Newport, RI – Discover all that’s happening for live music and entertainment in and around Newport County this week – Tuesday, October 2nd thru Monday, October 8th. 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 Tuesday – Busking at Bowen’s with Panoramic […]
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’s Up: Things to do in and around Newport this week (Oct. 2 – 8)
Newport, RI – Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this week – Tuesday, October 2nd thru Monday, October 8th. Tuesday, October 2 2:30 pm – Fahrenheit 11/9 at Jane Pickens Theater4 pm – Teens: You Can’t Tell Me What to Do (Open Studio) at Newport Public Library5 pm – At Sea with Benjamin Franklin for […]
Posted inNews
Pell Center to host a conference during National Cyber Security Awareness Month
Newport, RI – For the fourth year in a row, the Pell Center is supporting the annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) campaign as a NCSAM Champion Organization. This national effort aims to raise public awareness about the importance of cybersecurity and share useful resources through social media and various events across the country. The Pell Center is partnering […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Governor Raimondo announces co-chairs and members of Task Force to tackle plastics pollution
Providence, RI – Governor Gina M. Raimondo today announced the leadership, composition, and first meeting of the Governor’s Task Force to Tackle Plastics. Established by the Tackling Plastics Executive Order signed by Governor Raimondo in July, the group will develop a host of options to reduce plastic pollution in Rhode Island’s waters and reliance on single-use plastics. […]
Posted inCity & Government
City asks residents to “Adopt” a catch basin
Newport, RI As the foliage turns and leaves start to fall, Newport’s Department of Utilities is asking the public for help to keep the City’s storm drains and catch basins free and clear of those fleetingly beautiful autumn leaves. With 2,544 catch basins located throughout the City, Newport’s storm drainage system requires constant attention. This task […]
Posted inBusiness
Governor Gina Raimondo and Commerce Corporation celebrate 70 Small Business Loans across Rhode Island
Providence, RI -Governor Gina Raimondo and the board of the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation today celebrated the state’s Small Business Assistance Program hitting another milestone, awarding its 70th loan. Since the program was announced in November 2016, the state-backed loan fund has collectively awarded more than $10.1 million in loans. “When small businesses succeed, Rhode Island […]
Posted inThings To Do
30+ things to do in and around Newport this week
Newport, RI – Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this week. Photo – 2018 Broadway Street Fair will take place on Saturday. Monday, October 1 4:45 pm – Fahrenheit 11/9 at Jane Pickens Theater5:30 pm – Brick Market Book Club at Museum of Newport History5:30 pm – Teens: Teen Advisory […]
Posted inNews
Podcast: Dr. Kathy Abbass from RIMAP joins us to chat about possible discovery of the Endeavour
Dr. Kathy Abbass, RIMAP’s Executive Director and Principal Investigator, joins us for the majority of this edition of What’s Up Newp Radio on WADK 1540AM to answer,“Could it be the Endeavour?” Archaeologists from the Rhode Island Marine Archaeology Project (RIMAP) and its partner, the Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM), announced their 2018 research results for […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Historical Society invites public to Monthly Book Club at the Museum of Newport History & Shop
Join the Newport Historical Society for its monthly book club at the Museum of Newport History & Shop every first Monday of the month at 5:30pm at 127 Thames Street, Newport, RI. Each month features a book with ties to Newport’s history. The books are available for sale in the Shop and on the web […]
Posted inNews
Million Dollar Listing: ‘Sea Glass’ in Jamestown sells for more than $1.3 Million
Residential Properties Ltd. has announced the sale of 25 Hull Cove Street for over $1.3 million. The listing agent for this fabulous property was Sales Associate Mary Ann Lisi, a member of RPL’s Narragansett office. Built in 2007, “Sea Glass” is a stately 5,000 square foot, newly shingled Jamestown contemporary with lovely water views across […]
Posted inNews
Podcast: John Blaess and Mike Lunney, Portsmouth High School Athletic Hall of Fame
John Blaess and Mike Lunney joined me on this edition of What’s Up Newp Radio on WADK 1540AM to chat about the Class of 2018 Honorees for the Portsmouth High School Athletic Hall of Fame. 2018 Honorees Include: Laura Turner Linda Galib Julie Armor Kaull Caroline Pimental Davies Cindy Stone Silvia Aaron Berman Ryan Angel Drew […]
Posted inNews
Replica of Air Force One serves up quite the sight
Newport, RI – A replica of Air Force One caught the eye and attention of many along Narragansett Bay on Friday as she departed from Quonset State Airport to Maryland. In September 2017, the Air Force One replica, a full-scale recreation of Air Force One, opened to the public at Quonset State Airport. More than 9,500 guests reserved tours of the experience during the opening week. […]
Posted inThings To Do
25+ things to do in and around Newport this weekend
Newport, RI – Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this weekend. Photo – Children of all ages will enjoy the fun, games, and festivities at the Annual Norman Bird Sanctuary Fair this weekend. Friday, September 28 1 pm – What’sUpNewp Radio: Kathy Abbass discusses search for Endeavour4:45 pm – Juliet Naked at […]
Posted inArts & Culture
This Weekend: Live music and entertainment listings
Newport, RI – Discover all that’s happening for live music and entertainment in and around Newport this week. Friday, September 28 Atlantic Resort: Sean Rivers at 4 pmBuskers: Live music at 9 pmCeltica: Karaoke at 10 pmClarke Cooke House: DJ & Dancing in the Boom Boom Room at 10 pmDiego’s Barrio Cantina (Middletown): Blue Dream at […]
Posted inThings To Do
Fortress of Nightmares set to return to Fort Adams with new attractions
Newport, RI – Fortress of Nightmares returns to Fort Adams in Newport, RI this October for its fourteenth season with new adventures and attractions. Fortress of Nightmares is the largest and last of the season fundraiser for the year that benefits the Fort Adams Trust. The haunted attraction features: “Tunnels of Terror, Mayhem in 3D, […]
Posted inCity & Government
Conversation With The Candidate: Patrick Donovan, Republican Candidate for U.S. Congressional District 1
Newport, RI – During Conversation With The Candidates, What’sUpNewp’s Ryan Belmore and Frank Prosnitz interview candidates who will be on the ballot on the November 6th General Election in Rhode Island. We’ll chat with candidates about the reasons behind their candidacies, and their views on local and statewide issues. In this Conversation With Candidate, we […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council and School Committee candidates address the tough questions
Newport, RI – The Alliance for a Livable Newport (ALN) announced that candidates for both the Newport City Council and School Committee have now posted their responses to numerous questions posed by the Alliance and the community in advance of the public forums that the Alliance will hold in October. The Alliance encourages all Newport citizens […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Inaugural IC37 Regatta offers glimpse of great one-design racing to come
After a summer of commissioning work, sea trials and the occasional weeknight PHRF race, the New York Yacht Club’s first three IC37s lined up for two days of one-design racing on Narragansett Bay on the first weekend of autumn. While the fleet was small—especially compared to the pack of 20 or more boats that will […]
Posted inNews
Newport Mental Health adds new substance use and mental health specialist
Newport, RI – Newport Mental Health has recently hired Paul Sanders, LMHC & LCDP, a therapist with over 15 years of experience, specializing in co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. “We’re pleased to be working with a person with such a depth of knowledge and expertise in addictions and mental health therapy, especially in […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Noted historian to lecture at Fort Adams on the history of the Fort Systems
The Fort Adams Trust announces that noted historian John Weaver II will be providing a free lecture in the Casemates at Historic Fort Adams on the Third System of Coastal Fortifications of which Fort Adams is a significant member. The lecture will commence at 6:30 PM on Thursday, October 4, 2018, and the public is […]
Posted inCity & Government
Pell Students celebrate local food week
Today with the help of Cindy King, Chartwells Director of Dining Services and the staff at Chartwells the students at Pell elementary school had the opportunity to try some homemade ratatouille during all of their lunches. The dish was made from ingredients harvested right from the Pell gardens to celebrate “local food” week. Mr. Sherman’s […]
Posted inNews
Newport County YMCA, along with Newport Mental Health, launch #IAMWHOLE campaign
The #IAMWHOLE campaign first started with YMCAs in the United Kingston and the Newport County YMCA will be the first YMCA in the United States focusing on this global program that has expanded from Japan, Australia to YMCA’s in Africa. #IAMWHOLE is a campaign to encourage all people to challenge harmful language and the negative stigma […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Newport Polo closes 27th season with a ‘Battle of the Sexes’
Season 27 will conclude with the ultimate showdown, a Battle of the Sexes, when the Newport women take on the Newport men on September 29th, 2018 at 4 pm in the Finals of the NBC10 Newport International Polo Series, Presented by BMW. “We’ve had great polo all season, and a highlight has been to witness women’s […]
Posted inNews
Podcast: Survivors of sexual assault deserve better
In the wake of the ongoing allegations of sexual assault by Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, I just had to speak up and share my unique opinion and view on the topic. As a survivor of sexual assault, I believe that many in the press and in our communities are doing much more harm than good to […]
Posted inCity & Government
City of Newport: Morton Park Playground is getting an upgrade
(Photo: Courtesy M.E. O’Brien & Sons) The City of Newport announced via press release on Wednesday that children in Newport’s Morton Park neighborhood will soon have a new place to play, as the City’s Department of Public Services breaks ground on a state-of-the-art and ADA-accessible playground. According to Scott Wheeler, Newport’s Building and Grounds Supervisor, crews […]