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 […]
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
Touro Synagogue, Temple Shalom among nonprofits to win Federal Grant Money from the State
The Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency has announced the awarding of $150,000 in federal grant money under the FY2019 Department of Homeland Security Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) to five nonprofits in the state. NSGP provides funding support for physical security enhancements and other security-related activities to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of […]
Posted inNews
Newport Hospital Foundation grants $35,000 to Newport Community Schools
Representative of the Newport Hospital Foundation presented a community grant of $35,000 to Newport Community Schools (NCS) on Tuesday, Sept. 27. The donation will benefit the organization’s NCS Connects program, which was established to better meet the essential needs of secondary students by promoting health and wellness and encouraging family involvement. NCS Connects has enhanced […]
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 this week and weekend. Cruise Ship Schedule This Weekend Sunday – Navigator (Capacity: 490 passengers) Sunday – Regal Princess (Capacity: 3,560 passengers, 1,346 crew) Sunday – American Constitution (Capacity: 175 passengers) Friday, September 20th Salve Regina University will inaugurate new president, Dr. Kelli Armstrong, […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Aquidneck Land Trust opens registration for 12th Annual 5k Race For Open Space
Aquidneck Land Trust (“ALT”) has opened registration for the 12th Annual 5K Race for Open Space, to be held on November 2, 2019. The 5K Run/Walk is a loop course along the scenic Sakonnet Greenway Trail. Participants may run or walk, and strollers and leashed dogs are welcome. Proceeds from the race are used to support ALT’s land […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Norman Bird Sanctuary invites community to submit entries into their Harvest Fair Home & Garden Competition
Gardeners, bakers, and chefs are invited to enter the Home & Garden Competition at Norman Bird Sanctuary’s 45th Annual Harvest Fair on October 5th and 6th. You’ll join other local cooks and gardeners in a lighthearted competition to show off your gardening and cooking prowess and win the coveted blue ribbon. This year’s competition features […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation will host eco-depot collection in Newport on September 28
Protect your home and help to create a safer Rhode Island for all residents by attending the upcoming Eco-Depot collection – hosted by Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (Resource Recovery) – on Saturday, September 28 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Easton’s Beach located at 175 Memorial Boulevard in Newport. This Eco-Depot is available […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Coyotes are ‘top of the food chain’ at upcoming public engagement forum
Aquidneck Island Planning Commission (AIPC), in partnership with CoyoteSmarts, will host the next installment of its Smart Island Series of public engagement forums on October 2, 2019 at 6PM at CCRI – Newport Campus. The 2019 Coyote Smart Island Forum will explore the present population of coyotes on Aquidneck Island and how we can work […]
Posted inSports
Newport Polo, Save The Bay partner to offer free polo admission to Coastal Cleanup Volunteers
Newport Polo announced today that they will partner with SAVE THE BAY to support its Coastal Cleanup Campaign by offering free Adult Admission to September polo matches to Coastal Cleanup volunteers. Save The Bay is seeking assistance from residents across Rhode Island as it resumes its annual role as organizer of the state’s participation in […]
Posted inNews, Things To Do
RITBA to celebrate inaugural Harbor Lights Newport this weekend with red, white and blue lit Newport Pell Bridge
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) will be participating in the first-ever celebration, Harbor Lights Newport, this weekend. Harbor Lights Newport is a new event presented by Discover Newport and the Newport Maritime Alliance. On September 20-21 from dusk until 10 p.m., boat owners, marinas and waterfront businesses will illuminate their vessels, docks, yacht clubs, […]
Posted inSports
VIDEO: Naval War College hosts World War I era Army/Navy baseball game at Cardines Field
The Naval War College hosted their third annual “Cardines Classic”” a World War I era Army/Navy baseball game, on Friday, September 13th, 2019 at Cardines Field in Newport. The program was organized in close collaboration with Naval History and Heritage Command and the City of Newport. U.S. Naval War College students wore World War I-era […]
Posted inNews
Wedding Tips & Tricks: Card Box Ideas
This content is brought to you by What’sUpNewp and Blackstone Caterers. Majority of guests will be bringing a gift to your wedding, whether you like it or not, so why not make it something that fits your theme?! For extra security on those precious gifts, you can include a small lock and key. Blackstone Caterers […]
Posted inBusiness, Things To Do
CFP Arts, Wellness & Community Center to host ribbon-cutting and open house on September 28th
The Common Fence Point Improvement Association is inviting the community to join them on Saturday, September 28, 2019, from 11am to 2pm for an official ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house at the newly renovated and reopened CFP Arts, Wellness & Community Center. The center is located at 933 Anthony Road, Portsmouth, RI, 02871. Visitors of […]
Posted inThings To Do
Busking @ Bowen’s Fall Series will bring twenty free live music performances to downtown Newport
Busking @ Bowen’s Fall Series will once again present free live music this in the heart of downtown Newport with support from Bank Newport and Bowen’s Wharf Company & Merchants Association. The series is an autumnal welcome to off-season visitors as well as entertainment for locals during the quieter fall season. Established and emerging musicians […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink, News
Kickoff of Aquidneck Community Table’s annual Food Challenge set for this Friday
Lisa Raiola, founder of Hope & Main in Warren, RI, will speak at the kickoff party to open Aquidneck Community Table’s annual Food Challenge this Friday at Innovate Newport in the old Sheffield School, 513 Broadway, Newport. The event will run from 5 to 8 PM and will feature a selection of locally sourced foods […]
Posted inNews
Cabo Verde will host The Ocean Race in first ever West African stop in 2021-22
Source: The Ocean Race For the first time in its history, The Ocean Race will make a stop in Cabo Verde during the 2021-22 edition. Cabo Verde will become just the second African venue the Race has ever visited and the first West African nation to host the event, dubbed sport’s ‘toughest test of a […]
Posted inJobs
Now Hiring: 90 job opportunities available right now in and around Newport
Looking for a new gig, job, or career in or around Newport? Here are nearly one-hundred job opportunities that are available right now. All job opportunities available in the last seven days and are located within five miles of downtown Newport. 22 Bowen’s – Food Runners & Bussers A 4 Architecture – Junior Architectural Designer […]
Posted inThings To Do
Common Fence Music returns to Portsmouth, Woody Pines to kick off Fall 2019 concert season
COMMON FENCE MUSIC has announced that they will present front man WOODY PINES and his band on Saturday, September 28, 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 show […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Mitchell’s Lane will be closed from East Main Road to Wyatt Road on Wednesday
The Town of Middletown announced today that Mitchell’s Lane will be closed from East Main Road to Wyatt Road for construction from 7:30 am till 4:00 pm on Wednesday, September 18th. Construction will be taking place in the area of 272 Mitchell’s Lane. Residents will have access from the appropriate side of the construction zone.
Posted inThings To Do
What’sUp Interview: Doug Key, Founder of Rogue Island Comedy Festival
Rhode Island’s only stand-up comedy festival is just a few short weeks away from returning to Newport! Now in its 5th year, the Rogue Island Comedy Festival will bring local and nationally known comedians to Newport October 10th – 14th, 2019. What’sUpNewp is a proud sponsor of the 2019 Rogue Island Comedy Festival. We recently […]
Posted inHistory, Things To Do
The Moving Wall: Large scale replica of Vietnam Veterans Memorial will be on display in Touro Park this week
The Moving Wall, a half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., will be on display at Touro Park in Newport from Thursday, September 19th – Monday, September 23rd. Approximately 243 feet in length, the replica has been touring the cities and towns across the US for 34 years leaving an imprint of […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary for Robert Michael Kilmer
Mr. Robert Kilmer, 68, of Middletown, Rhode Island, passed away on September 12, 2019, at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, RI. Robert was born May 17, 1951, in Newport, RI to Victor Kilmer and Margaret (Devine) Kilmer. Robert enjoyed NASCAR, The New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox. He had a great interest in local […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Art Museum to explore stained glass at Wake + Create
The Newport Art Museum will welcome parents and children to the galleries for the popular Wake + Create program on Saturday, September 21 at 10:30 am. Wake + Create presents engaging, family-oriented programming designed to inspire young minds and satisfy the curiosity of every member of the family. Each Wake + Create is uniquely curated based on a theme and includes a Guided Close […]
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 this week and weekend. City of Newport Calendar This Week Monday – TAN Negotiations Subcommittee at 5 pmTuesday – Historic District Commission Meeting at 6:30pmTuesday – Newport School Committee Workshop (Cell Phone Usage) at 6 pmWednesday – Lecture: Tackling Sea Level Rise at […]
Posted inBusiness
RIMTA presents 2019 Anchor Award to Cynthia Goss
The Rhode Island Marine Trades Association (RIMTA) announced today the recipient of its 2019 RIMTA Anchor Award, Cynthia Goss. Presented at the Newport International Boat Show on Saturday September 14th, the Anchor Award is given to a person or organization who, by their work and efforts, brings international attention to the marine-trades industry in Rhode […]