A bad start in light air in a 37-boat fleet can be fatal. If you let it be. Skipper John Baxter and his team on the J/70 Team Vineyard Vines (above) were determined not to let a mistake at the outset of the first race define their regatta. So instead, they got to work, found the advantageous […]
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.
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Turn the Tide on Plastic win sixth place overall with final In-Port Race comeback
It took until the final In-Port Race, but Dee Caffari’s Turn the Tide on Plastic moved off the bottom of the race leaderboard on Saturday, after securing sixth place in the Volvo Ocean Race. The day started with SHK/Scallywag and Turn the Tide on Plastic with equal points on the overall race leaderboard. The tie-break […]
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Teams preparing for final start in the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18
(Photo: The Hague stopover. Practice race on board Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag. 28 June Konrad Frost/Volvo Ocean Race) After nine months, 45,000 miles of offshore racing and 10 In-Port Races, the Volvo Ocean Race fleet is preparing to take the final start of the event at the Brunel In-Port Race on Saturday afternoon in The Hague. It […]
Posted inThings To Do
This Weekend: 25+ things to do in and around Newport County
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in Newport County this weekend. Of note – look for Jamestown’s fireworks display on Sunday night (Newport’s will be on Wednesday). Friday, June 29th 3 pm, 5:30 pm, & 8 pm – Won’t You Be My Neighbor at Jane Pickens Theater 4 pm – Binge BBQ Night! at Ragged […]
Posted inArts & Culture
This Weekend: Live music and entertainment listings
Here’s what’s happening for live music and entertainment in and around Newport County this week. Friday, June 29th 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: Live music at 8 pmDockside: DJs […]
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United Way of Rhode Island names Cortney Nicolato President & CEO
Following a national search, the Board of Directors for United Way of Rhode Island has selected Cortney Nicolato to lead the organization as its next President and CEO. She joins the organization on September 24, 2018, succeeding Anthony Maione, who announced his retirement earlier this year. Nicolato, a resident of Lantana, Texas, was born and raised […]
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Mott & Chace Sotheby’s International Realty lists three luxury Jamestown properties
Mott & Chace Sotheby’s International Realty announced on Thursday that they are exclusively representing the following three luxury Jamestown properties: 609 Beavertail Road, offered at $8,975,000; 90 Battery Lane, offered at $8,250,000; and 850 East Shore Road, offered at $6,850,000. Currently, these three properties represent three of the four most expensive homes active on the […]
Posted inThings To Do
What To Know: City of Newport’s Fourth of July Fireworks Display
The City of Newport will set off its traditional fireworks display on Wednesday, July 4th over Newport Harbor, with a rain date of Thursday, July 5ths. The fireworks show, which is shot off from the North Lawn of Fort Adams, begins after it is dark enough for the show to be seen which is anticipated to be 9:15 PM and […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Discounted Newport Jazz Festival tickets available at Newport Visitors Center through July 4
Time is running out to take advantage of the local discount for tickets to the Newport Jazz Festival presented by Natixis Investment Manager, so head to the Newport Visitors Information Center by Wednesday, July 4. Discount tickets are just $50 for General Admission to the concerts at Fort Adams State Park on Friday, August 3, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
2018 Newport Folk Festival lineup and announcements (Updated)
Newport, RI – The Newport Folk Festival has begun its annual tradition of rolling lineup announcements ahead of the 2018 Newport Folk Festival at Fort Adams. The first announcement came on Newport Folk Festival’s Facebook Page on Wednesday, January 31st, when they announced Courtney Barnett would return to Fort Adams. The Newport Folk Festival will […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
List: Newport residents file declarations of candidacy for statewide and local office (Updated)
Last updated at 7 pm on June 27th. Beginning today candidates for statewide and local office will begin filing their declarations of candidacy, a process that runs through Wednesday (June 27) for local candidates and Thursday for federal and statewide general officeholders.. It is the first major step in a process that will culminate in […]
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RIDOH, DEM recommend avoiding contact with Almy Pond in Newport and Melville Pond in Portsmouth
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced in a press release today that they are advising people to avoid contact with Almy Pond in Newport and Melville Ponds in Portsmouth due to a blue-green algae (or cyanobacteria) bloom in the pond. Blue-green algae can produce toxins […]
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North Side Community Market re-opens on Friday at Florence Gray Center
Aquidneck Community Table announced on Wednesday in a press release that The North Side Community Market will open this Friday with a big community party at the Florence Gray Center. At the event, the Newport Housing Authority is sponsoring a “HUD Strong Families” event to celebrate the beginning of the summer season. All are welcome […]
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61 Rhode Island students awarded Pell Medal for Excellence in U.S. History
61 student from across Rhode Island earned the Herbert and Claiborne Pell Medal for U.S. History this year. The medal, originally presented by Senator Claiborne Pell and his wife, Mrs. Nuala Pell, recognizes college and high school students in the state who have excelled in U.S. History. “The students in Rhode Island continue to earn […]
Posted inCity & Government
Peter Harty announces campaign for 3rd Ward Councilor seat on Newport City Council
Newport resident Peter Harty has confirmed with What’sUpNewp that he has submitted his declaration of candidacy with Newport City Hall and will run for the 3rd Ward seat on Newport City Council. “My interest in serving on the Newport City Council is to address issues of community and economic development such as housing affordability, gentrification […]
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Rhode Island ranks 19th in nation for child well-being
The 2018 KIDS COUNTÒ Data Book, a national and state-by-state report on child well-being, issued today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, finds that Rhode Island ranks 19th in the nation for overall child well-being and last in New England, behind New Hampshire (1), Massachusetts (2), Connecticut (7), Vermont (8) and Maine (16). The annual KIDS COUNT Data Book uses 16 […]
Posted inCity & Government
Susan Taylor will run for an At-Large seat on Newport City Council
Susan Taylor has confirmed with What’sUpNewp that she will not seek re-election for the Ward 1 seat on Newport City Council. Instead, she will seek election on the council for an At-Large seat. “The retirement of our mayor leaves a gaping hole and I’d like to see new people stepping up to serve the City,” Taylor […]
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$70K in scholarships enables 45 students to attend Berklee workshop at Newport Jazz Festival
Students from across the world will be mentored this summer at the site of one of the world’s most legendary jazz festivals, according to a press release from Berklee on Tuesday. The Berklee Global Jazz Workshop at the Newport Jazz Festival gives young vocalists and instrumentalists a five-day intensive jazz program taught by world-renowned faculty […]
Posted inCity & Government
Angela McCalla announces campaign for Newport City Council’s Ward 1
Angela McCalla announced today in a press release that she is running for Newport City Council, representing Ward 1. The Ward 1 seat is currently held by City Councilor Susan Taylor. Susan Taylor told What’sUpNewp on Sunday that she would “let you (us) know as soon as I have decided” regarding re-election. Another candidate, James Dring, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
2018 Bridgefest will feature 19 events, 14 venues, and dozens of local artists
Newport Festivals Foundation announced via press release today the schedule for their 2018 Bridgefest. Bridgefest, the annual celebration of Jazz, Folk and Newport’s rich musical community, returns to Newport from July 30 – August 2 and will feature local artists performing at 19 events at 14 venues over four days. Produced by Newport Festivals Foundation, […]
Posted inCity & Government
Represenative Carson announces candidacy for re-election
Representative Lauren Carson (D – District 75, Newport) announced via press release on Tuesday that she ins seeking re-election to a third term for House District 75 Representative. Representative Carson provided the following press release to What’sUpNewp; House Representative Lauren Carson Announces Re-Election Campaign Continuing to Put Newport First Representative Lauren H, Carson has declared […]
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Newport County YMCA to host ‘Midsummer Island Retreat’ at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church
The Newport County YMCA announced in a press release on Monday that they have partnered up with St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and The Sacred Center to host Newport County’s inaugural Midsummer Island Retreat Saturday, July 7, 2018 at 324 E Main Rd, Portsmouth, RI 02871. This free family event is open to the entire community. […]
Posted inThings To Do
Newport to Providence Ferry will stop in Bristol on Fourth of July
This year for the first time, Fourth of July enthusiasts will be able to avoid traffic and take the Rhode Island Department of Transportation’s (RIDOT) Providence to Newport ferry to Bristol for the world-famous parade. RIDOT plans to offer three round trips on July 4 to the nation’s oldest Fourth of July parade. The schedule […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Contemporary Art Installation debuts at The Elms
Four portraits by artist Elizabeth Colomba will be exhibited in the second floor sitting room of The Elms (1901) from June 26 through September 3, 2018, in a collaboration between The Preservation Society of Newport County and ART&NEWPORT, an organization dedicated to developing and hosting citywide visual arts presentations. Curated by ART&NEWPORT founder Dodie Kazanjian in collaboration with […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Councilors make re-election intentions known (Updated)
This story has been updated to reflect that Jeanne-Marie Napolitano’s confirmation that she will seek reflection. Beginning today candidates for statewide and local office will begin filing their declarations of candidacy, a process that runs through Wednesday (June 27) for local candidates and Thursday for federal and statewide general officeholders. It is the first major step […]