The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) issued a press release this morning advising the public to use caution along shoreline areas today and over the next few days because of high surf generated by a tropical storm in the western Atlantic Ocean. DEM reminds the public of the preventable tragedy that occurred in October, when […]
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
Wedding Inspiration: Guest Book Ideas
Weddings should always reflect your personalities as a couple, so every detail counts when you’re gathering items for décor! One item that will last you a lifetime is your guest book. This gives your guests time to write a love note that you can revisit over and over again. We caught up with our friends […]
Posted inNews
State reimburses Potter League for gas outage assistance and expenses
The Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA), on the authorization of Governor Gina Raimondo, announced today that they have presented a check to the Potter League for Animals for “going above and beyond the call of duty during the Newport Gas Outage last January”. The Middletown-based animal shelter took in 100 pets, stayed open around […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Rep. Tanzi urging rejection of plan to shift state resources away from bike, pedestrian projects
Representative Teresa Tanzi (D-Dist. 34, South Kingstown, Narragansett) is urging the State Planning Council to reject a proposed amendment to the state’s 10-year transportation spending plans that would slash funding for bicycle and pedestrian traffic improvements. The council is scheduled to vote on the change, known as Amendment #19, at its meeting Thursday morning. “Rhode Islanders have […]
Posted inNews
Realtor.Com: Home buyers gear up for potential 2020 recession
SOURCE realtor.com An increasing number of home buyers expect a U.S. recession in the next three years, according to new survey data released today from realtor.com®, the Home of Home Search℠. Although they remain optimistic that it will be milder than the Great Recession, more than half of current home shoppers expect to put their home search […]
Posted inNews
Potter League for Animals will receive four dogs from Kabul, Afghanistan this week
The Potter League for Animals announced today that they will be receiving four dogs who were rescued from the streets of Kabul, Afghanistan in partnership with Nowzad, Afghanistan’s first animal shelter and rescue resource center, on Thursday, August 29th. The Nowzad Charity was founded in 2007 by Sgt. Pen Farthing with a mission to reunite […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink, Things To Do
Fall lineup of events at Newport Vineyards includes Harvest Festival, CarnEvil Celebration, brunch, cooking classes, and more
As we start to bid adieu to summer, things at Newport Vineyards are just heating up with harvest season just around the corner. In addition to harvesting over 50 acres of grapes, the Vineyard has an entertainment schedule to keep your social calendar kicking through the end of the year. Check out the details here […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Best-selling author, venture capitalist to keynote Salve Regina University’s Convocation Ceremony on September 3rd
Students who pursue an academic experience that includes a healthy dose of liberal arts studies are preparing themselves to take the most important tech jobs of tomorrow, argues best-selling author and venture capitalist Scott Hartley, who will present the keynote at Salve Regina University’s Convocation ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 3. Scott Hartley The annual Convocation […]
Posted inNews
RIPTA to offer express bus service between Providence, Fall River, and Newport
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) is making it easier (and faster) to commute between Newport, Fall River, and Providence. As part of their Fall Service Changes that were announced on Monday, RIPTA will add a new express service, Route 24X, that will connect RIPTA to the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority (SRTA) at the […]
Posted inThings To Do
Escobar Farm Corn Maze opens for their 20th season on August 30th
This Labor Day weekend, you’ll have the option of heading for the beach or for the corn maze. Escobar Farm’s 8-acre Corn Maze in Portsmouth is scheduled to open for their 20th season on Friday, August 30th. The maze this year celebrates the wizarding world. The Maze covers 8 Acres and was designed by Brett Herbst of The […]
Posted inArts & Culture, History, Things To Do
Newport Art Museum to host Museum Art Excursion to Salem, MA on October 20th
The Newport Art Museum will host a Museum Art Excursion to Salem, MA on Sunday, October 20, 2019. Guests will depart the Newport Art Museum on a coach bus at 8 am to visit the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) as well as The House of the Seven Gables, and return at approximately 7 pm. Tickets are $150, or $130 for Newport […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Poll: Do you think that the City should consider a moratorium on new building projects?
A petition circling around asks the Newport Planning Board and Newport City Council to institute a zoning “moratorium on special use permits and regulatory variance for commercial properties in Newport, RI effective immediately – until better able to gauge the effects of the already-approved hotel builds on the infrastructure of the city”. Do you think […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Photos: Dozens of residents rally at City Hall against new building projects
Dozens of residents rallied in front of Newport City Hall prior to and during last night’s Zoning Board Meeting. Their ask? A “Pause For Newport…a Five year Moratorium against new building projects”. Along with the rally, the group has a petition on change.org – HIT PAUSE: PRESERVE our CITY BY THE SEA with a ZONING […]
Posted inHistory, Things To Do
History Space Programming: Newport Historical Society invites you to ‘Visit the Apothecarist’ on Sept. 7
This summer the Newport Historical Society expands the popular History Space initiative with a series of costumed interpretation programs at the Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House, with expert historical interpreter Seán O’Brien. On dedicated dates in August and September, O’Brien will discuss specific themes relating to colonial Newport while sharing details about early life in this historic seaport. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Norman Bird Sanctuary launches Inaugural Artist Residency
Norman Bird Sanctuary is inviting the community to their Fall Artist Series, four free events in September to celebrate the ten talented artists of the first ever “Mabel Residency.” The Mabel Residency seeks to provide the time and space for artists of exceptional talent to make work inspired by the rich history and stunning landscape […]
Posted inNews
Newport, Jamestown, Portsmouth, and Little Compton nonprofits win $53,000 for community gardens and community spaces
The Rhode Island Foundation announced today that they have awarded more than $53,000 in grants to fund six neighborhood-based projects in Newport County. The work ranges from supporting community gardens in Jamestown and Newport to enhancing community spaces in Little Compton and Newport. “Our grants will create places to gather, make friendships and launch new collaborations that […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up This Week: 50+ things to do in and around Newport
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport, Rhode Island this week and weekend! Cruise Ship Schedule – This Week Thursday – American Star (Capacity: 100 passengers, 26 crew) City Government Calendar – This Week Monday at 7 pm – Zoning Board of ReviewWednesday at 6:30 pm – City Council Meeting Monday, […]
Posted inNews
Newport County Youth Chorus offering free after-school programs to Elementary and Middle School students
The Newport County Youth Chorus is welcoming new singers to join them for their third season. It is free to participate and no audition is necessary — just a love of singing! The Middle School Ensemble (treble/unchanged voices in grades 5 – 8) meets on Wednesdays from 3:15 – 4:45 pm at St. Mary’s Church […]
Posted inNews
53 swimmers participate in Swim To Skim, raise over $4k for Clean Ocean Access
Content via Clean Ocean Access, Photo by Jason Evans On what felt like the first sign of fall, over 50 swimmers from five states took to the water to advance the mission of Clean Ocean Access on August 25, 2019 by swimming from Perrotti Park to King Park Swim Area. The event has a focus […]
Posted inNews
St. Francis grinds out win in Grandmasters Team Race
St. Francis Yacht Club team captain Jon Andron always sets modest goals for the New York Yacht Club Grandmasters Team Race. A good regatta, he says, is one where he and his teammates enjoy the company of fellow sailors from around the country and overseas, finish the event with a desire to return, and make […]
Posted inNews
Congressional, Defense, and Innovation Leaders to speak this week in Newport during SENEDIA’s Sixth Annual Defense Innovation Days
Congressional and other Defense leaders are set to speak at the Southeastern New England Defense Industry Alliance’s (SENEDIA) Sixth Annual Defense Innovation Days event at the Newport Marriot August 26 – 28. Defense Innovation Days is SENEDIA’s annual three-day event highlighting innovation and technology in the defense arena – from undersea technology and cybersecurity, to […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary for William Brady Shephard
via O’Neill Funeral Home William Brady Shephard of Newport, RI died on August 21, 2019. Bill was born in Woonsocket, RI on January 10, 1955 to William Henry and Rita (Bliss) Shephard, both of whom predeceased him. He is survived by his sister, Joanne Shephard Vincent of Narragansett, RI and her daughters, Jennifer Vincent McCooey, her husband, […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up This Weekend: 35+ things to do in and around Newport
Check out our rundown below for a look at all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this weekend – events, live music and more. Weekend Weather Forecast Friday – A chance of showers, mainly before 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. North wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport County Road Report: RITBA and RIDOT scheduled lane closures, construction (Aug. 24 – 31)
Here’s what’s on tap for road construction and traffic this upcoming week. Of note, Phase II of Newport Pell Bridge Road Deck Project to start Monday, August 12th Rhode Island Department of Transportation August 24-30, 2019 Tiverton: Rte. 77 (Main Rd.), the Nannaquaket Pond Bridge will be closed for bridge work, Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Follow signed […]
Posted inNews
6 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 more than a dozen homes that have recently hit the market. What’sUpNewp’s Open House listings are brought to you by our real estate partners, William Raveis Newport. Contact William Raveis for all of your real estate, mortgage, […]