Social Enterprise Greenhouse (SEG) announced today that it is expanding its Incubator program to Central Falls and Newport in 2020. Local entrepreneurs who have an idea for a business or nonprofit venture that will create positive social impact and be financially sustainable are encouraged to apply. Applications for both programs are due on January 6, […]
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
Rhode Island Department of Transportation extends Pell Bridge Ramp Environmental Assessment Comment Period
The Rhode Island Department of Transporation has extended the comment period for its proposed Pell Bridge Ramp Realignment plan until Jan. 21, 2020. The comment period had been initially set to end on Dec. 23rd, however the City Council earlier this month requested an extension in order to provide the public with more opportunity to […]
Posted inReal Estate
Newport Open Houses: 6 listings to check out this weekend
On the market for a new home? Well this upcoming weekend is looking like a good time to explore homes that have recently hit the market. What’s Up Newp’s Open House listings are brought to you by our real estate partners, William Raveis Newport. Contact William Raveis for all of your real estate, mortgage, and insurance […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Electrical issues forces RITBA to use temporary transformer to keep portion of Pell Bridge lit
Those in the Point Section of Newport may notice some additional work happening and/or an additional transformer in the area over the next few days. The City of Newport posted the following on Facebook on Friday afternoon; “Due to an electrical issue caused by recent inclement weather, the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority has positioned a […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink, News
Clarke Cooke House a nominee in Wight Vodka’s 2019 Best Sailor’s Bar Competition
The Clarke Cooke House has a shot at being crowned the Best Sailor’s Bar in the world. EuroSail News, with support from Wight Vodka, Seahorse Magazine, and Latitude Kinsale, has scoured the world for the best sailor’s bar. . Their top ten are now selected and the Clarke Cooke House finds themselves among the final […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
VIDEO: City Council Joint Workshop with the School Committee – School Construction Design walk through presentation
Newport City Council and Newport School Committee held a join session on Wednesday, December 18th. The purpose of the meeting was school construction-design walk-through presentation. The City of Newport has provided the following video for public.
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up This Weekend: 25+ things to do, live music and entertainment listings
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this weekend. Friday, December 20th Christmas In Newport2 pm – The Irishman at Jane Pickens Theater3:30 pm – Teens: Art with Nycole at Newport Public Library4 pm – Holiday Lantern Tours with Newport Historical Society5 pm – Safari by the Fire Dinner at OceanCliff Hotel & Resort6:30 pm – Les Miserables: The […]
Posted inNews
12th Annual Singing For Shelter raises more than $11,500 for local homeless shelters
Singing For Shelter founders Anne and Mark Gorman recently presented the proceeds of the 12th annual Singing For Shelter concert to Kelly A. Lee, executive director of Lucy’s Hearth and Ken Robinson, director of The McKinney Shelter. The sold-out December 5th concert, at which 30 local musicians performed, raised a record $11,600, for the two […]
Posted inNews
Middletown’s SEA CORP awarded $49.5 million multiple award contract from Naval Undersea Warfare Center
Systems Engineering Associates Corporation (dba SEA CORP) of Middletown recently announced that their company was one of four contractors awarded on December 17th a five-year, $49.5 million Multiple Award Contract from the Platform & Payload Integration Department, Code 40, of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) in Newport. According to SEA CORP, “both hardware and […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
R.I. Infrastructure Bank saves municipalities and utilities $7.8 Million
Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank (Infrastructure Bank) today announced the refinancing of Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund bonds, with a principal value of $153.8 million. The transactions will generate $7.8 million of savings for 26 municipalities and utilities. “Through proactive balance sheet management, the Infrastructure Bank monitors interest rate environments […]
Posted inNews
Brady Sullivan Properties donates 70 bikes to Child & Family’s Foster Care Program
On Tuesday, December 17, 2019, Brady Sullivan Properties delivered 70 new bikes to the Child & Family Providence Community Center at 1268 Eddy Street in Providence. The donation is part of a holiday giving program by Brady Sullivan Properties to provide 1000 bikes to organizations serving underprivileged children and families in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and […]
Posted inNews
MLK Center, East Bay Community Action Program will share $40,000 in grants from Rhode Island Foundation
Sparked by a recent study reporting that thousands of Rhode Islanders are going hungry every day, the Rhode Island Foundation today announced that food banks serving Newport will share $40,000 in special grants. “While we continue to pursue long-term solutions to poverty, we also support these organizations in providing immediate and critical assistance to struggling […]
Posted inNews
The Ocean Race 2021-22 announces stop in China
The 2021-22 edition of The Ocean Race will make one stop in Asia, with the city of Shenzhen proudly serving as the host city for the iconic, fully-crewed, offshore race. In a press release today, The Ocean Race will stop in China for the fifth consecutive edition. There still has not been any announcement regarding […]
Posted inBusiness, News
Former Long Wharf Seafood site to become new corporate headquarters for BedJet
Many have wondered and asked what was being built and what was the future of 17 JT Connell Highway, formerly home to Long Wharf Seafood. What’s Up Newp is here to (finally) provide that answer. The building that has been under construction for the last several months is a new state-of-the-art $1 million facility, which […]
Posted inBusiness
Liquidation auction for City Auto Body set for Saturday
The belongings of what was once “Newport’s oldest automotive body shop” are going up for auction this week. J.W.G. Auctioneer will host a complete liquidation auction of City Auto Body, located at 256 Maple Avenue in Newport, on Saturday, December 21st at 10 am. City Auto Body, which has been operating since 1947, permanently closed […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up This Week: 50+ things to do, live music and entertainment listings
Newport, RI – Discover all that’s happening on and around Aquidneck Island this week and weekend. Tuesday, December 17th Christmas In Newport9 am – Project Update: Bridge Ramp Realignment at Innovate Newport11 am – Beer + Burger Tuesdays at Taproot Brewing Co.3:15 pm – Dark Waters at Jane Pickens Theater5:30 pm – SEG Newport Incubator Information Session at Innovate Newport6:30 pm […]
Posted inReal Estate
Number of Newport County single-family homes sold through November surpass all of 2018
Newport County home sales statistics recently shared by the Newport County Board of Realtors (NCBR) paint a picture of an active local housing market in 2019. According to NCBR, single-family home sale statistics from January 1 st through November 30 th of 2019 indicate that the number of sales grew by nine percent year-over-year in Newport County while the […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Clementine’s Homemade Ice Cream coming to Wave Ave in Middletown
A East Greenwich-based ice cream shop has announced plans to open a second location, and it’s going to be in Middletown! “We are so excited to announce that we will be opening a second Clementine’s location in Spring 2020,” Clementine’s Homemade Ice Cream wrote on their Facebook Page on December 14th. “We have found the […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Tijuana Burrito Grill opens on Broadway
Tacos? Broadway now has more of that. Tijuana Burrito Grill opened at 66 Broadway on Monday. “We wanted to make sure we had everything in order and soft open before announcing to everyone that we were open,” Owner Francisco Morales told What’s Up Newp on Monday. “Our first day was very good”. Morales also owns […]
Posted inNews, Real Estate
Bay View Estates in Portsmouth sells for $20.425 million
CBRE today announced the sale of Bay View Estates, located at 2121 West Main Road in Portsmouth, for $20,425,000. CBRE Capital Markets’ multihousing experts Simon Butler and Biria St. John exclusively represented the seller, Bay View Apartments LLC, a partnership that includes Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts-based Chestnut Hill Realty and Providence, Rhode Island-based Lisco Development. CBRE also […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
CCRI: Tuesday exams rescheduled to Friday due to approaching winter storm
Due to the approaching winter storm predicted to bring snow and ice to the region late tonight and into tomorrow, and the uncertainty of the conditions of the roadways, daytime exams scheduled for Tuesday, December 17, 2019 are rescheduled for Friday, December 20, 2019. As of now, Tuesday evening classes – with a start time […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink, People & Profiles
Newport County Dinner Club celebrating 30 years of promoting “Shop Local, Dine Local”
Hard to believe it, but the Newport County Dinner Club has been offering a fine local dining program for 30 years! The Newport County Dinner Club (NCDC) is a membership club that celebrates the pleasures of local dining. Established in 1989, David and Nancy Rosenberg started NCDC to encourage Newport County residents to support local […]
Posted inThings To Do
The Wailers will perform at Newport Blues Cafe on February 14th
The legendary Wailers are bringing the love to Newport in February. Newport Blues Cafe announced this week that The Wailers, with support from Dudemanbro, will perform on February 14th at 9 pm. Led by renowned bassist and founder Aston “Familyman” Barrett, and joined by original Wailers guitarist Donald Kinsey, The Wailers give audiences around […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up This Weekend: 40+ things to do, live music and entertainment listings
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this weekend. Friday, December 13th Jamestown Arts Center’s Annual Holiday Arts Market returns December 13 – 14 Christmas In NewportNewport Out Holiday Stroll – Dec 13,14 & 1512 pm – 8 Bells Lecture Series: “The Great Marianas Turkey Shoot”3 pm – Gingerbread Castles at the Jamestown […]
Posted inThings To Do
Winners of 2019 Christmas In Newport Doorway Decorating Contest announced
Christmas In Newport announced the winners of the 2019 Christmas in Newport Door Decorating Contest this morning. Participants were encouraged to decorate their doorways with natural materials/decorations and were judged on Friday, December 13th. “Congratulations to all our winners and thank you to all who entered and worked so hard on decorating your homes and […]