NEADS World Class Service Dogs, based in Princeton, Massachusetts, is actively recruiting volunteer Full-Time Puppy Raisers and Weekend Puppy Raisers in New England (Mass., Conn., Maine, N.H., R.I., and Vt.) NEADS says that their World Class Service Dogs change lives every day but cannot do so without proper training. NEADS has ramped up its Full-Time Puppy Raiser program to meet […]
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
Things to do in Newport County this weekend: Feb. 4 – 6
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this week and weekend. This story may be updated as we learn about additional events or listings. Have an event you’d like to see added to this list or a future list? Add it to our event calendar. Note: An event or performance may […]
Posted inFood & Drink, Things To Do
Stoneacre Garden to host Wagyu Dinner, Stoneacre Brasserie to host Game Dinner
Stoneacre Hospitality Group announced this week that they will be hosting two special dinner events at their two Newport-based restaurants, Stoneacre Garden and Stoneacre Brasserie, this month. Stoneacre Garden will be hosting a special Wagyu Dinner on February 18th, followed by Stoneacre Brasserie’s Game Dinner on February 24th. More details on each dinner is below; Stoneacre Garden Wagyu Dinner On February […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Call & Response: Newport Art Museum announces new exhibition
The Newport Art Museum this week announced a new exhibition, “Call & Response 2022,” which will be on view to the public from Saturday, February 5 through Sunday, May 8, 2022. “Call & Response” is one of the Newport Art Museum’s most popular exhibitions, and for this third installment, the Museum invited contemporary artists Diane Barceló, Emily Belz, and On-Kyeong Seong to respond […]
Posted inNews
Captain Cook’s HMB Endeavour ‘positively identified’ at bottom of Newport Harbor
Kevin Sumption, Director, and CEO of the Australian National Maritime Museum, announced on February 3 that the shipwreck of James Cook’s famous vessel, His Majesty’s Bark Endeavour, has been positively identified. A 22-year program of fieldwork and research has led Sumption to conclude that the site known as RI 2394 in Newport Harbor is the location of […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Art Museum to present ‘Newport Gilded Age in Color’
The Newport Art Museum this week announced that it will present Newport Gilded Age in Color, a lecture with Keith Stokes, on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, from 5:30 – 7:00 pm. Stokes, a member of the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society, will discuss the persons and families that lived, worked, and worshipped in 19th and early 20th century Newport during the Gilded Age sharing […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
City of Newport reminds residents, businesses to keep storm drains clear
As Newport continues to dig out from last weekend’s historic blizzard, crews from the City’s Department of Utilities are out working hard to clear as many catch basins as possible before forecasted rain arrives. Residents and businesses are also encouraged by the City to check the catch basins in their own areas to make sure […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Redwood Library & Athenæum to host Black History Month Virtual Lecture Series
Redwood Library & Athenæum today announces its line-up of virtual lectures celebrating Black History Month. All lectures are presented free of charge and all are welcome to attend. Wednesday, February 9th at 6 pm Disappearing Ink: Rhode Island Black Literature & The Black Press in Rhode Island A Conversation with Robb Dimmick and […]
Posted inNews
Newport Restaurant Group raises more than $52,000 for six local nonprofits through holiday gift card incentive
Newport Restaurant Group (NRG) today announced that it has raised $52,838 for local nonprofits as a result of its annual holiday gift card program. This year, NRG doubled its commitment by donating $2.00 from every gift card order to community partners whose mission focuses on food insecurity. Each partner will receive approximately $8,800 and include: the RI Community Food Bank, Hope’s […]
Posted inNews
Local organizations help homeless population with GED preparation and other services
Local organizations are working together to support employment, mental health, GED tutoring, and other programs that specifically help homeless individuals gain footing toward finding permanent housing. Taking steps to mitigate negative effects of the affordable housing shortage in Newport County, BankNewport, the Newport Rotary, the Middletown Baptist Church, and Newport Mental Health are providing funding […]
Posted inCOVID-19, News
Watch: Governor McKee, RIDOH host COVID-19 briefing on February 1
Governor Dan McKee and Rhode Island Department of Health Interim Director Dr. James McDonald hosted a COVID-19 briefing today at 2:15 pm.
Posted inNews
Congrats: Marissa Levreault, of Portsmouth, named to Dean’s List at Miami University
Marissa Levreault, of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, was named to the Dean’s list at Miami University for the 2021-22 fall semester. Levreault is Majoring in Nursing, according to Miami University. Miami University students who are ranked in the top twenty percent of undergraduate students within their division for the fall semester 2021-22 have been named to […]
Posted inNews
Newport issues mandatory parking ban on 18 streets in Yachting Village to aid with snow removal
The City of Newport today announced residents in Newport’s Yachting Village will be required to move their vehicles to off-street parking as City crews continue work to remove near record-breaking snowfall from City streets. Residents in the Lower Thames and Spring Street corridor are advised that a mandatory Parking Ban will be in effect beginning WEDNESDAY, FEB. […]
Posted inNews
Cranston man hits $89,723 Wild Money Jackpot
Rhode Island Lottery today announced that a Cranston man hit the $89,723 Wild Money jackpot Friday night. The winning ticket matched all five numbers drawn: 12, 18, 19, 27, 35. According to Rhode Island Lottery, the man had not played in a few months but decided to buy the ticket while at Snacks Plus, 880 Oaklawn Ave., Cranston. To […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Save The Date: Newport Burger Bender returns Feb. 18 – 27
After a year off due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Newport Burger Bender, Discover Newport’s “best burger” contest returns to Newport and Bristol Counties February 18th – 27th, 2022! Local restaurants will once again be throwing their buns in the ring with hopes of being crowned the Best Burger (and there is more than just beef!) in Newport. Try […]
Posted inThings To Do
Things to do in Newport County this week: Jan. 31 – Feb. 6
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this week and weekend. This story may be updated as we learn about additional events or listings. Have an event you’d like to see added to this list or a future list? Add it to our event calendar. Note: An event or performance may […]
Posted inNews
Kip Moore to perform at Bold Point Park in East Providence on August 20
Waterfront Concerts and 98.1 Cat Country today announced that country music artist and songwriter Kip Moore will perform live at Bold Point Park in East Providence, RI on Saturday, August 20, 2022. General admission tickets start at $39.50. Tickets for this show will go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, February 4th at 10 am. Kip Moore joins […]
Posted inNews
Poll: Where is your favorite place for brunch in Newport?
Brunch, the delicious combination of breakfast, lunch, and alcohol consumed usually in the late morning, can be found in many of the most popular restaurants across Newport. Luckily, many restaurants in Newport offer brunch throughout the week, not just on Saturdays and Sundays. Here’s a look at where to find brunch in Newport We want […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
RIPTA: Routes 13, 18, 21, 27, 55, 56, 60, and 87 are currently on detour due to winter storm
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) announced this morning that eight routes are on detour today, Sunday, January 30, 2022 due to winter weather conditions. Routes 13, 18, 21, 27, 55, 56, 60 and 87 are currently on detour. Riders may expect some delays on all routes due to weather conditions and are advised to use extreme caution at bus stops due […]
Posted inWeather
National Weather Service: Blizzard conditions were officially reached in Newport, Providence, Westerly, and Block Island
The National Weather Service has determined that official blizzard conditions were reached in Newport, Westerly, Providence, and Block Island. …JANUARY 29TH BLIZZARD IN MASSACHUSETTS AND RHODE ISLAND… BLIZZARD CONDITIONS WERE REACHED AT SEVERAL LOCATIONS ACROSS RHODE ISLAND AND EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 2022. LIGHT SNOW BEGAN LATE AT NIGHT ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 28. […]
Posted inBusiness, Jobs
Now Hiring: 77 job opportunities available right now in the Newport area
Looking for a new gig, job, or career in or around Newport? Here’s a roundup of some of the companies that are 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 […]
Posted inNews
Here’s how much snow fell across Rhode Island
With snow still falling and expected to for several more hours, communities all across Rhode Island have already seen significant snow accumulation over the last twelve hours. Check This Out – Photo Gallery: Snow blankets Newport during ‘Blizzard of 2022’ Below are some snowfall and wind gust reports, and the time the measurement was taken, […]
Posted inNews
Jamestown, Pell, Mount Hope, and Sakonnet River Bridges’ will reopen to traffic at midnight
Update – 5:55 pm 0n Jan. 29. All bridges closed until midnight Emergency vehicles permitted JAMESTOWN, R.I. – Due to dangerous winter weather conditions a travel ban is in place for all vehicles on all Rhode Island roads today until 11:59 pm. The Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge, the Mount Hope Bridge, the Newport Pell Bridge and […]
Posted inNews
Adoptable Pet of the Week: Opi
Meet your new best friend, Opi – this week’s Adoptable Pet of the Week! The Potter League for Animals shares on their website that Opi is an 11-year-old male Bulldog, American. Here’s what else Potter League for Animals has to say about Opi; Do we have a treat for you. Meet Opi, the goodest ol’ […]
Posted inWeather
UPDATED: Blizzard Warning in effect – 18 – 24″ of snow, wind gusts of 45 – 70 mph expected
A Blizzard Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for all of Rhode Island and portions of eastern and northeastern Massachusetts. The latest National Weather Service Forecast is calling for 18-24″ of total snow accumulation and wind gusts between 45 – 70 mph possible across the state. The full detailed forecast and blizzard […]