A Newport woman claimed a $50,000 “Super Crossword” Instant Ticket prize on Friday, according to the Rhode Island Lottery. According to Lottery officials, the woman initially thought she won $2,000 until Lottery staff validated the ticket and informed her that the ticket was actually a $50,000 winner. Since the identified winner hadn’t realized how much […]
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
Past Champions, Rising Stars, and Grass Court Standouts among Player Field at Dell Technologies Hall of Fame Open
Tennis’ short but sweet grass court season is in full swing, and for some of the ATP World Tour’s most exciting players, they’ll wrap up the season on the historic grass courts of the International Tennis Hall of Fame for the Dell Technologies Hall of Fame Open, July 15 – 22. The 28-player draw is […]
Posted inArts & Culture
This Weekend: Live music and entertainment listings
Here’s what’s happening for live music, comedy, entertainment, theater, and movies this weekend in Newport County! Friday, June 22nd 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: The Wasted Talent Show at […]
Posted inNews
Million Dollar Listing: Home on Beavertail Road in Jamestown fetches $2 million
Lila Delman Real Estate announced the sale of 7 Beavertail Road in Jamestown. According to the press release, the property sold for $2 million. The buyers have not been identified. Bob Bailey, Manager of Lila Delman’s Jamestown office, represented the buyer. “I was thrilled to be part of the process of helping my buyers acquire […]
Posted inNews
Volvo Ocean Race: Dongfeng Race Team and MAPFRE in tense match race towards Aarhus
Rivals Dongfeng Race Team and MAPFRE were locked in a bitter tussle for the Leg 11 lead – and overall Volvo Ocean Race victory – on Friday as they led the fleet towards the Danish city of Aarhus. One third of the way through the 970-mile sprint final leg from Gothenburg to The Hague the […]
Posted inThings To Do
This Weekend: 30+ things to do
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport County this weekend. You Might Also Like: This Weekend: Live Music & Entertainment Listings Friday, June 22 Inaugural Newport, RI Pride Weekend 8 am – The 2018 Clagett Regatta and U.S. Para Sailing Championships at Sail Newport 10:30 am to 5 pm – Newport Flower Show […]
Posted inNews
YMCA and Newport Mental Health bring UK Program to US for the first time
In a joint effort to promote mental health awareness, Newport County YMCA and Newport Mental Health are hosting the “I am Whole” campaign, a series of workshops and events that went viral in the United Kingdom and Europe last year. This the first time a YMCA in the U.S. has implemented such a campaign and […]
Posted inNews
RI Foundation awards nearly $270,000 in grants to serve Newport County residents
(Photo: The Rhode Island Foundation has awarded nearly $270,000 in grants to serve Newport County residents. Lucy’s Hearth residents Stephanie Aguair and Jamane Rose and their daughter Jayla are among the people who will be helped by the funding.) The Rhode Island Foundation is awarding nearly $270,000 to nonprofit organizations serving Newport County residents. The […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Coaches have words of wisdom for the sailors at the 16th annual Clagett Regatta and the 2018 U.S. Para Sailing Championships
For the 46 sailors who are attending the 16th annual C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta and the 2018 U.S. Para Sailing Championships in Newport RI, two days of coaching will be put to use tomorrow when the racing begins. This year the coaching team of Dave Perry, Dave Dellenbaugh, Brian Todd, Betsy Alison, Nancy Haberland […]
Posted inCity & Government
Assembly OKs bill to notify businesses of impending road construction, provide assistance
STATE HOUSE – The Department of Transportation will need to coordinate with the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation to help small businesses that will be affected by RhodeWorks construction projects under a bill sponsored by Rep. Lauren H. Carson and Sen. Dawn Euer that cleared the General Assembly yesterday. The legislation (2018-H 7104, 2018-S 2086), which now […]
Posted inArts & Culture
12+ free weekly outdoor music and movie series to enjoy this summer (Updated)
Summer in Newport and live music, they go together like clam cakes and chowder. There’s no short supply of free live music and movies on any given night in Newport. Here’s a look at all that can be enjoyed outdoors this summer for free or for a small donation. Schedules subject to change. Note – […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Newport Polo: Boston returns to take on Newport on Saturday
On Saturday, June 23rd at 5 pm, Boston returns to challenge Newport for an 8th annual campaign between the northeast rivals, at the polo grounds of Glen Farm, home of the NBC10 Newport Internationa l Polo Series 27, Presented by BMW. (photo credit: Hillary Oswald). In the 6-chukker exhibition polo match, Newport will be looking to maintain its winning streak against Boston, for a duration of approximately 2 hours. Returning for Boston will be Nick Snow, Whitney Ellis, Steven Burr and Amanda/Alison […]
Posted inCity & Government
$250M School Construction Bond set to become Question 1 on November Ballot
The Senate voted to approve the state budget last night, which means the $250M school construction bond is set to become Question 1 on the November ballot, once the Governor signs the budget. She is expected to do so on Friday. Last night, the Senate unanimously approved their companion bill to Article 9 of the state budget, which includes incentives […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport Democratic City Committee endorses Democratic Candidates for public office
At a Special meeting of the Newport Democratic City Committee on June 19, 2018, the following Democratic Candidates for public office were endorsed: U. S. Senate Sheldon WhitehouseU.S. Congress David N. CicillineGovernor Gina RaimondoLt. Governor Aaron RegunbergSecretary of State Nellie GorbeaGeneral Treasurer Seth MagazinerAttorney General Peter NeronhaState Senate, District 12 Louis Di PalmaState Senate, District […]
Posted inCity & Government
City of Newport to host informational meeting on tide gate structure
The Newport Department of Utilities, Water Pollution Control Division, engineers announced on Monday via a press release that they are finalizing the construction documents for the “installation of a tide gate structure in Storer Park on the 48 inch Bridge Street storm drain prior to the outfall into Newport Harbor”. A public meeting is scheduled […]
Posted inNews
Local organizations team up to host ‘Newport Clean Up Day’ on June 28th
Several local organizations have announced their collaboration to host “Newport Clean Up Day” on Thursday, June 28th. “Come join Clean Ocean Access (COA), Mount Gay Rum, and The Last Straw for a cleanup of lower Thames and Banisters and Bowens Wharf on Thursday, June 28th from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.,” a news brief from […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Island Books to host author of Newport-based novel, ‘The Maze at Windermere’
Middletown, RI – Island Books announced on Tuesday that author Gregory Blake Smith will be at their store on Wednesday, June 27th a7 pm. Smith will be reading from and singing copies of his Newport-based work of historical fiction, The Maze at Windermere. According to a press release from Island Books, The Maze at Windermere explores five time […]
Posted inNews
Newport among 25 cities and towns across Rhode Island recognized for leadership on overdose prevention and response
On behalf of her Overdose Prevention and Intervention Task Force, Governor Gina M. Raimondo joined Health and Human Services Secretary Eric J. Beane and the Task Force Co-Chairs, Tom Coderre, Senior Policy Advisor to the Governor, and Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott and Rebecca Boss, Directors of the Rhode Island Departments of Health (RIDOH) and Behavioral Healthcare, […]
Posted inNews
Six organizations awarded grants by The Women’s Fund of Rhode Island
The Women’s Fund of Rhode Island (WFRI) announced on Tuesday a total of $50,000 in grant funding to six organizations for their innovative proposals to advance gender equity and help level the playing field for women and girls in Rhode Island. The grant recipients and awarded programs are: Blackstone Valley Prep– Funding will […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island’s Congressional Delegation announce $12.5 Million in opioid funding now available to Rhode Island
Today, Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Congressmen Jim Langevin (D-RI) and David Cicilline (D-RI) announced in a press release a substantial increase in federal funding has been made available for Rhode Island’s fight against opioid addiction. According to a press release issues on Tuesday, Rhode Island’s share from a grant program […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News
Update: O’Brien’s Pub reopens following kitchen fire
O’Brien’s Pub announced just before 7 pm on Monday evening that they would be temporarily closed for “the next few days” following a kitchen fire. Things moved along a bit quicker than expected, as O’Brien’s announced just before noon on Tuesday that they had reopened. O’Brien’s reports that no one was injured during the […]
Posted inNews
What’sUpNewp Radio – June 19: Attila Csiki, One Night Only; John Nunes, Taproot Brewing Co.
What a fun Tuesday show! It was great to be joined by artist and choreographer Attila Csiki. Attila talked about the event “One Night Only – A Collaboration between Local Artists and Friends” happening on Wednesday night at Jamestown Arts Center. Atilla also talked about his life, on and off Broadway, travels, how he found himself in […]
Posted inCity & Government
Lynn Ceglie will seek re-election to Newport’s City Council
Lynn Ceglie has announced her intention to run for re-election to the Newport City Council representing the 2nd Ward. Ceglie is the first City Council member or candidate to publically announce her intent to run for re-election in November. “I am announcing my run for re-election in Newport’s 2 nd Ward. I have been a […]
Posted inOpinion
Guest View: The public health benefits of adding offshore wind to the grid
The following was written by Jonathan Buonocore, Research Associate, Center for Climate, Health and the Global Environment, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University. It originally appeared on The Conversation. As a LION Member, What’sUpNewp has been given permission to republish this content. New plans to build two commercial offshore wind farms near the Massachusetts and Rhode Island […]
Posted inBusiness
Fishermen of Newport and Newport Lobster Shack to honor Ronnie Fatulli
(Pictured Ronnie Fatulli in 1979. The lobster weighed 30 pounds!) On Thursday, June 21, 2018, the Newport Lobster Shack and Fishermen of Newport will honor Ronnie Fatulli for his lifelong commitment to the commercial fishing industry of Newport, his love of the working waterfront and his successful efforts to insure a permanent commercial pier in […]