Newport, RI – Looking for a new gig, job, or career? Here’s who’s hiring right now in the Newport area. All job opportunities have been posted within the last seven days and are located within ten miles of downtown Newport. Have something you’d like to see included here? Email Ryan@whatsupnewp.com. 22 Bowen’s – Line Cooks […]
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
Newport County YMCA announces campaign to renovate, expand its current facility
Middletown, RI – The Newport County YMCA last week announced the public phase of their capital campaign, “For Community. For Generations.” that will allow the Y to renovate and expand its current facility at 792 Valley Road in Middletown. The Y reports that they have already secured $8 million toward its $10,000,000 campaign goal during […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Representative Cortvriend to host a virtual chat with General Treasurer Seth Magaziner on July 29
Portsmouth, RI – Representative Terri-Denise Cortvriend will host her #29 “Talks with Terri” this Wednesday, July 29th starting at 9:00 a.m. via Zoom. The topic of discussion will be RI State Finances and her guest this week will be Rhode Island General Treasurer Seth Magaziner. Suggested questions and information include: What is the State of […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Jamestown Arts Center to host Outdoor Open Studio Tour and Drive-By-Art exhibition
Jamestown, RI – On Saturday, August 8th, Conanicut Island will have yet more outdoor art to explore. In collaboration with the Conanicut Island Art Association (CIAA) and the Jamestown Alliance for Artist Sustainability (JAAS), The Jamestown Arts Center (JAC) is organizing an Artist’s Open Studio tour, reimagined this year as a socially-distanced Outdoor Open Studios […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up This Week in Newport County: July 27 – August 3
Newport, RI – Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport County this week. Monday, July 27 Things To Do 6 pm – Wine & Cheese Sail JPT Film & Event Center Virtual Screening Room Kaye Ballard: The Show Goes OnFlanneryElla Fitzgerald: Just One Of Those ThingsHelmut Newton: The Bad & The […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Bar ‘Cino, Smoke House, and Avvio Ristorante now offering family-style feasts for backyard gatherings
Newport Restaurant Group today announced that it is offering a selection of family-style feasts for takeout and delivery from Bar ‘Cino and Smoke House in Newport and Avvio Ristorante in Cranston, allowing customers to enjoy the authentic tastes of each restaurant at their small gatherings at home or in the backyard. To see menus at each restaurant or to place an order […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
newportFILM to host the first-ever drive and sail-in film screening at Fort Adams on July 30th
newportFILM last week announced that it is partnering with Dockwa, Sail Newport, Boys & Girls Club of Newport County, Fort Adams Trust, and Rhode Island State Parks to host its first-ever Drive & Sail-In film screening at Fort Adams on Thursday, July 30th, of the new documentary film Born Into The Gig. Born Into The Gig is […]
Posted inBusiness, News
Grey Sail Brewing launches sister company, South County Distillers
South County Distillers announced last week the launch of their inaugural batch of spirits (does anyone know why alcohol is called spirits anyway), including vodka and gin. The sister company of Grey Sail Brewing of Rhode Island planned production of spirits this winter, but when COVID-19 hit they quickly turned their production over to making […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Town of Middletown restricts beach parking until 6 pm
Until further notice, access to all Middletown beach parking lots will be restricted to only resident and non- resident season pass holders until 6:00 p.m., effective Saturday, July 25, 2020, the Town announced on Friday, July 24th. The Town says that this change is necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic – the town needs to curtail […]
Posted inNews
National Sailing Hall Of Fame will call new home ‘The Sailing Museum’
Newport, RI – The National Sailing Hall of Fame announced today that its new home will be named The Sailing Museum, offering an innovative multi-media experience dedicated to celebrating sailing’s heritage, showcasing its heroes and inspiring generations of sailors to come. Here’s the remainder of the announcement from NSHOF; Situated in the historic Armory building […]
Posted inFood & Drink, Things To Do
The Clubhouse opens at Cardines Field
Once a hotspot for baseball fans and Aquidneck Island locals alike, Mudville Pub was a staple next to Historic Cardines Field. The old school pub features a back dugout area that juts out into the baseball field’s right field foul territory, creating a breathtaking vantage point for a game. In recent years, the building has […]
Posted inNews, Things To Do
Lucy’s Hearth to host virtual summer concert, ‘We Love Lucy’s Hearth’, on August 19
Lucy’s Hearth, Newport County’s only homeless shelter for children and their families, announced this week its virtual summer concert, We Love Lucy’s Hearth, scheduled to air Wednesday, August 19 at 8:00pm. The show’s link will be available at Lucy’s Hearth’s website: lucyshearth.org The Suggested donation is $25. Visit lucyshearth.org for donation and viewing details. Several fabulous local musicians […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Governor Raimondo signs 16 bills into law
Governor Gina M. Raimondo yesterday signed sixteen bills into law. The bills came to her after the General Assembly approved them in both chambers.Below is the list of bills signed by Governor Raimondo today. Bill #TitleDate SignedS2154 SUB A as amendedAN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES — WEAPONS–THE JULIE LYNN CARDINAL ACT7/22/20S2302 SUB AAN ACT RELATING TO […]
Posted inReal Estate
What Sold: 22 Aquidneck Island real estate sales, transactions (July 13 – 21)
Newport, RI – Here’s what sold on Aquidneck Island over the last week, July 13 – 21, 2020. Aquidneck Island real estate sales and transactions on What’s Up Newp are brought to you by OUR Real Estate, a locally owned full service, boutique brokerage and lifestyle company. Read more about this locally owned full service, boutique […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
RIDOH recommends Reopening Barrington Town Beach for swimming
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) recommends reopening Barrington Town Beach for swimming because bacteria counts have returned to safe levels. RIDOH will continue to monitor and review beach water quality regularly to ensure safe bathing throughout the summer. The status of a beach may change as new data become available. The most up-to-date […]
Posted inNews
NAACP Newport County Branch reacts to passing of Congressman John Lewis
The following was submitted by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Newport County Branch. Countless people have stood on the shoulders of Cong. John Lewis and advanced their way in America without knowing anything about him, him, even his name. But, that would be just fine with John Lewis because he never […]
Posted inJobs
Now Hiring: 100+ job opportunities available right now in Newport County
Looking for a new gig or job? You may be in luck. Here are more than one-hundred job opportunities that are available right now in Newport County. 22 Bowens – Prep Cook – 22 Bowen’s7-Eleven – Sales AssociateAcosta – Retail Service MerchandiserAldi – Part-Time StockerApplebee’s – HostAthena Health Care Systems – ACTIVITIES ASSISTANTAtlantic Beach Hotel […]
Posted inNews
Lifespan Urgent Care in Middletown restores full hours
Lifespan Urgent Care in Middletown today announced that it has resumed normal operating hours and is ready to provide quick, convenient care to patients seeking medical attention for a wide range of medical injuries and conditions — all in a space where disinfection has been enhanced and practices modified to prevent the spread of coronavirus. […]
Posted inNews
Aquidneck Land Trust launches campaign to conserve 5.49-acre section of Sweet Berry Farm
Aquidneck Land Trust (“ALT”) today announced a campaign to conserve a new section of Sweet Berry Farm in Middletown. The 5.49-acre parcel abuts the farm, which already has 84 acres of land under conservation easement with ALT. It will be used to grow seasonal crops such as strawberries and pumpkins, and be the newest property in the 1,260 […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up in Newport County This Week: July 20 – 27
Newport, RI – Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport County this week. This story will be updated as we learn about additional events and meetings, check back for updates. Have something you’d like to see included here? Email Ryan@whatsupnewp.com. Monday, July 20th Things To Do 6 pm – Wine & […]
Posted inNews
COVID-19 testing site to open at the Rhode Island Convention Center
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) today announced that a new Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing site will open tomorrow, July 21st, at the Rhode Island Convention Center, located at 114 West Exchange Street in Providence. This site will replace the current testing site at Rhode Island College (RIC), according to RIDOH. Today is […]
Posted inNews
Bristol awarded $623,000 grant for the expansion of Bristol Maritime Center
Bristol, RI – United States Senator Jack Reed and the RI Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today announced that a $623,729 grant has been awarded to the Town of Bristol for the expansion of transient boating facilities at the Bristol Maritime Center. The grant is funded under the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Wildlife and […]
Posted inNews
RIDOH recommends reopening Third Beach for swimming
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) recommends reopening Third Beach in Middletown for swimming because bacteria counts have returned to safe levels. Historically, beach closures in Rhode Island have been closely tied to precipitation. Stormwater runoff from roads, parking lots, and other impervious surfaces transports contamination (including bacteria) to our fresh and salt-water bodies. […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Happening in Newport County This Weekend | July 17 – 19
Newport, RI – Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in Newport County this weekend, July 17 – 19, 2020. Friday, July 17 On This Day In Newport History: July 17, 1954 – First Newport Jazz Festival… Things To Do 5 pm – Gala at Home with Newport Art Museum5 pm – Introspection at The Kings Lens & […]
Posted inNews
RIDOH recommends reopening Easton’s Beach for swimming, Third Beach remains closed
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) recommends reopening Easton’s Beach in Newport for swimming because bacteria counts have returned to safe levels. Third Beach in Middletown remains closed for swimming because bacteria counts are still too high. Historically, beach closures in Rhode Island have been closely tied to precipitation. Stormwater runoff from roads, parking […]