Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina has elevated their sought after bridal experience with the creation of a unique role on property – a dedicated Wedding Specialist. Helmed by event expert, Steven James, the introduction of this service guides guests through the wedding process before and after their nuptials in a seamless manner. In this role, Steven will focus on crafting […]
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
11th Hour Racing continues support of All-Women eXXpedition Round the World 2019-2021 voyages
11th Hour Racing is proud to continue its support of eXXpedition, with a grant that will fund the organization’s next set of voyages, eXXpedition Round the World 2019-2021. This all-female pioneering ocean sailing expedition will circumnavigate the globe, raising awareness of and explore solutions to, the devastating environmental and health impacts of single-use plastics and toxic substances […]
Posted inNews
Sail For Hope returns on Saturday
Sail Newport announced today in a press release that sixty-seven sailboats have registered to participate in Saturday’s Sail for Hope race around Jamestown Island. The event is an annual fundraiser organized by Sail Newport since 9-11 to raise funds for community needs. Selected charities to benefit from this year’s event include Red Cross relief for […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
VIDEO: September 25th Newport City Council Meeting
Newport City Council hosted a Regular Council Meeting last night. From a moratorium on building in the North End to liquor licenses, you can watch the entire three hour and twenty-nine minute meeting below.
Posted inCity & Government
City of Newport hires new Director of Planning & Economic Development
The City of Newport on Wednesday announced the hiring of Patricia Reynolds as Newport’s new Director of Planning and Economic Development. A native Rhode Islander and architect by training, Ms. Reynolds comes to Newport following a distinguished 24-year career with the City of Warwick, where she most recently served as Principal Planner. “I’m very pleased […]
Posted inArts & Culture, News
Aquidneck Land Trusts launches its annual Art & Writing Contest
The Aquidneck Land Trust (“ALT”) announces the start of its annual Art & Writing Contest, a competition for local students to portray their favorite Aquidneck Island vistas. The contest seeks to promote the value of a healthy environment by encouraging students to create artwork and/or written essays or poems that express their appreciation of the island’s natural beauty. […]
Posted inNews
Middletown entrepreneur chosen to participate in SEG’s 2019 Health & Wellness Accelerator
Social Enterprise Greenhouse (SEG) announced today that 12 social ventures from Rhode Island and Massachusetts are participating in its 2019 Health & Wellness Accelerator program. The Health & Wellness Accelerator offers an industry-tailored curriculum and advising, customized face-to-face instruction, peer learning, and access to a network of industry experts in addition to the entire SEG […]
Posted inOpinion
Op-Ed: Chamber urges City Council to vote against Moratorium
The following op-ed was written by Erin Donovan-Boyle, Executive Director, Newport County Chamber of Commerce As the Newport City Council prepares to hear a proposed ordinance implementing a 6 month moratorium on economic development in the Innovation District, the Newport County Chamber of Commerce and its Board of Directors want to express concern that this movement […]
Posted inNews
Demolition of Coffey’s Gas Station underway
The next phase of environmental remediation at the Historic Newport Town Spring site will commence Wednesday, September 25, according to a press release from the Newport Spring Leadership Committee. This process, which will reportedly include the demolition of the former Coffey’s Gas Station, soil remediation and temporarily capping the site in preparation for the final […]
Posted inJobs, Sports
Newport Gulls now accepting 2019 / 2020 Internship Applications
Source: Newport Gulls The application window to join the Newport Gulls Baseball Club as a 2019 / 2020 Intern is now open via the team’s official website, www.newportgulls.com. Internships are currently available for the Winter & Spring as well as throughout the Summer. Winter/ Spring Operations Interns will focus on preparing for the 2020 Summer Season […]
Posted inNews
Wedding Inspiration: Cake, Desserts, oh my!
Over the past few years, many couples have opted to having a wedding cake on their special day and would rather have something simple and easy to eat. This is also a great opportunity to incorporate your favorite dessert that can be unique to you! We reached out to our friends at Blackstone Caterers to […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up This Week: 40+ things to do, live music and entertainment listings
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this week and weekend. City of Newport Calendar This Week Monday – Newport School Committee Special Meeting at 4 pmTuesday – Newport School Committee Policy Subcommittee at 1:30 pmTuesday – Newport School Committee Workshop (Early Learning Center) at 7 pmWednesday – Newport School […]
Posted inNews
City of Newport awarded $108,750 to implement an innovative approach to reducing urban stormwater
Funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is being awarded to seven Rhode Island organizations that will help promote cleaner water and healthier coastal ecosystems. The awards, totaling $1.1 million for the Rhode Island groups, were announced by Restore America’s Estuaries (RAE), who partners with EPA to administer the program to advance the health of […]
Posted inThings To Do
Heather Abbott Foundation to host 2019 Fall Kick Off Fundraiser in Newport on October 5th
For the first time, The Heather Abbott Foundation will host its Fall Kick Off Fundraiser in Rhode Island! The Heather Abbott Foundation’s 5th Annual Fall Kick Off Fundraiser will take place at @ The Deck in Newport on Saturday, October 5th from 1- 5 pm. The event’s Emcee is WJAR News Channel 10’s Brian Crandall […]
Posted inNews
Women’s Resource Center seeks team members, sponsors for 2019 Citizen’s Bank Pell Bridge Run
Women’s Resource Center (WRC), a nonprofit domestic violence intervention and prevention services agency with offices in Newport and Warren, R.I., is seeks team members and sponsors for the agency’s participation in the 2019 Citizen’s Bank Pell Bridge happening on Sunday, October 20, 2019. “October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, so it’s fitting that this event […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Expert on the life and legacy of Nicholas Black Elk to present Atwood Lecture at Salve Regina University
Damian Costello, an international expert on the life and legacy of Nicholas Black Elk and the author of “Black Elk: Colonialism and Lakota Catholicism,” will present the Atwood Lecture at Salve Regina University on Thursday, Sept. 26. Free and open to the public, Costello’s lecture, “When the World Falls Apart: Nicholas Black Elk, Sainthood, and […]
Posted inNews
75 pounds of debris removed from Easton’s Beach on International Coastal Cleanup Day
Clean Ocean Access (COA) hosted their 14th annual beach cleanup in partnership with Rhody Surf and Save The Bay for International Coastal Cleanup Day on September 21, 2019. 49 volunteers of all ages worked together on this beautiful Saturday morning to remove 75 pounds of debris from the shoreline on Easton’s Beach including over one […]
Posted inNews
2019 12 Metre North American Championship: An Exciting Experiment
The 12 Metre North American Championship, hosted by Ida Lewis Yacht Club over September 19-22, finished with Courageous (US-26) at the top of the scoreboard to win not only its Modern Division but also the newly contested 12 Metre North American Cup. “This was a different North Americans than in years past,” said Event Chair Peter Gerard. “It […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary for Richard Polk Barker
Richard “Dick” Barker, 82, passed away on Friday, September 20, 2019, in Newport, RI. Born in Providence, RI, Richard was the son of Harold S. Barker of Newport, RI and Helen Polk (descendant of founding colonists John Coggeshall and President James Polk).Richard leaves his wife of 56 years, Ruth Sylla Barker of Middletown, RI, his […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary for Wayne T. Perry
Wayne T. Perry, age 96, passed away peacefully at Saint Elizabeth Manor, Bristol, RI on September 21, 2019 with his wife Sue and family by his side. Wayne was born and grew up on a farm in Udall, MO. He was the oldest of four children born to Thurlo and Lucy Perry. After graduating from […]
Posted inObituaries
Obitaury for James F. Deffet
James F. Deffet, 88, of Platte City, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 21, 2019 at the home of his son James with all of his children present. James (“Jim”) was preceded in death by his beloved wife Marie E. (Healey) Deffet. Born in Columbus, OH, he was the son of the late Peter […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary for Anna M. Del Nero
Anna Marie (Uperti) Del Nero of Middletown, RI died peacefully Friday, September 20, 2019 at St. Clare Home in Newport, RI. Born in Newport on January 9, 1920, she was the daughter of the late Rolando and Antonia (Monticone) Uperti. She is survived by her children, Marianne Johnson of Portsmouth, Roland Del Nero of Newport, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Island Moving Company announces 2019 Encore Award recipient
Island Moving Company (IMC) announced this week that community philanthropist and lifelong arts advocate Rodrick B. O’Hanley will be named as their second annual IMC Encore Award recipient on Thursday, September 26 at Greenvale Vineyards. The award recognizes an individual’s exceptional commitment to the arts on Aquidneck Island, and is presented annually by Island Moving […]
Posted inCity & Government
Preview: Agenda for September 25th Newport City Council meeting
Newport City Council will meet next at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, September 25th in the Council Chambers at Newport City Hall. Here’s a look at what’s on the agenda; CITY OF NEWPORTDOCKET OF THE COUNCIL MEETINGSEPTEMBER 25, 2019 THE MEETING WILL BE HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS43 BROADWAY, NEWPORT, RI 02840 The following items of […]
Posted inNews
Marble House roof restoration boosted by $500,000 federal challenge grant
The Preservation Society of Newport County announced on Friday that they have been selected to receive a $500,000 Save America’s Treasures grant to help restore the roof of Marble House, one of its signature museum properties on Bellevue Avenue, which will enable them to enlist the assistance of powerful roofing services. The nonprofit society is […]