What is there to do here in Newport when a rainy days occurs? If you’re interested in more than just curling up with a good book or watching a movie on the couch, here’s some ideas of what to do in Newport when it rains. 1 – Tour The Mansions – A visit to The Preservation Society […]
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
Representative Ruggiero to host local constituent conversation on education
STATE HOUSE – State Rep. Deborah Ruggiero will host a constituent conversation on “The Power of Education” in Jamestown in January. The forum will be held in Jamestown at the Jamestown Philomenian Library, 26 North Road, on Monday, Jan. 6, at 6:30 p.m. with Jamestown Superintendent Ken Duva providing the local perspective and Rhode Island Education Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Ricky Duran has gone from singing on the patio at The Landing to having a shot at winning ‘The Voice’
A voice that was heard often singing on the patio of The Landing and at Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Fest in 2017 and 2018, is just a few votes away from winning Season 17 of NBC’s The Voice. Worcester-native Ricky Duran has been on a music and life journey over the last year that has taken […]
Posted inReal Estate
9 Open Houses worth checking out in Newport 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. Open Houses This Weekend: December 14-15 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 […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport County Road Report: RITBA and RIDOT scheduled lane closures, construction (Dec. 14 – 21)
Here’s what’s on tap for road construction and traffic in Newport County this upcoming week. Rhode Island Department of Transportation The following road and lane closure notices are effective for the week of December 14-20, 2019. All schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change. Portsmouth: Boyd’s Ln., from Rte. 24 to 561 Boyd’s Ln., alternating one-way traffic […]
Posted inCity & Government
Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over: Authorities ramp up holiday impaired driving enforcement
Drivers on Rhode Island roads can expect to see an increased level of police enforcement throughout the state coinciding with the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” impaired driving campaign, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) announced today. The goal is to drastically reduce drunk driving and save lives. Running now through the […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
CCRI Fine Arts Students to display work in Special Exhibit at Newport Art Museum
WARWICK, RI – Twenty-four students from the Community College of Rhode Island’s Fine Arts program will have their work displayed in a special exhibit next week at the Newport Art Museum Community Gallery. The exhibit, titled “IMAGO: The Power of a Mental Image,” features the work of students enrolled in CCRI’s capstone course for its […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
VIDEO: RIDOT informational meeting on the proposed design for the Pell Bridge ramp realignment
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation is hosting a public informational meeting this evening on the proposed design for the Pell Bridge ramp realignment. The City of Newport is using Facebook Live to share what’s happening with members of the community who couldn’t make it to the public meeting. If for some reason this stream […]
Posted inBusiness
Inaugural ‘Hotel Week RI’ to be held January 18 – 31
Providence, RI – Visit Rhode Island, in conjunction with 22 hotels throughout its six tourism regions, announced this evening the first-ever “Hotel Week RI,” taking place January 18-31, 2020. Following the success of Hotel Week NYC™, pioneered by MMGY NJF in 2012, the inaugural “Hotel Week RI” offers four “prix fixe” rates of $100, $200, […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, People & Profiles
5 questions with Wave Cycle Studio
On November 29th, Newport welcomed its newest fitness business to town when Wave Cycle, an indoor cycling studio, opened at 198 Thames Street. What’s Up Newp recently caught up with Brian at Wave Cycle to learn a little more about their business and indoor cycling. What’s Up Newp (WUN): Tells us about Wave Cycle – […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News
Amica Newport Marathon, BankNewport 10 Miler, and Ocean Road 10K receive national recognition
The Amica Newport Marathon, BankNewport 10 Miler, and Ocean Road 10K have all been named in the top 100 races in the USA by online racing resource Bib Raves, Gray Matter Marketing, producer of the three events , announced today. After a popular voting round followed by a judged round, these three events have secured […]
Posted inNews
Family Service of Rhode Island asking public to support their ‘Adopt-A-Girl-in-a-Shelter’ campaign
Family Service of Rhode Island is outreaching to the community with an “Adopt-A-Girl-in-a-Shelter” campaign. “We have thirty girls temporarily living in Family Service of Rhode Island homes in East Providence, Smithfield and North Smithfield. We are asking the community to partner with us to make Christmas morning extra special this year,” said Maggie Slane, who heads […]
Posted inBusiness, Environment & Health
Newport Skin Therapy to open on Broadway
Broadway will soon be the new home of Newport Skin Therapy. Newport Skin Therapy, which provided professional non-invasive skin care services and brow treatment, will open at 54 Broadway. The space was most recently the home of Angel Nails. Owned and Operated by Angelica Walker, Licensed Aesthetician & Certified Acne Specialist, Newport Skin Therapy shares […]
Posted inNews
Coast Guard posthumously awards Purple Heart to Newport man killed in World War I
The Coast Guard posthumously presented the family of Charles Parkin, of Newport, the Purple Heart medal on Wednesday for his sacrifice on Sept. 26, 1918 while serving aboard the USS Tampa in World War I. The First Coast Guard District Commander, Rear Adm. Andy Tiongson, the crew of Station Castle Hill, and the Newport community were among those who honored […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
VIDEO: Newport City Council Meeting (Dec. 11)
Newport City Council held their December Regular Council Meeting on Wednesday night. The meeting lasted approximately one hour and twenty nine minutes. We’ll have recap and reaction soon, in the meantime you can watch the entire meeting below via a video provided by the City of Newport.
Posted inNews
11th Hour Racing awards 12 new grants to address environmental challenges of coastal communities around world
Newport, RI – Continuing its work with coastal communities around the world to restore ocean health, 11th Hour Racing announced today a dozen new global grants to organizations that are addressing sea-level rise, habitat loss, science education for underserved students and plastics pollution. More information from the press release; 11th Hour Racing awarded $473K in […]
Posted inFood & Drink, Style & Shop
Shop Local Spotlight – Newport Vineyards: Make spirits bright this holiday season and give the gift of estate grown local wine, fresh craft beer, and farm-to-table fare
Along with our What’s Up Newp Holiday Shopping Guides, What’s Up Newp is highlighting local business and organizations this holiday season. ICYMI – See our holiday shopping guides for gifts under $50, under $100, and over $100. Get ready to shop locally and gift away! Today we highlight all that there is to offer from Newport Vineyards […]
Posted inNews
‘The Newport Bridge: A Rhode Island Icon’ scheduled to air again on PBS
If you missed the premiere of The Newport Bridge: A Rhode Island Icon on December 4th, you’re in luck. The Newport Bridge: A Rhode Island Icon is scheduled to air again on Rhode Island PBS on Saturday, December 14th at 4:00 pm; Sunday, December 22nd at 2:00 pm; Wednesday, January 1st at 7:30 pm. There is […]
Posted inThings To Do
Fantastic Fungi returning to Jane Pickens Theater on December 16th
Aquidneck Community Table is partnering with The Jane Pickens Theater and Event Center to bring the exciting new film narrated by Brie Larson, Fantastic Fungi, The Magic Beneath Us, back to Newport, next Monday evening, December 16. Maui Film Festival Visionary Award Honoree and Director Louie Schwartz will be joining the audience for a Q […]
Posted inNews
Adopt A Child: Boys Town New England looking for sponsors to help provide Christmas gifts for over 300 children
Boys Town New England announced today that they still have sixty Christmas Wish Lists from local children left to be fulfilled this year! If you’d like to “adopt” a Boys Town child this Christmas please email elizabeth.rose@boystown.org Since opening in 1991, Boys Town New England has brought life-changing care to tens of thousands of children […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up This Week: 60+ things to do, live music and entertainment listings
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport, Jamestown, Middletown, and Portsmouth this week and weekend, enjoy! Monday, December 9 Christmas In Newport4:30 pm & 7:30 pm – Dark Waters at Jane Pickens Theater5 pm – Kids Holiday Sewing with Stitchery at Portsmouth Free Public Library6:30 pm – Christmas Concert #2 2019 at Jesus Saviour Church6:45 pm […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
What’s Up Newp taps crowd funding for expansion of coverage
With monthly readership now exceeding 50,000 monthly users (and more than 150,000 pageviews per month), What’s Up Newp has launched a crowd funding option to support our continued growth of our news and information coverage across Newport County. After seven years, we have a major coverage expansion in the works for What’s Up Newp. We plan […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Yagi Noodles: Ramen pop-up opening on Thames Street
A ramen pop-up is opening on lower Thames Street this month and is promising to bring the freshest handmade noodles in the state to Newport.\ Chef Basil Yu has announced plans to open Yagi Noodles at 580 Thames Street, formerly Reclaimed Cafe and Lorusso’s Cafe. “I’m doing a little pop up at the old Lorusso’s […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
RIDOT to host public information meeting on Pell Bridge ramp realignment
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation has announced that they will be hosting an informational meeting on Thursday, Dec. 12th at 5:30 pm to review the proposed design for the Pell Bridge ramp realignment. The meeting, which will be held in the Second Floor Council Chamber at City Hall, is open to the public and all […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up This Weekend: 50+ things to do, live music and entertainment listings
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport, Jamestown, Middletown, and Portsmouth this weekend, enjoy! Friday, December 6th Naval War College to host annual Army-Navy Flag Football Game on December 6th Newport Holiday Stroll returns December 6th – 8th, Kristen Coates provides guide to the 2019 event Christmas In Newport10 am […]