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 […]
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 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 […]
Posted inArts & Culture
VIDEO: 12th Annual Singing For Shelter
Thirty local musicians took to the stage at Channing Memorial Church on Thursday night for the 12th Annual Singing For Shelter. The musician played seasonal favorites and original tunes to the sold-out crowd to help raise money for the Mckinney Shelter and Lucy’s Hearth. Musicians at this year’s event included Jack Casey, Ray Davis, Ed […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Lindsay Lang appointed as new HealthSource RI director
Rhode Island Department of Administration Director Michael DiBiase today announced Lindsay Lang will be the new Director of HealthSource RI, Rhode Island’s health insurance exchange. “From its inception, Lindsay has been committed to the effective and efficient operation of HealthSource RI as Legal Counsel, Chief of Staff, and now as its Director,” said Director DiBiase […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Newport County Road Report: RITBA and RIDOT scheduled lane closures, construction (Dec. 8 – 14)
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 7 – 13, 2019. All schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change. Portsmouth: Rte. 138 (West Main Rd.) at Union St., alternating lane […]
Posted inNews, Real Estate
On The Market: Ten 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. Open Houses This Weekend: December 7 -8 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 […]
Posted inNews, Sports, Things To Do
Hall of Fame Open Tickets now on sale
One way to beat the winter blues? Start making your summer plans! Select tickets for the Hall of Fame Open are now on sale, just in time for holiday gift giving. Just after Wimbledon, the ATP Tour will once again return to Newport for a full week of professional tennis action on the historic grass […]
Posted inStyle & Shop, Things To Do
Newport Holiday Stroll returns December 6th – 8th, Kristen Coates provides guide to the 2019 event
The 4th Annual Newport Holiday Stroll will take place in and around Newport December 6th – 8th, 2019. Kristen Coates, owner of Kristen Coates on Bellevue, now leads the shop local effort and allowed us to republish her recent blog post that gives some background to the event and provides some great ideas on how […]
Posted inCity & Government
Preview: Agenda for December 11th Newport City Council Meeting
Newport City Council will host their next regular council meeting on Wednesday, December 11th at 6:30 pm in the Council Chambers at Newport City Hall. The meeting is open to the public. If you can’t make it to the meeting, you can watch it live here. The following agenda is a preview. The city will […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Onne van der Wal to present an image, video presentation on Greenland at Jamestown Arts Center
Onne van der Wal will be presenting an image and video presentation of his last two extraordinary trips to Greenland. In 2018 he had the pleasure of joining an owner on his 90 foot private yacht and exploring the West coast of Greenland from Ilulisat and around Disco Island. Onne enjoyed the experience so much, […]
Posted inBusiness, Environment & Health
Newport Harbor Hotel partners with The Bodhi Spa to offer ‘Heat up, cool down, relax, repeat’ spa package
The Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina has announced that they are teaming up with The Bodhi Spa to bring you a spa package that is worth repeating. “Our Heat up, Cool down, Relax, and Repeat package invites you and a guest to experience a cleansing and energizing experience like no other in Newport,” Newport […]
Posted inStyle & Shop
Annual Designer Wreath & Bake Sale to benefit Lucy’s Hearth set for Saturday at Easton’s Beach Rotunda
Add some holiday flair to your front door and help make a difference for the families at Lucy’s Hearth! Lucy Hearth’s 19th Annual Wreath & Bake Sale is set for Saturday, December 7th from 9 am to noon located at the Rotunda at Easton’s Beach. “These spectacular handmade wreaths and delicious baked goods sell out […]
Posted inStyle & Shop, Things To Do
Potter League to host Annual Holiday Artisan Craft Fair on Saturday
The Potter League for Animals will be holding their Annual Holiday Artisan Craft Fair on Saturday, December 7th from 10 am to 4 pm located at 87 Oliphant Lane in Middletown. Over two dozen local artisans will showcase a unique array of merchandise for holiday gift giving. Stop by the Potter League to get special […]
Posted inNews
Newport named among ‘Most Romantic US Destinations to Spend the Holiday Season’
The holiday season may just be the most wonderful time of the year to visit Newport. Fodor’s included Newport this week on its list of the 10 most romantic U.S. destination to spend the holiday season. Here’s what they had to say about The-City-By-The-Sea. “Add a dash of Gilded Age romance to your holiday in […]
Posted inJobs
Now Hiring In Newport: 50+ local businesses
Newport, RI – Looking for a new job, gig, or career? You may be in luck as there are more than fifty companies in and around Newport hiring right now. 22 Bowen’s – Busser – 22 Bowen’s Restaurant Advanced Remarketing Services – Title Specialist Aquidneck Pizzeria – Server and Bartender Balfour Beatty Investments – Residential Maintenance Technician Bank […]
Posted inThings To Do
Newport String Project presents Student Holiday Pop-Up Performances
This holiday season, the Newport String Project celebrates the musicmaking of young violinists, violists and cellists from Newport with a series of three, free, pop-up community performances. As part of the Project’s intensive educational curriculum, the students participate in twice weekly lessons in violin, viola and cello at Newport’s MLK Center. Brimming with festive cheer, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Common Fence Music will present The Sweetback Sisters’ Country Christmas Singalong Spectacular on December 14th
COMMON FENCE MUSIC is thrilled to welcome back to their stage THE SWEETBACK SISTERS’ COUNTRY CHRISTMAS SINGALONG SPECTACULAR! on Saturday, December 14, 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 […]
Posted inNews
Consider supporting a local nonprofit on this Giving Tuesday
New research from the YMCA finds that more than 62% of Americans 18-38 support at least one cause per month—and that they likely learned of that cause through social media. Forbes reports that when poll respondents were asked where they learned about those causes that they do support, 48.5% of all respondents said via social media; […]
Posted inNews
Aquidneck Island students inducted into CCRI’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter
The Community College of Rhode Island’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the national honor society for two-year colleges, inducted sixty-seven new students at its recent fall ceremony. The inductees into CCRI’s Pi Omicron chapter include area students Shirley Dela Dingco of Middletown; Charlotte Baskin and Holly Coelho of Newport; Kenna Poyer of Portsmouth; Zachary Kapstein […]
Posted inFood & Drink
In Celebration of 40th Birthday, Brick Alley Pub will serve $4.95 nacho platters on December 11th
Newport, RI – Mark your calendars, this year’s installment of Brick Alley Pub’s Nacho Day returns on Wednesday, December 11th. To celebrate their 40th birthday, they are rolling back their nacho platters prices to just $4.95 (with purchase of a beverage). So bring your appetite, bring your friends, bring your friends’ friends and go celebrate […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Jamestown Arts Center’s Annual Holiday Arts Market returns December 13 – 14
The Jamestown Arts Center (JAC) celebrates the holidays with the work of artists & artisans during our 2019 Holiday Arts Market on Friday, December 13th from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, December 14th from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. The majority of participating vendors live and work in Rhode Island, making the Holiday […]