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 42 Ledge Road sold […]
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 Raimondo signs Executive Order requiring cloth face masks at work
Governor Raimondo today announced that she has signed an executive order (see it below) clarifying the state’s directives around cloth face coverings. Beginning Saturday: All employees of customer-facing businesses, office-based businesses, manufacturers and nonprofits, must wear cloth face coverings when they are at work.Business must provide face coverings for their employees. Face coverings can include scarves, bandanas, and […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Video & Updates: Governor, Department of Health provide daily COVID-19 update (April 14)
Governor Gina M. 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; Gov: Announces 7 new COVID-19 associated deaths, brings total to 80. Announces 274 new positive COVID-19 cases, total now 3,251 in Rhode Island. There are […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up This Week: Things to (virtually) do | April 14 – 20
Tuesday, April 14th 1 pm & 6 pm – Mermaid Masterpieces paint parties1:30 pm – Naval War College 4th virtual town hall meeting JPT Film & Event Center Virtual Screening Room THE TIMES OF BILL CUNNINGHAMCATVIDEOFEST 2020ONCE WERE BROTHERS: ROBBIE ROBERTSON AND THE BANDTHE WHISTLERS THE WOMAN WHO LOVES GIRAFFES SLAY THE DRAGON FANTASTIC FUNGI […]
Posted inJobs
Now Hiring: 50 job opportunities available in and around Newport right now
Looking for a new gig, job, or career? Here’s a look at what businesses are hiring right now in and around Newport. All jobs are have been listed as open in the last seven days and are located within five miles of downtown Newport. 7-Eleven – Store EmployeeAdvance America – 4220 – Assistant ManagerAmericas Staffing […]
Posted inThings To Do
David Sedaris event at JPT Film & Event Center rescheduled to December 9 – 10
In light of recent events, JPT Film & Event Center and The Public’s Radio has announced that “An Evening with David Sedaris” has been rescheduled from Monday, April 13th to Wednesday, December 9th at 7:30 pm and Thursday, December 10th at 7:30 pm. The author of the previous bestsellers Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Newport Craft names Ben Chambers new brewmaster
Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling Co. today announced the hire of Rhode Island native and veteran brewmaster, Ben Chambers as their new brew master. After more than a decade plying his trade at MillerCoors in Denver, CO, Sweetwater Brewing in Atlanta, GA, and Fatty’s Beer Works in Charleston, SC, Ben will return home to run […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
COVID-19 Daily Update – April 13: Positive COVID-19 cases in Rhode Island rises to 2,967, associated fatalities now 73
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) announced today that Rhode Island has 311 new cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This brings Rhode Island’s count to 2,976. RIDOH also announced 10 additional COVID-19 associated fatalities. Of these 10 people, eight were nursing home residents. The age breakdown for these 10 people was as follows: […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Director of Health provides more insight into number of recovered, race and ethnicity data
Wondering how many have “recovered” from COVID-19? Wonder how race, ethnicity, or zip code are trending among positive cases of COVID-19 and those who have died? What’s Up Newp got a little bit closer to an answer today. Following their daily press briefing, Governor Raimondo and Director of Health Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott answer approximately a […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Watch: Governor Raimondo, Governors from across Northeast discuss regional approach to reopening economy
Governor Gina Raimondo joined New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, and Delaware Governor John Carney to discuss a regional approach to reopening the economy. Following the press conference, Governor Raimondo’s office issued the following press release; Raimondo Joins Fellow Governors in Announcing Partnership […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Video & Updates: Governor, Department of Health provide daily COVID-19 update (April 13)
Governor Gina M. Raimondo and the Department of Health provided updates to reporters about Rhode Island’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response today at 1 pm. Updates as they happen; Governor reports another 10 COVID-19 associated deaths, brings total to 73. Announces an additional 311 positive cases, brings total to 2,967. There are 197 currently hospitalized. […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Barbara Ann (Gray) Cloutier
This obituary originally appeared on Memorial Funeral Home. Barbara Cloutier, age 86, of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, passed away on April 8, 2020 at Warren Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Barbara was born in Fall River, MA to John and Dorothy Gray. Barbara married Ronald Cloutier of Fall River, MA in 1972 at a private ceremony […]
Posted inSports
Newport Polo ready for competition, when permitted
Ahead of it opening of its 2020 season, Newport Polo is closely monitoring the impact COVID-19 is having on gatherings, international travel, and sports. What’s Up Newp reached out to the organization to see how they were feeling and preparing for the upcoming season. “We are closely following the guidelines set by our Governor and […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Monday storm could result in power outages, says National Grid
Monday will bring high winds that could knock out power for as many as 30% of National Grid Customers, the company wrote on Sunday. National Grid on Sunday announced that they are preparing for a powerful storm headed towards New England on Monday. National Grid states that the current forecasts indicate that weather conditions could […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
COVID-19 Daily Update – April 12: Positive COVID-19 cases in Rhode Island rises to 2,665, associated fatalities now 63
Because of the wind and heavy rain forecast for Monday, April 13th, all outdoor coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing sites in Rhode Island will be closed tomorrow. This includes testing sites at: • URI in South Kingstown; • CCRI in Warwick; • Rhode Island College in Providence; • Rhode Island Hospital in Providence; • Kent […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
COVID-19 Daily Update – April 11: 334 new positive cases of COVID-19, Rhode Island’s count now 2,349
Governor Gina M. Raimondo and Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), provided an update today on Rhode Island’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) data. Rhode Island has 334 new cases of COVID-19. This brings Rhode Island’s count to 2,349. RIDOH also announced seven additional COVID-19 associated fatalities. One […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
COVID-19 Press Conference – April 11: Governor, Department of Health provide daily update
Governor Gina M. Raimondo will provide updates to reporters about Rhode Island’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response on Saturday, April 11th, at 1:00 p.m. We will carry the briefings live below and on our Facebook Page as it happens. Updates as they happen; Governor: Reports 7 more COVID-19 associated deaths, brings total to 56. The […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
COVID-19 Daily Update – April 10: 288 new positive cases of COVID-19, Rhode Island’s count now 2,015
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). • Unemployment Insurance: The Governor signed an executive order yesterday ensuring that individual businesses that have closed as a result of COVID-19 will […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up Podcast: Neil Steinberg, CEO of Rhode Island Foundation, discusses programs that are helping non-profits during COVID-19
Neil D. Steinberg, president and Chief Executive Officer of the Rhode Island Foundation joins WUN’s Frank Prosnitz, talking about some $10 million in grant programs that are helping critical non-profits during this COVID-19 crisis, including Child & Family in Middletown, the East Bay Community Action Program in Newport, the James L. Maher Center in Middletown, […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
COVID-19 Press Conference – April 10: Governor, Department of Health provide daily update
Governor Raimondo and the Department of Health will host their daily COVID-19 press briefing today at 1 pm. What’s Up Newp will have it for you live below on our Facebook Page and website then. Updates from the press conference as they happen; Gov: There will be no daily press briefing on Easter. She will pre-record a message […]
Posted inBusiness, News
Hogan Associates launches ‘1 More Helping’ challenge
As the pandemic ravages our economy, real estate brokerage, Hogan Associates, yesterday announced that they are launching the 1 MORE HELPING challenge – a social movement to help friends and neighbors make it through this difficult time. The initiative encourages those who can, to do something helpful, post it on social media with hashtag #1morehelping, […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
COVID-19 Daily Update – April 9th: Rhode Island reports 277 new COVID-19 cases, 8 new related deaths
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). The Governor signed an executive order today that clarifies Rhode Island’s requirements around quarantine and isolation: – Anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 – either […]
Posted inOpinion
Editor’s Note: Why becoming a What’s Up Newp Supporter now is more important than ever
In case you haven’t heard or read, our collapsing economy is endangering news businesses all across this country, and even right here in Rhode Island. It’s all happening while news consumption is high, people need journalism desperately, Some, including us, would argue that journalism and local, independent news is more important now than ever. With […]
Posted inThings To Do
2020 Black Ships Festival postponed
Organizers of the Black Ships Festival today announced that they have postponed the 2020 edition of the festival. “The Executive Committee of the Japan-America Society of Rhode Island has been closely monitoring the status of the Corona-virus (COVID 19) pandemic and how it is impacting our world. As always, our goal is to build on the […]