A Public Forum presented by the One Newport NPS Strategic Plan Subcommittee And Alliance for Livable Newport (ALN) highlighting the student experience within Rogers High School and Thompson Middle School was held at Claiborne Pell Elementary School on May 1st. At “Students of Newport Public Schools Speak Out”, Thompson and Rogers School students talked about their […]
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 inBusiness
WhatsUpNewp wins investigative reporting grant
WhatsUpNewp was awarded an Impact-Designed Investigative Grant (I-DIG) for investigative reporting from Local Independent Online News Publishers (LION) and the Excellence and Ethics in Journalism Foundation. “We’re thrilled that a national journalism organization chose our humble publication for a grant for in-depth reporting,” Ryan Belmore, Owner of What’sUpNewp said. “We appreciate the confidence that LION […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport Police arrest Middletown man wanted for Festival Field shooting
The Newport Police Department announced on Friday morning that they have arrested a 21-year-old Middletown man who was wanted in connection to a shooting at Festival Field in April. On April 24, 2018 at 7:55 pm, Newport Police responded to the Festival Field apartment complex at 90 Girard Avenue for a report of an individual who […]
Posted inNews
Things to do on day 4 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 11 am to 7 pm today. Parking is free and admission into the race village is free. Friday, May 11th Race Village Open: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm For a full list of daily activities, see […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Quarterfinalists set at Argo Group Gold Cup
When the Quarterfinal Round of the 68th Argo Group Gold Cup gets underway Friday morning the eight teams will bring an array of experience to the storied regatta. Crews led by Taylor Canfield (USA), Johnie Berntsson (SWE), Joachim Aschenbrenner (DEN) and Nicklas Dackhammar (SWE) all qualified for the quarterfinals on Wednesday by placing in the top four of the […]
Posted inThings To Do
This Weekend: 15+ things to do
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this weekend. Friday, May 11th 11 am to 7 pm – Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover Race Village open at Fort Adams State Park 4:45 pm & 7:30 pm – Tully at Jane Pickens Theater 6:30 pm – Newport Little Leauge Fundraiser at O’brien’s Pub 8 pm […]
Posted inArts & Culture
This Weekend: Live music and entertainment listings
Here’s where to find live music, entertainment, comedy and more this weekend in and around Newport. Friday, May 11th 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: Melissa Chaplin & Family at 8 pmFirehouse Theater: The Bit Players at 8 […]
Posted inThings To Do
One Ocean Exploration Zone will open on Saturday at Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover Race Village
A full slate of activities and attractions at the Volvo Ocean Race Newport race village will expand further with the opening of the One Ocean Exploration Zone at Fort Adams on Saturday. The Exploration Zone is presented by 11th Hour Racing which sponsors the Vestas team in this edition of the Volvo Ocean Race. The […]
Posted inThings To Do
Bike Newport and community partners announce ‘Elliot’s Ride for Everyone!’
Bike Newport and the Newport County YMCA, together with numerous community partners, have jointly announced the sixth annual ride for bike safety – Elliot’s Ride for Everyone! The event is named for Elliot Kaminitz, a much-loved community member who championed bike riding and bike safety, and tragically lost his life while riding his bicycle on […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Newport HEZ launches the ‘Fresh Zone’ at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Community Center
Residents of the North End and Broadway Neighborhoods in Newport have expressed that limited transportation is a problem when shopping for healthy food. Grocery stores containing fresh, healthy and affordable foods are out of reach for many Newport residents. Because of this, only 19% of residents in the North End eat fruits and veggies more than […]
Posted inJobs
Now Hiring: 100+ businesses hiring right now in 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. All job listings have been posted within the last 7 days and are located within 5 miles of Newport. Featured Job Listings Advanced […]
Posted inNews
Things to do on day 3 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 11 am to 7 pm today. Parking is free and admission into the race village is free. Thursday, May 10th Race Village Open: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm For a full list of daily activities, see […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles
Podcast: A ‘Bridge To The Future’ conversation with Bahjat Shariff
Bahjat Shariff was born in war-torn Lebanon. He left his country and family behind when he was 18, and with 300 in his pocket arrived in Los Angeles, where he would enroll in Citrus College. Bahjat, who continues our “Bridge to the Future” series, has been recognized by the New England Patriots for his charitable […]
Posted inThings To Do
Newport Tour Guides & Greeters News #19: The Volvo Ocean Race fleet is in and the focus is on Narragansett Bay
The first sailboats of the Volvo Ocean race arrived at Newport’s Fort Adams on Tuesday morning, May 8th. The Volvo Ocean Race Newport Race Village opened officially later that day. Fun is now underway. For the next two weeks — May 8-20 – the Volvo Ocean Race will be the big attraction here. Newport is […]
Posted inCity & Government
State beaches begin to open for summer season this weekend
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced today that three state beaches in South County will be open weekends from 9 am to 6 pm starting on Saturday, May 12. Scarborough North, Roger Wheeler, and Misquamicut state beaches will be open Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting, from May 12 until Memorial Day to accommodate early beach-goers […]
Posted inCity & Government
Senator Euer sponsors bills on natural hair braiders, food trucks to support entrepreneurs pursuing American Dream
Two bills introduced by Senator Dawn Euer (D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown) would help lighten the regulatory burden on entrepreneurs and make the American Dream more achievable. One of the bills would exempt natural hair braiders from having to be licensed as hairdressers or cosmeticians. The other would address Rhode Island’s complex, confusing and costly web […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter To The Editor: Catch the George Donnelly Sunset League at Carines Field this summer
August 4th, 1919….. Who would’ve thought that, a century later, the Sunset League, now the George Donnelly Sunset League, would still be active, and thriving? Certainly, when Dr. Peter Integlia and Arthur Leland set out to start a new baseball league in Newport that fall, no one thought it would last 100 years. After Manager […]
Posted inBusiness, Environment & Health
Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina becomes title sponsor of In-Port Race during Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover
Sail Newport announced on Wednesday in a press release that Volvo Ocean Race Port Partner, Gurney’s Resorts, has expanded their support of the 13-day event with a title sponsorship of the In-Port Race on May 19 at 2 pm. Gurney’s Resorts, which boasts waterfront luxury resorts in both the Hamptons and Newport, signed on to be a Port […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Canfield sweeps Round Robin at Argo Group Gold Cup
Taylor Canfield’s USone Sailing Team completed a clean sweep of the Round Robin at the 68th Argo Group Gold Cup. Canfield and crew Mike Buckley, Victor Diaz de Leon, George Peet and Erik Shampain continued the winning ways they started yesterday and finished 10-0. They advance to Friday’s Quarterfinal Round where they’ll choose their opponent. “All around […]
Posted inNews
Photo Gallery: Coast Guard aircraft honor, fly over Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover Race Village
A Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter flew over the Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover Race Village as part of the opening of the Race Village on Tuesday, May 8th. The United States Coast Guard has released the following photos by Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew […]
Posted inThings To Do
Things to do on day 2 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 11 am to 7 pm today. Parking is free and admission into the race village is free. Wednesday, May 9th Race Village Open: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm For a full list of daily activities, see […]
Posted inNews
Podcast: A convo with Gregory Thompson, Women’s Resource Center
Gregory Thompson, Development Director, of the Women’s Resource Center in Newport and Warren, stopped by What’sUpNewp Radio Edition on AM 1540 WADK on Tuesday to chat with me about all that his organization is doing in our local communities. Women’s Resource Center (WRC), serving Newport and Bristol Counties, was founded in 1977 to provide comprehensive […]
Posted inBusiness
Recent networking open house discusses Christianity in business
When local real estate agents Daniele Alsheimer and Jason Brown compare notes, they agree their Christian faith transforms their business goals and ethics. This same sentiment was expressed by other attendees at the EFC North Business Networking Open House on April 26. Early that Thursday evening, Alsheimer of William Raveis Real Estate and Brown of […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Argo Group Gold Cup packed with action on day 1
In a day packed with so much action that many skippers’ memories were left blurred, Taylor Canfield’s USone Sailing Team streaked out to the early lead at the 68th Argo Group Gold Cup. Canfield and crew Mike Buckley, Victor Diaz de Leon, Erik Shampain and George Peet won all six of their matches and are […]
Posted inNews
Governor Raimondo, local dignitaries officially open Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover Race Village
The Volvo Ocean Race returned to Newport this morning for the first time since 2015. Despite the early arrivals, hundreds of people were on the dock at Fort Adams to welcome the sailors home from the sea. The fleet was led into port by the Spanish boat MAPFRE which came from behind at the very […]