Looking for a new job, gig, or career? Here’s who’s hiring in and around Newport, Rhode Island right now. All jobs are located within five miles of downtown Newport and have been posted within the last week. Have a job opportunity that you’d like to list here and advertise on our website and in our […]
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 inArts & Culture
Classic Christmas movies returning to the big screen at Jane Pickens Theater in December
Celebrate the Christmas season with Buddy The Elf, Clark Griswold, and The Nutcracker on the big screen of Jane Pickens Theater this December. Along with their great regular programming, Jane Pickens Theater and Event Center will host the following three Christmas classics in December. Cinema For A Cause: Elf – Sunday, December 8th at 1 pm The […]
Posted inThings To Do
Calendar Of Events: 2019 Christmas In Newport
Founded in 1971, Christmas in Newport began as a two-week festival that celebrated the noncommercial traditions of the holiday season. Now in its 49th year, the annual program boasts multiple activities for nearly each day of the December calendar. With a volunteer base numbering 1500, the non-profit organization, Christmas in Newport, raises thousands of dollars […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up This Week: 45+ 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, November 11th City to mark Veteran’s Day with ceremony, Miantonomi Park tower climb Senator Jack Reed to speak at new Middletown Veterans Memorial on Veterans Day Things To Do 11 am – Veterans Day […]
Posted inBusiness, Jobs, News
Salve Regina offering training workshops for mental health counselors
Salve Regina University announced today that they are offering a series of continuing education workshops for mental health counselors, beginning on November 13th. The workshops will meet the needs of providers who work with sexual abuse survivors, families impacted by sexual abuse, and youth with problematic sexual behaviors. Training takes place at the Salve Regina […]
Posted inNews
Seamen’s Church Institute to host Annual Meeting, Volunteer Appreciation Party, and Centennial Speaker Series Event
Seamen’s Church Institute’s has announced that its Annual Meeting and Volunteer Appreciation Party will coincide with their final Centennial Speaker Series on Wednesday, November 13th. As part of the Centennial Speaker Series Event, Ruth Taylor, Executive Director of the Newport Historical Society will be speaking about “How the past can inform the future: The history […]
Posted inNews
EFC Newport serving as collection center for Operation Christmas Child
Throughout the country, families and communities are preparing shoeboxes filled with gifts to be distributed to children globally. For the third year running, Evangelical Friends Church (EFC) Newport will serve as the collection center for shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child from November 18-25, 2019. What is Operation Christmas Child? “The Samaritan’s Purse project Operation Christmas […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up This Weekend: 30+ 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, November 8th Things To Do Newport Restaurant Week throughout Newport and Bristol Counties9:30 am – Building a Data-Driven Culture presented by Trilix at Innovate Newport1 pm – Admissions Campus Tour at IYRS3:30 pm – Teens: Silent Book Club at Newport Public Library4:30 […]
Posted inNews
Austal USA christens the futures USNS Newport (EPF12)
In the words of the future USNS Newport ship sponsor, long-time Newport resident Charlotte Marshall, today, “Let’s get this party started,” and with one whack of the bottle, the ship was officially christened. Newport City Councilor Lynn Ceglie was on hand for the event this morning in Alabama, she told What’s Up Newp following the […]
Posted inNews
Portsmouth home sells for $1.775 million, is second highest sale in that community this year
Lila Delman Real Estate announced today the sale of 178 Prospect Farm Road. The property sold for $1,755,000. Lila Delman Associates represented both sides of the transaction with Anne Northup Burns representing the seller and Annie Becker representing the buyer. This transaction marks the 2nd highest home sale in Portsmouth year-to-date, according to data maintained […]
Posted inCity & Government
Public invited to a special Transportation Master Plan workshop
City planners will be convening a special workshop next week to solicit input for the City’s first comprehensive Transportation Master Plan. Residents, business owners, and visitors alike are invited to help “Keep Newport Moving” during an interactive workshop scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 14th beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Innovate Newport. The workshop is designed to find out how […]
Posted inNews
Open Houses to check out in and around 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. 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 inNews
Veterans of Newport to host 2019 Veterans Day Celebration at Cappy’s on Sunday
The Veterans of Newport is inviting the public to join them for a 2019 Veterans Day Celebration from 2 pm to 6 pm on Sunday, November 10th at Cappy’s Hillside Cafe. “Join us to celebrate the brave men and women who took an oath to defend our country,” the event flyer states. “We will have […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
VIDEO: Forum on The Future of our Island High Schools – Part II
To help residents understand some of educational benefits to students and the cost benefits to taxpayers of a unified high school, Newport This Week hosted the second of their island-wide forums on Wednesday, November 6th at the CCRI Newport Auditorium. The forum was moderated by Representative Lauren Carson (D. Dist. 75, Newport). Panelists included; Adam Flynn-Tabloff | […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Simpatico Jamestown hits the market for $2.7 million
Jamestown’s Simpatico has been listed for sale. The multi-level popular restaurant in the heart of downtown Jamestown was listed recently by Island Realty for $2.7 million. The sale includes both the business, with a documented profit history, and the real estate, which includes a modern, legal 1 bedroom penthouse apartment on the third level. The […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Newport County Road Report: RITBA and RIDOT scheduled lane closures, construction (Nov. 9 – 16)
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 November 9 – 15, 2019. All schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change. No Lane Closures at this Time. Visit RIDOT’s Travel Advisories website for […]
Posted inBusiness, People & Profiles
Retired Newport Police Lieutenant named Safety and Security Manager for Preservation Society of Newport County
Newport Police Lieutenant (Ret.) Frank Rosa Jr. was named Safety and Security Manager for the Preservation Society of Newport County today. Rosa completed 25 years service with the Newport Police before his retirement. He begins his duties December 9th.“Frank Rosa Jr. is an invaluable new asset for the Preservation Society,” said CEO and Executive Director […]
Posted inNews, Sports
For the first time, fans of Newport Polo can vote for which international teams come to town
For the first time in 29 seasons, Newport Polo fans have the opportunity to vote on which international teams are invited to participate in an upcoming season of the Newport International Polo Series. Newport Polo will be accepting votes in two categories: 1. the debut of a nation to make its first appearance in the Polo Series; and […]
Posted inBusiness, Things To Do
Gurney’s launches Stay & Skate package in celebration of the opening of ice skating rink
Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina is launching a Stay & Skate package in celebration of the opening of their ice-skating rink on November 22. Guests who book the “Stay & Skate” package will receive access to unlimited skating during their stay, $75 resort credit to utilize on their après skate menu, a complimentary Gurney’s scarf & winter hat, […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Becky’s BBQ featured in ‘The Ultimate BBQ Road Trip’, named among 20 best BBQ restaurants in the USA
BBQ experts Go Shindig, have mapped out the ultimate BBQ road trip across the US, stopping off at all of the top-rated grill houses in every state, and it features Middletown’s Becky’s BBQ. Image: Becky’s BBQ, Newport County, Rhode Island According to their data Becky’s BBQ is the 6th best BBQ restaurant in the whole of the […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
State Preservation & Heritage Commission “greatly prefers” Court House Street remains fully functional
The Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission (RIHPHC), the state agency for historical preservation and heritage programs, has weighed in on the Historic Newport Spring Project, as well as the closure of Court House Street. {More background on the Historic Newport Spring Project/Court House Street closure can be found here} RIHPHC operates a statewide […]
Posted inNews
Common Fence Music to present Front Country in Portsmouth on November 16th
COMMON FENCE MUSIC will welcome to their stage for the first time pop bluegrass band FRONT COUNTRY on Saturday, November 16, 2019, 8pm. Doors will open to CFM members at 7pm, non-members at 7:15pm. The concert will take place at the CFP Arts, Wellness & Community Center, 933 Anthony Road, Portsmouth, RI. Tickets to the […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Newport City Council will consider how to move forward with Court House Street on November 13th
City Council members are expected to receive communication on the proposed Court House Street traffic pattern/Historic Spring Project at their Regular Council Meeting on Wednesday, November 13th. Update/Clarification: This story was originally published at 2:54 pm on Wednesday, it has since has been updated. What’s Up Newp had previously reported in this story that a […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Newport Art Museum to celebrate young collectors at Art After Dark on Nov. 14th
Newport Art Museum’s Art After Dark is back on Thursday, November 14 from 5 – 8 pm. Each Art After Dark has unique programming for the whole family. This event joins the ranks of the many events and educational programs the Museum currently offers in its galleries at 76 Bellevue Avenue, Newport. Art After Dark is supported by BankNewport and Matouk as well as donations to the Museum’s Annual Fund.This month, Newport […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Island Moving Company will open 18th season of The Newport Nutcracker at Rosecliff on November 27th
The Newport Nutcracker at Rosecliff is in its 18th season, with a cast of Island Moving Company dancers, guest artists, and children from studios throughout Rhode Island. Performances at Rosecliff, 548 Bellevue Avenue in Newport, begin on Wednesday, November 27th and conclude, after 16 shows, on Friday, December 6th. Tickets range from $60 to $195 […]