Newport resident Tommy Sheehan announced the formation of a new neighborhood association, the Hi-Lo Neighborhood Association. For years, the residents of Donovan Manor were fortunate to have social worker Millie Feeney help organize events and activities through the Newport Housing Authority. However, Ms. Feeney recently retired and so the residents stepped up to form the […]
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 inArts & Culture
Newport Art Museum will present Music in the Galleries with The Multifarious Project
The Newport Art Museum is pleased to welcome musicians Ariel & Victor back to the galleries for what is sure to be another unforgettable concert on Sunday, March 25, 2018, at 4 pm. A cross-genre duo that bridges the gaps between many musical disciplines, Ariel and Victor were both raised in musical households and educated in traditional conservatory settings. […]
Posted inNews
MAPFRE leads the Volvo Ocean Race fleet to start epic Southern Ocean leg
It was a spectacular start to Leg 7 of the Volvo Ocean Race on Sundayafternoon, as the fleet left Auckland in perfect conditions. The sun was out, the wind was near 20 knots, and as they have for 10 stopovers, the Auckland fans took to the water by the thousands to farewell the fleet. It wasn’t […]
Posted inNews
Greenlove Foundation installs water bottle filling station at Aquidneck Elementary School
On March 5, 2018, members of the Greenlove Foundation were present at the Aquidneck Elementary School assembly for the 11th dedication ceremony of a water bottle filling station in memory of environmental science student, Kendra L Bowers, who was known as the “green police” to her family and friends. A group of creative and energetic […]
Posted inNews
Volvo Ocean Race sailors ready to tackle Southern Ocean
Seven Volvo Ocean Race teams will embark on one of the most classic legs in offshore racing on Sunday afternoon from Auckland, New Zealand. Leg 7 of the Volvo Ocean Race is an iconic Southern Ocean challenge; a 7,600 nautical mile race through “Furious Fifties”, the inhospitable, remote waters south of 50-degrees latitude that circle Antarctica, around […]
Posted inCity & Government
Senator Euer introduces bill to restore licensing for medical lab professionals
Medical laboratory science practitioners are the behind-the-scenes professionals who determine whether patients have conditions ranging from high cholesterol to cancer, giving their doctors critical information to help determine treatment. But in 2015, Rhode Island stopped licensing them amid an effort to reduce the number of professions requiring licensing in the state, eliminating standards that ensure […]
Posted inJobs
Podcast: A conversation with Brian Howard about Electric Boat’s employment opportunities
Electric Boat in Quonset is looking for hundreds of new employees, many as a result of new work, and many to replace employees leaving for retirement or other reasons. Brian Howard, EB’s human resource manager at Quonset, joins What’sUpNewp’s Frank Prosnitz on this edition of The Open Forum on AM 1540 WADK Newport. Brian talks […]
Posted inNews
Aquidneck Island Planning Commission names John F. Shea new Executive Director
The Aquidneck Island Planning Commission (AIPC) Board of Directors has announced the appointment of John F. Shea as Executive Director. John Shea brings expertise in a wide array of policy areas, non-profit management and addressing concerns at a regional-scale. An executive search committee, chaired by board Director Sara Churgin, conducted a national search following the […]
Posted inJobs
50 companies with 200 job openings will attend Career Day at IYRS on March 24th
A strong jobs report earlier this month that holds employment at a low 4.1% is fueling a high company turnout for Career Day on March 24 in Newport. A large field of 50 companies with 200 job openings will be at this one-day event to connect with job seekers. Career Day will take place at the IYRS […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s happening this weekend in and around Newport: March 16 -18
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this St. Patrick’s Day Weekend! Friday, March 16th 12 pm to 4 pm – What’sUpNewp Radio live broadcast at Midtown Oyster Bar at Midtown Oyster Bar 3:30 pm – Celebrating Ireland In Story and Song at Middletown Public Library 4 pm to 8 pm – 3rd […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Live music and entertainment listings: March 16 – 18
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 16th Buskers: Fiddlers Rock at 9 pmCeltica: […]
Posted inArts & Culture
AOH Pipes & Drums, Men’s Singers to perform at our 3rd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration on March 16th
Join What’sUpNewp on Friday, March 16th at Midtown Oyster Bar for our 3rd annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, an event to celebrate Irish music and our Irish community. The event will include Midtown Oyster Bar’s take on Irish food, live music and performances from Newport Ancient Order of Hibernian’s Pipes and Drums and AOH Men’s Singers, a […]
Posted inFood & Drink
What’s happening at bars and restaurants before, during, and after the 2018 Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade (Updated)
The 62nd Annual Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade will be held, rain, snow, or shine, on Saturday, March 17th, 2018, here’s what’s happening at bars and restaurants before, during and after the Parade. Bar & Restaurant Guide: 2018 Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade This list is very much a “live blog” and is being updated […]
Posted inThings To Do
7 things to know about the 2018 Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade
The 62nd Annual Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade will be held, rain, snow, or shine, on Saturday, March 17th, 2018, here are some things to know about the big day. You Might Also Like – What’s happening at bars and restaurants before, during, and after the 2018 Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade 1 – Timing & […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Brick Alley Pub to host 8th Annual Post-Parade Day Clean-Up, volunteers wanted
The Annual Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade is arguably one of the busiest days of the year in Newport, and there’s no secret that our city needs a pick-me-up when the crowds go home. For the 8th year in a row, Brick Alley Pub will once again host their Annual Post-Parade Day Clean-Up! The cleanup will be held on […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles
Podcast: A conversation with Paul Roselli, Democratic gubernatorial candidate
Paul Roselli, a Democratic candidate for governor, an environmentalist who is leading the opposition of the proposed power plant in Burrillville, talks about jobs, the economy, and healthcare on this edition of The Open Forum with What’sUpNewp’s Frank Prosnitz on AM 1540 WADK Newport.
Posted inThings To Do
Newport Tours Guide & Greeters News #11: Seeing Newport again for the first time
Whether you are a new guide, or you are a seasoned and experienced guide, I encourage you to start each day by looking around at our amazing City-by-the-Sea and try to view it with new eyes, fresh eyes. Try to imagine it again as if you were seeing it as a first-time visitor might see […]
Posted inJobs
Who’s hiring? 97 businesses are right now in and around 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 90 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. You might also be […]
Posted inNews
Aquidneck Land Trust announces call for Merritt Neighborhood Grant applications
Aquidneck Land Trust (“ALT”) announced on Wednesday that they are now accepting applications for grants from the Merritt Neighborhood Fund, which supports the preservation of small parks, community gardens, and other natural spaces on Aquidneck Island. Established in 1999 to honor the late Peter M. Merritt, the organization’s president emeritus, the Fund supports projects that […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Andrea Rounds named Interim Executive Director of Newport Opera House Theater and Performing Arts Center
The Board of Trustees of the Newport Opera House Theater and Performing Arts Center announced today in a press release the selection of Andrea Rounds, an experienced Institutional Advancement Advisor, as Interim Executive Director. She will replace Brenda Nienhouse, the former Executive Director, who is retiring due to health reasons after leading the organization since […]
Posted inOpinion
Op-Ed: Tony Lepore, ‘The RI Dancing Cop’, shouldn’t be invited to participate in 2018 Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade
The following was submitted as a letter to the editor to What’sUpNewp by Holly S. Fisher. The views and opinions expressed within are not necessarily those of What’sUpNewp, its contributors, or of its advertisers. To the Newport St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, We hope you are aware of the openly racist and inherently offensive comments posted […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Marvel comic writer Gabby Rivera to participate in public lecture at Salve Regina University
Gabby Rivera, author and Marvel comic writer, will present a public lecture on “Inspiring Radical Creativity: Empowering Young, Diverse Voices to Tell Their Own Stories” when she visits Salve Regina University on Tuesday, March 20. Her appearance is sponsored by Mosaic, the university’s student newspaper. Free and open to the public, Rivera’s talk will be presented […]
Posted inThings To Do
Rohina Malik to present ‘Unveiled: A One Woman Play’ at Salve Regina on March 19th
Award-winning writer and actress Rohina Malik will explore themes of racism, hate crime, love, Islam, culture, language and life when she presents her work, “Unveiled: A One Woman Play,” at Salve Regina on Monday, March 19. Malik’s performance, free and open to the public, will be presented at 7 p.m. in Bazarsky Lecture Hall, located in the O’Hare […]
Posted inArts & Culture
‘Connecting the Beats’ program coming to Claiborne Pell Elementary School
Continuing the tradition started last year, in celebration of Music In Our Schools Month (MIOSM), Melinda and Peter Gerard announce the Loti Falk Gaffney Pell Elementary School Music Empowerment Trust, also known as the Pell Inspiration Program (PIP), a program to introduce the students of Pell Elementary School to inspired musicians through an artists-in-residence program, will host Crocodile River Music and the […]
Posted inNews
Child & Family seeks volunteers to be ‘Friendly Visitors’ for elders
Child & Family seeks volunteers for its “Friendly Visitors” program, an outreach to senior residents in need who live in Newport County. The goal of the program is to provide homebound seniors opportunities for socialization and companionship. Volunteers and elders enrolled in the program will be pre-screened for compatibility, such as having similar vocations or […]