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 inBusiness

Newport-based Vanquish Boats acquired by Century Boats

by Ryan Belmore

Century Boats this week announced the acquisition of Newport-based Vanquish Boats. “Proudly a part of the American boating experience since the 1930s, this merger is an example of Century Boats’ continuing commitment to providing the best designs, highest quality, and essential features in an expanding model line for today’s boating lifestyles,” a press release from Century Boats […]

Posted inCity & Government

Representative Ruggiero to host virtual conversation for voters, will focus on voting in the presidential primary

by Ryan Belmore

Rep. Deborah Ruggiero today announced that she will moderate a conversation for voters Friday with Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea and Board of Elections Vice Chairman Steve Erickson on the process for mail voting and in-person voting for the presidential primary on June 2. The virtual event, called “Voting in the Presidential Primary: Process and […]

Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink

Restaurants can reopen for outdoor dining beginning May 18th

by Ryan Belmore

During her COVID-19 press briefing today, Governor Raimondo announced that restaurants will be allowed to reopen for on-premise outdoor dining beginning Monday, May 18. Starting Monday, May 18th, restaurants will be able to begin limited outdoor dining in addition to their take-out, delivery, and drive-through operations. Restaurants will be required to operate under the following […]

Posted inBusiness

Freddie Brooks appointed Assistant General Manager at Hammetts Hotel

by Ryan Belmore

As Main Street Hospitality Group prepares for the summer opening of its first management contract in Rhode Island, CEO Sarah Eustis announced today the appointment of Freddie Brooks as assistant general manager of Hammetts Hotel. “It is a great pleasure to welcome Freddie Brooks to the Hammetts Hotel leadership team,” said Eustis in a statement. “His leadership skills, […]

Posted inBusiness

BankNewport names Newport resident Kyle Martin Vice President, Compliance Analyst/Trust Officer

by Ryan Belmore

BankNewport today announce that Newport resident Kyle A. Martin has been promoted to Vice President, Compliance Analyst/Trust Officer. In his new position, Kyle is responsible for the effective planning, coordination, implementation, and monitoring of the Compliance Management Program across the bank and its affiliates, according to the company.  According to an announcement from the bank, […]

Posted inBusiness, News

Portsmouth Press receives $25,000 grant through the Facebook Journalism Project’s relief fund for local news

by Ryan Belmore

Last Thursday, Facebook announced that more than 200 news organizations  eill receive nearly $16 million in grants that stem from $25 million in local news relief funding announced in March as part of Facebook’s $100 million global investment in local news.  After receiving more than 2,000 applications for the COVID-19 Local News Relief Grant Program from newsrooms […]

Posted inBusiness

People’s Credit Union donates $20,000 to help support area food pantries

by Ryan Belmore

In response to the overwhelming demand for food assistance caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, People’s Credit Union today announced that they will provide $20,000 in financial support to area food pantries. “As a local credit union, we believe it’s our responsibility to support the communities that we serve in this unprecedented time,” said Sean Daly, […]

Posted inBusiness, City & Government, Food & Drink

Along with packaged beer and wine, restaurants can now sell draft beer and mixed drinks with take-out food orders

by Ryan Belmore

As part of her twenty-ninth declaration order that was signed on Friday, Govermor Raimondo outlined and updated certain restrictions on businesses and reopening.’ A portion of the declaration focuses on “Further Relief for Restaurants” and will now allow restaurants to sell, with take-out food orders, wine, packaged beer, draft beer, and mixed drinks. After closing […]

Posted inNews

What’s Up Podcast: A convo with a spokesperson from Rhode Island Chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous

by Ryan Belmore

For the alcoholic these often lonely times, as we are forced from our friends, family, and work by this awful pandemic, can be devastating. A lifeline for many alcoholics over the years has been Alcoholics Anonymous, challenged in these times because in-person meetings are prohibited, but creative in developing hundreds of zoom and telephonic meetings. […]

Posted inNews

WUN-ON-ONE: A conversation with The Bit Players about improv comedy during COVID-19 and the campaign to save The Firehouse Theater

by Ryan Belmore

Frank, Karl, Annmarie, and Chase from The Bit Players joined us to chat about the impact COVID-19 has had on their business, how they’re found creative and new ways to still make you laugh during this difficult time, and more. The Bit Players, Rhode Island’s most award-winning comedy troupe, call The Firehouse Theater in Newport […]

Posted inCity & Government, News

Governor Raimondo’s Stay At Home Order lifts on Saturday, here’s what you need to know

by Ryan Belmore

Governor Gina M. Raimondo yesterday announced that Rhode Island’s stay-at-home order will lift this Saturday, May 9th. Raimondo announced Phase 1 will begin with the following restrictions: Non-critical retail stores will reopen with capacity limits.Elective medical procedures resume under safety guidelines.Everyone who can work from home, should work from home. Offices will be permitted to […]

Posted inCity & Government, News

Governor signs Executive Order requiring cloth face coverings in public, effective Friday

by Ryan Belmore

Governor Raimondo is tightening the requirements around wearing a face mask in public. What’s Up Newp asked during Monday’s press briefing, “There’s a lot of confusion on when wearing a cloth mask is required and when it’s not. Have you considered simplifying the message for understanding and enforcement, for example – requiring everyone to wear […]

Posted inCity & Government, News

Recap: Newport City Council receives weekly COVID-19 update from City Manager

by Ryan Belmore

The Newport City Council received their weekly COVID-19 crisis update from City Manager Joe Nicholson on Thursday, May 7th. What’s Up Newp is bringing you this live broadcast. If you prefer to listen in to the official call and/or participate, call 877-853-5247 Meeting ID: 360-610-170 Recap: Nicholson: Reviewed latest data and updates from the Governor. […]

Posted inCity & Government

Local Leaders: RI State budget must safeguard vital services, protect property taxpayers

by Ryan Belmore

The following was written/submitted by Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns The Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns announced the priorities of local communities for the State’s FY2021 budget. Municipal leaders have been closely following the General Assembly’s revenue estimating conference, which will conclude later this week. Municipalities are on the front lines […]

Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink

WUN-ON-ONE: A conversation with Rhode Island Hospitality’s Dale Venturini and Heather Singleton

by Ryan Belmore

On this edition of WUN-ON-ONE, Rhode Island’s Hospitality Association’s Dale Venturini, President/CEO, and Heather Singleton, Chief Operating Officer, join me to chat about COVID-19 and it’s impact on the restaurant and hotel industry. We also chat about what hotels and restaurants are doing to keep their employees and patrons safe. RIHA represents over 700 foodservice, […]

Posted inPeople & Profiles

What’s Up Podcast: Heather Strout, executive director, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center

by Ryan Belmore

“I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education, culture of their minds, and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits.” These words by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. were never more appropriate for those individuals on the front lines like Heather Strout and her […]

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