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

What’s Up Newp joins #GivingNewsday in wake of COVID-19 for a Global Day of giving and unity with #GivingTuesdayNow

by Ryan Belmore

What’s Up Newp is joining #GivingTuesdayNow to bring awareness to the impact of quality locally owned, independent journalism and to receive the support from the public. Local independent newsrooms are playing a vital role in helping communities be safe during the ongoing pandemic, yet have never been more imperiled economically. What’s Up Newp remains in […]

Posted inCity & Government, News

Governor Raimondo provides more details on Phase 1 of the state’s plan to reopen the economy

by Ryan Belmore

Governor Gina M. Raimondo today provided more details on Phase 1 of the state’s plan to reopen the economy.   Retail: Non-critical retail stores that have been closed will be allowed to reopen in-person operations, including for limited in-person browsing. Pre-ordering and in-store pick-up will still be encouraged as the safest option. Retailers will be able to have […]

Posted inCity & Government

Rhode Island joins seven-state agreement to develop regional supply chain for PPE and Medical Equipment

by Ryan Belmore

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, and Delaware Governor John Carney today announced a joint multi-state agreement to develop a regional supply chain for personal protective equipment, other […]

Posted inNews

COVID-19 Daily Press Briefing & Update: May 3

by Ryan Belmore

Governor Raimondo and Dr McDonald from the Rhode Island Department of Health held their daily coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) press briefing today at 1 pm. What’s Up Newp will carry it live, and provide updates, as it happens below. Press Briefing Updates from Press Briefing Gov: Press Briefing will take place at 3 pm tomorrow, […]

Posted inThings To Do

Here are the 15 state parks that are likely to open when the first phase of reopening begins

by Ryan Belmore

Governor Raimondo and the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today announced a plan for reopening state parks in a graduated manner during the first phase of reopening Rhode Island’s economy. If all goes well (there isn’t a jump in COVID-19 associated hospitalizations or deaths), the first phase of reopening  is expected to begin on May […]

Posted inArts & Culture, News, Things To Do

newportFILM forced to cancel 2020 Outdoors season

by Ryan Belmore

newportFILM is the latest organization that has been forced to change their plans for the upcoming spring and summer season. In an email signed by Becca Bertrand, Executive Director and Andrea van Beuren, Co-Founder and Artistic Director, newportFILM announced, “We are heartbroken to have to announce the cancellation of the 2020 newportFILM Outdoors season. Following […]

Posted inNews, Sports

Tennis Hall Of Fame: Regular execution of the Hall of Fame Open and Induction Ceremony in July will not be possible

by Ryan Belmore

In light of Governor Gina Raimondo’s announcement this week regarding large events in Rhode Island this summer, the International Tennis Hall Of Fame (ITHOF) shared with fans and ticket holders on Thursday that “a regular execution of the Hall of Fame Open and Induction Ceremony in July will not be possible”. In the letter to […]

Posted inNews

What’s Up Newp Live Stream: A convo with Jay Sweet, Executive Producer of Newport Festivals Foundation, on cancellation of 2020 Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals and more

by Ryan Belmore

Jay Sweet, Executive Producer for Newport Festivals Foundation, joined What’s Up Newp’s Ryan Belmore today to chat about the yesterday’s news regarding the cancellation of the 2020 Newport Folk Festival and Newport Jazz Festival. They also spoke about the year-round work and needs of the Newport Festivals Foundation and much much more. Our thanks to […]

Posted inCity & Government, News

COVID-19 Daily Update – April 30: Governor Raimondo hosts student press conference

by Ryan Belmore

Governor Raimondo held a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) “Student Press Conference”, with a live Q&A session for Pre-K to 12th grade students, on Thursday. The Latest Local Data April 30: 8,621 positive cases, 339 currently hospitalized (85 in ICU, 54 on ventilator), 266 total associated fatalities. More from the Governor, DOH today; The Rhode Island […]

Posted inNews

Aquidneck Land Trust awards seven grants to local community groups, non-profits

by Ryan Belmore

Aquidneck Land Trust (“ALT”) has awarded seven grants totaling $13,454 to local community and neighborhood groups through its annual grant program, the Merritt Neighborhood Fund. Grant awards ranged from $1,204 to $2,500.  Established in 1999 to honor the late Peter M. Merritt, the organization’s president emeritus, the Fund supports projects that strengthen community identity and character, and which model […]

Posted inCity & Government, News

Governor, Congressional Delegation highlight uses for coronavirus relief funding

by Ryan Belmore

Governor Raimondo was joined on a conference call at 11:30 am this morning by U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline as they discussed ways the state can utilize federal stimulus dollars. Here’s what the Governor’s office shared after the call regarding the call and relief funding; Since […]

Posted inCity & Government, News

COVID-19 Daily Update – April 29: 8,247 positive cases, 269 currently hospitalized

by Ryan Belmore

Governor Gina M. Raimondo and Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), provided updates about Rhode Island’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response today at 2:30 pm. What’s Up Newp will carry it live then, and provide updates, below as it happens. Press Briefing Updates From Press Briefing Gov: […]

Posted inReal Estate

What Sold: 9 Aquidneck Island real estate sales, transactions (April 21-28)

by Ryan Belmore

Here’s what sold on Aquidneck Island last week. 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 brokerage and lifestyle company below. Newport 4 Ellery Road sold […]

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