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 75 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. A Wireless – Retail Sales […]
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.
Newport Mental Health seeks employers for new Employment Services program
Newport, RI – People with mental health conditions make up the largest group of recipients receiving disability today, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Rhode Island has about 83 percent unemployment for those with mental health needs, which is higher than Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Vermont, according to the 2012 Substance Abuse and Mental […]
RI’s tax amnesty program collects more than $6m; with top delinquents at $1.9m for individuals, $4.2m for businesses
With the state’s tax amnesty program winding down, it is on track to reach its goal of collecting about 10 percent of the $112 million owed in back taxes by individuals and businesses. As of Jan. 21, some 5,500 delinquent taxpayers had paid $6.4 million according to Paul Grimaldi, chief of information and public relations for […]
Podcast: A conversation with Rebecca Bertrand, Executive Director of newportFILM
Last fall, newportFILM announced that longtime Executive Director Terri Conners would transition into a role on the Board of Directors and Managing Director Rebecca Bertrand would be named Executive Director. On the eve of newportFILM’s first event of 2018 (Love, Cecil – newportFILM screening 1/31) and at the start of her first full season/year as Executive Director, Rebecca […]
Legislators kick off ‘Fight for $15’, a campaign for a $15 minimum wage by 2023 and equal pay for women and minorities
With the backing of working Rhode Islanders and a coalition of community organizations, Sen. Gayle L. Goldin, Sen. Jeanine Calkin, Rep. Marcia Ranglin-Vassell and Rep. Susan R. Donovan today announced their campaign for a $15 minimum wage by 2023 and equal pay for women and minorities. The legislators held a State House event with a […]
Newport Art Museum presents Ten Tiny Dances during Art After Dark
Newport Art Museum’s Art After Dark, which recently received the 2017 Editor’s Pick Award for Best Artsy Social Event by Rhode Island Monthly Magazine, is back on Thursday, February 8 from 5 – 9 pm. Each Art After Dark has unique programming for the whole family. This event joins the ranks of the many events and educational programs the Museum currently offers in its galleries at 76 Bellevue Avenue, Newport. Ten […]
Preservation Society names four companies as exclusive Newport Mansions ‘Caterers of Choice’
Newpot, RI – Blackstone Caterers of Newport, RI, Gourmet Galley of North Stonington, CT, Russell Morin Catering & Events of Newport, RI and The Catered Affair of Hingham, MA have been named as accredited Caterers of Choice for The Preservation Society of Newport County. Only these four caterers are allowed to provide food service for […]
Teacher assaulted, suspect apprehended at Portsmouth High School on Tuesday morning
A man is in custody after assaulting a female teacher at Portsmouth High School this morning. Parents received notice of the event from Portsmouth High School at 10:01 am via email this morning. “At approximately 9:05 this morning, an intruder attempted to enter the new gymnasium. The teacher intercepted the intruder and directed him to […]
Islanders Committed to host ‘Helping Kids Reduce Their Stress (and ours) in the Pursuit of Success’ Parent Workshop
Middletown, RI – Islanders Committed, in collaboration with the Middletown Prevention Coalition (MPC), will sponsor a parenting workshop entitled, “Helping Kids Reduce Their Stress (and ours) in the Pursuit of Success” on January 31 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm in the Gaudet Middle School Cafeteria, 1113 Aquidneck Avenue, Middletown. The event provides techniques for […]
Petition launched to stop the sale of the Armory on Thames Street
Following the announcement that Newport City Council will convene in Executive Session for the second week in a row to discuss the acquisition or lease of the Armory on Lower Thames Street and two other city-owned properties, Friends of The Waterfront has launched a change.org petition to stop the proposed sale of the Lower Thames Street property. […]
Podcast: A conversation with Ruth Taylor, Executive Director of Newport Historical Society
Since 1854, the Newport Historical Society has collected and preserved five centuries of history and continues to document Newport’s unique contribution to our national narrative. Ruth Taylor, Executive Director of Newport Historical Society, joined me on What’sUpNewp Radio Edition on AM 1540 WADK today to chat about all that’s happening, new and to do with the multi-faceted history-based […]
Volvo Ocean Race Newport Race Village opens in 100 days at Fort Adams
In 100 days the Volvo Ocean Race will return to Newport, RI, for the only North American Stopover of the 2017-18 round-the-world sailing race. The Volvo Ocean Race began in Alicante, Spain on October of 2017 and when complete, the 2017-2018 edition will have taken the seven teams 45,000 nautical miles around the world, across four […]
Look up at the super blue blood full moon Jan. 31 – here’s what you’ll see and why
During the early hours of Jan. 31, there will be a full moon, a total lunar eclipse, a blue moon and a supermoon – all at the same time. None of these things is really all that unusual by itself. What is rare is that they’re happening all together on one day. What makes the […]
Point Association raises $13,440 for MLK Center in 4th Annual Neighborhood Drive
The Point Association of Newport capped off its active 2017 year of activities with their fourth annual year-end fundraising effort to benefit the Martin Luther King Community Center in Newport. The neighborhood association collected over $13,440 in donations from its members and neighbors on the Point to help the MLK Center. Since initiating the MLK […]
Terri Cortvriend, Portsmouth School Committee Chair, announces run for Rhode Island House District 72 (Portsmouth, Middletown)
Terri Cortvriend, Chair of the Portsmouth School Committee, announced today that she is running as a Democrat in the 2018 elections to represent Rhode Island House District 72. District 72 includes portions of Middletown and Portsmouth, Kenneth Mendonca (R) currently represents District 72. “I will bring your voice to the State House to help make […]
Blink Gallery announces Salon de Refusés Exhibition and Opening Reception
Blink Gallery, 478 Thames St., will host an opening reception for the Salon de Refusés exhibit on Friday, Feb. 2 from 7-9 p.m. The Salon de Refusés exhibit will consist of more than 20 artworks that were not selected for the 2018 Newport Annual Juried Members Show at the Newport Art Museum. Attendees are invited to view, […]
Newport County YMCA’s Y Girls donate $500 to Lucy’s Hearth
Although the Jamestown Plunge was canceled, the Newport County YMCA’s Y Girls insisted on braving the arctic temperatures on the first day of 2018 to raise money for Lucy’s Hearth. They stood outside for hours to sell their beautifully decorated bowls filled with warming chili. On a day that few people ventured out, these girls were […]
Jamestown Police Department seeking information on breaking and entering suspect, remind residents to secure homes
Jamestown Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a suspect that was involved in a breaking and entering incident on Thursday, January 25th. In a press release issued on Monday morning, Jamestown Police Department is also reminding residents to secure homes, lock doors. “On January 25, 2018, at approximately 11:30 AM, Jamestown Police responded to […]
Emmanuel Church hosts 166th Annual Meeting
On Sunday, January 28, 2018, Emmanuel Church, Newport, held its 166th Annual Meeting. Over 60 parishioners heard reports of ministries and plans for new programs and community partnerships. The 2018 budget was reviewed. The congregation elected Vestry members: Ellen Vadney as Senior Warden, Annie Sherman as Jr. Warden, Ron Fleming as Treasurer, Cynthia Larned as […]
25+ things to do this week: Jan. 29 – Feb. 3
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport County this week. Monday, January 29th 4 pm – Teens: Tech Take Apart at Newport Public Library 4:45 pm & 7:30 pm – Phantom Thread at Jane Pickens Theater 5 pm to 9 pm – Newport Skating Center Open 6 pm – Beyond the Collections: […]
Live music and entertainment listings: Jan. 29 – Feb. 3
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, January 29th Diego’s: Trivia at 9:30 pmFastnet Pub: […]
Sardella’s serves up Italian for ‘Homegate’ parties on Super Bowl Weekend
Sardella’s Ristorante Italiano in Newport has a winning idea for Big Game “Homegate” parties this Super Sunday. “We are serving up real food for those football parties!” said proprietor Richard Sardella. Sardella’s will be open on Super Sunday and has a full menu of Italian specialties in large family size pans. Chef Kevin Fitzgerald calls […]
Volvo Ocean Race: MAPFRE wins the Around Hong Kong Island Race
It was a challenging day for the Volvo Ocean Race teams as they tackled the Around Hong Kong Island Race on Sunday with a generously sized spectator fleet on hand to cheer them on. Light and variable wind shortly after the start allowed the leading boats to break away as they found new wind pressure first. But […]
Bill introduced to protect RI women if Roe v. Wade is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court
With concerns that the current administration in Washington may prompt consideration in the U.S. Supreme Court of efforts to overturn Roe v. Wade, a bill has been introduced in the Rhode Island General Assembly that would protect a woman’s right to choose. The legislation, introduced in the Rhode Island Senate and House of Representatives, seeks […]
Newport Cotton Company closes on Thames, two prime retail spaces becomes available
Retail real estate can be sometimes hard to find in downtown Newport. Retail real estate with a patio, parking in the rear, heavy foot traffic and possibly of having between 1,095 sq. ft. or 2,300 sq.ft. is almost impossible to find. Two spaces in the heart of Newport on busy Thames Street, formerly home of Newport Cotton […]
