WPRI reported on their Facebook Page on Monday that a Magnitude 2.0 Earthquake was recorded off the coast of Newport on Sunday, December 1st. According to the Earthquake Magnitude Scale, Magnitude there are approximately 900,000 Magnitude 2.5 or less earthquakes per year. Earthquake effects for Magnitude 2.5 or less are described as “Usually not felt, […]
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 inNews
Report for America to place journalist in Newport to cover race and poverty for The Public’s Radio
Report for America is partnering with The Public’s Radio (formerly Rhode Island Public Radio) to place a journalist in Newport to cover race and poverty. That news came today when Report for America, “a national service program that places talented, emerging journalists into local news organizations to report for one to two years on under-covered […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Raimondo, Grebien announce largest economic development project in Pawtucket’s History
PAWTUCKET, RI- Governor Gina Raimondo and Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien today announced the largest economic development project in Pawtucket’s history. The estimated $400 million project will transform Pawtucket’s waterfront with hundreds of thousands of square feet of new development, including a new professional soccer team that will compete in the USL Championship – the second division […]
Posted inThings To Do
Santa to tour neighborhoods of Portsmouth beginning December 2nd
Santa has confirmed that he will visit neighborhoods in all three Aquidneck Island communities this month. Santa to visit Newport neighborhoods December 10 – 19 Santa to visit Middletown neighborhoods December 2 – 13 Here’s the info for Portsmouth; 2019 Tour info: Santa begins his annual Portsmouth Tour on Monday, December 2nd (night/map 1).Santa will […]
Posted inNews
Support What’s Up Newp on this #SubscribeSunday
Today is #SubscribeSunday, a day created to support independent journalism. While we don’t have traditional “subscribers”, we do have supporters. They, and our advertisers, make our local independent online news publishing company possible. If you enjoy and/or appreciate what we do, please consider becoming a What’s Up Newp Supporter today here – https://whatsupnewp.com/support-whats-up-newp/
Posted inNews
Winners of 22nd Annual Newport Illuminated Boat Parade announced
Another successful Illuminated Boat Parade is in the books! Thousands showed up along the Newport waterfront on Friday evening to watch twenty three boats compete in the 22nd Annual event. I had a blast emceeing the event at Newport Yacht Club, thanks to everyone who stopped by to say hello. The parade was organized and […]
Posted inArts & Culture
IMC hosts 200 Pell Elementary Students to see The Newport Nutcracker at Rosecliff
On Tuesday, November 26, Pell Elementary School third-graders were treated to a performance of the Island Moving Company’s production of The Newport Nutcracker at Rosecliff. The viewing of IMC’s Dress Rehearsal was made possible with the generous support of The Bazarsky Family Foundation, David and Susan Odland, and Randall S. Poirier, ChFC® Financial Planner. Students were […]
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! Did we miss anything or do you want to see something included here? Email Ryan@whatsupnewp.com. Friday, November 29th Things To Do 9:45 am – Explore Prudence Island with Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve1:30 pm, 4:30 pm, & […]
Posted inFood & Drink
15+ bars and restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day
Looking to get out of the house today and grab a drink with family or friends? Here’s what bars are open (or are typically open) around Newport on Thanksgiving night. View this post on Instagram Happy Thanksgiving everyone. We will be open for the early morning coffee run and we will have bags of beans […]
Posted inNews
VIDEO: Newport Folk Festival releases 2019 recap video, thank you
Newport Folk Festival took to Facebook on this Thanksgiving Eve to post the following 2019 recap video and thank you. “Before we turn the page to the 2020 festival, we wanted to say a deep-hearted THANK YOU to everyone in our Folk Family for making our community what it is. This one is for you,” […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up This Week: 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 week and weekend, enjoy! Did we miss anything or do you want to see something included here? Email Ryan@whatsupnewp.com. Monday, November 25th Things To Do 10 am – Holidays by the Sea Kick-Off Event at Liberty Donuts4:30 pm & 7:30 […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Shop small and shop art to support local Newport artists this Small Business Saturday
Big box-stores get Black Friday, online retailers get Cyber Monday, but as the holiday season rolls around, how will small businesses compete? This November 30th is the 10th Annual Small Business Saturday, a national event showcasing the honest and unique visions of small, community-oriented businesses. The Newport Gallery Organization is working with Shop Small to […]
Posted inNews
Cape Town will host The Ocean Race for 12th time
The Ocean Race will return to Cape Town for the 12th time as the most challenging offshore race in the sport comes to South Africa in the 2021-22 edition. Cape Town has been an iconic stop in the race since the very first edition in 1973 and has hosted the fleet in all but two […]
Posted inJobs
Now Hiring in Newport: 70+ job opportunities available right now
Newport, RI – Time for a new gig, job, or career? Well, you may be in luck. There are more than seventy local companies hiring right now in and around Newport, Rhode Island. All of the following job opportunities have been posted within the last seven days and are located within five miles of downtown […]
Posted inCity & Government, Things To Do
Santa to visit Middletown neighborhoods December 2 – 13
The Middletown IAFF Local 1933 Firefighters have confirmed that they will once again be escorting Santa around Middletown this December. Starting on December 2nd until December 13th, Santa and his team of off duty firefighter elves will be volunteering their time to visit each neighborhood and distributing candy canes between approximately 4:30 PM and 8:00 […]
Posted inBusiness, Style & Shop
Aquidneck Island Businesses: Don’t miss the chance to be part of What’s Up Newp’s Holiday Gift Guides!
In the spirit of promoting the shop local movement, What’s Up Newp will be running Holiday Gift Guides this December, providing local shoppers a showcase of the best items available by shopping and supporting local. Local and area business are invited to participate in this special section and promotion. These gift guides will be published on […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, Sports
Amica Insurance Newport Marathon raises more than $156k for charity, breaks its own fundraising record
Newport, RI – With the final numbers tallied, Gray Matter Marketing and Amica Insurance announced today that the 2019 Amica Insurance Newport Marathon and Half Marathon has set a new fundraising record for the event, raising a combined total of more than $156,000 for local and regional charities. Including the 2019 total, the event has […]
Posted inArts & Culture, City & Government, History
Newport, Brown University researchers team up to map historic African-American burying ground
The City of Newport announced today that God’s Little Acre, one of America’s largest and most intact burial sites for colonial era Africans and African-Americans, may soon be more easily navigable thanks to the efforts of a team from Brown University. The City’s Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission announced on Monday that work is underway on […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Rep. Ruggiero to host local constituent forums on education
STATE HOUSE – State Rep. Deborah Ruggiero is hosting constituent meetings focusing on “The Power of Education” in both Middletown and Jamestown in the coming weeks. The first will be held Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 6:30 p.m. at the Middletown Public Library, 700 West Main Road. Special guests include Middletown Superintendent Rosemarie Kraeger to provide a local perspective and Rhode […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Rep. Carson urges Newporters to submit comments on Pell Bridge ramp design assessment
STATE HOUSE – Rep. Lauren H. Carson is urging her constituents to actively participate in the project to redesign the Claiborne Pell Bridge access ramps, now in the planning stages. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is currently accepting public comments the project’s draft environmental assessment, conducted in in conjunction with the Federal Highway […]
Posted inStyle & Shop
Chamber of Commerce to kick of Holidays By The Sea on Monday
The Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce is kicking off its 2019 Holidays by the Sea initiative at 10 am on Monday, November 25th at Liberty Donuts. “The goal is simple; encourage people to shop, stay, dine and explore locally this holiday season. All merchants, Chamber members and non-members alike, are encouraged to participate,” the Chamber states in […]
Posted inNews, Real Estate
On The Market: Three Open Houses 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. In case you missed it, long time What’s Up Newp contributor and local real estate professional Tyler Bernadyn has started a new real estate column on What’s Up Newp. If […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport County Road Report: RITBA and RIDOT scheduled lane closures, construction (Nov. 23 – 30)
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 23-29, 2019. All schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change. No Lane Closures at this Time. Visit RIDOT’s Travel Advisories website for a full […]
Posted inArts & Culture, History, Things To Do
‘The Newport Bridge: A Rhode Island Icon’ will premiere on Rhode Island PBS on December 4th
The Newport Pell Bridge’s 50th Anniversary celebration isn’t over just yet. On December 4 at 7 pm, join Rhode Island PBS will pay tribute to the iconic bridge with the premiere of THE NEWPORT BRIDGE: A RHODE ISLAND ICON. “This Rhode Island PBS original proudly chronicles the celebration of this historic event and puts it […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Style & Shop
VIDEO: ‘Jay Leno’s Garage’ features highlights from inaugural Audrain’s Newport Concours & Motor Week
Jay Leno’s popular car show released video this week of some of the best moments from the inaugural Audrain’s Newport Concours & Motor Week. Jay Leno’s Garage shared the following description of the video on their YouTube Page; “The Inaugural Audrain Concours and Motor Week in Newport, RI, hosted by Jay Leno & Donald Osborne, […]