The Newport Art Museum will host a Volunteer Appreciation Tea & New Volunteer Open House on Monday, March 26th at 1 pm. Each spring, the Museum enjoys taking this opportunity to thank the many dedicated volunteers who share their time and skills with the Museum. Volunteers are treated to tea and refreshments served by Museum staff […]
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
With big breeze in the forecast, the Volvo Ocean Race fleet prepares for a true taste of the Southern Ocean
The Volvo Ocean Race fleet continues its relentless charge east, towards Cape Horn on Thursday, enjoying the best the Southern Ocean has to offer. The teams have been skirting the southern race course boundary and racing in strong but manageable winds in the 20-25 knot range which have allowed the crews to rack up 500 mile […]
Posted inNews
Report: Preservation generates $1.4 Billion for Rhode Island economy
Historic preservation pays dividends for Rhode Island’s economy, its environment and its quality of life, according to a statewide study commissioned by The Preservation Society of Newport County and Preserve Rhode Island. The report by nationally-recognized economist Donovan Rypkema of PlaceEconomics is the first to analyze Rhode Island’s preservation sector on four main themes: Heritage […]
Posted inThings To Do
Newport Tour Guides & Greeters News #12: Historic preservation drives our economy
Yesterday morning (March 21), Donovan Rypkema, the lead author and Principal of PlaceEconomics, gave a keynote presentation in the Great Hall of The Breakers on his firm’s just-completed comprehensive study of the contributions of historic preservation to the state. The study, titled HISTORIC PRESERVATION: AN OVERLOOKED ECONOMIC DRIVER, provided many leaders of the state’s tourism […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Art Museum announces Spring and Summer 2018 Classes, Camps and Workshops
The Newport Art Museum’s Art School, the Coleman Center for Creative Studies, will offer art classes, camps and workshops for adults, youth, teens and families this spring and summer. Students who register up to two weeks before the class start date will receive 10% off tuition. Students must register one week before the class start […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s happening this weekend in and around Newport: March 23 – 25
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this weekend. You might also like – Live music and entertainment this week: March 23 – 25 Friday, March 23rd 10 am – Myth, Memory, History and Heritage at Newport Historical Society 4:45 pm & 7:30 pm – The Death of Stalin at Jane Pickens Theater 5 pm – Penny […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Live music and entertainment this week: March 23 – 25
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 weekend. Friday, March 23rd Buskers: Live music at 9 pmCeltica: […]
Posted inJobs
Who’s Hiring? 129 businesses are hiring in and around Newport right now
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 120 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 – Line Cooks […]
Posted inCity & Government
Coast Guard warns mariners ahead of strong storm forecasted in Southern New England
The Coast Guard is warning mariners and the public Tuesday to exercise caution along the coasts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts Wednesday into Thursday as a winter storm is forecast in our area. Conditions are expected to deteriorate Wednesday night, with hazardous wind and sea conditions throughout Southern New England waters. The operation of any […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Roster Announced: 2018 US Sailing Team
US Sailing, the national governing body for the sport, has named 20 Olympic-class athletes to the 2018 US Sailing Team. The national team is selected annually and is comprised of the top sailors competing in the events selected for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The roster is assembled from a combination of sailors who qualified based […]
Posted inNews
What’sUpNewp Radio #88: Julie Marron, Director and Writer of ‘Four Games in Fall’ (Updated)
Julie Marron, writer and director of Four Games In Fall, joined me on the first half of What’sUpNewp Radio Edition on WADK 1540AM today at 1 pm! Four Games in Fall, a social documentary with a twist, will appear on the big screen at Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center on March 21st. {March 20th update: Due to the forecasted snowstorm, […]
Posted inBusiness
Ocean State Job Lot salutes First Responders and Public Safety Professionals with ‘Savings 911’ Discount Week
Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL), a privately-held, family-operated discount retail chain with 130 stores in New England, New York, and New Jersey, continues to show its support for first responders and public safety professionals through its 10th annual “Savings 911” discount week. From March 22 through March 28, all first responders and public safety professionals will be […]
Posted inThings To Do
Newport and Bristol Counties herald the arrival of spring
Despite tomorrow’s wintry weather forecast, buds are emerging on tree limbs, birds are singing and nearly a million daffodils are beginning to burst through the ground throughout Newport and Bristol counties, trumpeting spring’s triumphant return. Come discover the Classic Coast and these exciting activities: Bohemian Beauty: The Aesthetic Movement and Oscar Wilde’s Newport, opening at the Galleries at […]
Posted inCity & Government
Lane closures scheduled for Route 138 in Jamestown
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) has provided the following advisory for the Route 138 corridor between the Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge and the Newport Pell Bridge Toll Plaza. Due to the Route 138 Resurfacing and Roadway Improvement Project, motorists should expect lane closure delays during the weekend of March 24. Starting the evening of Friday, March 23 through […]
Posted inNews
Warming up to cool down – the Volvo Ocean Race fleet dives deeper into the Southern Ocean
The Volvo Ocean Race returns to Newport this May, here’s the latest race update from Volvo Ocean Race headquarters. The seven teams were level with the southern tip of New Zealand on Tuesday, having knocked off more than 1,000 miles since leaving Auckland on Sunday. Throughout the fleet, reports were of a marked change in air and […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly announce first-ever U.S. co-headlining tour; will make a stop in East Providence
Dropkick Murphys. Flogging Molly. They share a working-class ethos, they share an Irish heritage and Celtic folk influence, and now – for the first time – these two giants of American punk rock will be sharing the stage for a co-headlining U.S. tour. This historic run, celebrating over 20 years of mayhem, kicks off June […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s happening this week in and around Newport: March 19 – 24 (Updated)
Discover all that’s happening and to do in and around Newport this week, March 19th – 24th, 2018. Monday, March 19th 4:30 pm – Molly’s Game at Jane Pickens Theater 7:30 pm – The Post at Jane Pickens Theater Tuesday, March 20th 12:15 pm – First Day of Spring Egg-Balancing Observances at Equality Park 4 pm […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Live music and entertainment this week: March 19 – 24 (Updated)
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, March 19th 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: Molly’s Game at 4:30 pm, The Post […]
Posted inCity & Government
Governor Raimondo tours Portsmouth Middle School, highlights need for statewide investment in school facilities
Highlighting the need for statewide investment in school construction ahead of House and Senate hearings this week, Governor Gina Raimondo toured Portsmouth Middle School on Monday joined by school officials, elected leaders and members of the labor and building trades. With a facility deficiency cost of nearly $20 million, the condition of Portsmouth Middle School […]
Posted inNews
What’sUpNewp Radio #89: Vlad Tenenbaum discusses an upcoming event that will celebrate Marcel Marceau’s 95th Birthday
Vlad Tenenbaum joined me in the studio to chat about an event he is hosting on Thursday, March 22 at the Firehouse Theater to celebrate Marcel Marceau’s 95th birthday. Obviously, Marcel is no longer living, but Vlad was a former student of his and watched him perform for over 20 years. At the event on […]
Posted inNews
Aquidneck Land Trust and Clean Ocean Access will host a coastal cleanup of Fort Adams on April 8th
A community cleanup to prepare Fort Adams State Park for the 2018 Volvo Ocean Race is planned as a collaborative effort between two local non-profit environmental groups, Clean Ocean Access (“COA”) and Aquidneck Land Trust (“ALT”). The event, to be held Sunday, April 8, 2018, from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm, is sponsored by The […]
Posted inThings To Do
New exhibition to open at the Newport Mansions this weekend
The Preservation Society of Newport County has announced that it will present Bohemian Beauty: The Aesthetic Movement and Oscar Wilde’s Newport, March 24 – November 4, 2018. The exhibition, on view in the second floor galleries at Rosecliff (1902), celebrates the ideas embodied by the artists, poets and thinkers popular during the Aesthetic Movement (1870-1890), an important […]
Posted inNews
Volvo Ocean Race: Turn the Tide on Plastic leads charge as fleet dives south
An intense start saw the seven-boat fleet – back up to full complement with the return of Vestas 11th Hour Racing – sail straight into a 30-knot easterly just hours after the leg start on Sunday. Monday has brought little let-up with winds hovering around 25 knots producing similar boat speeds as the teams charge deeper into the […]
Posted inCity & Government
WalletHub Study: Rhode Island is 2018’s 3rd ‘Least Dependent State on the Gun Industry’
With gun sales still in decline since President Donald Trump took office and with the recent Parkland school shooting prompting more debates on the gun industry, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2018’s States Most Dependent on the Gun Industry. To determine the states that depend most heavily on the arms and ammunitions […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport County Road Construction Report: March 17 – 24
Here is what’s happening for road work, closures and detours in and around Newport, RI this week. Roadwork scheduled by Rhode Island Department Of Transportation: March 17 – 23 No lane closures anticipated. Roadwork scheduled by Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority: March 18 – 28 Claiborne Pell Bridge Eastbound and Westbound Left Lane Closure […]