The Preservation Society of Newport County today announced that it has brought back free admission for City of Newport residents. This includes personnel stationed at Naval Station Newport and their immediate family. Proof of residence or Naval Station ID is required. “We are excited to restore the free admission policy for residents of Newport,” CEO […]
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 inFood & Drink
The Peach Truck is coming to Rhode Island in July
The Peach Truck, a Nashville-based company that launched in 2012 with a mission of “sharing the South’s famous sweet and juicy peaches with people across the country, without sacrificing freshness”, is making a stop in Rhode Island this July. 2022’s The Peach Truck Tour will begin June 13th and make stops in 24 states across the Southern, East […]
Posted inNews
Four Hearts Foundation looks to rebuild Turnpike Avenue Playground in Portsmouth
Four Hearts Foundation, a 501(c)3 Nonprofit Organization founded by Kateri Chappell Buerman and Laurel Handel Polselli, is on a mission to rebuild the Turnpike Avenue Playground in Portsmouth. Polselli noted that “Rebuilding the playground is about giving our children and community a place to play, grow and come together”. Many Portsmouth residents may recall […]
Posted inNews, Sports
International Tennis Hall of Fame announces winners of Iconic Moments in Tennis History Vote Campaign
Following a two-week vote with tens of thousands fans from around the globe weighing in, the International Tennis Hall of Fame has announced the five winning nominees from the Iconic Moments in Tennis History fan voting campaign. The winners in each of the five categories voted upon will be featured in a new exhibition in […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: Jean A. McGowan
Jean Amy (Tillman) McGowan, 89, of Newport passed away April 26, 2022. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Jeannie was born in Troy, NY on August 8, 1932. After obtaining her registered nursing degree in Rochester New York, Jeannie moved to New York City where she met Andrew McGowan. […]
Posted inNews
Judy Collins to perform at The JPT on August 19
Legendary singer-songwriter Judy Collins is returning to Newport for a performance. Spectacle Live today announced that Judy Collins will perform at The JPT Film & Event Center on Friday, August 19th at 8pm. [Update – Second show added for Judy Collins at The JPT] Judy Collins has long inspired audiences with sublime vocals, boldly vulnerable songwriting, […]
Posted inNews
Editor’s Note – World Press Freedom Day: Why independence matters
Today is World Press Freedom Day. To most people, it’s probably just another day — but to me, it’s one of the most important days of the year. I run What’sUpNewp. I don’t do it because I favor a particular side. I do it because I favor the truth and I love the Newport and […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Rhode Island Museum of Art and Science to permanently close; Educational Outreach Program absorbed by Rhode Island Computer Museum
The Rhode Island Museum of Science and Art (RIMOSA) announced today that it will close its doors on Westminster Street in Providence on June 1, 2022 and that its educational outreach program will be absorbed by the Rhode Island Computer Museum (RICM). Founded in 2010, RIMOSA’s mission has been to kindle curiosity and encourage experimentation […]
Posted inWeather
Weather forecast for May 3
Newport RI forecast According to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service, today we’ll see some rain, with a high near 54 degrees. 7 Day Forecast The following is the National Weather Service 7-day weather forecast, centered on Newport State Airport; Today: Patchy drizzle with a slight chance of showers before 8am. Patchy fog between […]
Posted inNews
Aquidneck Community Table finds a new home for Saturday Aquidneck Growers Market
Middletown Town Council this evening approved a permit application by Aquidneck Community Table for a new Saturday summer location for Aquidneck Growers Market. While Aquidneck Growers Market will continue to operate on Wednesday afternoons on Memorial Boulevard, they can also be found on Saturday mornings this Summer at Embrace Home Loans in Middletown. Aquidneck Community […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rogers High School alumni, students, and residents are invited to community day that will bid farewell to the current Rogers High School
On Saturday, May 7th from 9:00 am to 12 pm, alumni and area residents are encouraged to join with Newport Public Schools, the Newport School Building Committee, and local leaders to bid farewell to the “old” Rogers High School, a portion of which will be demolished this summer to make way for a brand new, state-of-the-art […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Senator Dawn Euer will seek reelection
Senator Dawn Euer announced today that she is running for re-election to the state senate in District 13, representing Newport and Jamestown. She is currently serving her second full term in the Rhode Island Senate. “This past year brought many challenges to Rhode Island, but it also brought chances for progress. In the 2021 session, I […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up this week: May 2 – 8
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to in and around Newport this week, May 2 – 8, 2022. Monday, May 2 This Day in RI History: May 2, 2013 – Same-Sex marriage legalized in Rhode Island National Small Business Week takes place May 1 – 7, here’s what’s on tap through the SBA Things To […]
Posted inThings To Do
‘Coffee and Donuts at the Fort’ to be hosted at Butts Hill Fort on May 21
The Battle of Rhode Island Association and Butts Hill Fort Restoration Committee recently announced that they will host “Coffee and Donuts at the Fort” on Saturday, May 21. Event Details The Battle of Rhode Island Association and the Butts Hill Fort Committee cordially invite you to “Coffee and Donuts at the Fort,” an opportunity to […]
Posted inWeather
Weather Forecast for Monday, May 2
According to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service, today we’ll see some rain, with a high near 52 degrees. Newport RI forecast 7 Day Forecast The following is the National Weather Service 7-day weather forecast, centered on Newport State Airport; Today: Rain, mainly after 3pm. High near 52. Light east wind becoming southeast 5 […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Highest-rated breweries in Rhode Island
Just a few decades ago, the list of breweries to visit in any given area were small—perhaps a handful around larger metro areas and a few more tucked away in rural spots. Thanks to the craft brewery revolution, though, no one need look too hard to find a bounty of venues to visit. Retail sales […]
Posted inFood & Drink
La Vecina officially opens as a stand-alone restaurant
La Vecina, which began as an authentic Mexican pop-up restaurant from Bar ‘Cino’s Executive Chef Mariana Gonzalez-Trasvina, has officially opened as a stand-alone restaurant adjacent to Bar ‘Cino in Newport’s Washington Square. “The La Vecina pop-up and ghost kitchen was a really fun experiment for our staff and our guests, and it was so well-received that […]
Posted inReal Estate
Two homes on West Main Road in Little Compton change hands, sell for more than $4 million each
Lila Delman Compass is pleased to announce two significant sales in Little Compton. ‘Wildflowers’, 301 West Main Road, sold for $4,250,000 and 696 K West Main Road traded for $4,100,000. Deborah Ladd, Lila Delman Compass Associate Broker, represented the seller of 301 West Main Road while Ruth Bellino, Sales Assoicate based in Lila Delman Compass’ […]
Posted inNews
Fort Adams Trust hosts annual meeting, adds four new board members
Fort Adams Trust hosted its 2022 Annual Meeting in the Casemates at Fort Adams on Wednesday, April 27. Editor’s Note – I serve as Vice President of Fort Adams Trust and have been a member of its Board of Directors since 2017. Current Board Members, past board members, Fort Adams Trust supporters/volunteers, and members of […]
Posted inNews
Newport Restoration Foundation now accepting nominations for the 2022 Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards
The annual Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards, a joint program of the Newport Restoration Foundation and the City of Newport, encourages excellence in historic preservation by recognizing exemplary preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation projects as well as education and advocacy initiatives that have taken place throughout Aquidneck Island. Newport Restoration Foundation is calling upon the local […]
Posted inBusiness
JPMorgan Chase opens branch in Middletown
Today, JPMorgan Chase announced the opening of its first retail branch in Middletown and its eleventh in Rhode Island. The branch is located at 5 East Main Road in Middletown. JP Morgan Chase opens in Middletown. Photo provided by JP Morgan Chase “We’ve long viewed Middletown as a place we wanted to be,” said Jennifer […]
Posted inThings To Do
Live From The Loading Dock: Summer concert series returning to MLK Center
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center this week announced the return of Live from the Loading Dock: A Summer Concert Series for the 2022 season. On five Wednesday evenings beginning in May, the Center will host a variety of talented and local musicians for the concert series with the scheduled lineup* as followed: […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
‘Hi-Neighbor! The Story of the Narragansett Brewing Company’ premieres on May 25
In what Rhode Island PBS is calling a ‘lager than life’ film event, the newest Rhode Island PBS Original to come from the production studios at 50 Park Lane in Providence recounts the history of one of Rhode Island’s most famous icons. Hi-Neighbor! The Story of the Narragansett Brewing Company debuts at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, […]
Posted inWeather
Newport County Weather: Forecast for April 29
According to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service, today will be cloudy, with a high near 56 degrees. 7 Day Forecast The following is the National Weather Service 7-day weather forecast, centered on Newport State Airport; Special Weather Statement Today: Increasing clouds, with a high near 56. Northwest wind 15 to 18 mph, with […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up this weekend: April 29 – May 1
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this weekend, April 9 – May 1, 2022. This story will be updated throughout the week as we receive more events/get updates. Have an event that you’d like to see on this list or our calendar? Add it here. Six Picks Events: What’s Up […]