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 […]
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, Things To Do
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: […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
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: […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
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 […]
Posted inNews
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 […]
Posted inCity & Government
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 […]
Posted inBusiness, Style & Shop
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 […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
20+ things to do this weekend in and around Newport: Jan. 26 – 28
Discover all that’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport this weekend. Friday, January 26 2 pm, 4:45 pm, & 7:30 pm – Phantom Thread at Jane Pickens Theater 5 pm to 11 pm – Newport Skating Center Open 7 pm – Newport Music Festival presents Sirena Huang and Robert Koenig. at Newport Art Museum 8 pm […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Live Music and Entertainment Listings: Jan. 26 – 28
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, January 26th Buskers: Sean Reilly at 9 pmCeltica: Karaoke […]
Posted inCity & Government
Vice Chief of Naval Operations discusses Surface Warfare Training at Surface Warfare Officers School
Vice Chief of Naval Operations (VCNO) Adm. Bill Moran visited the Surface Warfare Officers School (SWOS) to get a firsthand look at surface warfare training Jan. 26. Moran visited as part of his role as co-chair of the oversight board responsible for implementing recommendations from the Strategic Readiness Review and Comprehensive Review. Moran discussed his […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink, Things To Do
Facebook Live Video: What’s Up at Newport Vineyards? Here’s what’s up
What’s up at Newport Vineyards? Ryan caught up with Cassandra Earle, Director of Sales & Marketing at Newport Vineyards, on Friday to find out. For a full calendar of events and for all the details that were discussed, visit www.newportvineyards.com.
Posted inNews
Volvo Ocean Race: Team AkzoNobel battle hard for the win in the HGC In-Port Race Hong Kong
Team AkzoNobel took the win in the HGC In-Port Race Hong Kong on a challenging afternoon on the waters of Kowloon Bay. The wind during race time was a 6 to 10 knot Easterly, but it was very shifty and puffy, and with a tidal current running on the race course, it was a difficult […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Via Via evicted, forced to close location on Lower Thames Street
Each summer, thousands of people in downtown Newport flock to a central location on Thames Street around 1 am. It’s a phenomenon that has become synonymous with late-night pit stops on the way home from the pubs. As of yesterday, the restaurant responsible for this migration is no more. The owners of Via Via Pizza were […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter To The Editor: Antique dealers would “welcome the opportunity to discuss a long-term tenancy” of Armory
In response to your conversation with Tim Towey in regard to the costs and expenses relating to the Armory property the enclosed may be of some interest. During the latter part of 2012, the City published a solicitation for bids to rent the Armory building on Thames Street. At that time three proposals were received […]
Posted inNews
Podcast: A conversation with Gunther Buerman, Founder of the Newport Car Museum
Gunther Buerman, Founder of the Newport Car Museum, joined Ryan on What’sUpNewp Radio Edition on AM 1540 WADK today to chat about all that’s happening at the Portsmouth Museum and their recent recognition by USA TODAY 10Best as one of the 10 best new attractions in the United States. Also, the Anglo-American Baseball Project has […]
Posted inBusiness
Wild Newport brings wildlife rehabilitation to Middletown
Wild Newport, Inc., a 501 (c)(3) non-profit that specializes in the Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Release of wildlife on Aquidneck Island, has announced that they have launched in Middletown. Jody Womsley Giddings is the President of Wild Newport and is a Level 2 Rehabilitator licensed with Rhode Island DEM. Jody was the previous owner of Sea […]
Posted inCity & Government
Budget proposal includes Ruggiero’s bill to extend DCYF care to foster children until age 21
Rep. Deborah Ruggiero’s proposal to allow children in foster care to continue receiving state services until age 21 has been included in the budget proposal submitted last week by Gov. Gina M. Raimondo. The proposal (2018-H 7110), which Representative Ruggiero has introduced this year and last, would allow young people who are in the care […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
UPDATE: Anglo-American Baseball Project hopes to host World War I baseball game at Cardines Field on Fourth of July
The Anglo-American Baseball Project (AABP) has announced that they will present a World War I baseball game at Cardines Field in Newport on July 4th, 2018, in cooperation with the U.S. Naval War College. Update & Correction: An earlier version of this story was titled “World War I baseball game to be held at Cardines Field on Fourth of […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter To The Editor: The proposed sale of the Armory is clearly not in the best interest of the City of Newport or its taxpayers
The City of Newport is negotiating a proposal to sell the 18,000 sq. ft. Armory property located on Newport Harbor with frontage on lower Thames Street, and situated alongside the city-owned Ann Street Pier. It is also the location of the City Maritime Center which opened in 2012 and provides needed services for the many […]
Posted inNews
Volvo Ocean Race: HGC In-Port Race brings best Volvo Ocean Race sailors to Hong Kong waters
Six Volvo Ocean Race teams will be on the start line of the HGC In-Port Race in Hong Kong on Saturday afternoon. MAPFRE, the overall race leader, is also at the top of the In-Port Race Series leaderboard, with Dongfeng Race Team just one point behind, and Team Brunel completing the current podium. The HGC In-Port Race […]
Posted inNews
Podcast: Convo on Armory sale, Newport Jazz Festival, and Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade festivities
Tim Towey joined me on the Thursday edition of What’sUpNewp Radio Edition on AM 1540 WADK Newport to discuss all that’s the talk of the tavern down at Midtown Oyster Bar. Conversations and opinions were shared on the probable sale of the Armory on Thames Street, thoughts on the first wave of Newport Jazz Festival […]
Posted inNews
Podcast: A conversation with Robert Flanders, GOP Senate candidate
Former RI supreme court justice, Robert Flanders, is challenging U.S. senator, Sheldon Whitehouse, in what promises to be a spirited campaign. Flanders, a Republican, sees himself as a centrist who can work across party lines. Bob Flanders joins me on this edition of The Open Forum on AM 1540 WADK.
Posted inCity & Government
Lottery for dinghy, kayak rack spaces at King Park and Willow Street opens on February 1st
The Newport Harbormaster Office will be accepting applications for dinghy/kayak rack spaces at the King Park Rack and the Willow Street Rack beginning on February 1, 2018 –February 28, 2018. The applications will be available online at www.newportharbormaster.com . They will also be available at the Harbormaster Office, 39 Americas Cup Avenue. The lottery is open to […]
Posted inNews
Podcast: A conversation with RI Department of Revenue on Rhode Island’s Tax Amnesty Program
There are only a few weeks left for individuals and businesses to take advantage of Rhode Island’s Tax Amnesty program, a way for delinquent taxpayers to save money on penalties and interest payment and avoid possible further action from the state. For the state, it is a way to collect some of the more than […]
Posted inCity & Government
Public Tour of Rogers High School Scheduled
A public tour of Rogers High School is scheduled for Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. to see firsthand the condition of the facility. Buildings in every district in the state get a failing grade in Rhode Island’s first-ever statewide, independent study of public school facilities. The Rhode Island Department of Education’s 2017 State […]