This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Ambassador John L. Loeb, Jr. Visitors Center at the Touro Synagogue National Historic Site in Newport. The Loeb Visitors Center tells the story of religious freedom and tolerance in Rhode Island. At the core of the Center’s exhibits is President George Washington’s 1790 Letter to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, which […]
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, Things To Do
Norman Bird Sanctuary will host 45th Annual Harvest Fair this weekend
Treat your family to traditional games and entertainment this weekend at Norman Bird Sanctuary’s 45th Annual Harvest Fair, October 5th & 6th. You can challenge your friends to a sack race, go for a hay ride, peruse craft vendors, enjoy an all-day lineup of live music, and more. Norman Bird Sanctuary is looking for volunteers […]
Posted inNews
Goats being used at Fort Adams to eliminate weeds and overgrowth
Fort Adams has hired some help this week. Twenty-five goats have been brought to Fort Adams to assist the Trust in maintaining the vegetated areas of the Fort.The goats are working/eating their way around the fort eliminating weeds and other overgrowth. Goats are being used by the National Park Service to maintain fortifications in New […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Newport Gallery Night returns on October 10th
As the seasons change, anticipation is in the air at our member galleries, museums and cultural institutions as we approach October Newport Gallery Night on Thursday, October 10th from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm. This is the last chance this season to experience our popular FREE Guided Walking Art Tours. These informational tours showcasing new […]
Posted inNews
Original gatehouse to the Arthur Curtis James Estate on Brenton Road sells for $2.3 million
Lila Delman Real Estate announced the recent sale of the Arthur Curtis James Estate Gatehouse today. The property, located at 125 Brenton Road in Newport, reportedly sold for $2,300,000. Kim Doherty, Lila Delman Sales Associate, represented the buyer, according to Lila Delman Real Estate. Neither the buyer or seller were identified. As a firm, Lila […]
Posted inBusiness, News
Safe Harbor Marinas acquires Newport Shipyard
Safe Harbor Marinas, LLC announded today that they have acquired Newport Shipyard. With the addition of Newport Shipyard, Safe Harbor has increased its portfolio of assets to 85 facilities across 19 states. The addition of Newport Shipyard is part of the company’s ongoing strategic expansion and diversification of its holdings, according to a press release […]
Posted inBusiness, News
Chaves’ Gardens sells property, will continue to operate business onsite
Annie Sherman, on behalf of Chaves’ Gardens, shared the following news with What’s Up Newp today regarding the future for Chaves’ Gardens. Local Florist And Garden Store Sells Property And Retains Right To Operate 42-Year Family Business Onsite The florist, nursery and garden supply store Chaves’ Gardens took the next step in its 42-year venture […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Rep. Ruggiero pleased with new consumer protection effort for solar customers
New consumer protections are expected to be in place next year for the rapidly growing number of Rhode Islanders who participate in state incentives to install and connect residential solar arrays. Rep. Deborah Ruggiero — a strong proponent of renewable energy who has sponsored laws that helped pave the way for growth in renewable energy […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up This Week: 25+ things to do, live music and entertainment listings
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport, Rhode Island this week and weekend, enjoy! Tuesday, October 1st Things To Do 2 pm – Return to Camelot – a Remembrance of the Kennedy wedding at St. Mary’s Church4 pm – Admissions Open House: Composites Technology Program at IYRS4:30 pm & 7:30 pm – Downton Abbey at Jane […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Audrain’s Tour d’Elegance will impact traffic on Saturday, here’s Newport Police Department’s traffic detour plan
The Newport Police Department announced today the following traffic detour plan for Audrain’s Newport Concours Tour d’Elegance, which is scheduled for Saturday, October 5th. “On Saturday, October 5, 2019 Audrain’s Newport Concours Tour d ’Elegance will take place in the City of Newport. The day begins with the Tour d’ Elegance parade of cars leaving […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
3rd Annual R.I. Infrastructure Summit brings together public, private sectors to tackle infrastructure needs
Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank hosted over 350 people at their 3rd Annual Rhode Island Infrastructure Summit last week. The event, held at the R.I. Convention Center, brought together government officials and professionals from a variety of disciplines for panel discussions on state and local infrastructure needs and solutions, connecting them with innovative financing options available […]
Posted inThings To Do
Newport Art Museum to host Newport String Project Season 7 Opening Concert
The Newport Art Museum is delighted to host the Newport String Project for their 7th Season Opening Concert in the galleries of the historic N.A. Griswold House on Saturday, October 19, at 2pm. The Newport Art Museum is located at 76 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI. More information and tickets are available at newportartmuseum.org.The Newport String Project will perform a dynamic […]
Posted inNews
Group of volunteers collect 75 pounds of debris from Pheasant Drive Beach
Clean Ocean Access (COA) hosted a beach cleanup on Saturday, September 28th at Pheasant Drive Beach in Portsmouth. A small team of residents came out to collect 75 pounds of debris from the shoreline. The team found a discarded grill, a dive fin, fishing rod, a boat fender, and other debris such as food wrappers, […]
Posted inNews
Midcliff sells for $6.2 million
Lila Delman Real Estate has announced the recent sale of ’Midcliff’. The property, located at 229 Ruggles Avenue in Newport, reportedly sold for $6,200,000. According to Lila Delman Real Estate, Shari Dailey and Kate Leonard, Lila Delman Sales Associates, along with Kendra Toppa, Lila Delman’s Newport Sales Manager, represented the seller. John Hodnett, President/Broker-Owner of Lila […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary for Louis E. Botelho
Louis E. Botelho, 83, of Middletown, passed away peacefully at his home on September 28, 2019.He was the husband of Ora Mae (Joubert) Botelho.Born in Middletown, he was the son of the late Francisco and Virginia (Amaral) Botelho.Louis attended Middletown Schools and graduated from Rogers High School. He joined the National Guard in 1953 and […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary for Mary Ritchie McCormick
Mary Ritchie McCormick, 92, formerly of Spring Street, Newport passed away on September 28, 2019. She was the wife of the late James McCormick. Born in Newport, RI, May 22,1927, she was the daughter of the late Ernest and Ellen Ritchie. Mary attended Newport Public Schools, graduated from St. Catherine Academy, Newport Hospital School of […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Student Loan Bill of Rights bill signed, legislation sponsored by Sen. Euer and Rep. McNamara
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Dawn Euer and Rep. Joseph M. McNamara to protect student loan borrowers and establish oversight of student loan servicers operating in Rhode Island was ceremonially signed by Gov. Gina M. Raimondo today. “By several measures, student loan debt has increased greatly in the last 10 years,” said Representative McNamara (D-Dist. 19, […]
Posted inNews
Members Only Syndicate wins Inaugural Melges IC37 National Championship in final race
They won the first race and the last race, and the inaugural Melges IC37 National Championship, but it was far from routine regatta victory for the crew of the Members Only syndicate, which is led by New York Yacht Club members Jay Cross, Ben Kinney and Hannah Swett. Of course, nothing good ever comes easy at this level […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Newport Historical Society to host talk featuring author John Rees
Join the Newport Historical Society for a talk by author John Rees titled “They Were Good Soldiers: African Americans Serving in the Continental Army, 1775-1783,” on Thursday, October 10, 2019 at 5:30pm at the Newport Historical Society, 82 Touro Street, Newport, RI. African Americans, free and enslaved, served from the first action at Lexington to […]
Posted inNews, Things To Do
On The Rhode to Miss America: Event planned to help support 2019 Miss Rhode Island Molly Andrade
2019 Miss Rhode Island, Molly Andrade will be the guest of honor at the first ever “On The Rhode to Miss America” event on Thursday, October 3, 2019 at 7pm at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Valley Road in Middletown. Molly Andrade, a Middletown RI native and 20 year old Junior at Endicott College, […]
Posted inNews
Million Dollar Listing: Harrison Avenue condo fetches $1.025 million
Residential Properties Ltd has announced the recent sale of 157 Harrison Ave #8 in Newport, the property reportedly sold for for $1,025,000. Sales Associates Kira Greene and Michael J. Sweeney of the Greene | Sweeney Team represented the buyers in this transaction. The listing agent for this property was Annie Ritterbusch of RE/MAX Professional Newport. […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Newport named Age-Friendly Community
The City of Newport has been named an Age Friendly Community by the nation’s leading advocacy group for seniors. AARP officially welcomed Newport as the latest member of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities during a special presentation at the Sept. 25 City Council meeting. As the latest community to sign on to […]
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 final weekend of September! Friday, September 27th Things To Do Melges IC37 National Championship1:30 pm, 4:30 pm, & 7:30 pm – Downton Abbey at Jane Pickens Theater4:30 pm – Bunny Yoga at the Potter League5 pm to 9 pm – 11th Annual Family Day at Second Beach7 […]
Posted inNews
Salve Regina University to open new digital forensics and nursing laboratories at Warwick campus
Salve Regina University will celebrate the opening of two new laboratories for digital forensics and advanced practice nursing during a ribbon cutting ceremony to be held at its Center for Adult Education, 144 Metro Center Blvd., on Tuesday, Oct. 8. The public is invited. Beginning at 11 a.m., Salve Regina President Dr. Kelli J. Armstrong […]
Posted inThings To Do
Norman Bird Sanctuary releases music lineup for 45th Annual Harvest Fair
Music lovers are invited to rock out to an impressive lineup of bands and musicians at Norman Bird Sanctuary’s 45th Annual Harvest Fair on October 5th & 6th. The diverse lineup of bands, organized by renowned musician Bob Kendall, covers a wide range of styles and genres, from the CarLeans’s folksy rock to the Weisstronauts’ […]