First responders responded to Ocean Avenue this morning for a moto vehicle accident. A Lifestar helicopter was called to the scene. The cause of the accident and the extent of injuries are unknown at this time. Update: Newport police say around 7:40 am they responded to a single car crash on Ocean Ave. Police tell […]
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
Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting scheduled for December 2 at Rhode Island State House
Governor Dan McKee is inviting Rhode Islanders to join him for the annual State House Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting. The festivities will take place on Thursday, December 2 at 5 p.m. Governor McKee and the First Family will light the Christmas tree at approximately 6:15 p.m. This year, there will be two Christmas trees on display […]
Posted inSports
Start date confirmed for next edition of The Ocean Race
The start date for leg one of The Ocean Race 2022-23 has been confirmed with both IMOCA and VO65 fleets scheduled to burst from the starting blocks on Sunday, January 15, 2023, from Alicante on Spain’s Mediterranean coast. The Ocean Race said in a press release today that there will be race activity throughout 2022, with teams building […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up This Thanksgiving Weekend: Newport Nutcracker, A Rough Point Holiday, and more
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this Thanksgiving 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 […]
Posted inNews
Newport Folk Festival releases ‘2021 Thank You Video’
In an email to fans today, Newport Folk Festival released their annual Thank You Video. “We are excited to share details about our 2022 on sale early in the new year, including our new ticketing partner. We cannot wait to see you back at the Fort on July 22-24. Before we officially turn the page […]
Posted inNews
New England 10 Miler Series returning to Newport, Portland, and Stowe in 2022
The dates are set and registration is now open for the 2022 New England 10 Miler Series! The popular race series will return with the Portland 10 Miler in Portland, Maine on April 24, 22; the BankNewport 10 Miler in Newport, Rhode Island on June 5, 2022, and the Vermont 10 Miler in Stowe Vermont on […]
Posted inBusiness
David Cadorette appointed new President at SEACORP
Middletown-based SEACORP will have a new president, effective the first of the new year. SEACORP Chief Executive Officer Roy Kapani today announced the appointment of David Cadorette as President, effective January 1, 2022. More from SEACORP His appointment is a clear reflection of the company’s current state: excited after another strong year of growth and ready to take on the […]
Posted inNews
Stowe Mountain Resort will open for the winter season on November 26
The 2021-22 winter season at Stowe Mountain Resort has officially arrived! Stowe Mountain Resort today announced that opening day is scheduled for Friday, November 26. Stowe shared the following additional details in regards to opening day; “The FourRunner Quad will start spinning at 8 am and we will be celebrating the first runs of the […]
Posted inNews
Boys & Girls Clubs of Newport County distributes turkeys and sides to families
Boys & Girls Clubs of Newport County turkey dinner distribution once again ran like a well-oiled machine on November 20th, as Club staff, Americorp volunteers, and board members packed and handed out bags of side dish ingredients and frozen turkeys to Club families. Stop & Shop donated 120 turkeys and groceries to the Club […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Casual and Connected: Live dance and music performance coming to Jamestown Arts Center
Live dance and music will light up the Jamestown Arts Center on December 4 as dancer Katie Moorhead and bassist Ian Banno present a series of improvised dances that respond to the current exhibitions and the visitors to the gallery that afternoon. These free, drop-in performances will take place during the Jamestown Holiday Stroll on […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County selects 2021 Artist Award winners
The Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County (“ACA”) has named two recipients of the 2021 Artist Awards, given twice yearly to local performers or artists who directly educate, inspire, and uplift the local community with their work. The award provides grants up to $500 to support current projects. The Newport String Project organization and […]
Posted inFood & Drink, Style & Shop
Special pre-Thanksgiving Farmers Market to be held on Wednesday at Stoneacre Garden
Aquidneck Community Table is holding a special pre-Thanksgiving farmers market this Wednesday from 2 PM -5 PM at their new winter home, Stoneacre Garden in downtown Newport, where market stalls will be brimming with fresh and local ingredients from regional farmers and food vendors for the upcoming Thanksgiving feasts. The selection of foods and artisanal […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up This Week: Illuminated Boat Parade, Newport Nutcracker, A Rough Point Holiday, 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 […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Newport County Dinner Club returns for its 33rd year
The Newport County Dinner Club is returning for its 33rd year, continuing its mission of making dining out more affordable. The Newport County Dinner Club offers two for one dining at more than 45 fine local restaurants. A Newport County Dinner Club book costs $20 and is available now on their website and will be […]
Posted inThings To Do
Newport String Project Winter Concert will celebrate the solstice & seasons
On December 11th at 2 pm, the Newport String Quartet will be returning to the Newport Art Museum to present an afternoon of chamber music. For this concert, the Newport String Quartet says that selections evoke themes of hope, lightness and darkness, the solstice and changing seasons. Join Newport String Quartet for a cozy winter afternoon […]
Posted inCOVID-19
Governor McKee and RIDOH urge COVID-19 Boosters for adults
Reiterating their encouragement from earlier this week for all eligible adults to get COVID-19 vaccine booster doses, and following the announcement from federal health officials today formally expanding eligibility to all fully vaccinated adults, Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) are urging all fully vaccinated adults who plan to gather […]
Posted inBusiness, Jobs
Now Hiring: 103 job opportunities available right now in and around Newport
Looking for a new gig, job, or career? 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 owner and manager who […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island’s Annual Hotel Week expands to “Hotel Month RI” with savings up to 40% off
Rhode Island tourism, in conjunction with over 30 hotels and resorts across The Ocean State, today announced the launch of “Hotel Month RI” this January. Hotel Month RI invites visitors and residents to take advantage of rates up to 40% off at a wide variety of accommodations at luxury hotels, historic inns and cozy B&Bs. […]
Posted inNews
Norman Bird Sanctuary celebrates record-breaking year, kicks off ‘Day of Giving’
The 72nd Annual Meeting of the Norman Bird Sanctuary was held on Thursday, November 18, 2021. Members, supporters, and friends gathered to reflect on the accomplishments of the 2021 fiscal year, which included a banner 82% increase in visitor support and a 33% growth in membership support. “By increasing support and engaging more people through our programs, events, […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up This Weekend: Ice Skating, Holidays at the Newport Mansions, Sparkling Lights, 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 […]
Posted inFood & Drink, Things To Do
Castle Hill Inn offering a variety of festive experiences this holiday season
This winter, Newport’s Castle Hill Inn invites guests to get into the holiday spirit with a host of events and celebrations starting the weekend after Thanksgiving and going all the way through to New Year’s Day. The halls of Castle Hill Inn’s mansion will be decked with festive décor, the wood-burning fireplaces will be roaring, and the […]
Posted inNews
Hospital and State leaders call on Rhode Islanders to seek medical care in the right setting
In advance of holiday gatherings and the height of flu season in Rhode Island, State health and hospital officials gathered today to again urge the public to only go to emergency departments for health issues that require emergency care. Hospital emergency departments in Rhode Island continue to experience significant crowding and prolonged waiting times. The […]
Posted inThings To Do
‘Santa Magic’ coming to Long Wharf Mall
Look out Rockefeller Center!! A Newport in Bloom decorated Christmas Tree is coming to the Shops at Long Wharf. Newport in Bloom is decorating its first-ever Christmas Tree on the Long Wharf Mall in front of the Discover Newport “pop-up” Store. Santa has taken notice, and on November 27 he will be making one of his first Newport visits, checking his […]
Posted inCity & Government
City of Newport seeking applicants for Charter Review Commission
The City of Newport is seeking applicants to serve on a seven-member Charter Review Commission to help the City refine its municipal Charter. The volunteer commission, which was last assembled in 2013, will be charged with reviewing the City Charter and making recommendations to the Council that would then be voted on by Newport residents […]
Posted inNews
Newport Navy Choristers’ Holiday Concert returns, will benefit Agricultural Education Program
The Newport Navy Choristers, under the direction of Lori McDowell, will present their annual holiday concert on the evening of December 10, 2021, at 7:30 PM at St. Barnabas Church, 1697 East Main Road in Portsmouth. The concert will benefit the Portsmouth AgInnovation Farm, a project of Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District and Portsmouth Middle […]