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. 22 Bowen’s – Line Cooks […]
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
Aquidneck Land Trust announces Farmlink Aquidneck Initiative
Aquidneck Land Trust (“ALT”) recently announced the launch of Farmlink Aquidneck, an online resource for Rhode Island farmers. Created to address concerns specific to local farmers, Farmlink Aquidneck provides information on topics such as farm support organizations, workshops, succession and business planning, and professional references. “ALT has always been committed to preserving farmland and supporting […]
Posted inNews
What’UpNewp Radio #83: Steve Heath, FabNewport and The Newport Experience
Steven Heath, founder and executive director of FabNewport, joined me today on What’sUpNewp Radio Edition on AM 1540 WADK to chat about FabNewport and “The Newport Experience”. According to Heath’s organization -“Newport is one of Rhode Island’s poorest cities. It is an urban school district with more than 64% of the population (Thompson Middle School […]
Posted inBusiness
Newport Vineyards raises over $8,000 for Puerto Rico recovery efforts
Newport Vineyards has announced that they raised over $8,000 for Puerto Rico recovery efforts via their Una Noche Para Puerto Rico event put on by the Cultivate Committee. Born out of the passion of Newport Vineyards employees who have immediate family and friends in Puerto Rico that have been devastated by the storms in 2017, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Folk Festival set to release ‘Speak Out’ on Record Store Day
Last summer at Newport Folk Festival a large group of artists came together in the spirit of the great American folk tradition to deliver a set of protest music called Speak Out. Now on April 21, the live recording of that set will be released on vinyl as a special Record Store Day release. The album features Beau Bedford, the Berklee Gospel […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Record attendance at Cruising Club of America Seminar equates to increased interest in Safety-at-Sea Training
The Cruising Club of America (CCA), one of the principal organizers of the biennial 635-mile Newport Bermuda Race, has announced that its upcoming Safety At Sea Seminar has reached the maximum number of sailors it can train during the hands-on sessions scheduled for March 10-11, 2018, in Newport, Rhode Island. While the one-day Classroom Seminar on Saturday, […]
Posted inCity & Government
Video: City Council Workshop with State Legislative Delegation
Newport City Council, City Manager Joe Nicholson, Senator Dawn Euer (Democrat – Dist. 13, Newport, JamesRepresentativeenative Lauren Carson (Democrat – Dist. 75, Newport), and Senator Louis P. DiPalma (Democrat – District 12, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Tiverton) participated in an annual meeting of the Newport legislative delegation and the Newport City Council on Saturday, March 3 at Newport […]
Posted inNews
Temporary channel restrictions required during next phase of demolition at the old Sakonnet River Bridge
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will be restricting travel through the Sakonnet River Channel for approximately one month, starting Monday, March 12. The restrictions are needed to allow for the safe removal of the old Sakonnet River Bridge. Two large barges will be anchored in the center of the navigational channel under the […]
Posted inNews
What’sUpNewp Radio #82: Matt Gray, Gray Matter Marketing and Ragged Island Brewing Company
Matt Gray, Owner of Gray Matter Marketing and a partner of Ragged Island Brewing Company, joined me today to discuss the Newport Night Run, the Newport Public Education Foundation, Gray Matter Marketing’s other upcoming events, craft beer business in Rhode Island, Ragged Island Brewing Company, and more. The fifth annual Newport Night Run, Newport’s first and […]
Posted inNews
Volvo Ocean Race: Vestas 11th Hour Racing returns to the water
Vestas 11th Hour Racing is back in the water, with a test sail anticipated later this week. The boat had been shipped to New Zealand for repairs following a collision just before the finish of Leg 4, off Hong Kong. “It’s been an amazing effort by all involved to get the boat back in the […]
Posted inCity & Government
Giovanni Feroce names Robert Paquin III, former Executive Director of RI Republican Party, as campaign manager for GOP primary
Gubernatorial candidate Giovanni Feroce has selected Robert Paquin III as his campaign manager focused on the primary. A general election campaign manager will also be added later in the year to overlap and merge with this summer’s campaign primary efforts, according to Feroce’s campaign. Giovanni Feroce “I have the pleasure of naming Rob Paquin as […]
Posted inCity & Government
Route 138 Improvement Project: March 5 -June 15; no lane closures during Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover
Rhode Island Turnpike & Bridge Authority (RITBA) announced on February 5th that starting on March 5th they will begin work on the Route 138 corridor from the Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge to the Newport Pell Bridge Toll Plaza. “The road is beyond its useful life and the project is necessary,” the press release states.”The project includes […]
Posted inThings To Do
History Space to present ‘Myth, Memory, History and Heritage’ at Colony House on March 23
On Friday, March 23, 2018, 10am-12pm at Newport’s Colony House, Washington Square, Newport, RI, History Space, a joint program of the Newport and Rhode Island Historical Societies presents “Myth, Memory, History and Heritage,” a panel of public historians. The panel will be moderated by Ruth Taylor, Executive Director of the Newport Historical Society, and will include: Jason Steinhauer, Director of […]
Posted inFood & Drink
RI Seafood’s 3rd Annual Quahog Week returns March 26th – April 1st
Celebrate Rhode Island’s favorite clam with special events and delicious menu selections at a restaurant near you during the 3rd Annual Quahog Week from March 26th – April 1st! Quahog Week is meant to highlight the importance of Rhode Island’s wild harvest shellfish to the state’s history, traditions, and economy. Quahogging has a rich history in […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s happening this week in and around Newport: March 5 – 10
Discover all that’s happening and to do in and around Newport this week, March 5th – 10th, 2018. Of Note – Spring Newport Restaurant Week is now underway until March 11th. Newport Restaurant Week is the best time to check out restaurants in Newport and Bristol Counties with over 50 participating restaurants and fixed-price menus. Occurring every spring and […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Live music and entertainment this week: March 5 – 10
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 5th 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: Call Me By Your Name at 4:45 pm, […]
Posted inThings To Do
Mark your calendars: 18 must-do events in March
Here are the events and activities you can’t miss this March – chronologically, so you don’t miss a thing. See you out there, and don’t forget to show us what you’re doing via #whatsupnewp. FYI – Newport Irish Heritage Month: March 1st – 31st: A celebration of “All Things Irish,” including the 62nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Art Museum’s Art After Dark to present Artist Talk & Film
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, March 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 […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport Pell, Mount Hope, and Jamestown Bridges reopen to all vehicles (Updated)
Originally published at 2:20 pm, last updated at 23:00 pm As of 11 p.m. this evening, The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) lifted all travel restrictions on the Newport Pell, Mount Hope and Jamestown Verrazzano Bridges. The Bridges will be reopened to all vehicles. This morning, a container truck traveling westbound on the Newport Pell Bridge […]
Posted inNews
Volvo Ocean Race: Vestas 11th Hour Racing to rejoin race ahead of Leg 7
When Vestas 11th Hour Racing rejoins the Volvo Ocean Race for the grueling Leg 7—from New Zealand, across the Southern Ocean, past Cape Horn and into Brazil—the crew will do so with a mixture of heavy hearts and anxiousness. The team hasn’t raced since the collision in the latter stages of Leg 4, during the […]
Posted inCity & Government
Video: 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 inNews
Volvo Ocean Race initiate independent report into ocean racing at night
Following the collision between Vestas 11th Hour Racing and a non-racing vessel in the final stages of the racing leg into Hong Kong, the organisers of the Volvo Ocean Race have commissioned an independent report into ocean racing at night in areas of high vessel traffic density, to establish what steps race organisers may take […]
Posted inNews
What’sUpNewp Radio #81: Dave McLaughlin, Clean Ocean Access
Dave McLaughlin, Executive Director of Clean Ocean Access, joined me today on What’sUpNewp Radio Edition on AM 1540 WADK Newport to chat about the new Portsmouth single-use plastic bag ban, trash skimmers, rain barrels, Clean Ocean Access’s involvement with the Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover and more. Dave is the Co-Founder of Clean Ocean Access and as […]
Posted inCity & Government
Carson, Euer urge Newport citizens to join meeting with their legislators, councilors on Saturday
Representative Lauren Carson and Senator Dawn Euer are inviting the public to the annual meeting of the Newport legislative delegation and the Newport City Council Saturday, March 3, at 9 a.m. in the City Council Chambers, Newport City Hall, 43 Broadway. The meeting between the Newport City Council members and Newport senators and representatives is scheduled annually to discuss state-level […]
Posted inCity & Government
Water main failure causes temporarily termination of water service in Downtown Newport, service restored (Updated)
This story was originally published at 11:16 on March 1st, it was updated at 3:00 pm on March 1st The City of Newport’s Water Division had to make emergency repairs to a water main in the area of Thames Street and Pelham Street, forcing several streets and areas of Downtown Newport to spend a portion […]