This story was originally published on April 25th. It has been updated to reflect the Newport City Council vote on May 23rd. At their May 23rd Regular Council Meeting, Newport City Council voted 5-0 to approve Ordinance Amending Chapter 1.14 entitled, “Specific Penalties for Certain Violations” (First Reading). This ordinance amendment would increase parking ticket […]
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
Southern Airways Express will begin offering service from T.F. Green to Nantucket in June
The Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) announced a new airline today – Southern Airways Express – that will begin offering service to Nantucket in June. “We have every reason to believe T.F. Green is the perfect access point for those looking to get to Nantucket quickly and hassle free and we are very pleased to […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Easton’s Beach: City Council approves adding parking pay stations; increasing fees for parking, bathhouses, etc
This story was originally published on May 17th, it has been updated to reflect Newport City Council’s Regular Council Meeting on May 23rd. At their May 23rd Regular Council Meeting, Newport City Council members voted to receive and adopt Action Item #5854/19 – RE: Ordinance Amendment Chapter 2.120.010 – General Fee Schedule-Easton’s Beach (w/accompanying ordinance) and […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
City of Newport’s Fourth of July Fireworks will be held on July 2nd (Updated)
This story was originally published at 4:47 pm onMay 15th. It has been updated. Been vocal or upset about the Fourth of July fireworks being moved from July 4th to July 13th in 2019? Newport City Council and City Hall have heard you loud and clear. City Council members will vote at their Regular Council […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Recap & Video: May 22nd City Council Meeting
Newport City Council held their Regular Council Meeting this evening at Newport City Hall. The meeting lasted for approximately 2 hour and 45 minutes. Here’s a link to the full agenda, and below you will find out what happened and how things were voted on. Video via The City of Newport City Council Meeting – […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Classic Cruises of Newport, Sailing Heals partner to provide uplifting experiences for cancer patients and caregivers
Cancer is a reality that has become much too common for families. In 2019, there will be an estimated 1,762,450 new cancer cases diagnosed and 606,880 cancer deaths in the United States and 6,5140 of those diagnosed will be in the state of Rhode Island. (Statistics from the American Cancer Society website, May 2019.) A […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Four weeks until sailors at the 17th Clagett Regatta hit the water in Newport
In four weeks time the docks at the Alofsin Pier at Fort Adams State Park in Newport RI will be bustling with sailors from across North America and the Caribbean, preparing for the coaching clinic and regatta at the 17th C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta. Sailors from afar a field as St. […]
Posted inThings To Do
CCRI to Host 3rd Annual Raising Opportunities Benefit on May 31
On the heels of its largest graduating class in 20 years, the Community College of Rhode Island will host the 3rd annual Raising Opportunities benefit on Friday, May 31, to help fund key programs, initiatives like the new CCRI Food Pantry and scholarships to directly benefit CCRI students. The college’s largest benefit and celebration of […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Norman Bird Sanctuary’s 5K Run/Walk returns on June 15th
Norman Bird Sanctuary has announced that they will host their 13th Annual 5K Run/Walk, in memory of David Leys, Jr, on Saturday, June 15th. “Runners fly past Hanging Rock, Second Beach, and Narragansett Bay on the most beautiful 5K route in the state,” Norman Bird Sanctuary states in a press release announcing the event. Hundreds […]
Posted inNews
Grad Round-Up: Local students graduate, pick up accolades from CCRI, UVM, Gettysburg, Curry, Emerson, and more
What’sUpNewp has received notice that the following Aquidneck Island and Newport County residents have graduated, or picked up accolades from the following universities and colleges. Congrats to all! Have news to share? Email Ryan@whatsupnewp.com. Aquidneck Island Residents Graduate From CCRI President Meghan Hughes conferred more than 2,300 degrees and certificates to Community College of Rhode […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Bill introduced that would ban polystyrene food containers, plastic stirrers
Rep. David A. Bennett (D-Dist. 20, Warwick, Cranston) , chairman of the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee, has introduced legislation that would ban Rhode Island food service establishments from using disposable polystyrene foam containers and plastic stirrers. The legislation (2019-H 6126), introduced Thursday, is aimed at eliminating waste that is generally not recycled in […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News
Coast Guard to open Block Island, Scituate, Fishers Island seasonal stations on Friday
The Coast Guard is scheduled to open Stations Scituate, Block Island, and Fishers Island on Friday. These stations will remain open through Labor Day. The stations’ crews will conduct search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, and recreational boating safety missions. Each station is equipped with response boats and crews able to respond to maritime emergencies. Chief Warrant […]
Posted inCity & Government, News, Real Estate
Senate bill regarding Real Estate Conveyance Tax scheduled for hearing/consideration (Updated)
Senate Bill 669, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION — REAL ESTATE CONVEYANCE TAX, which would authorize the city of Newport to impose an additional two percent (2%) real estate transfer tax, has been scheduled for a hearing and/or consideration on Tuesday, May 21st. UPDATE: 05/21/2019 – Committee heard and continued this bill. More details to come […]
Posted inNews, Things To Do
Newport Pride Weekend returns May 31 – June 2
The Newport Pride Committee is preparing for an upcoming event-packed weekend on May 31 – June 2. The weekend is a local celebration of Pride Month, held across the country and the world in June. Pride month is about acknowledging and celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other non-confirming identities related to gender expression and […]
Posted inThings To Do
Clean Ocean Access will host World Oceans Day Fundraiser on June 6
Clean Ocean Access (COA) has announced their plans to host a World Oceans Day Fundraiser at Easton’s Beach Rotunda in Newport from 6 pm to 9 pm on June 6th. The event will be in honor of Michael Anthony Brown. The 3rd annual World Oceans Day Fundraiser celebrates the health of our oceans around the […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Business
Arts At The Light: Artists wanted for fine arts festival at Beavertail Lighthouse this August
The Beavertail Lighouse Museum Association (BLMA) has announced plans to host Arts at the Light, a fine arts festival, this August 24th and 25th and have issued a call for artists for the event! Thirty six artists, chosen by review of a select committee, will exhibit/sell their pieces at Arts At The Light. The event […]
Posted inBusiness
The Public’s Radio announces plans to open bureaus in Newport and Westerly
On a night where they are hosting their 2019 Spring Gala at the Jane Pickens Theater in Newport, The Public’s Radio made an announcement that they have plans to make Newport a permanent home. Torey Malatia, CEO of Rhode Island Public Radio (RIPR), dba The Public’s Radio, and Andrea Rounds, Executive Director of the Newport […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
105 Aquidneck Island residents graduate from Community College of Rhode Island
President Meghan Hughes conferred more than 2,300 degrees and certificates to Community College of Rhode Island’s (CCRI’s) Class of 2019 last Thursday– the largest graduating class in more than 20 years – including the first cohort to complete the Rhode Island Promise Scholarship program. Included in those 2,300 degrees, were 105 Aquidneck Island residents! Congratulations […]
Posted inThings To Do
Country music singer Jordan Davis will perform at Gurney’s this Sunday
Country music singer and songwriter Jordan Davis will be stopping in Newport on Sunday, May 26th at 7:30 pm to perform at The Pineapple Club at Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina. Davis has been named an “Artist to Watch” by Billboard, Rolling Stone,CMT, Pandora, Shazam, AmazonMusic, Sounds Like Nashville, The Tennessean, SiriusXM, Whiskey Riff and […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Boots On The Ground For Heroes Memorial will honor U.S. Service Members killed post 9/11 at Fort Adams this weekend
Operation Stand Down RI (OSDRI) will host their Annual Boots On The Ground For Heroes Memorial at Fort Adams State Park this weekend. In 2016, OSDRI launched the Boots on the Ground for Heroes Memorial with the widely acclaimed and dramatic display of nearly 7,000 military boots. Each boot is adorned with a name placard and an American flag […]
Posted inNews
Healthy Soils, Healthy Seas Rhode Island hosting backyard composting workshops this week in Middletown
Clean Ocean Access has announced that The Healthy Soils, Healthy Seas Rhode Island (HSHSRI) project team will host several backyard composting workshops & giveaways this week. The workshops aims to teach individuals the art and science of composting and create island momentum to remove all food scraps from the waste stream. All Newport County residents […]
Posted inThings To Do
Where to find live music and entertainment this week: May 20 – 27
Here’s what’s happening in and around Newport this week for entertainment and live music, enjoy! You might also like – 60+ things to do in Newport this week: May 20 – 27 Monday, May 20 Diego’s Newport – Trivia at 10 pmFastnet Pub – The Ubiquitones at 9:30 pmFifth Element – The Groove Merchants at 7 pmJane Pickens Theater – […]
Posted inBusiness, News
Newport Festivals Foundation partners with Rick’s Musical Instruments to donate instruments to R.I. schools
Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc. (NFF) announced today that they have partnered with Rick’s Musical Instruments of Cumberland, RI, to create a program that will place instruments in Rhode Island public schools. Starting today, all are welcome to bring gently-used instruments to Rick’s Musical Instruments or Bravo Musical Instruments in Rehoboth, MA, for evaluation. Newport Festivals […]
Posted inThings To Do
60+ things to do in Newport this week: May 20 – 27
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this week. Monday, May 20 1:30 pm – Tolkien at Jane Pickens Theater5 pm – VX One Monday Night Series at Sail Newport6 pm – Artist Talk: Science FictionS at Jamestown Arts Center6 pm – The Public’s Radio Spring Gala at Jane Pickens Theater Tuesday, May 21 4:30 pm […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Megan Hilty coming to Newport
The Newport Music Festival announced on Sunday that Megan Hilty,star of NBC’s Smash, Wicked and Annie Get Your Gun on Broadway, is coming to the Newport Music Festival this July. Hilty will replace Broadway star Sierra Boggess at The Breakers on Saturday, July 20th. The reasoning for the reschedule was not made public. Newport Music Festival also announced that Hilty […]