Looking for a new gig, job, or career? Here’s a look at what businesses are hiring right now in and around Newport. The impact of COVID-19 on hiring is a big one. Historically, this time of the years is usually the busiest for job opportunities as businesses “ramp up” for the upcoming season. During this […]
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 inCity & Government, News
Governor provides guidance, advice for how businesses can be prepared for the ‘new normal’
Following Governor Raimondo’s press briefing today, What’s Up Newp asked, “What can restaurants, stores, and other non-essential customer facing businesses do right now (while closed) in order to be best prepared for the new normal/for when you do give them some kind of green light?” If you’d prefer to watch the Governor respond to the […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
COVID-19 Daily Update – April 21: Total positive cases grows to 5,500, fatalities up to 171
Governor Gina M. Raimondo and Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), provided updates to reporters about Rhode Island’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response today at 1 pm. The latest data Press briefing Updates from the press conference Updates from the press conference Governor says misinformation on social […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
What were all those sirens in Newport? First responders were showing support for local healthcare workers
Wondering about all the sirens throughout Newport earlier this afternoon? The caravan of firetrucks, ambulances, and police vehicles, was actually a display of support for local healthcare workers at both Newport Hospital and local nursing homes and assisted living facilities, according to a spokesperson for the City of Newport. View this post on Instagram For […]
Posted inHistory
Newport Historical Society to continue ringing Colony House bells every Friday at noon
Following up on a successful event last week, the Newport Historical Society today announced that they will continue to ring the bells at the Colony House until further notice. “On Fridays listen for the ringing of the Colony House bells on Washington Square as a reminder that we are all in this together!,” the Newport Historical […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
COVID-19 Daily Update – April 20: 5,090 positive cases in Rhode Island, fatalities now 155
Governor Gina Raimondo and the Department of Health are scheduled to provide updates to reporters about Rhode Island’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response today at 1 pm. There were some technical issues at the State House today, the press conference can seen here in its entirety. Updates from the press briefing; Gov: Press briefings will […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
COVID-19 Daily Update – April 19: Positive cases grows to 4,706, associated fatalities now 150
Governor Gina Raimondo and the Department of Health Director Nicole Alexander-Scott are scheduled to provide updates to reporters about Rhode Island’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response today at 1 pm. The latest data; Updates as they happen; Gov: Announces state is opening first drive up and walk up site in parling lot of Bailey Elementary […]
Posted inNews
COVID-19 Daily Update – April 18: 4,491 positive cases, 137 total fatalities, 255 currently hospitalized
Governor Gina Raimondo and the Department of Health Director Nicole Alexander-Scott are scheduled to provide updates to reporters about Rhode Island’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response today at 1 pm. What’s Up Newp will carry it live here when it happens. Updates from the press briefing; Gov: Says we are still climbing curve but it’s […]
Posted inCity & Government, Real Estate
Database: Multifamily and affordable housing properties subject to federal eviction moratoriums
The National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) released today a searchable database and interactive map of multifamily rental properties covered under the CARES Act to help renters learn whether they are protected from eviction. According to the database there are several multifamily properties in Newport and acorrs Rhode Island subject to the federal eviction moratorium. The CARES […]
Posted inThings To Do
Bike Newport, Daffodillion encourage a bike tour of over one million daffodils
With 1,200,000 daffodils now in full bloom, Bike Newport, in partnership with Daffodillion, today announced that they are proceeding with their annual Tour Des Jonquilles – but with a “do it yourself” twist. “In past years, Bike Newport has participated with the Newport Daffodil Days Festival with a daffy group bike ride through Newport. We put on […]
Posted inBusiness
Honeywell begins production of N95 masks in Smithfield
Honeywell today announced that they have begun production of N95 face masks in Smithfield, R.I. The site will supply masks to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the Strategic National Stockpile to support health, safety and emergency response workers. “Honeywell is proud of the role we are playing in providing critical equipment for the fight against the coronavirus, and I am […]
Posted inCity & Government, News, Sports
City reminding runners to stay close to home, avoid running in groups
Newport and Middletown officials today issued a press release urging runners who had planned on participating in this weekend’s Rhode Race’s Newport Marathon and Half Marathon to stay close to home and avoid running in groups amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. “Over the last several days, it has come to our attention that a number […]
Posted inBusiness, News
Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation distributes more than 150,000 surgical masks to medical facilities and first responders
The Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation today announced that they have distributed more than 150,000 surgical masks to those on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19 this month, including 25,000 to Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA; 16,000 to Boston Medical Center in Boston, MA; 12,000 to Lifespan in Providence, RI; 8,000 […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary for Fred Almanzor
This obituary originally appeared on O’Neill Hayes Funeral Home. Pedro “Fred” Almanzor passed away peacefully on April 16th, 2020 at his home in Newport, Rhode Island at the age of 93. He spent his final days surrounded by his family. Fred was born on the 29th of April 1926 in the town of Mendez, the […]
Posted inNews
COVID-19 Daily Update – April 16: COVID-19 associated deaths up to 105; state model projects total hospitalizations and deaths
Governor Gina M. Raimondo and Department of Health Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott made several announcements today about the state’s response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Modeling: The Governor unveiled the state’s modeling projection for coronavirus hospitalizations through mid-May. The model can be found below and on RIDOH’s website. EmployRI: The Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Skills for […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County announces 2020 Artist Award recipients
The Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County (ACA) today announced the recipients of the 2020 Artist Awards. In response to the heightened needs of artists because of the coronavirus crisis, the ACA also announced that it is doubling the number of artist projects it will support in this grant cycle. The Artist Awards will […]
Posted inNews
Aquidneck Island Earth Week starts this Saturday
The following information has been provided by the Aquidneck Island Earth Week 2020 committee. Each year, Earth Day falls on April 22. Earth Day was founded in 1970 and is celebrated by over 190 countries. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, honoring environmental activism, stewardship and sustainability efforts worldwide. To mark this […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Senator Whitehouse selected for Bipartisan Panel on Safely Reopening American Economy
U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today announced that he has accepted President Donald Trump’s invitation to serve on a bipartisan panel of members of Congress charged with determining guidelines for safely restarting the American economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Whitehouse issued the following statement on his appointment to the new committee: “I hope this panel will […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Watch: Rhode Island’s COVID-19 press briefing (April 16)
Governor Raimondo and the Department of Health will provide updates to reporters about Rhode Island’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response today at 1 pm. Updates as they happen; The most recent data Governor: Says increase in deaths and cases was expected and we are not out of the woods. Reminds Rhode Islanders that stay-at-home order […]
Posted inThings To Do
Local maritime nonprofit offers distance learning
The Steamship Historical Society of America (SSHSA), headquartered in Warwick, today announced that it has ramped up its educational offerings during the COVID-19 era with a wide range of online enrichment activities and lesson plans for educators, parents, students in grades K-12, and anyone interested in broadening their knowledge base at www.shiphistory.org. The lessons, which […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
COVID-19 Daily Update – April 15: Rhode Island COVID-19 positive cases in rises to 3,529; associated fatalities jumps to 87
Governor Gina M. Raimondo and Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), made several announcements today about the state’s response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Data dashboard: The Governor unveiled a new data dashboard on RIDOH’s website. The dashboard will be updated daily at noon. RI Havens: RIHavens.com is a new website that connects those […]
Posted inNews
COVID-19 news highlights from around the nation (April 15)
All across this great nation there are local, independent online news publishers, like us, who are working 24/7 these days to bring their readers and neighbors the latest COVID-19 news and information. Many of those publishers are fellow members of LION Publishers, the nation’s only journalism association dedicated to supporting local independent online news publishers. […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Recap: Newport City Council hosts remote workshop, receives COVID-19 update from City Manager
Newport City Councilors today hosted a remote City Council workshop for the purpose of receiving a COVID-19 update from City Manager Joe Nicholson. As of Wednesday afternoon, Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) reported that there were 3,529 COVID-19 positive cases in Rhode Island, 87 COVID-19 associated fatalities, and 229 COVID-19 patients hospitalized. According to […]
Posted inNews
2020 Newport Flower Show postponed to June 18-20, 2021
In response to CDC guidelines limiting the size of gatherings during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Preservation Society of Newport County announced today the 25th Newport Flower Show, scheduled for June 19-21 at Rosecliff, has been postponed until June 18-20, 2021. New England’s premier flower show will retain its theme, “Voices In The Garden,” and […]
Posted inNews
Poll: Do you approve or disapprove of the way that local, state, and federal government are handling coronavirus pandemic?
It has now been more than a month since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic here in Rhode Island. What’s Up Newp and What’s Up Rhode Island are interested in knowing what are readers think of the local, state, and federal government response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. What’s Up Newp and What’s Up Rhode […]