. High near 57. Southwest wind 5 to […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council’s next Regular Council Meeting is on May 25, here’s a look at what’s on their docket
Newport City Council will host its next Regular Council Meeting on Wednesday, May 25 at 6:30 pm. Here’s a first look at what’s on their docket, the agenda with supporting attachments will be posted on the City’s website in the coming days. CITY OF NEWPORT DOCKET FOR A REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MAY 25, 2022 The following items […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Artist Andrew Moon Bain to exhibit works on thirteen billboards across Providence
Central Contemporary Arts today announced its inaugural public exhibition, AD SPACE by Andrew Moon Bain, will run from June 6 through July 3, 2022. The exhibition will showcase thirteen original pieces by Bain on billboards situated in thirteen locations throughout the City of Providence. Two of the thirteen billboards. Credit: Andrew Moon Bain. Natalie Cohen, founder and director of […]
Posted inBusiness, Things To Do
Jamestown Newport Ferry has launched for the season
Jamestown Newport Ferry has kicked off its Hop-On Hop-Off season, just in time to transport folks from Jamestown to Newport’s Oyster & Chowder Festival, held at Bowen’s Wharf in Newport, this weekend. Throughout the summer, Jamestown Newport Ferry will offer express service to special Newport events such as the Folk and Jazz Festivals, the International […]
Posted inBusiness
Ragged Island Brewing Company will host grand opening on May 19
After several months of construction, Ragged Island Brewing Company is ready to open to the public. “GRAND OPENING! Join us Thursday, May 19th from 12-9 pm for the grand opening of our Farm Brewery,” Ragged Island Brewing Company shared on Facebook. “We have poured a lot of love into the renovations of our farmhouse taproom […]
Posted inNews
Cops who shot knife-wielding man in Newtown, MA not criminally responsible
NEWTON, Mass. (AP) — Police had “no reasonable alternative” when they shot and killed a Massachusetts man experiencing a mental health crisis who ran toward officers with a knife held in his raised hand last year, a judicial inquest into the shooting has found. Judge Jeanmarie Carroll in her findings made public late Tuesday by […]
Posted inNews
CCRI to host Summer Readiness Program to prepare high school juniors and seniors for college-level courses
The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) today announced that it is hosting a free in-person Summer Readiness Program focused on reading, writing, and math for all incoming Career and Technical Education (CTE) high school junior and seniors at each of its four campuses. With many students ineligible to take college-level courses because they do […]
Posted inWeather
Newport Weather Forecast for May 18
According to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service, today it will be sunny, with a high near 72 degrees. 7 Day Forecast The following is the National Weather Service 7-day weather forecast, centered on Newport State Airport; Special Weather Statement Today: Sunny, with a high near 71. Northwest wind 8 to 10 mph, with […]
Posted inNews
Providence-Newport Ferry season begins on June 17
The Providence-Newport Ferry will kick off its 2022 season on Friday, June 17. “The Ocean State”, which is operated by Seastreak, will operate with no capacity limits and run through Columbus Day weekend (October 10), including summer weekend stops in Bristol. From June 17 to September 2 (Monday thru Friday), the ferry will depart Providence […]
Posted inNews
Adoptable Pet Of The Week: Tank & Saige
Meet your new best friends, Tank and Saige – this week’s Adoptable Pet(s) of the Week! The Potter League for Animals shares on their website that Saige is a 4-year-old female Retriever, Labrador/Mix. Saige is considered a medium-sized dog, weighing in at between 20 and 59 pounds. Saige. Photo Credit: Potter League For Animals The […]
Posted inNews
Newport City Council approves resolution on Regional School District – Ballot Authorization, sends draft legislation to General Assembly
The Newport City Council voted 5 – 2 this evening to approve sending a request to the General Assembly to enact legislation authorizing the City of Newport and the Town of Middletown to establish a regional school district. In Middletown tonight, Middletown Town Council was also considering several resolutions around regionalization. The Town Council voted […]
Posted inNews
Would you like to see your work in What’sUpNewp?
What’sUpNewp publishes stories, reviews, photography, comics, and more every day of the year. We welcome new writers and photographers as well as veterans of the game to submit stories, essays, poetry, photography, art, comics, and more. This is not our website. It’s the communities. What’sUpNewp is an inclusive and welcome environment for everyone. The merit […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up This Week: May 16 – 22
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do this week in and around Newport. Monday, May 16 Green Animals Topiary Garden to host plant sale May 16 – 21 Tori Amos “Ocean to Ocean Tour” to stop at The VETS in Providence May 16 Newport County Health Care Collaborative to host Community Conversation on Human […]
Posted inBusiness
Owners of Scales & Shells retiring, restaurant sold to Nautilus Restaurant LLC/Peregrine Group
Debra & Andy Ackerman announced today that they’ve entered into an agreement to sell Scales & Shells Restaurant to Nautilus Restaurant LLC/Peregrine Group. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The Ackermans opened Scales & Shells in 1987, with the goal of bringing the delicious, yet unpretentious, cooking style they fell in love with […]