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 […]
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
‘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 […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up This Week: Holidays at the Newport Mansions, Sparkling Lights at The Breakers, and the Newport Skating Rink returns
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 inNews
Traffic in both directions on Pell Bridge reopens
Update Rhode Island Turnpike & Bridge Authority (RITBA) announced at 9:31 am that the accident has been cleared and traffic has reopened in both directions. Expect residual delays. Original Story Emergency personnel is currently on the scene of a car fire on Newport Bridge (eastbound). What’s Up Newp readers first began alerting us of the […]
Posted inNews
Newport Polo President receives George S. Patton Jr. Award
As our nation prepared to celebrate the 96th annual Veterans Day, the Armed Forces Committee of the United States Polo Association (USPA) named Newport Polo’s Dan Keating the recipient of the 2021 General George S Patton Jr. Award. This national award is presented to the USPA member who has gone above the call of duty to […]
Posted inNews
Newport Classical to host two holiday programs in December
Continuing its new commitment to ongoing year-round programming, Newport Classical, which recently changed its name from Newport Music Festival, announces two holiday programs this December – Newport Classical Holiday with Ensemble Altera at Emmanuel Church Chapel (42 Dearborn St.) on Friday, December 3 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, December 4 at 2:30 pm; and Handel’s iconic Messiah at the Mansion at Rosecliff (548 Bellevue Ave.) on Sunday, December 12 […]
Posted inJobs
Now Hiring: 87 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
Travel restrictions on Newport Pell and Jamestown Bridges lifted (Updated)
Update – The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) lifted travel restrictions on all bridges at 3:10 pm Original Story Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) announced on social media at 2:23 pm some bridge restrictions for the Newport Pell and Jamestown bridges. “Due to high winds, high profile vehicles are restricted from […]
Posted inReal Estate
Beavertail Farm estate in Jamestown sells for $6.294 million
Lila Delman Compass today announced the significant sale of 589 Beavertail Road for $6,294,750. Bob Bailey, Manager of Lila Delman Compass’ Block Island office, represented the seller. According to data maintained from the Rhode Island Statewide MLS, this transaction marks the third-highest sale in Jamestown this year.* “I was honored to have the opportunity to sell this […]
Posted inReal Estate
Block Island compound that includes ‘Courageous’ & ‘Defiant’ sells for $4.8 million
Lila Delman Compass today announced the significant sale of 1738 Corn Neck Road on Block Island for $4,800,000. Rosemary Tobin, Sales Manager of Lila Delman Compass’ Block Island office represented the seller and facilitated for the buyer in this transaction. According to data maintained by the Rhode Island Statewide MLS, this transaction marks the highest sale […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up This Weekend: Hoods Up Weekend, Aquidneck 10k, Newport Restaurant Week, 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 inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Museum of Newport Irish History to host talk, “Cheers to Eire: The Political Life of J. Howard McGrath”
The Museum of Newport Irish History will hold the third talk in its 20th Annual Michael F. Crowley Lecture Series on November 15, at 6:00 p.m., via Zoom and in person at the Wayfinder Hotel in Newport. The talk, entitled “Cheers to Eire: The Political Life of J. Howard McGrath,” will be presented by Dr. Debra […]
Posted inNews
Open-road tolling lanes on Pell Bridge will be expanded to two lanes in each direction beginning Nov. 11
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) today announced that the open-road tolling lanes at the center of the Pell Bridge toll plaza will be expanded to two lanes in each direction beginning November 11, 2021, and the extreme outside lanes will then be closed. “We are pleased that the transition to all-electronic tolling […]
Posted inOpinion
Opinion: The U.S. must step up and lead
For the past week, countries across the globe have come together in Glasgow for COP26 to discuss how the world will address our climate crisis. Before the conference began, I joined with state legislators from across the country calling on the federal government to rise to the challenge and strengthen our national climate commitments under […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: Beulah Ann Pettey
Beulah Ann (Souza) Pettey, 85, of Portsmouth, RI, passed away on November 8,2021 at Village House Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Newport, RI after a long courageous battle with lung cancer and dementia. Beulah was born, October 6, 1936, in Portsmouth RI to Ernest and Annie (Gomes) Borden. She grew up in Portsmouth RI and […]
Posted inNews
Fall for Lucy’s Hearth fundraiser will take place virtually on November 10
On Wednesday, November 10 at 5:30 pm, Lucy’s Hearth will be holding the 10th annual Fall For Lucy’s Hearth. While the event is typically held at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, the uncertainties of COVID-19 require that they go virtual this year. “Lucy’s Hearth in Middletown is one of only 4 homeless shelters in the state that accepts […]
Posted inNews
Photos: ‘Hocus Pocus 2’ filming location in Newport
Washington Square and Eisenhower Park have been transformed into Salem, Massachusetts for the filming of the Hocus Pocus sequel, Black Flame (a.k.a. Hocus Pocus 2). Up until now, crews have been busy building the Sanderson Sisters’ home and setting up the scent for the 27th Annual Salem Scare Fest. Filming is rumored to take place […]
Posted inNews
Newport resident to compete in National Pageant in Las Vegas
On Thursday, November 18, 2021, Newport resident Ashley Bendiksen will compete for the title of Miss for America Strong at the Westgate Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, NV. The competition is the “Miss” division within the Mrs. America Organization, engaging single women of all ages who represent diverse personal, professional, and community achievements. Bendiksen […]
Posted inFood & Drink, Things To Do
What’s Up This Week: Aquidneck 10k, Harvest Beer Dinner, Newport Restaurant Week, 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 inArts & Culture, News
Watch: Saturday Night Live’s ‘Wake Up Rhode Island’ skit
Saturday Night Live on Saturday, November 6 performed a skit called “Wake Up Rhode Island”. In the skit, a weatherman (Kieran Culkin) performs a rap about fall as a dangerous storm approaches. https://www.youtube.com/embed/HHj5m4pdvkw
Posted inNews
Graves of veterans will be honored in Trinity Church’s churchyard
During the week of Veterans Day, the graves of Veterans who died between 1775 and 2019 will be honored with appropriate flags in the churchyard at Trinity Church on the corner of Church and Spring Streets in Newport. “Several years ago, a visitor remarked, rather disparagingly, that Trinity Church didn’t recognize veterans by putting flags […]
Posted inJobs
Now Hiring: 95+ job opportunities available right now in the Newport area
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 inFood & Drink, Things To Do
Festive Igloo Dining Experience returns to Gurney’s
Cozy up in one of Gurney’s igloos this winter, located on their The Lounge & Firepit Deck. Gurney’s special igloo experience, which returned on October 29th and is now available nightly, offers cozy decor and blankets, plus a dedicated menu including shrimp & grits, bruschetta grilled cheese, and house-made chili. Gurney’s first launched multi-sensory and themed igloos for the 2019 […]