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 […]
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 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 […]
Posted inNews
Newport Yacht Club will host Vessel Safety Checks and No Discharge Inspections on May 21 – 22
The Newport Yacht Club today announced that it will host vessel safety checks and Rhode Island Department of Environment (RI DEM) No Discharge Inspections on May 21 and May 22. More Info US Coast Guard Auxiliary Vessel Safety Checks are the easiest way to ensure that your boat meets current federal and state boating safety […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Theatre By The Sea opens its 89th season on May 25 with ‘Million Dollar Quartet’
In celebration of 89 Years of Theatre By The Sea, owner and producer Bill Hanney is proud to announce the opening of the 2022 Summer Season. The season begins with the Tony Award-nominated musical, Million Dollar Quartet, which will be presented from May 25 – June 18, 2022. “Although the past two years have been quite challenging, I am so happy to not only be […]
Posted inWeather
Weather forecast for May 16
According to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service, today will be cloudy, with a high near 64 degrees. 7 Day Forecast The following is the National Weather Service 7-day weather forecast, centered on Newport State Airport; Hazardous Weather OutlookDense Fog AdvisoryCoastal Flood Statement Today: Cloudy, with a high near 64. South wind 6 to […]
Posted inBusiness
MVYRADIO awards second quarter ‘Business Diversity Initiative’ grants
MVYRADIO announced today that it has awarded the latest round of quarterly ‘Business Diversity Initiative’ grants.This round of grantees includes the local businesses: Nomadic Travel Company in Harwich; Sangha New Bedford and Yoga On The Vine in Edgartown. These businesses will each receive a total of sixty underwriting messages on MVYRADIO to be used in […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Contemporary Theater Company to present ‘The Voice of Gertrude Stein’
On Thursday, May 26th and Saturday, June 4th at 7 PM in Wakefield, RI, The Contemporary Theater Company will present “The Voice of Gertrude Stein,” featuring the best of local New England talent. The program will feature a selection of art songs with text by Stein from LGBTQIA+ composers such as Virgil Thomson, Ned Rorem, […]
Posted inNews
Top stories last week on What’sUpNewp
Catch up on all of the most popular stories that appeared on What’sUpNewp last week, MAy 8 – 14. 1 – The Coffee Grinder finds a new home in Newport 2 – House OKs bill to provide tax relief to year-round Newport residents 3 – What Sold: 18 Newport County real estate sales, transactions (May […]
Posted inWeather
Newport Weather Forecast for Saturday, May 14
According to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service, today it will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 71 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: Areas of dense fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with […]
Posted inSports
Tatum’s huge effort helps Celtics win 108-95 to force Game 7
By STEVE MEGARGEE AP Sports Writer MILWAUKEE (AP) — Jayson Tatum wouldn’t let it happen again. With the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks attempting to complete a fourth-quarter comeback for the second straight game and close out their Eastern Conference semifinal, Tatum made sure the Boston Celtics instead kept their season alive and forced a decisive […]
Posted inNews
Baby formula shortage fueling spike in milk bank interest
By MIKE CATALINI and PAT EATON-ROBB Associated Press The U.S. baby formula shortage has sparked a surge of interest at milk banks around the U.S. with some mothers offering to donate breast milk and desperate parents calling to see if it’s a solution to keep their babies fed. It’s a pathway that won’t work for […]
Posted inSports
Celtics’ Robert Williams remains out for Game 6 vs. Bucks
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Boston forward/center Robert Williams missed his third straight game with an injured left knee as the Celtics tried to keep their season alive Friday night in Game 6 against the Milwaukee Bucks. Williams had been listed as questionable on the Celtics’ injury report. Celtics coach Ume Idoka said at the team’s post-shootaround […]
Posted inJobs
Now Hiring: 100 job opportunities available right now in the Newport area
Looking for a new gig, job, or career? Here’s who’s hiring right now 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. Are you a business owner and manager who is hiring? Provide your job opportunities to us […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News
Interfaith group asks Starbucks to drop vegan milk surcharge
BOSTON (AP) — A group of Christian, Hindu, Buddhist and Jewish leaders is asking Starbucks to stop charging extra for vegan milk alternatives, saying the practice amounts to a tax on people who have embraced plant-based lifestyles. FILE – Actor James Cromwell arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” at the […]
Posted inThings To Do
Second show added for Judy Collins at The JPT
Due to popular demand, Spectacle Management has added a second Judy Collins show at The JPT. The additional show will take place on August 20 at 8 pm. Spectacle Live originally announced on May 3 that Judy Collins will perform at The JPT Film & Event Center on Friday, August 19th at 8 pm. Judy Collins […]
Posted inNews, Sports
Total skier visits hits record in 2021-2022 season
The 2021-2022 ski season was record-breaking in the total number of skier visits to resorts around the country, the National Ski Areas Association announced Friday. The national figure of 61 million skier visits was up 3.5% from the previous season, according to the trade group based in Colorado. “This record visitation signals that the U.S. […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: Marie Lourdes (DaSilva) Leduc
Our angel on earth passed in peace the fourth of May 2022. Marie Lourdes {DaSilva} Leduc lived seventy-three beautiful years. Marie will be missed dearly by all those that she has left behind. Our hearts are so broken by this unexpected loss. She was one of a kind and to be loved by her was […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Newport County Health Care Collaborative to host Community Conversation on Human Services and the Workforce Crisis
The Newport County Health Care Collaborative will be hosting a virtual community conversation on human services and the workforce crisis. The event will take place virtually on Monday, May 16 from 11 am to 12 pm. Attendees will include leaders in the health and human services fields, Legislators, and supporters. The Newport County Health Care […]
Posted inWeather
Newport Weather Forecast for Friday, April 13
According to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service, today it will be rainy, with a high near 63 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 drizzle with a slight chance of rain before 11am, then […]
Posted inNews
President Biden approves Rhode Island Disaster Declaration for January Blizzard
President Biden today declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Rhode Island and ordered Federal assistance to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by a severe winter storm and snowstorm from January 28 to January 29, 2022 according to a statement issued from The White House. During […]
Posted inNews
Two NUWC Division Newport engineers earn Department of the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Awards
Gary Huntress, Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) subject matter expert in the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport Undersea Warfare Platforms and Payload Integration Department, and retired employee John DiMaio, project and design engineer/architect in the Corporate Operations Department, recently earned Department of the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Awards, the third highest honorary civilian […]