UPDATE: Out of an abundance of caution and with new guidelines provided by RIDOH and the Governor in mind, What’s Up Newp, Midtown Oyster Bar, AOH Pipes & Drums, and the AOH Men’s Singers have canceled their annual Parade Day Eve Celebration at Surf Club and Midtown Oyster Bar. We look forward to seeing you […]
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
City Council appoints Stephanie Winslow to fill vacancy on School Committee
City Council unanimously voted to appoint Stephanie Winslow to fill the vacancy on School Committee this evening. The vacancy on the School Committee came when Kathleen Silvia resigned her seat effective January 27th, 2020. Winslow, one of eight candidates who applied and interviewed for the position, will serve only until a person is elected and […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Governor Raimondo, RIDOH to provide guidance this afternoon concerning St. Patrick’s Day Parades and other large, organized events
Update – Newport’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade canceled amid coronavirus disease concerns Update – City Of Newport: Council expected to vote to cancel Newport’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade Governor Gina Raimondo and the Rhode Island Department of Health plans on offering guidance on upcoming large, organized events to municipalities and organizers this afternoon. That update […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Ben & Jerry’s postpones ‘Free Cone Day’ amid coronavirus disease concerns
Ben & Jerry’s announced this week that they will take a break from their long-standing tradition of “Free Cone Day” due to increasing coronavirus disease concerns in communities around the world. Restaurants all across Rhode Island, the United States, and across the globe annually participate in the popular event. “Free Cone Day is our favorite […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles
Middletown’s Sheila McCurdy receives Cruising Club of America Honors
The Cruising Club of America’s Board of Governors established the Richard S. Nye Trophy to recognize a member or members of the Club “who has brought distinction to the Club by meritorious service, outstanding seamanship, outstanding performance in long distance cruising or racing, statesmanship in the affairs of international racing, or any combination of the above”. Last […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
City Council votes to allow Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade to go on as scheduled
This story was originally published at 10:24 pm on Monday. It has been updated. Update – Newport’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade canceled amid coronavirus disease concerns Editor’s Note City Council voted 4 to 3 last night to not pull the parade permit for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in light of the coronavirus outbreak and […]
Posted inNews
The Ocean Race is returning to Newport in 2022
Sail Newport and The Ocean Race announced today that for the third consecutive edition of the competition, The Ocean Race will make its only North American stopover in Newport, Rhode Island, in the spring of 2022. The Rhode Island stopover will be one of ten stops during the eight-month 38,000 nautical-mile race around the world, […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Governor Raimondo Declares State of Emergency in response to coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Governor Gina M. Raimondo announced in a press conference this afternoon that today she has signed a declaration creating a State of Emergency in Rhode Island, allowing the State to access additional resources to supplement its robust response to COVID-19. In addition, today the Governor, Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (DLT), and Rhode […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s up in Newport County this week: March 9-16
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in Newport County this week. Monday, March 9 Things To Do 4:30 pm & 7:30 pm – Emma at Jane Pickens Theater6 pm – Cocktail Class at Surf Club6 pm – Aquidneck Island Climate Caucus Public Workshop at Portsmouth Free Public Library6 pm – Monthly American Legion / VFW Meeting at The General’s Crossing Brewhouse6 […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink, Things To Do
Dine & Drink: Restaurant news and notes; What to eat and drink this week
Here’s the latest from the Newport County restaurant scene, enjoy! Have something that you’d like to see added here or include in a future edition? Email Ryan@whatsupnewp.com. Dine & Drink News & Notes Belle’s Cafe opens for the 2020 season on Wednesday, March 11th. After a short break, Mokka Coffeehouse reopens on March 13th. Fluke […]
Posted inCity & Government
Agenda for Newport City Council’s March 11th meeting
Newport City Council will host their next Regular Council Meeting on Wednesday March 11th at 6:30 pm. The meeting is open to the public. CITY OF NEWPORTDOCKET OF THE COUNCIL MEETINGMARCH 11, 2020 THE MEETING WILL BE HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS43 BROADWAY, NEWPORT, RI 02840 The following items of business, filed with the City […]
Posted inNews
RIDOH’s identifies third case of corona virus (COVID-19)
New from RIDOH… The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH)’s State Health Laboratories has confirmed an additional presumptive positive case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This person is a female in her 60s. She is at home with mild symptoms. This person was tested because she was symptomatic and had direct, face-to-face contact with a […]
Posted inReal Estate
House Hunting? Check out these 30 Open Houses on Aquidneck Island this weekend
Looking for a new house to make a home on Aquidneck Island? Check out these open houses taking place across the Island this weekend! Newport 20 Sherman Street | $1,750,000 | 4 beds, 3 full baths | Open house on Sunday from 12 pm to 2 pm. 19 Third Street | $974,000 | 4 beds, […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council finishes interviewing candidates for School Committee seat
The final four candidates vying to fill a vacancy on the School Committee were interviewed by City Councilors on Thursday night. The vacancy on the School Committee came when Kathleen Silvia resigned her seat effective January 27th, 2020. In all a total of eight candidates submitted application to serve out the remainder of Silvia’s term. […]
Posted inNews
Aquidneck Land Trust launches campaign to conserve portion of Glen Farm
Aquidneck Land Trust (“ALT”) has announced a campaign to conserve 7.5-acres of the historic Glen Farm in Portsmouth. According to ALT, the property has significant conservation values and could be developed into as many as eight house lots. The land trust has raised $213,000 of the $472,000 needed to preserve the land, which abuts the Glen Farm Stables […]
Posted inNews
Guest View: Small actions make big impact on preserving the environment
The following was provided by Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District (ERICD). Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District (ERICD) is celebrating Earth Day’s 50th Anniversary by battling climate change on multiple fronts. According to ERICD district manager Sara Churgin, “You can’t take just one approach to saving the Earth. One project won’t solve all of our problems, […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News
RIDOH: New coronavirus disease (COVID-19) response measures announced for Rhode Island
Governor Gina M. Raimondo, the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), and the Rhode Island Department of Administration (DOA) announced today a set of broad measures to help limit or prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Rhode Island. “All of the COVID-19 cases in Rhode Island at this point are associated with […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Temple Shalom hosting three-part lecture series on foreign policy and strategic diplomacy
Temple Shalom will host a three-part lecture series on foreign policy and strategic diplomacy beginning Sunday, March 8th, featuring speakers from the Naval War College and the Surface Warfare Officers School in Newport. The lecture series is free and open to the public and is scheduled to take place throughout the early spring at Temple […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council interviews four candidates for School Committee seat, four more to be interviewed tonight
The first four candidates vying to fill a vacancy on the School Committee were interviewed by City Councilors on Wednesday night. The vacancy on the School Committee came when Kathleen Silvia resigned her seat effective January 27th, 2020. In all a total of eight candidates submitted application to serve out the remainder of Silvia’s term. […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rep. Carson: Survey says Newport constituents care deeply about environment, infrastructure
The citizens in House District 75 have a strong concern for the environment and would like to see Rhode Island invest wisely in infrastructure. That was the result of a constituent survey recently conducted by Rep. Lauren H. Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport.) About 100 constituents completed the survey, conducted in February, rating various issues in […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Flo’s Clam Shack reopens for the season
Flo’s Clam Shack reopens for the season at 11 am today. Their hours for now are Wednesday thru Sunday 11 am -9 pm (Raw bar opens at 4 pm Wednesday – Friday and at 11 am on Saturday and Sunday). Thursday nights at Flo’s will now be lobster night. Enjoy whole chilled cull lobsters for […]
Posted inReal Estate
What Sold: 25 Aquidneck Island real estate sales, transactions (Feb. 25 – Mar. 3)
Here’s what sold on Aquidneck Island between February 25th – March 3rd, 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 brokerage and lifestyle company below. […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Senator DiPalma’s motion picture tax credit bill passes Senate
Sen. Louis P. DiPalma’s (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Little Compton, Newport, Tiverton) legislation (2020-S 2326A) that amends the state’s motion picture tax credit program passed the Senate tonight. The legislation amends the current program by allowing productions to utilize tax credits, even if the majority of production is not done within the state, if the production […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News
Third individual associated with Saint Raphael Academy trip to Italy tests positive for coronavirus disease
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is advising the public that a third individual associated with the Saint Raphael Academy trip to Italy in mid-February has tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Because this individual is a Massachusetts resident, RIDOH says the testing was done by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. This person […]