The Newport Democratic City Committee will hold a forum on gun safety on June 18 from 6:30 to 8:00pm at the Claiborne Pell Elementary School. The forum, which will have members of gun safety organizations as well as local leaders, will discuss the rights of gun owners, gun safety legislation that has been introduced in […]
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
Celebrate open space at Norman Bird Sanctuary’s 5K Run/Walk on June 16th
Run, jog, or walk past rolling fields and beaches on Saturday, June 16th at Norman Bird Sanctuary’s 12th Annual 5K Run/Walk in memory of David Leys Jr. More than 400 runners start at the Norman Bird Sanctuary Welcome Center, travel past Hanging Rock, Second Beach and Sachuest Point before finishing by the Third Beach dunes […]
Posted inNews
What’sUpNewp Radio Edition – June 8: RI Air Show; Thoughts, opinions, and facts on suicide in Rhode Island
After talking about the Rhode Island Air Show for the first twenty to thirty minutes (I was supposed to be joined by an organizer of the event so I improv’d this part), I turned my attention, thoughts, and voice to the topic on everyone’s mind today – suicide (or Anthony Bourdain, or Kate Spade, or ….). […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Art Museum to welcome new summer exhibitions at opening reception
The Newport Art Museum will welcome four new exhibitions to its galleries this summer, including Joan Hall’s Sea of Heartbreak, Rania Matar’s A Girl and Her Room, Cristi Rinklin’s Paramnesiac and Shara Hughes’ Sun Salutations. An Opening Reception for all four shows will be held during the Museum’s late night programming, Art After Dark, on Thursday, June 14, from 5 – 9 pm. Museum members are welcomed free, non-members […]
Posted inNews
Local organizations colloborate to launch ‘Strawless by the Sea’ on World Oceans Day
In response to increased plastic waste on beaches and in the ocean, Green Drinks Newport announced this week that it has partnered with Clean Ocean Access and The Last Straw to launch Strawless by the Sea, a collaborative campaign to eliminate plastic straws in Newport, Rhode Island. Strawless by the Sea launches today (Friday, June […]
Posted inNews
Thompson Middle School educator named Newport Public Schools ‘Teacher of the Year’
Elizabeth Gibbs, a Thompson Middle School Grade 7 Science Teacher, has been named the 2018-2019 Newport Public Schools Teacher of the Year. “It is with great pleasure that we congratulate Elizabeth Gibbs, Grade 7 Science Teacher, as the 2018-2019 Newport Public Schools Teacher of the Year,” a press release from Newport Public Schools stated on […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport recognized for work in supporting early school success
The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading announced today that it will recognize Newport, Rhode Island with Pacesetter Honors for its work in 2017. “Recognizing Pacesetters is our way of applauding and thanking the civic leaders, organizations and agencies that have joined forces to build brighter futures for children in their communities,” said Ralph Smith, managing director […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
In Person or Online: How to watch the start of the Newport Bermuda Race
If you are not one of the 1500+ sailors wrapping up preparations for the start of the 51st Newport Bermuda Race on Friday, June 15, 2018, then you have less than a week to plan how to watch one of the greatest sailing spectacles held on Narragansett Bay. Organized by the Cruising Club of America and […]
Posted inThings To Do
Miantonomi Park Memorial Tower will be open for free tours every Sunday this summer
Aquidneck Land Trust (“ALT”) and the City of Newport, as part of the Newport Open Space Partnership, announce new summer hours for the historic tower in Miantonomi Park. The tower will be open and free to the public every Sunday from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., beginning June 17 and ending September 2. The park […]
Posted inNews
What’sUpNewp Radio Edition – June 7th: Dave McLaughlin from Clean Ocean Access chats about World Oceans Day
Ryan Belmore and Tim Towey were joined by Dave McLaughlin, Executive Director of Clean Ocean Access, ahead of his organizations World Oceans Day cleanup and celebration at Easton’s Beach. World Oceans Day is celebrated globally on June 8th. Tim and Ryan also chatted about a variety of other topics. What’s Up Newp Radio Edition Tune […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Preview: 2018 newportFILM Outdoors summer lineup and schedule
Ahead of the kick-off of the kick-off of their annual summer series, newportFILM Outdoors, What’sUpNewp caught up with newportFILM to get a preview of all that’s ahead for the non-profit organization this summer. More than a film festival, newportFILM Outdoors makes each film its own festival. At these events, you’ll experience award-winning documentaries, live music, interviews with […]
Posted inThings To Do
16 local attractions will offer free admission for Newport County residents and hospitality employees, June 16 – 18
Newport County residents and employees of the hospitality industry are invited to visit many great local attractions from Saturday, June 16 through Monday, June 18, 2018. A total of 16 attractions/organizations are participating, including three in Bristol. Visitors showing proof of residency (driver’s license or other identification with an address) or proof of hospitality employment […]
Posted inThings To Do
This Weekend: 25+ things to do in and around Newport
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport, RI this weekend. You Might Also Like – This Weekend: Live music and entertainment listings Friday, June 8th U.S. Professional Singles playing for the Schochet Cup at The National Tennis Club 4 pm – A Fork In the Road at Ragged Island Brewing Company 4:45 pm – RBG at […]
Posted inArts & Culture
This Weekend: Live music and entertainment listings
Here’s where to find live music, movies, entertainment, dancing, and more in and around Newport this weekend. Friday, June 8th Buskers: Sean Connell 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 Twalle and DJ 4Hundo at […]
Posted inNews
Salve Regina launches nation’s first online Ph.D. program in international relations
Salve Regina University has launched an online Ph.D. program in international relations that officials say is the first of its kind in the United States. Designed primarily for faculty at military institutions, military officers from both the U.S. and abroad, and those employed in the government services professions, the program is currently enrolling students for […]
Posted inNews
Bike share program will pop-up in Newport this weekend
This weekend, the City of Newport will have a brief two-day taste of bike share – the popular public transportation system that is popping up in cities nationwide, according to Bike Newport. With bike share, people can borrow a bike from one dock and return it to another dock, making it possible to use shared […]
Posted inNews
What’sUpNewp Radio Edition – June 6: RI Kids Count chats about latest report, Ragged Island chats about Ales for ALS
Elizabeth Burke Bryant, Exeuctive director of Rhode Island Kids Count, joined Ryan Belmore and Frank Prosnitz on this edition of What’sUpNewp Radio Edition on AM 1540 WADK to chat about the latest Kids Count report. Matt Gray from Ragged Island Brewing Co. also joined the program to chat about Ales for ALS, Ragged Island Brewing […]
Posted inBusiness
Visiting Nurse Home & Hospice awarded patient satisfaction award
Strategic Healthcare Programs (SHP), a nationally recognized leader in performance analysis and benchmarking for 6,000 post-acute healthcare providers (including the homecare industry), has named Visiting Nurse Home & Hospice the Best Superior Performer in patient satisfaction for the 2017 calendar year. The “Best Superior Performer” award distinguishes Visiting Nurse Home & Hospice in the top […]
Posted inJobs
Now Hiring: 130 businesses in and around Newport
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 100 businesses hiring right now in and around Newport. Featured Job Listings 12 Meter Charters – Sailing Crew Member on 70 foot charter yacht12 Meter Charters – Sailing Sales RepresentativeAdvanced Remarketing Services – Customer Experience […]
Posted inNews
The Open Forum – June 5th: Mary Murphy and Mary Frances Vesey, ALS caregivers
ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, has long been viewed as among the most devastating conditions for both the afflicted and his or her family. Mary Murphy and Mary Frances Vesey, both of whom lost husbands to ALS, witnessing the courage, strength, bravery and determination of their husbands, and also demonstrating […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Top teams seeking answers at New York Yacht Club’s 164th Annual Regatta
With its gleaming black hull and black sails, Jack LeFort’s Challenge 12 (above, center) was a striking addition to Newport’s growing 12 Metre fleet last season. While the boat will look the same when it kicks off its 2018 campaign at the New York Yacht Club’s 164th Annual Regatta, LeFort says that there are some key changes hiding […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Newport Gulls: Hoese homers twice in 5-4 loss
Opening night of the 2018 New England Collegiate Baseball League season was a back-and-forth affair between New Bedford and Newport, but it was the Bay Sox who improved to 1—0 on the season after defeating the Gulls 5 – 4. Nic Enright picked up the loss for Newport giving up 3 earned runs on five […]
Posted inCity & Government
Tractor trailer truck tolling will begin on June 11th
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) announced today that it is scheduled to implement an all-electronic tolling system for tractor-trailer-only tolling at two locations along I-95 in southern Rhode Island starting on June 11, 2018. The remaining tolling locations will come on line over the next 18 months. Revenue will be collected from tractor-trailers only. “Studies […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Vermont restaurant takes first place in three categories at 37th Annual Great Chowder Cook-Off
Thousands of chowder lovers savored the sumptuous soups of not only the best chefs in Rhode Island but as far away as Vermont and Ireland at the 37th Annual Great Chowder Cook-Off, held this past Saturday at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island. But they also had a job to do — to […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Taproot Brewing Co. will open at Newport Vineyards on June 20th
What’sUpNewp has confirmed that Taproot Brewing Co. will open on Wednesday, June 20th in Middletown. As What’sUpNewp first reported last week, the Nunes family are opening Taproot Brewing Co. on the same site as their Newport Vineyards and Brix restaurant in Middletown. “I’ve been making beer longer than I’ve been making wine,” said Newport Vineyards owner […]