The Newport County Chamber of Commerce has announced they will hold an informational meeting for businesses to learn how they can recover from last week’s gas outage. The meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 29 from 10 am to 12 pm at the Newport Marriott – Freedom Room (3rd Floor). There is free parking […]
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 inThings To Do
What to do in Newport this week (Jan. 28 – Feb. 4)
Monday, January 28th 10 am – Heat Up Newport4:45 pm & 7:30 pm – The Favourite at Jane Pickens Theater6 pm – Aquidneck Island Trolleys with Jim Garman at Portsmouth Free Public LibraryScroll down to see our full event calendar Tuesday, January 29th 8:30 am – Take a Peek Tuesdays! at St. Michael’s 2:30 pm – Tech Help at Portsmouth Public Library4:45 pm & 7:30 pm […]
Posted inBusiness
Governor Raimondo announces Emergency Loan Fund for impacted Aquidneck Island businesses
The following is a press release from the Governor following a press conference at Jane Pickens this morning. Commerce RI, Rhode Island Foundation, and BankNewport Form Partnership to Offer Bridge Loans to Affected Businesses; Information Session to be Held Tuesday NEWPORT, RI – Governor Gina Raimondo today joined Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor, members of Rhode […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Elizabeth Kolbert named 2019 recipient of the Pell Center Prize for Story in the Public Square
Elizabeth Kolbert, best-selling author and staff writer for The New Yorker, has been named the 2019 recipient of the Pell Center Prize for Story in the Public Square, according to a press release issued from Story In The Public Square on Monday morning. Awarded annually since 2013, the prize honors a storyteller whose work has […]
Posted inCity & Government
Representative Carson provides update on natural gas outage
The following was an email that Representative Carson sent to her constituents on Monday, January 28th; Good morning – Monday January 28, 2019I am sure that as I write this that many of you are safe and warm in your own homes, as am I. We had an awful week in Newport last week, but it […]
Posted inNews
National Grid Information Center moved, now open at Middletown Police Department and Newport Visitors Center
The warming and information center that was set up at the Gaudet Middle School has been closed. Starting on January 28th at 8:30 am, National Grid will have a customer service van set up in the parking lot of the Middletown Police Station (located at 123 Valley Road) for assistance and claim information. Anyone who […]
Posted inCity & Government
Senator DiPalma requests meeting with National Grid to address lessons learned, true root causes of gas outage
Senator Louis DiPalma (District 12 – Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Tiverton) has provided What’sUpNewp with a copy of the following letter that he has submitted to the Governor, National Grid, and fellow lawmakers in response to the recent natural gas incident on Aquidneck Island.
Posted inBusiness
Local residents named “Stars of the Industry” by the RI Hospitality Association at 29th Annual Awards Ceremony
The RI Hospitality Association (RIHA) recently honored Newport and Middletown residents at its “Stars of the Industry” Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony at Twin River Casino Hotel. The Stars of the Industry Awards recognize the outstanding achievements of members of the hospitality, foodservice and tourism industries. Award recipients are nominated by their peers, managers or […]
Posted inBusiness
VIDEO: Governor Raimondo announces program for small businesses impacted gas outages
Governor Gina Raimondo will be joined by Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor this morning at Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center to announce a new program aimed at helping small businesses on Aquidneck Island that have been unable to open as a result of the gas outages, according to a media advisory sent out by the […]
Posted inNews
Today In Newport – January 28th: Weather forecast and things to do
Weather Forecast Today – Sunny, with a high near 32. North wind around 11 mph.Tonight – Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Northeast wind 7 to 9 mph. Marine Forecast for Narragansett Bay Today – N winds around 10 kt. Waves around 2 ft.Tonight – NE winds 5 to 10 kt. Waves around 2 […]
Posted inNews
Saint John the Evangelist, Newport wins $916,000 grant
The Zabriskie Memorial Church of Saint John the Evangelist, Newport, RI announced on Facebook on Sunday that they have been the recipient of a $916,000 grant from the Alletta Morris McBean Charitable Trust. The Statement of Purpose of the Alletta Morris McBean Charitable Trust reads: “In determining which organization or organizations shall receive payments of […]
Posted inNews
National Grid: 95% of impacted customers have been restored
National Grid announced tonight that 95% of customers impacted by the gas service interruption in Newport have had their meters turned back on and gas appliances re-lit by qualified technicians. More than 600 National Grid, mutual aid, and contractor gas technicians were out restoring service late into the night. The Company urges customers who have remained […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary for Rev. Mr. William Marlow
Rev. Mr. William Marlow, 92, of Middletown, RI, formerly of Lewisburg, PA, passed away on January 27, 2019 at Miriam Hospital in Providence.William was born in Baltimore, MD to Harper Marlow and Lillian (Taylor) Marlow and was the youngest and last surviving of their five children. For the past 67 years, he was devoted husband […]
Posted inBusiness
Mr. Tim’s Kid Corner permanently closes
Just four months after opening, Mr. Tim’s Kid Corner on the corner of Spring Street and Broadway has been forced to close due to damages sustained during the gas outage. “Due to the destructive situation of Newport having no heating fuel during an extreme cold snap, pipes in our building froze and then burst wide […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary for Brian J. Anderson
Brian J. Anderson aka BA, 54 of Middletown R.I. passed away on Saturday, 26 January, surrounded by his entire family. He was the son of the late Charles and Eileen (Silvia) Anderson, born in Newport and raised in Middletown. Brian will be lovingly remembered by his children Brian J. Anderson II and his wife Kelly […]
Posted inOpinion
Bike Newport: DOT proposal slashes bicycle and pedestrian project funding statewide
The “Major Amendment to the State Transportation Improvement Plan” presented by RIDOT to the State Transportation Advisory Committee on January 24th includes 33% cut to the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) over four years. TAP is the primary source of funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects statewide. According to a press release from the RI Bicycle Coalition: […]
Posted inNews
Video: National Grid, Mayor Bova hold press conference to update public on gas restoration process
Mayor Bova and Terry Sobolewski, Chief Customer Officer and SVP for National Grid held a press conference around 2:30 pm today to update residents on the ongoing gas restoration process.
Posted inNews
National Grid restores service to more than 5,100 impacted customers
The following press release was issued by National Grid on Sunday morning; As of Sunday morning, more than 5,100, or 80 percent, of the approximately 6400 customers affected by the gas service interruption in Newport had their meters back on and their gas appliances re-lit. More than 600 National Grid, mutual aid, and contractor gas technicians […]
Posted inNews
Restoration and re-lighting process is fully underway
The latest from the City of Newport; ?? [ Update Saturday, January 26th, 9:45 p.m.] ?? Be sure to scroll down for the latest on the Restoration Process, where to find meals around town, what to expect next, and more. If you or your organization would like to submit any additional information, please email TShevlin@CityofNewport.com As of […]
Posted inNews
LIVE VIDEO: National Grid update on restoration efforts
National Grid is hosting a briefing on today’s restoration efforts. Video via City of Newport Facebook Page.
Posted inNews
Newport Public Schools update: All Newport public schools will be open on Monday
The latest from Newport Public Schools January 26th at 4:30 pm Frank E. Thompson Middle School is up and running. All Newport Public Schools will be open on Monday. Hopefully, National Grid progress will continue and all families will be back in their homes soon. Buses will begin running their regularly scheduled routes on Monday morning. See you […]
Posted inNews
Relighting process has begun
The following information has been released from the City of Newport; RELIGHTING PROCESS HAS BEGUN National Grid has informed the City that crews have been authorized to begin the re-light process, which will restore natural gas service to homes affected by the ongoing gas outage. Residents are urged not to attempt to turn their meters […]
Posted inNews
National Grid transitions to final phase of gas service restoration
The following is a press release from National Grid National Grid announced it has now transitioned into the third and final stage of the restoration process, turning on gas meters and re-lighting customer appliances. This follows the completion of the second phase of the gas restoration process, reintroducing gas into the impacted system, and verification […]
Posted inNews
City expects full-relighting process to begin on Saturday
The City of Newport provided the following update at 10:10 pm on Friday; As of Friday evening, we’re able to report that National Grid has successfully completed 100% its gas meter shut off process and is beginning to bring pressure back into the system. Once the purging process is complete, National Grid will begin restoring […]
Posted inNews
National Grid Customer Resource Van Locations
All those affected by the outage are encouraged to stop by their nearest location to ask any questions you may have, and to learn more about the process going forward. – Easton’s Beach, 175 Memorial Blvd. – Storer Park, Gladys Carr Bolhouse Rd.- Miantonomi Memorial Park, Hillside Ave. at Dexter St. – Coggeshall Elementary School, 122 Van […]