Three writers who will be in Newport as featured faculty in Salve Regina’s exclusive winter residency creative writing degree program, The Newport MFA, will host public readings and reflections from some of their best-selling works on Jan. 5, 9 and 10, 2019. All readings are free and open to the public, and will be presented […]
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
World Match Racing Tour welcomes new owners
Swedish company Aston Harald AB has completed its sale of the World Match Racing Tour to a group of investors behind C Shine Financial Corporation. The sale was initially announced last month in an interview by Aston Harald CEO, Häkan Svensson. The new owners have taken over the management of the Tour effective immediately, including […]
Posted inNews
Weekend Weather Forecast: Dec. 21 – 23
Here’s what’s on tap for weather this weekend in and around Newport. Weather Forecast Friday Rain and possibly a thunderstorm before 3pm, then rain between 3pm and 5pm, then rain and possibly a thunderstorm after 5pm. Patchy fog before 4pm. High near 58. Windy, with a south wind 24 to 26 mph, with gusts as […]
Posted inThings To Do
50+ things to do in and around Newport this week (Dec. 18 – 25)
Here’s what’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this week. The 48th Annual Christmas In Newport continues thru December 31st, visit www.christmasinnewport.org for the full schedule of events. Tuesday, December 18th 11 am to 5 pm – Beer Fixe Lunch Special at Taproot Brewing Co.11:30 am to 5 pm – Half Price Oysters […]
Posted inThings To Do
Newport County live music and entertainment listings (Dec. 18 – 25)
Discover all that’s happening for live music and entertainment in and around Newport County this week. Please Note: Unless otherwise indicated, the venue is located in Newport.Those venues that are blue/hyperlinked are our advertisers and partners. Please consider supporting them by following the link to their website/by visiting their business to enjoy their live music and entertainment, […]
Posted inNews
RIDOT ready to start next ten Tolling Gantries
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) has received approval from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to proceed with construction of the next ten tolling gantries in Rhode Island. The FHWA had reviewed the environmental assessment submitted by RIDOT and issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) which clears the path for construction. In […]
Posted inJobs
McClintock hired as marketing and recruitment coordinator for graduate studies at Salve Regina University
Kristan McClintock has joined Salve Regina University as the marketing and recruitment coordinator for its department of graduate studies and continuing education. McClintock brings more than 20 years of experience in global branding and storytelling in both the B2B and B2C markets, along with a demonstrated background in designing integrated marketing strategies that grow leads […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
New Board Chairman, 11 New Governors elected to International Tennis Hall Of Fame Board of Governors
Michael F. Goss, Executive Vice President and CFO of Sotheby’s, has been elected Chairman of the Board of Governors of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, following his three-year term as Vice Chairman. Goss succeeds John Arnhold, who is concluding a three-year term as Chairman. Charlie Pasarell, a longtime tennis industry leader and a 2013 inductee […]
Posted inNews
Salve’s graduate studies department collects ‘175 Acts of Hope’ in the form of MLK food donation
To commemorate the 175th anniversary of the arrival of the Sisters of Mercy in the United States, Salve Regina’s department of graduate studies and continuing education organized a campus-wide effort to collect “175 Acts of Hope” in the form of non-perishable food items that were then presented to Newport’s Martin Luther King Jr. Center to […]
Posted inNews
Today In Newport – December 20th: Weather forecast and things to do
Weather: Today – Increasing clouds, with a high near 48. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming south in the afternoon.Tonight – Rain, mainly after 3 am. Patchy fog between midnight and 3 am. Low around 45. Southeast wind 6 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Book on ‘Newport Firsts’ seeing success
Was the first female lighthouse keeper in American from Newport? Was Newport the site of the first international polo match? Was the first murder trial of a clergyman in the United States held here? Brian Stinson’s Newport Firsts: A Hundred Claims to Fame (Charleston, SC,The History Press, 208 pages 2018) is proving to be a popular gift […]
Posted inNews
URI researchers: Small changes in oxygen levels have big implications for ocean life
Oceanographers at the University of Rhode Island have found that even slight levels of ocean oxygen loss, or deoxygenation, have big consequences for tiny marine organisms called zooplankton. Zooplankton are important components of the food web in the expanse of deep, open ocean called the midwater. Within this slice of ocean below the surface and […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Wholesome Fresh permanently closes
Wholesome Fresh has confirmed that they have permanently closed their location at 22 Washington Square in Newport. Several of our readers wrote in over the last couple of days inquiring why the windows were covered up at the convenience store/deli/restaurant. What’s Up Newp received the following response from the restaurant on Wednesday; “Yes we are […]
Posted inNews
Mario the Maker Magician is coming to Newport in February
As seen on Sesame Street and NBC Universals Sprout Channel, NYCs Mario the Maker Magician is making his way to Newport in February! David Blaine calls Mario “the best kids magician in the world!!” and even brought him on tour in 2018 as his opening act! More than just a performer, Mario the Maker Magician […]
Posted inJobs
55 job opportunities in and around Newport right now
Time for a new gig, part-time job, or career? You’re in luck, there are more than 50 businesses now hiring in and around Newport! The following listings have all been published in the last 7 days and are located within 5 miles of Newport. Aquidneck Pediatrics – Medical Assistant – Part-timeBAE Systems – Quality Analyst ICastle & […]
Posted inNews
Today In Newport – December 19th: Weather forecast and things to do
Weather: Today – Sunny, with a high near 38. West wind around 8 mph.Tonight – Mostly clear, with a low around 34. Southwest wind around 7 mph. Marine: Gale watch in effect from late Thursday night through Friday eveningToday -W winds 5 to 10 kt. Waves 1 foot or lessTonight -SW winds 5 to 10 […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
New York Yacht Club releases 2019 Racing Calendar
The New York Yacht Club’s 2019 sailing season kicks off with a regatta that can trace its roots back to before Lincoln was president and ends with a one that will take place for the first time. In between those two events are three months of sailing covering a broad swath of the sport. From […]
Posted inBusiness
Gurney’s adding an outdoor ice skating rink (Updated)
This story was originally published on December 12th, it has been updated with new information. The City of Newport will not go without an outdoor ice skating rink this winter after all. Miller Orians, a publicist for Gurney’s, provided What’s Up Newp with the following information on the skating rink on December 18th and shared […]
Posted inNews
Clean Ocean Access report finds single-use plastic makes up 70 percent of debris in marina trash skimmers
Clean Ocean Access (COA) recently released its annual Marina Trash Skimmer Report detailing the success of the Marina Trash Skimmer (MTS) program over the past three years, as well as the development and expansion of the program in southern New England, which will include the installation of new MTS units in Providence, Rhode Island and […]
Posted inNews
Today In Newport – December 18th: Weather forecast and things to do
Weather: Today -Sunny, with a high near 33. Breezy, with a northwest wind 17 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph.Tonight -Clear, with a low around 22. Northwest wind 8 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Marine: Gale Warning in effect until 1 PM EST this afternoonToday -NW […]
Posted inBusiness
Middletown company wins 5-year, $20.3 million contract with the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newpor
Rite-Solutions recently won a 5-year, $20.3 million contract with the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport (NUWCDIVNPT). The company will provide engineering, technical expertise, and program services including hardware and software engineering, systems engineering, system integration and test, fleet support, and lab support for Submarine Combat Control Systems. In addition, Rite-Solutions will support the advanced […]
Posted inArts & Culture
New exhibit at the Newport Historical Society explores the “Life and Work of William Claggett”
The Newport Historical Society has opened a new exhibit “My small Ability” The Life and Work of William Claggettat their Resource Center, 82 Touro Street, Newport, RI which will be open to the public Monday -Friday 10am-3pm daily (excepting holidays and staff availability) until September 2019. This exhibit was inspired by the newly released book “Claggett: Newport’s Illustrious Clockmaker” […]
Posted inNews
Christmas In Newport announces Newport Doorway Contest winners
Christmas in Newport has announced the winners of their annual Door Decorating Contest. Categories once again included Residential, Restaurant, Bed & Breakfast and Commercial. The deadline to sign up to participate in the contest was Thursday, December 13th and judging took place on Friday, December 14th. “All the locations have stepped up the game and […]
Posted inNews
Rep. O’Brien will reintroduce bill calling for arming RIC and CCRI police officers
Rep. William W. O’Brien (D-Dist. 54, North Providence) will be reintroducing legislation (2018-H 7938) that calls for the arming of police officers on the campuses of Rhode Island College and the Community College of Rhode Island, according to a press release issued today by the publicity office for the State of Rhode Island General Assembly. […]
Posted inNews
Today In Newport – December 17th: Weather forecast and things to do
Weather: Today -Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. Northwest wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.Tonight -Partly cloudy, with a low around 26. Blustery, with a northwest wind 16 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Marine: Small Craft Advisory in effect through Tuesday eveningToday -NW […]