If you’re on Instagram or happen to drive by Easton’s Beach often early, you’ve likely seen the large fitness community, known as November Project Newport, in one way or another doing their thing in The-City-By-The-Sea. Erin Briskie, Co-Leader of November Project Newport, helped us understand what November Project Newport is and how our readers can […]
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 inEnvironment & Health
Li Na, Mary Pierce, Yevgeny Kafelnikov to be inducted into International Tennis Hall of Fame
Chinese tennis great Li Na, France’s Mary Pierce, and Yevgeny Kafelnikov of Russia, each a two-time Grand Slam singles champion among their many career accolades, have been elected to receive tennis’ ultimate honor in 2019 – induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Li Na, China’s first global tennis star, reached the world No. […]
Posted inNews
Association of Fundraising Professionals looking to diversify
The local chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) has embarked on a campaign to grow the diversity and size of its membership. “AFP is committed to the principles of inclusion, diversity, equity and access in the fundraising profession, the philanthropic sector and throughout all of society,” said Diversity & Inclusion Committee Chair, Kelly […]
Posted inNews
This Weekend In Newport – January 19th – 20th: Weather forecast and things to do
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this weekend. Weather Forecast Hazardous Weather OutlookCoastal Flood Advisory in effect from January 20, 05:00 AM EST until January 20, 10:00 AM ESTWinter Weather Advisory in effect from January 19, 04:00 PM EST until January 20, 07:00 PM EST Today A slight chance […]
Posted inArts & Culture
IYRS School of Technology & Trades to Appear on This Old House Episode
Newport’s local post-secondary technical and trade school received a visit last year from hosts of This Old House® as they filmed a project in neighboring Jamestown. Hosts and crew from This Old House® had a chance to tour IYRS and meet with many of the talented student & faculty craftspeople across the campus. Here in the Rhode […]
Posted inNews
Today In Newport – January 18th: Weather forecast and things to do
Weather Forecast Friday – A chance of snow, mainly before 9am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. East wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.Friday Night – Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 25. Northwest wind […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Castle Hill Inn will celebrate Chinese New Year with a five-course Cantonese-inspired menu
Castle Hill Inn has announced that they will host a special five-course Cantonese-inspired menu, available from February 5th through 10th, from Chef de Cuisine Andy Taur in celebration of the Chinese New Year. “Asian influences have always been present at Castle Hill Inn,” said Brian Young, Managing Director in an announcement about the event. “Castle Hill’s original owner, […]
Posted inWeather
Weekend Weather: Winter Storm Watch in effect from Saturday afternoon thru Sunday evening
In case you hadn’t heard, we have some winter weather ahead over the next few days. Detailed Forecast for Newport via the National Weather Service Tonight – Snow likely, mainly after 4am. Cloudy, with a low around 25. Southeast wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of less than a […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter To The Editor – Rep. Carson: RI House vote on the Rules for 2019-20 session
On January 16, the Rhode Island House of Representatives had the opportunity to change the way we conduct our business. During a very unusual session, we debated the way bills come to the floor for a vote, the way we conduct our business in the final days of session and the centralization of power and […]
Posted inCity & Government
Senator Euer, Senator Conley introduce bill to protect federal workers from foreclosure, default during shutdown
Sen. William J. Conley Jr. and Sen. Dawn Euer have introduced legislation to provide financial protections to Rhode Islanders who have gone unpaid as a result of the federal government shutdown. The bills are intended to prevent federal employees in the state from loan foreclosure and default as a result of unpaid wages. Senator Euer’s […]
Posted inNews
Today In Newport – January 17th: Weather forecast and things to do
Weather Forecast Today- Sunny, with a high near 29.Tonight – Snow likely, mainly after 5am. Increasing clouds, with a temperature rising to around 32 by 4am. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Little or no snow accumulation expected. Marine Forecast Today – N winds 5 to 10 kt, becoming E this afternoon. Waves 1 foot or […]
Posted inCity & Government
City of Newport offering relief for federal employees
The City of Newport is joining a growing number of communities offering assistance to residents affected by the record-long federal government shutdown. The measures, which were announced Tuesday, January 15th by City Manager Joseph Nicholson, will allow residents to delay payment on certain bills, including sewer, water, and real estate taxes at no penalty or interest. […]
Posted inBusiness
Connect Greater Newport seeks feedback on internet reliability and workforce limitations from local business owners
The Newport County Chamber of Commerce’s economic development initiative, Connect Greater Newport released a survey to learn more from local business owners about barriers to growth and success, including broadband and workforce housing issues. The survey was developed based on feedback provided by business leaders through the newly implemented business retention and expansion outreach program. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Tour Guides & Greeters News #55: Winter in Newport is all about healthy fun
Next week kicks off our annual celebration of mind, body, and spirit during NEWPORT WELLNESS WEEK. The goal is to help all Newporters and our many visitors focus on lifelong health and wellness solutions tailored to help each person become the best version of themselves. This Sunday (January 20) there will be a free Wellness […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary for John Almeida
Life long Newport resident, John Almeida, passed away on January 15, 2019. Mr. Almeida was a graduate of Rogers High School and served his country proudly during World War II as a member of the United States Army. He had been in charge of the motor pool on both Guam and Manila after they had […]
Posted inArts & Culture
French Consul General at Boston visits Newport
Arnaud Mentré, the French Consul General at Boston, visited Newport recently in order to see first-hand the progress being made with The Rochambeau Monument Restoration Project in King Park. According to Mentré in a statement, “During my first trip to the State of Rhode Island as the Consul General of France, it was a pleasure […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Gurney’s debuts Wellness Retreats
Continuing their commitment to wellness, Gurney’s Resorts has debuted “Wellness Retreats,” a brand new fitness-focused program each month, offering hotel guests the opportunity to stick to their routine with wellness top of mind. Presenting a curated weekend in partnership with the experientially-driven wellness and travel design firm, The Wellth Collective, the Wellness Retreats will run monthly from November to April, and will feature a three-day scheduled itinerary including programming such as […]
Posted inNews
Today In Newport – January 16th: Weather forecast and things to do
Weather Forecast Today – Sunny, with a high near 39. Southwest wind 10 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.Tonight – Clear, with a low around 22. Northwest wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Marine Forecast Today – W winds 10 to 15 kt with gusts […]
Posted inNews
Schorsch siblings match Richard Sardella’s $10K gift to the MLK Community Center
Newport County families and sibling group, Nicholas and Indira Schorsch, Jr., Sloane L. Schorsch, Victoria N. Schorsch, Brendan and Tessa O’Donnell and Zoey D. Schorsch have, collectively, accepted restaurateur Richard Sardella’s challenge and will make a $10,000 gift to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center. The Schorsch siblings and their families spend much […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary for Pamela Elizabeth Shakarian
PORTSMOUTH –Pamela E. Shakarian, 60, of Portsmouth, RI, passed away unexpectedly Monday, January 14, 2019.A 13th generation Portsmouth native and granddaughter of Armenian Genocide survivors, Pamela Shakarian graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1976 and received a B.A. in sociology from Salve Regina University, Newport, RI, in 1981.Pamela was a Raytheon Company employee for more […]
Posted inCity & Government
Senator DiPalma named Senior Deputy Majority Leader
President of the Senate Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, Providence, North Providence) has named Sen. Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Little Compton, Newport, Tiverton) to serve as senior Deputy Majority Leader. “It is a true honor to be named as Senior Deputy Majority Leader by President Ruggerio and I am looking forward to working […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary for Mary Jo Dieckhaus
Mary Jo Dieckhaus, age 76, of Newport, RI passed away early Monday morning on January 14, 2019 at her home after a long battle with cancer. Mary Jo was born on October 5, 1942 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to the late Joseph and Helen Dieckhaus. She graduated from Pembroke College/ Brown University in 1964 and went […]
Posted inNews
7 Newport County residents among Roger Williams University December 2018 graduates
Roger Williams University has announced that the following local/Newport County residents were among the 151 students who received their degrees in December as part of the Class of 2018. Mary Grace Dela Dingco of Newport, RI, Cum Laude B.S. in International Business Richard Doyle of Newport, RI, B.S. in Criminal Justice Crystal Drew of Middletown, […]
Posted inThings To Do
Newport Wellness Week Marketplace returns on Sunday
Now in its second year, Newport Wellness Week is a week-long celebration of mind, body and spirit featuring a diverse array of wellness events, special offers and deals throughout Newport and Bristol Counties. The Wellness Week Marketplace at Newport Marriott will serve as the kick-off event for Newport Wellness Week, which takes place Jan. 19-25, 2019. […]
Posted inNews
Seamen’s Church Institute accepting funds for Coast Guard
Seamen’s Church Institute has announced that due to the ongoing government shutdown that they are now accepting donations to help support the US Coast Guard. In a letter to supporters, Ann Souder, President of the Seamen’s Church Institute, stated; “Dear Friends, The US Government shutdown has just become the longest in our history and has […]