Governor Raimondo chaired a busy meeting of the Commerce Corporation today and made a “major jobs announcement representing new opportunities for Rhode Islanders at all skill levels”, according to a press release from the Governor’s office.. In all, partnerships were approved with four companies bringing a total of more than 2,000 permanent jobs, $800 million […]
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 inNews
Volvo Ocean Race: Foggy first 24 hours has Dongfeng Race Team leading the charge
A split has already developed, with Dongfeng gybing to the north just before 1300 UTC on Monday while MAPFRE continues with the bulk of the fleet charging out to the southeast. It was a foggy first night at sea with Liz Wardley on Turn the Tide on Plastic tweeting on Monday morning: “The first time since leaving Newport that […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Region’s best surfers battle in 2018 Water Brothers Pro
There was no shortage of professional sporting events in the Newport area yesterday. Over at Fort Adams, the seven boats of the Volvo Ocean Race fleet departed on Sunday, headed for their next stop in Cardiff, Wales. Meanwhile, at Second Beach, the second annual Water Brothers Pro in Memory of Ryan Roberts found 40 professional […]
Posted inNews
Team Brunel leads fleet out of Newport after spectacular Sunday start
Team Brunel accomplished its first goal on Sunday afternoon, taking the early lead on Leg 9 of the Volvo Ocean Race from Newport, Rhode Island to Cardiff, Wales. The Dutch team, led by eight-time race veteran Bouwe Bekking, has been on a tear over the last two months of the race and is attempting to muscle its […]
Posted inNews
Newport bids farewell to Volvo Ocean Race
As a dense fog lifted and abundant sunshine washed over Newport, the City-by-the-Sea bid farewell to the Volvo Ocean Race. The fleet of seven VO65 race boats departed on a trans-Atlantic leg bound for Cardiff, Wales. With the fog cleared the race committee decided to send the fleet on a lap of the East Passage […]
Posted inJobs
Featured Job: Lifespan – Environmental Services Attendant
Lifespan is now hiring for an Environmental Services Attendant. Environmental Services Attendant Job Number: NH18510 Job Title: Environmental Services Attendant Facility: Newport Hospital Location: Newport, RI Position Summary: Multiple full time positions available with benefits for day and evening shifts. Perform a variety of housekeeping duties to maintain the Hospital in a clean, aseptic, safe and […]
Posted inJobs
Featured Job: Lifespan – Medical Assistant
Lifespan is now hiring for the position of a medical assistant. Medical Assistant – Primary Care Job Number: LPG16041 Job Title: Medical Assistant- Primary Care Department: LPG Primary Care Newport – 8053562 Location: Newport, RI High school diploma or equivalent. Completion of Certification Medical Assistant program required. Ability to operate office equipment such as voice […]
Posted inNews
One day left to visit Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover Race Village
Fans of the Volvo Ocean Race have one more day to visit Fort Adams State Park to catch a glimpse of the international sailors and VO65 race boats. Tomorrow afternoon the fleet of seven yachts sets off on a trans-Atlantic race bound for Cardiff, Wales, on the third-to-last leg of the globe-girdling race. The race then […]
Posted inBusiness, News
From Bagels to Bridges – Bike to Work Day 2018
It was a busy day for bikes in front of City Hall on Broadway in Newport, from the first bikes arriving to the annual Bike Commuter Breakfast at 7am, to the last to depart on the police-escorted bell-ringing Ride Round Town at 5pm. In the morning, bike commuters from NUWC, Naval Station Newport, Newport Hospital, Preservation Society, […]
Posted inNews
Team Brunel takes win in Gurney’s Resorts In-Port Race
The seven boats of the Volvo Ocean Race 2018 fleet lined up off Fort Adams on Saturday afternoon for the start of the Gurney’s Resort In-Port Race. It was the final act of this year’s Newport stopover before the boats depart for a transatlantic leg to Cardiff, Wales tomorrow afternoon. In addition to overall race […]
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Focus shifts to inshore racing on Saturday at the Volvo Ocean Race in Newport
After returning to the northern hemisphere with nearly 40,000 nautical miles in their wake, the sailors in the Volvo Ocean Race will shift gears to inshore racing with a focus on Saturday’s Gurney’s Resorts In Port Race Newport. In contrast to the long offshore ocean legs, the In Port Race Series features short course racing, close to […]
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Rhode Island continues to lead fight against marine pollution at Volvo Ocean Race Newport Ocean Summit
When the Volvo Ocean Race first visited Newport in 2015 a highlight of the stopover was the Ocean Summit. It brought together race competitors, organizers, environmentalists, philanthropists and corporate executives to raise awareness of plastics littering the world’s oceans. The first summit was such a success that the Volvo Ocean Race adopted the model for the current edition […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Top of Newport at Hotel Viking now open for the season
Spring weather = rooftop season! Hotel Viking’s rooftop bar and restaurant, Top of Newport, is officially open to welcome the warm weather. Newport locals and visitors can enjoy fresh seafood compliments of Chef Simone Ferrara, rotating specials, and 360- degree views of the beautiful seaside city. Menu highlights include a Caviar Board, a plethora of raw seafood options including crab and lobster claws, cheese & charcuterie boards Local Crab Bon Bons and salad options […]
Posted inNews
Wyndham Estate in Newport sells for $4.4 million
Mott & Chace Sotheby’s International Realty and Gustave White Sotheby’s International Realty announced on Friday that 36 Beacon Hill Road in Newport recently sold for $4,400,000. According to data from the Rhode Island Statewide Multiple Listing Service, this is the second highest sale in the municipality so far this year. The buyers of 36 Beacon Hill […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Mira Nakashima to Speak at Newport Art Museum’s Annual Meeting on May 30th
Noted woodworker and furniture designer Mira Nakashima will speak at the Newport Art Museum’s Annual Meeting on Wednesday, May 30. Mira is the daughter of woodworker and furniture designer, George Nakashima. The program begins at 6 p.m. with refreshments served at 5:30 p.m. and will take place in the Museum’s Ilgenfritz Gallery located at 76 Bellevue Avenue. Admission is free for Museum members and […]
Posted inNews
Plastic progress made at Newport Ocean Summit
A range of announcements at the Ocean Summit during the Newport stopover saw Rhode Island become the first US state to sign up to the UN CleanSeas campaign to fight ocean plastic pollution. Volvo Cars revealed it will remove single-use plastics from all its offices, canteens and events across the globe replacing over 20 million […]
Posted inCity & Government
Taylor’s Message to be presented to Rogers Students
On Wednesday, May 23, 2018, from 9:00-10:00 AM there will be an assembly in the Patrick F. Carroll Auditorium at the William S. Rogers High School for all students in the 10th and 12th grades. An alcohol awareness program called Taylor’s Message and the presenter, Kathi Meyer, tells the story of her daughter who died as […]
Posted inNews
Volvo Ocean Race: New data reveals microplastics in world’s remotest ocean
The Ocean Summit at the Volvo Ocean Race stopover in Newport, Rhode Island, will showcase innovative solutions to the plastic crisis affecting the world’s oceans. For the first time it will be streamed LIVE on Friday 8th May 0830 – 1140 EDT (1230- 1640 UTC) on volvooceanrace.com and one session will be LIVE on Facebook 0900 – 1010 EDT […]
Posted inJobs
RIMTA to offer Yacht-Crew Training in Newport
The Rhode Island Marine Trades Association (RIMTA) will host a three-day training program in June to give participants the skills and industry knowledge needed to start a career as crew on a luxury yacht. RIMTA has partnered with Ship to Shore Crew Placement Agency to run the program. Three full days of instruction will be […]
Posted inNews
Things to do on day 11 of the Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover
The Race Village at the Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover will be open at Fort Adams State Park from 10 am to 7 pm today. There is a parking fee of $20 today. Admission into the race village is free. Friday, May 18th M32 Guest Sailing: 9:45 am – 10:25 am Race Village Open: 10:00 […]
Posted inNews
MetLife Veterans Regatta brings together service members for active racing duty
The MetLife Veterans Regatta, a therapeutic event for veterans of active service duty, brought together 12 veterans from around the country for training and racing at the Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover on Mondayand Tuesday. Racing in Sail Newport’s fleet of J/22 sailboats, the veterans’ crews also included a representative of race teams Vestas 11th Hour Racing, […]
Posted inNews
OMEGA goes onshore in Newport to unveil the Volvo Ocean Race winner’s watch
As the Official Timekeeper of the Volvo Ocean Race, OMEGA has been keeping a precise eye on this year’s action at sea. The sailors have now stopped in Newport, Rhode Island, to complete Leg 8 of the race, and OMEGA celebrated the moment by unveiling its newly-designed winner’s watch. The Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black […]
Posted inBusiness
Tara Flynn joins The Preservation Society of Newport County as Director of Development
Tara Flynn, a Newport native, has been appointed Director of Development for The Preservation Society of Newport County. For the past 13 years, Flynn was Director of Development for Loyola Marymount University’s College of Communication and Fine Arts in Los Angeles, CA. In the University’s last campaign she led a successful fundraising effort that exceeded […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
This Weekend: 25+ things to do
Here’s what’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this weekend. You Might Also Like – This Weekend: Live music and entertainment listings Friday, May 18th 7 am – Bike to Work Day! 10 am to 7 pm – Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover Race Village open at Fort Adams 12 pm to 3 pm – Gurney’s Volvo Ocean […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
This Weekend: Live music and entertainment listings
Here’s a look at all the live music and entertainment that’s worth seeing, hearing, doing, or knowing about in Newport County this weekend. Friday, May 18th Buskers: 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 […]