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. 22 Bowen’s Restaurant – Servers […]
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
Newport Tour Guides & Greeter News – #7: Big Tourism Season Ahead
There’s a super big week ahead! A forecast of somewhat temperate weather in spite of the posted season, combined with the kick-off of the 30th annual Newport Winter Fest signals an inviting time for visitors and residents alike. Check out the following listings and previews of the busy season ahead for residents and visitors […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Rhode Island Waterfront Events adds four more shows to East Providence series
Rhode Island Waterfront Events and music promoter, Live Nation, announce that four more shows have been added to its 2018 Concert Series at Bold Point Park on the East Providence, Rhode Island waterfront. The eclectic mix of concerts are: THE HEAD AND THE HEART, Friday, June 8th Advance general admission ticket $45.50/Day of $51; FREE […]
Posted inNews
Aquidneck Land Trust receives grant to purchase Little Creek Preserve in Portsmouth
Aquidneck Land Trust (“ALT”) has received a $151,500 grant from The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (“DEM”) for the purchase of Little Creek Preserve in Portsmouth. ALT has been fundraising to conserve Little Creek since July 2017 and has raised $364,500 of the $368,000 required to close on the 15.6-acre property. Fundraising will continue […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Queen Anne’s Loft to open in former Star Bar as an event and function venue
Meet Amanda Roderick, a local hospitality professional and an extended relative of the Kilroy family, known for their popular downtown restaurants including The Landing, where Roderick has worked with her family since she was a young girl. Most recently, Amanda has served as the events coordinator for The Landing and decided that it was time […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Business
Podcast: A conversation about the The Newport Workshop, a new community-powered manufacturing shop
Micah Reyes and Andrea Pietrangeli joined Frank and Ryan today to chat about The Newport Workshop! The Newport Workshop will be a community-powered manufacturing shop empowering the “maker” in everyone through education, production, and collaboration. Their initiative is to provide the equipment, materials, and space for community members to make what they want and need through […]
Posted inFood & Drink, Things To Do
Polar Pineapples set to return to Goat Island for Newport Winter Festival
Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina will once again transform Pineapples on the Bay to Polar Pineapples during the Newport Winter Festival! Polar Pineapples will offer the opportunity for visitors to enjoy a signature infused cocktail or specialty hot drink (alcoholic and non-alcoholic options available) while enjoying views of the bay, ice sculptures, and more. “We’re excited […]
Posted inBusiness
Newport Storm named ‘Official Beer’ of Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade for Seventh Year
Newport Storm’s Spring Irish Red Ale has been welcomed back as the “Official Beer” of the 2018 Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. 2018 marks the 62nd annual parade, and the seventh time that Newport Storm Brewery has been given the honor. The 62nd Annual Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade will be held, rain, snow, or shine, on Saturday, […]
Posted inNews
Secretary of the Navy announces Navy’s newest Expeditionary Fast Transport ship will be named after Newport
Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer announced today that the next Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) ship will be named USNS Newport (T-EPF 12). “This is the fourth ship to bear the name honoring the Rhode Island city. Newport is home to several Navy activities, including Naval Station Newport and the Naval War College”, says […]
Posted inBusiness
David Rockefeller, Jr. and Sailors for the Sea to join forces with Oceana
Sailors for the Sea, the leading ocean conservation organization for the sailing and boating community-based in Newport, RI, is joining with Oceana, the world’s largest ocean conservation organization. As the two organizations move forward under the Oceana umbrella, Sailors for the Sea co-founder David Rockefeller, Jr., will be joining Oceana’s Board of Directors. Oceana plans to […]
Posted inCity & Government
Neighbor of Armory raises concerns, questions processes regarding potential sale of the building
A neighbor of the Armory is questioning the viability of the proposed purchaser to finance and complete th necessary restoration of the Armory, the security which the city would require ensuring completion of the restoration within a reasonable time, and the process that the city would follow in the disposition of the property. Following a press […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Podcast: A convo with Doug Woolverton about leaving Newport, his future in music, and more
Doug Woolverton has been a big piece of the live music and entertainment scene in Newport and across Rhode Island since 2004 with his involvement in Roomful of Blues, Newport Groove Merchants, The Ravers, his Tribute to Miles Davis, and much more. For Woolverton, the time has come to head west and take the chance […]
Posted inNews
Pell Elementary School selected for the International Space Station “Rhode Island Space Chat #3” in Fall 2018
Newport Public Schools has announced that Pell Elementary School has been chosen as the first public school in Rhode Island to host a student-led “space chat” with the International Space Station (ISS) during the second half of 2018. Pell submitted a detailed educational proposal in November supporting its bid, it was announced on January 19th […]
Posted inCity & Government
Mayor, City Manager to participate in Alliance For A Livable Newport’s ‘State of the City’ forum
How are we doing in our “City by the Sea?” What has been accomplished over the past months? As a function of the city’s Strategic Plan, what are the successes? Where did the city fall short? What can the residents and taxpayers look forward to? Any warning signals to look for? Alliance For A Livable […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
25 + things to do in and around Newport this week: Feb. 12 – 17
Discover all that’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport this week. Monday, February 12th 8 am – Making of the Malasadas 1 pm – City of Newport City Council/School Committee Liaison Subcommittee 4:45 pm & 7:30 pm – I Tonya at Jane Pickens Theater 6 pm – City of Newport – Energy and Environment Commission […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Live music and entertainment listings: Feb. 12 – 17
Our Newport Live Music and Entertainment Guide is Newport County’s premier and most comprehensive source for live music and entertainment in our area. 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, February 12th Diego’s: Trivia at 9:30 pmFastnet Pub: […]
Posted inNews
Podcast: A conversation with Mark Thompson, Executive Director of Newport Restoration Foundation
Mark Thompson, the new Executive Director of Newport Restoration Foundation (NRF), joined me to chat about all that’s happening, new and to do with NRF and his vision for the organization on What’sUpNewp Radio Edition on AM 1540 WADK. The Newport Restoration Foundation (NRF) announced back on January 10, 2018, that they have selected Mark Thompson to […]
Posted inNews
DEM Announces $3.75 Million In Green Economy Bond Investments; Aquidneck Land Trust, Town of Jamestown among local recipients
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced yesterday the award of more than $3.75 million in grants to help communities and local organizations protect valuable green space throughout the state. Seventeen projects will receive matching grants to protect 889 acres of open space and farmland across Rhode Island. The funding is made possible […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Common Fence Music will kick off its Winter/Spring 2018 season with shows featuring Latin artists
Continuing to celebrate their 25th year of presenting folk and world music concerts to Aquidneck Island and East Bay communities, COMMON FENCE MUSIC kicks off its Winter/Spring 2018 season with shows featuring Latin artists at both their Portsmouth and Warren, RI venues. On Friday, February 16, 2018 at 8pm, Boston-based Brazilian/American folk group SÓ SOL bring their vintage Tropicalia-meets-Americana sound to the CFM Warren Sessions […]
Posted inCity & Government
Road Closure: Portion of Thames Street will be closed on February 13th
Newport Police Department has announced that on Tuesday, February 13, 2018, National Grid Gas will be conducting maintenance on the gas main in the area of Thames Street at Sharon Court. National Grid will be excavating in the middle of the roadway and traffic will be unable to pass necessitating a detour for southbound traffic […]
Posted inCity & Government
Representative Ruggiero, Senator DiPalma among legislators honored for their sponsorship of legislation to protect children
Sen. Louis P. DiPalma, Rep. Deborah Ruggiero, Sen. Cynthia A. Coyne, Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee and Rep. Jason Knight were honored this week by the Rhode Island Coalition for Children and Families for their sponsorship of legislation to protect children. The coalition honored the legislators for their advocacy of measures to protect children by instituting […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Newport Restaurant Week returns March 2nd – 11th
Spring is less than six weeks away and the season of new beginnings promises more than just showers and flowers throughout our destination. From March 2-11, 2018, more than 45 restaurants will be offering mouthwatering masterpieces on their Newport Restaurant Week prix fixe menus featuring three courses lunches and dinners for $16 and $35, respectively. Since 2006, locally-owned […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Empire Tea & Coffee to open fifth location, headed for Downtown Newport (Updated)
There’s one locally owned coffee shop that has been building an “Empire” in and around Newport, and it looks like they’re growing in Newport again. Empire Tea & Coffee signed a lease on Tuesday to open in the Seamen’s Church Institute in the space formerly occupied by the Aloha Cafe. “We are very excited to be […]
Posted inNews
Podcast: Brad Read from Sail Newport provides the latest updates on Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover
The Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover opens at Fort Adams in just 3 short months. Brad Read, Executive Director of Sail Newport, joined me to provide all with the latest info and details on the big event.
Posted inCity & Government
Podcast: A conversation with David Hanos, Chairman of Newport School Committee
To replace Rogers High School, or to not? What’s happening now and what’s in the future for the schools in Newport? David Hanos, Jr., Chairperson of the 2016 – 2018 Newport School Committee, joined Ryan today on What’sUpNewp Radio Edition on AM 1540 WADK to chat about the school system, what’s being done, and what […]