Newport, RI – The Newport Performing Arts Center provided a long-awaited update on where they were in terms of fundraising and restoration of the Opera House Theater on Monday. The press release, “Newport Performing Arts Center Prepares for Phase II of Opera House Theater Restoration”, stated the following; The Newport Performing Arts Center has completed […]
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 inOpinion
Letter To The Editor: Will you help us light up the night?
October is domestic violence awareness month and as a board member of the Women’s Resource Center I wanted to ask the community to come together and join us for a night of light to honor all the victims of domestic violence. It is sometimes hard to believe that domestic violence happens in our beautiful seaside town […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Artists awards and fiscal sponsorship available from The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Newport County
Newport, RI – The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Newport County (ACA) has announced their 2019 Artist Award and Fiscal Sponsorship programs, in support of Newport County artists and art projects that benefit our community. Artist Awards Artist Awards of up to $500 support arts projects throughout Newport County. We look forward to championing exciting and […]
Posted inNews
Happening Today In Newport – October 15: Weather forecast and things to do
Newport, RI – Here’s a look at what’s up for the day ahead in Newport, Rhode Island. Monday, October 15, 2018 Weather: Today – Showers before 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1pm and 5pm, then a chance of showers after 5pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Patchy fog […]
Posted inThings To Do
Newport Historical Society’s next ‘History Space’ event will highlight ‘A Colonist’s Wardrobe’
Newport, RI – When Newport, Rhode Island was founded in 1639, what were people wearing? Join the Newport Historical Society’s History Space event, A Colonist’s Wardrobe, on Saturday, October 27, 2018, from 10am-2pm, at the Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House, 17 Broadway, Newport, RI, for an interactive program with 17th-century tailor Dan Rosen. Chat with Dan and feel the fabrics as he […]
Posted inNews
Dispose of your household hazardous waste on October 20th at Eco-Depot
Johnston, RI – Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (Resource Recovery) is encouraging residents to visit Eco-Depot on Saturday, October 20 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Resource Recovery located at 65 Shun Pike in Johnston. Created in 2001, the Eco-Depot program is a free service offered that provides for the proper handling, packaging, storage, transportation and […]
Posted inHistory
Archi-Text: The role of Broadway and Washington Square in the traditional life of Newport
This past weekend more than 10,000 residents and tourists descended upon Washington Square and the Broadway district for the third annual Broadway Street Fair. Merchants set up stands, musicians performed at a series of stages, and food vendors and restaurants fed the hungry and thirsty throngs of people. This is very appropriate because, since Newport’s […]
Posted inArts & Culture
International ballet featuring choreographers to be featured in Newport
Island Moving Company announces performance dates for Far to Near: Choreography. Closer. a mixed repertory evening-length contemporary ballet featuring choreographers from Italy, Puerto Rico, and Newport October 26 and 27 in Newport, RI. Curated by Artistic Director Miki Ohlsen, Near to Far Choreography. Closer. is designed to showcase the company’s 13 nationally and international recruited […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Salve to host public screening of ‘A Calling’, documentary follows women’s fight to rise within church ranks
Newport, RI – A film documenting the ongoing struggle that women face to gain the recognition and prominent roles they deserve within the Catholic Church hierarchy will be screened at Salve Regina University next week, and will be introduced by both the producer and one of the inspirational women featured in the work. Free and open […]
Posted inNews
RIDOH: Avoid contact with Watson Reservoir in Little Compton, Gardiner Pond in Middletown
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) are advising people to avoid contact with Watson Reservoir in Little Compton and Gardiner Pond in Middletown because of blue-green algae (or cyanobacteria) blooms. Blue-green algae can produce toxins that can harm humans and animals. Health advisories remain in […]
Posted inNews
Podcast: Making sense of the political rhetoric with Len Lardaro, economist at the University of Rhode Island
Listen to Governor Gina Raimondo and you’ll be convinced that Rhode Island’s economy is strong, with wages growing faster than any other state. Listen to her Republican challenger, Cranston Mayor Allan Fung, and you’ll believe that Rhode Island is the worst state in which to do business. Ask Joe Trillo, an Independent candidate for governor […]
Posted inNews
Senator Whitehouse among cosponsors of bipartisan bill signed into law to tackle marine debris crisis
Washington, DC – Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Cory Booker (D-NJ) cheered the signing by the president today of their bipartisan Save Our Seas (SOS) Act, to address the marine debris epidemic affecting America’s oceans, shorelines, and inland waterways, as well as other coasts across the globe. The Senators, all members of […]
Posted inNews
Rogers High School will honor area veterans during public ceremony
Rogers High School will honor area veterans with an assembly at 9:15 am on Thursday, November 1st. The assembly, which is open to the public, will feature speakers and music by the Navy Band Northeast’s Ceremonial Band. This Veteran’s Day Assembly will be held in the Patrick F. Carroll Auditorium at the Rogers High School. […]
Posted inNews
138 Clean Ocean Access volunteers work to clean Middletown; promote zero waste; protect dunes at Newport Marathon
(Photo: COA volunteers helping pick up waste at Second Beach, Sachuest Point and Third Beach) Middletown, RI – Clean Ocean Access (COA) hosted a beach cleanup on Saturday, October 6th at Second Beach, Sachuest Point and Third Beach in Middletown where 49 volunteers helped to remove 80 pounds of debris. This weekend COA also worked hard to […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport Fire Department will host Fire Prevention Family Day at Easton’s Beach
National Fire Prevention Week is here and Newport Fire Department is getting involved by promoting fire safety messaging and by hosting a “Fire Prevention Family Day” at Easton’s Beach on Sunday, October 14th from 11 am to 3 pm. National Fire Prevention Week is observed in the United States and Canada, during the week in […]
Posted inThings To Do
Newport Tour Guides & Greeters News – #41: A weekend of special events in The-City-By-The-Sea
This weekend offers two big events. One is a major education conference that is perfect for tour guides, tourism managers, preservationists, and all those engaged in heritage tourism. The second is a festival. It is for everyone, residents and visitors alike, and is all about seafood, music, and fun. Check them out below. FIRST: If […]
Posted inNews
Newport and five local lodging properties receive coveted accolades
Leading luxury and lifestyle magazine Condé Nast Traveler just unveiled the winners of its 31st annual Readers’ Choice Awards, ranking the best hotels, resorts, cities, islands, airlines, airports and cruise lines in the world. This year, the publication received a recording-breaking number of responses from nearly half a million readers with Newport and a handful of its […]
Posted inJobs
Now Hiring: 80 businesses are hiring in and around Newport right now (Oct. 10)
Newport, RI – Time for a new part-time gig, new full-time job or a new career? Start your job search right here, there are more than 80 businesses hiring right now in and around Newport. Featured Job Opportunities Advanced Remarketing Services – Customer Support RepresentativeAll About Home Care – Homemaker & Certified Nursing AssistantBailey T’s […]
Posted inJobs
Featured Job Listing: Petscort Services – Dog Walker/Pet Sitter
Premier Pet Service is seeking a Dog Walker/Pet sitter who; has at least 1 year experience. Owning your own pet, although helpful, is not experience.is motivated.is organized.has good communication skills.is physically capable of walking 6+ hours a day.is strong enough and knowledgable enough to handle a 130lb reactive dog. The right candidate for this position; […]
Posted inJobs
Featured Job Listing – All About Home Care: Certified Nursing Assistant
Work 1 on 1 with your clients! Spend the time you know is necessary for their well-being. All About Home Care is dedicated to providing extraordinary care and brightening the lives of seniors every day, supporting clients in Bristol & Newport Counties. Established with the goal of enabling seniors to live independently in their homes, […]
Posted inJobs
Featured Job Listing – All About Home Care: Homemaker
All About Home Care is dedicated to providing extraordinary care and brightening the lives of seniors every day, supporting clients in Bristol & Newport Counties. Established with the goal of enabling seniors to live independently in their homes, we are dedicated to providing extraordinary care. We are currently seeking a caring, responsible and professional Homemakers. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Listings: Live music and entertainment in Newport County (Oct. 9 – 15)
Newport, RI – Discover all that’s happening for live music and entertainment in and around Newport County this week – Tuesday, October 9th thru Monday, October 15th. Did we miss something? Let us know by emailing us Ryan@whatsupnewp.com. Newport Antonio’s Pizza Thursday – Trivia at 8 pm Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival Saturday, October 13th, 2018 (11am-6pm) […]
Posted inCity & Government
Senate Democratic Policy Caucus to develop legislation protecting Rhode Islanders from Conservative Supreme Court
Providence, RI – The Senate Democratic Policy Caucus is working in partnership with all Democratic members of the Senate to develop and introduce legislation that will secure into state law protections that many observers view as threatened under a conservative Supreme Court. “Since the 2016 election, Rhode Islanders have been concerned that issues of great importance […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Marathoners and Half Marathoners complete Amica Newport Marathon and Half Marathon
While the overcast weather wasn’t ideal for Fall sightseeing, the cooler temperatures were welcomed by the 2,650 runners who completed the Amica Newport Marathon and Half Marathon on Sunday, October 7th. Ross MacAndrew, from East Greenwich, Rhode Island was the first across the line, winning the half marathon with a time of 1:12:43. “It was […]
Posted inNews
Podcast: Iain Guest, The Advocacy Project | Matt Gray, Ragged Island Brewing Company
Iain Guest,adjunct professor at Georgetown University and founder of The Advocacy Project, joined me on What’sUpNewp Radio on WADK 1540AM before his talk on Wednesday at Redwood Library and Athenaeum on Sexual Violence and War in Africa. We were joined by Matthew Gray from Ragged Island Brewing Company to chat about their plans to expand and grow in Portsmouth. […]