The famed anticyclone is renowned for dominating the South Atlantic and making tricky sailing for Volvo Ocean Race teams heading north or south. Constantly expanding and contracting, the St Helena High – also known as the South Atlantic High Pressure Cell – is currently centred around 1,300 miles east of the Leg 8 start city […]
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
Nearly 700 children attend NUWC Newport’s ‘Bring a Child to Work Day’ to learn about STEM careers, Navy traditions
As Petty Officer 2nd Class Jesse Larson recited a brief history of the morning colors ceremony, three of his fellow Sailors waited patiently to raise the flag. The crowd of around 70 men, women and children that had gathered around the flagpole outside Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport’s headquarters building listened intently. After […]
Posted inCity & Government
Political View: Trillo’s Starbucks comment turns sour
When former Republican turned Independent Joe Trillo, castigated Starbucks CEO for scheduling “racial-bias education” seminars he not only drew the ire of the local NAACP, but was called out by Democrat gubernatorial hopeful Paul Roselli, and many legislators. Roselli, in a Facebook post, called on his fellow gubernatorial candidates to reject what he characterized as […]
Posted inArts & Culture, People & Profiles
Podcast: Patrick Murphy and Jamie Horoszko, Live Local Music And Arts Festival
Patrick Murphy and Jamie Horoszko joined me on What’sUpNewp Radio Edition on AM 1540 WADK Newport today to chat about the Annual Live Local Music And Arts Festival! Tune on in to hear about the festival, be among the first to hear who’s going to be a part of the 2018 lineup, and more! The Live Local […]
Posted inCity & Government
Senator Whitehouse marks Earth Day in Middletown with a call to end plastic pollution
U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse joined leading local environmental advocates today at Clean Ocean Access in Middletown to mark Earth Day with a call to end the plastic pollution filling the oceans, washing up on the shoreline, clogging nets of Rhode Island fishermen, and starving wildlife. “This Earth Day, it is more important than ever that […]
Posted inCity & Government
Eco-Depot headed to Second Beach on April 28
Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (Resource Recovery) and the Middletown Department of Public Works have announced that they are partnering for a household hazardous collection on Saturday, April 28 from 8 am to 1 pm at Second Beach in Middletown. Created in 2001, the Eco-Depot program is a free service offered that provides for the proper handling, […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, Things To Do
What’s up with Pulse Newport’s Beach Bootcamp? We find out…
Since 2009, Pulse Newport has driven hundreds of folks to the beach to get fit. This year, they have even more options, and one indoor bootcamp for those who prefer not to exercise outside. We recently caught up with Jacki Lane, Owner of Pulse Newport (Studio & Gym) and Bellevue Barre Studio, to learn more […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Game on as Volvo Ocean Race fleet switches back to race mode
Following a big send-off from Itajai, Brazil, on Sunday, the seven-strong fleet – back up to full complement with the welcome return of Vestas 11th Hour Racing and Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag – faced a tricky opening night of unpredictable weather. There was little chance for the sailors to acclimatise slowly as constant variations in wind direction and […]
Posted inNews
Portsmouth ‘Conservation Days’ scheduled for this weekend
In celebration of Earth Day, the Portsmouth Conservation Commission will host “Conservation Days” events the weekend of April 28-29. On Saturday, April 28, there will be a Community Trash Cleanup and Fair at the Brown House at Glen Farm, Linden Lane, Portsmouth. From 10 am to 12:30 pm, participants will pick up litter on the trails at Glen […]
Posted inThings To Do
35+ things to do this week
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this week. Monday, April 23rd 10 am – CCRI Earth Day Festival at CCRI Newport 1 pm – Rovensky Park Tree Walk 4 pm – Isle Of Dogs at Jane Pickens Theater 6:30 pm – Indian Pop-up Dinner Monday, April 23rd at Stoneacre […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Where to find live music, karaoke, trivia, movies, and entertainment this week
Here’s a look at all the live music and entertainment that’s worth seeing, hearing, doing, or knowing about in Newport County this week. Monday, April 23rd Diego’s: Trivia at 9:30 pmFastnet Pub: The Ubiquitones at 10 pmFifth Element: The Groove Merchants from 7 pm to 10 pmJane Pickens Theater: Isle Of Dogs at 4 pm, Aquidneck Island […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Jeffrey Foucault & Kris Delmhorst to perform at Common Fence
Common Fence Music has announced that they will present singer-songwriters Jeffery Foucault and Kris Delmhorst on Saturday, May 5, 2018. Though married since 2004, acclaimed folk artists Jeffrey Foucault and Kris Delmhorst have largely built their careers separately. Wisconsin-bred Foucault is known for his lean country-folk aesthetic and songwriting talents that are hailed as among the best of his generation; […]
Posted inCity & Government
Senator Whitehouse will mark Earth Day at Clean Ocean Access on Monday
On Monday, April 23, at 10 am, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Clean Ocean Access, and local environmental advocates will mark Earth Day with a call to end the plastic pollution filling the oceans, washing up on the shoreline, clogging nets of Rhode Island fishermen, and starving wildlife. A 2016 report by the World Economic Forum determined that […]
Posted inNews
MAPFRE leads the Volvo Ocean Race fleet out of Itajaí to Newport
It was a familiar sight on Sunday afternoon in Itajaí, where the two red boats at the top of the Volvo Ocean Race leaderboard set the pace at the start of Leg 8 to Newport, Rhode Island on the east coast of the United States. MAPFRE, in second place overall, led throughout the inshore portion of the […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles
A Bridge to America’s Future: The story of immigrants to our region; a story of master craftsmen
In Turkey’s vibrant jewelry industry, a young Armenian boy of 10 begins learning his trade, destined to become a master craftsman. Some 2,300 miles away in Portugal, an 11-year-old boy is learning to become a watchmaker. They would hone their crafts in their native countries, learning from master craftsmen, the way many children learned some […]
Posted inNews
Volvo Ocean Race: All 7 boats will take the start in Itajaí for Leg 8 race to Newport
Team SHK/Scallywag is back in the water and scheduled to take the start of Leg 8 of the Volvo Ocean Race in Itajaí, Brazil on Sunday afternoon. The team had been in a race against time to have its boat prepared for racing after it was delivered to Itajaí on Thursday. But the Boatyard crew, along with team […]
Posted inThings To Do
Newport Historical Society to co-host ‘Undressing History: Women’s Clothes & Unmentionables from the 19th Century’
The Newport Historical Society and the Rhode Island Historical Society have announced they will partner for their first 2018 joint History Space talk when they present Undressing History: Women’s Clothes & Unmentionables from the 19th Century. During this program in Newport, RI historical costumer Carrie Midura will share some of the secrets (and stuffing) that were hidden beneath […]
Posted inCity & Government
Bellevue will be closed between Memorial Blvd. and Prospect Hill on Monday
On Monday, April 23, 2018 National Grid Gas will be completing the final restoration of the concrete roadway on Bellevue Ave at Prospect Hill Street, from a prior repair, completing the last two concrete panels at this location. The work includes the full excavation of concrete panels and pouring of new concrete in the northbound […]
Posted inCity & Government
City of Newport announces new litter campaign
The City of Newport, via their Engaged Newport newsletter, announced on Friday that they are “changing the way Newport handles litter”. The email introducing the “No Litter Here” campaign stated; As the City of Newport prepares to celebrate Earth Day on April 22 and the warmer days ahead, we would like to introduce residents, businesses and visitors […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, Things To Do
Sail Newport invites public to Volvo Ocean Race ‘Watch Party’ on April 22nd
Sail Newport invites the community to join them on Sunday, April 22nd at @ The Deck on Waite’s Wharf for a Heineken Watch Party – an event to celebrate the Leg 8 Start of the Volvo Ocean Race from Itajai, Brazil to Newport, Rhode Island. Brad Read, Executive Director of Sail Newport, will narrate the […]
Posted inBusiness
Newport Blues Inn, Black Duck Inn sell for combined price of $2.5 million
The market for bed and breakfast’s in Newport may be one of the hottest right now. Following the news last week that Adele Turner Inn and Victorian Ladies Inn were purchased by Landings Capital & Development, What’sUpNewp has learned that two more bed and breakfasts in downtown Newport have recently been sold. Lila Delman Real […]
Posted inNews
Volvo Ocean Race: MAPFRE wins in Itajaí to extend In-Port Series lead
The Spanish team MAPFRE won the Itajaí In-Port Race on Friday in Brazil, after battling with team AkzoNobel for the lead on the first of three laps of the race course. A large spectator fleet was on hand to watch the racing in a moderate 10 knot sea breeze and after taking the lead on the first […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Newport Gulls seeking host families
The Newport Gulls announced today that they are actively seeking local families to join their Host Family Program for the 2018 Season. The Newport Gulls Host Family Program is the foundation on which the Newport Gulls family is built. Host families have opened their homes to Newport Gulls players who hail from all over the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Island Moving Company set to welcome International Choreographer to Rhode Island
Island Moving Co. invites the public to the Company’s studios at 3 Charles Street in Newport, RI for an Open Rehearsal on Friday, May 4th at 7:00 pm. The Company will be working with world-renowned choreographer Maurice Causey on a new dance which will be performed at the Company’s May 12th performance at Vets Auditorium […]
Posted inNews
Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover sets ambitious sustainability goals
Organizers for the Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover are issuing a call to arms: Bring a reusable water bottle when you visit the Race Village at Fort Adams State Park to contribute to the fight against plastics littering the world. The request is part of an ambitious sustainability plan set forth by organizers including Sail Newport and the Sustainability Committee for […]