Residents of Newport County are invited to enjoy free admission to open Preservation Society of Newport County properties on Saturday, April 30, and Sunday, May 1. Those eligible to participate in Newport County Days include residents of Jamestown, Newport, Middletown, Portsmouth, Tiverton, and Little Compton. This includes personnel stationed at Naval Station Newport and their immediate family. Proof of […]
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 inCity & Government
Governor McKee, state officials launch ‘Keep Rhody Litter Free’ campaign
Governor Dan McKee was joined by First Lady Susan McKee, Lt. Governor Sabina Matos, Rhode Island Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti, Rhode Island Public Transit Authority CEO Scott Avedisian, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Acting Director Terry Gray, and Keep Blackstone Valley Beautiful Director Donna Kaehler on Friday afternoon to kick off “Keep Rhody Litter […]
Posted inThings To Do
First ‘Cars & Coffee’ event of the season will take place at Fort Adams on Sunday
Audrain Automobile Museum will kick off its Cars & Coffee season at Fort Adams State Park on Sunday, April 24 from 8 am to 11 am. Audrain wrote on social media on Friday that they are expecting more than 300 cars at the event, as well as coffee and snacks from local food trucks. The […]
Posted inNews
North Kingstown Elementary School Teacher honored with 2022 Art Education Leadership Award
Hamilton Elementary School art instructor Robin Kasparian is the recipient of Artsonia’s 2022 Art Education Leadership Award. The award honors pioneers in the art education community who continuously inspire their peers and engage students. Kasparian’s peers and Artsonia selected her among thousands of instructors as one of 15 national winners of this award. “Being recognized […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rep. Edwards appointed to Joint Lottery Committee
Rep. John G. Edwards has been appointed to the Permanent Joint Committee on State Lottery by House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi. The Joint Committee on State Lottery is responsible for legislative oversight of all lottery operations, including casinos. Bally’s Tiverton Casino & Hotel is located within Representative Edwards’ district. “I’m very happy to have this […]
Posted inNews
Newport Pride Weekend returning June 24 – 26
The annual Newport Pride weekend is happening this June 24, 25 & 26th. Newport Pride, the leading organization, has prepared a lineup of events and experiences to celebrate the community and promote love, acceptance, inclusivity, and diversity of LGBTQ+ identities. Organizers say that everyone is welcome to join in on the festivities. A fundraiser to support Newport […]
Posted inCity & Government
‘Middletown Center’ clears initial hurdle
By Matt Sheley, Town of Middletown MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (APRIL 21, 2022) – “Middletown Center” got its first public airing Thursday night. As expected, traffic and a proposed 144-room hotel served as the major flashpoints for the proposed mixed use development at 600-740 West Main Road during a well attended Planning Board concept review session in Town […]
Posted inWeather
Weather forecast for April 22
According to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service, today will be sunny, with a high near 65 degrees. 7 Day Forecast The following is the National Weather Service 7-day weather forecast, centered on Newport State Airport; NWS Forecast for: Newport RIIssued by: National Weather Service Norton, MALast Update: 3:09 am EDT Apr 22, 2022 […]
Posted inNews
Adoptable Pet of the Week: Bruno
Meet your new best friend, Bruno– this week’s Adoptable Pet of the Week! The Potter League for Animals shares on their website that Layla is a 1-year-old male Retriever/Labrador Mix. Bruno is considered a large-sized dog, weighing in at between 60 and 99 pounds. Here’s what else Potter League for Animals has to say about […]
Posted inBusiness
Hotel Viking names Adrienne Willis its new Spa Director; says the appointment will elevate Spa Fjör’s programming, services
Hotel Viking this week announced new leadership at Spa Fjör, with the appointment of Adrienne Willis as Spa Director. Adrienne will lead the spa’s unique East meets West spa philosophies, expanded services, and treatment enhancements, and oversees day-to-day operations of Spa Fjör including its six treatment rooms, an expanded relaxation room, Himalayan sea salt wall, […]
Posted inNews
Cranston woman named new Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England
Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England (GSSNE) today announced that Dana Borrelli-Murray, a resident of Cranston and Rhode Island native, will become the council’s newest Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The appointment comes after a rigorous national search and selection process, according to GSSNE. “I am looking forward to the opportunity to use my strengths and […]
Posted inNews
BankNewport awards $45,000 in grants to fight food insecurity
BankNewport today announced that it has awarded $45,000 in grants to four organizations in Rhode Island that are fighting food insecurity: Barrington Tap-In, McCauley Ministries, the Salvation Army Providence Corps, and the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. “As a true community bank, supporting those who support our neighbors is essential to our mission,” said Jack Murphy, President & CEO, BankNewport […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up this weekend in Newport County: April 22 – 24
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport County this weekend. Friday, April 22 Six Picks Events: What’s Up in RI this weekend (April 22-24) Six Picks Music: The best music around RI this weekend (April 22-24) Providence Pizza Week serves up great pies and more April 17-30 ‘Six Picks’ for […]
Posted inReal Estate
Kansas woman wins 2022 HGTV Dream Home in Warren, Vermont
HGTV today announced the winner of the 2022 HGTV Dream Home. Karey Wolstenholm of Overland Park, Kansas is the winner of the HGTV Dream Home 2022 sweepstakes, a grand prize package valued at over $2.4 million, which includes the luxurious modern mountain cabin, a 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, and $250,000 in cash. The 2022 HGTV Dream Home […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council, School Committee to host a joint workshop on school budget
Members of the Newport City Council and the Newport School Committee will host a joint session workshop on Thursday, April 28. The meeting set for 5:30 pm in the Council Chambers at City Hall will be focused on the school budget. The workshop is open to the public via in-person attendance, WebEx, and by phone. […]
Posted inNews
Newport International Boat Show names The Better Bay Alliance its 2022 Charitable Partner
Newport Exhibition Group announced today that the 51st Annual Newport International Boat Show presented by BankNewport, Charitable Partner is The Better Bay Alliance. The organization will receive a $1,000 donation, complimentary exhibit space at the event, and the opportunity to educate and share information regarding its important mission. The Show will be held September 15 through 18, […]
Posted inNews
Aquidneck Land Trust announces conservation of 8.64 acres of farmland in Middletown
Aquidneck Land Trust (“ALT”) today announced the conservation of 8.64 acres of farmland in Middletown. The property has frontage on East Main Road and is also visible looking north from Oliphant Lane, making it part of a scenic view corridor from East Main Road. It has USDA prime farmland soil and is within the drinking […]
Posted inCity & Government
Report: Rhode Island’s economy continues to recover from the pandemic, but more slowly than the U.S., New England
Rhode Island’s economic outlook improved in several key measures in the first quarter of 2022 but challenges persist, according to the Rhode Island Key Performance Indicators Briefing, released today by the Center for Global and Regional Economic Studies at Bryant University and the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council (RIPEC). “We are continuing to see growth […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island is the 6th Safest State during COVID-19 – WalletHub Study
With around 66% of the population fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and new cases on a general downward trend since the start of the year, WalletHub today released updated rankings for the Safest States During COVID-19. In order to find out the safest states during the COVID-19 pandemic, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of […]
Posted inSports
Paul Meilhat’s Biotherm will compete in The Ocean Race
French skipper Paul Meilhat will fulfill a lifelong dream in January 2023 when he leads Biotherm across the starting line of The Ocean Race on the waters off Alicante, Spain. The Ocean Race today announced that Meilhat and his team will be racing one of the newest IMOCA boats in the fleet, a Verdier design that is […]
Posted inWeather
Newport County Weather Forecast for April 21
According to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service, today will be cloudy, 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; Frost AdvisoryHazardous Weather Outlook Today: Increasing clouds, with a high near 57. East wind 5 to 15 mph […]
Posted inCity & Government
Here’s what’s on the agenda for Newport City Council’s meeting on April 27
Newport City Council will return to City Hall on Wednesday, April 27 at 6:30 pm for their next Regular Council Meeting. The agenda with supporting attachments will be available on the City of Newport’s website in the coming days. CITY OF NEWPORT DOCKET FOR A REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 27, 2022 The following items of […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Former Fall River Mayor to report to prison Friday after delay rejected
FALL RIVER, Mass. (AP) — A former Massachusetts mayor convicted of corruption charges is set to report to prison after a court rejected his request for a delay. Former Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia II will report to a federal medium security prison in New Hampshire on Friday to begin a six-year sentence after a […]
Posted inNews
BankRI collection leads to 6,382 books for kids statewide
When Bank Rhode Island (BankRI) customers and staff have an opportunity to help the community, they never disappoint, and the bank’s recently-completed Children’s Book Drive was no exception. Held throughout the month of March at all 20 of BankRI’s branches, the effort in support of Books Are Wings led to 6,382 books for local kids. […]
Posted inJobs
WalletHub Study: Rhode Island employers have the 9th biggest hiring struggle in the U.S.
With the labor force participation rate at 62.4%, one of the lowest rates in decades, WalletHub today released updated data on 2022’s States Where Employers Are Struggling the Most in Hiring. In order to see where employers are struggling the most in hiring, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia based on the […]