The Aquidneck Land Trust (“ALT”) today announces that its campaign to purchase and conserve Rego Farmland is complete. The 12-acre Portsmouth farm, located on East Main Road approximately .5 miles north of Glen Road, is now protected from development in perpetuity. The property is an active hayfield with 100% prime soil, which ALT will continue to […]
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 This Weekend: Brunch with Santa, Cruise with Santa, A Rough Point Holiday, and more
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this 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 change at any […]
Posted inBusiness
Restaurants, escape rooms, and other businesses for sale in Rhode Island
The latest listings on BizBuySell show all kinds of businesses currently for sale in Rhode Island. Reasons for selling, when provided, typically do not mention economic hardship, but more often involve the owner retiring or not having time to actively run the business. The names and locations are generally left out, but there are occasional exceptions. Here […]
Posted inBusiness, Real Estate
Airbnb hails ‘ownership economy’ in roundtable with Secretary Raimondo, says R.I. hosts have earned $210 million since 2010
Airbnb on Thursday released an economic report on the emergence of its platform and the importance of income for its 4 million hosts and the impact of revenue for approximately 100,000 cities and towns. The report was released ahead of a roundtable discussion on Thursday with Airbnb Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer Nathan Blecharczyk, US […]
Posted inNews
Arrest made in case involving two abandoned dogs in Portsmouth
An arrest has been made in the case involving the two dogs that were abandoned in Portsmouth on November 25. Portsmouth Police Department released the following press release on December 16; On November 25, 2021, Thanksgiving, the Portsmouth Police Department opened an investigation regarding two emaciated dogs that had been abandoned on the side of […]
Posted inNews
Adoptable Pet of the Week: Stella
Meet your new best friend, Stella – this week’s Adoptable Pet of the Week! The Potter League for Animals says Stella is a 10-year old female domestic shorthair. Stella. Photo courtesy of Potter League For Animals Here’s what Potter League for Animals has to say about Stella; Stella is a gorgeous and velvety soft senior […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
RI Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council will meet in Newport on Thursday
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has announced that the next public meeting of the RI Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council (EC4) will be held in Newport on Thursday, December, 16, 1-2:30 PM at Innovate Newport. The EC4 assesses, integrates, and coordinates climate change efforts across state agencies to reduce emissions, strengthen the […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Senate President Ruggerio, Senator Euer honored by the Humane Society
The Humane Society of the United States honored two members of the Rhode Island Senate this week. Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence) and Sen. Dawn Euer (D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown) received the Humane State Legislator Award, which is given annually to lawmakers “who are breaking new ground for animal welfare,” […]
Posted inReal Estate
‘La Sanctuaire’ estate on Ridge Road in Newport sells for $13.97 million
Lila Delman Compass today announced the sale of ‘La Sanctuaire’ estate, located at 11 Ridge Road in Newport, for $13,970,000. According to data maintained by the Rhode Island Statewide MLS, this marks one of the top ten sales statewide year-to-date.* Lila Delman Compass Associate Broker Annie Becker represented the seller in this transaction. “This […]
Posted inCOVID-19
Video: Governor McKee, RIDOH announce actions to address an increase in COVID-19 cases
Governor Dan McKee and Rhode Island Department of Health Director Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH today announced “a comprehensive set of actions to address an increase in COVID-19 cases and alleviate pressure on our hospital system while at the same time keeping schools open for in-person learning and preventing economic disruptions to small businesses”. Press Release Governor McKee’s office released […]
Posted inBusiness, News
Jamie Coelho named new Editor-In-Chief of Rhode Island Monthly
Rhode Island Monthly Communications, Inc. today announced that Jamie Coelho will be the new editor in chief of Rhode Island Monthly. The announcement comes shortly after the magazine’s current editor-in-chief, Sarah Francis, decided to step down to focus more on freelance opportunities. Jamie Coelho. Photo courtesy of Myke Yeager Photography. “Sarah Francis has made many contributions to Rhode Island Monthly over […]
Posted inCOVID-19, News
Governor McKee, RIDOH to announce ‘Comprehensive Actions’ to address the increase in COVID-19 Cases on Wednesday
Governor Dan McKee and Rhode Island Department of Health Director Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH today announced that they will announce a comprehensive set of actions to address an increase in COVID-19 cases and alleviate pressure on our hospital system while at the same time keeping schools open for in-person learning and preventing economic disruptions to small businesses. The press briefing […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up This Week: It’s A Wonderful Life, Candy Cane Express, Santa Cruise, and more
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this week. 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 change at any […]
Posted inNews
Sen. DiPalma, Rep. Cortvriend honored for legislation protecting families with disabled parents
Rep. Terri Cortvriend and Sen. Louis DiPalma have been named 2021 Legislative Champions by the Rhode Island Coalition for Children and Families for their sponsorship of the Preservation of Families with Disabled Parents Act, which became law this year. The new law (2021-S 0056, 2021-H 5394) protects children who have parents with disabilities by establishing procedural […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Cold War Veterans now eligible for property tax relief
The City of Newport today announced that Newport homeowners who served in the military during the Cold War period from 1947 until 1991 are now eligible to qualify for property tax relief through the Rhode Island Veteran’s Exemption. This provision, which was passed by the General Assembly early this year, also includes the widow/widower of […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Jay Leno to perform at Firehouse Theatre for 5 consecutive nights
Jay Leno is returning to The Firehouse Theatre for five nights of sold-out shows, Sunday, December 19 through Thursday, December 23. 5 Nights of Leno, which is presented by The Bit Players and Firehouse Theater in association with What’s Up Newp, will feature a performance from the former Tonight Show host, followed by q&a. Proceeds […]
Posted inCOVID-19, Environment & Health, News
Rhode Island’s first case of COVID-19 caused by the Omicron variant has been identified
Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) today announced that Rhode Island’s first case of COVID-19 caused by the Omicron variant (variant B.1.1.529) has been identified. The case was identified through the ongoing genomic surveillance program coordinated by RIDOH’s State Health Laboratories. Governor Mckee’s office says in a press release that […]
Posted inNews
People’s Credit Union donates $5,000, holiday toys to MLK Center
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center this week received generosity in the form of $5,000 and employee-donated toys for its Santa’s Workshop holiday program on Tuesday, December 7, by the staff and leadership team at People’s Credit Union in Middletown. “The MLK Community Center has a tremendous impact on the lives of Newport […]
Posted inCOVID-19, News
COVID-19 Booster Dose eligibility expanded in Rhode Island
Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) on Friday announced that they are now encouraging 16- and 17-year-olds who have completed the primary COVID-19 vaccine series to get booster doses in Rhode Island. This announcement comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced yesterday their updated recommendation for […]
Posted inNews
Salvation Cafe to permanently close
Salvation Cafe today announced on Facebook that they will close at the end of the year, “We can finally say without fear of being sued (I think) that Salvation Cafe has 3 weeks to live. It’s been the grooviest road and we are so grateful for the past 30 years of The greatest customers & […]
Posted inJobs
Now Hiring: 88 job opportunities available right now in and around Newport
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
Crews respond to yacht fire in Portsmouth
At approximately 10:30 am on Friday, Portsmouth Fire Department and crews from the surrounding area responded to a boat fire at Hinckley Yacht Services, located at 1 Little Harbor Landing in Portsmouth According to the Portsmouth Fire Department, the fire started after a crew was repairing the 100-foot yacht. The fire destroyed the 10-foot yacht […]
Posted inNews
Body of woman who fell of Prudence Island Ferry recovered, police share identity
Update – December 10: Portsmouth Police Department this morning announced that they have recovered the body of the woman who fell off the Prudence Island Ferry earlier this week. Portsmouth Police also identified the woman. Prudence Island resident falls from Prudence Island Ferry “On December 9, 2021, at approximately 12 pm the Portsmouth Police were […]
Posted inSports
Narragansett Bay Adult Athletic Sailing Association now accepting 2022 Scholarship boat applications
The Narragansett Bay Adult Athletic Sailing Association (NAASA) is now accepting applications from interested sailors for scholarship boats for its 2022 season. NAASA Scholarships provide fully funded F18 Catamarans for the NAASA F18 League including summer storage at Sail Newport, entry fees, and coaching. Full teams or individual athletes are encouraged to apply via SailNAASA.org. Founded in 2021 […]
Posted inNews
The Nature Conservancy, DEM partner to strengthen the herring run at the Gilbert Stuart Museum
The Nature Conservancy and the RI Department of Environmental Management (DEM) recently constructed a small wood and fiberglass structure at a fork in Gilbert Stuart Brook, closing off a costly detour for migrating river herring. The structure, known as a picket weir, consists of five removeable grates, resting on wooden abutments and set in the […]