Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport County, Rhode Island, this weekend, Monday, June 30 through Sunday, July 6. Are you organizing an event? Submit events to our community calendar. Monday, June 30 Things To Do 10 am: Free self-guided tours at Eisenhower House 3 pm: Jamestown Farmers Market at Jamestown Recreation Center 5 pm: ECO Fundraiser at […]
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 inCity & Government
Legislators strengthen access to shoreline rights of way
A pair of bills sponsored by Sen. Victoria Gu, Rep. Terri Cortvriend and Rep. Kathleen A. Fogarty to strengthen access to public rights of way to the shore have become law. One of the bills (2025-S 0716aa, 2025-H 6093Aaa) sets requirements that municipalities, private agencies and other organizations would have to follow before they could reduce or […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Princess June and Newport Classical artists to kick off 2025 NIMFest concert series on July 6
Mystic folk trio Princess June and Newport Classical Festival Artists will open the eight-week NIMFest summer concert series at King Park Gazebo on Sunday, July 6, from 3–6 p.m. The free, family-friendly event is presented thanks to a generous donation from the Hamilton Family Foundation, and produced by the New England Music Organization and North End Entertainment. The Newport-based […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Rhode Island State Archives to display Declaration of Independence during special holiday hours
Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore and the Rhode Island State Archives today announced that the State Archives will be open for special Independence Day hours on July 4 so that the public can view Rhode Island’s three copies of the Declaration of Independence. “The State Archives are the keepers of three beautifully-preserved pieces of […]
Posted inNews
Morning Notes: Newport to discuss Easton’s Beach future at final community workshop tonight
Good morning, Newport! Today is Monday, June 30, the 181st day of 2025. There are 184 days left in the year. 🚨 You need to know via City of Newport The City of Newport will conclude its comprehensive Easton’s Beach planning process tonight with a virtual community meeting designed to chart the popular shoreline destination’s […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Dance Festival returns with global flair this July
Dance enthusiasts are in for a treat this July as the Newport Dance Festival showcases performances from international and local artists in the picturesque setting of Newport. Newport Contemporary Ballet (NCB) is hosting the event on the lawn of The Great Friends Meeting House from July 16-20, 2025. Each night, performances kick off at 7:30 […]
Posted inNews
Morning Notes: New bio-absorption garden unveiled at Marble House
Good morning, Newport! Today is Sunday, June 29, the 180th day of 2025. There are 185 days left in the year. 🚨 You need to know A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in the southwest corner of the Marble House visitor parking lot Friday to unveil a new bio-absorption garden. A project of Scenic Aquidneck (The Preservation […]
Posted inNews
Morning Notes: Newport Pride Festival & Parade celebrates ‘Joy Is Resistance’ today
Good morning, Newport! Today is Saturday, June 28, the 179th day of 2025. There are 186 days left in the year. 🚨 You need to know The streets of downtown Newport will be filled with rainbow colors and celebration today as the city hosts its annual Pride Festival & Parade, themed “Joy Is Resistance.” The […]
Posted inBusiness
Heritage Restaurant Group completes acquisition of James Beard Award-winning Olneyville N.Y. System
Heritage Restaurant Group has completed its acquisition of the beloved Olneyville N.Y. System Restaurants, bringing the James Beard Award-winning Rhode Island institution under the umbrella of one of its growing restaurant companies. The deal, finalized Friday, includes both the Providence and Cranston locations of the iconic restaurant famous for serving “R.I.’s Best Hot Wieners” and […]
Posted inHistory
On This Day In Newport History – June 28, 1969: Newport Bridge opens for first time
The Claiborne Pell Bridge, commonly known as the Newport Bridge, opened on this day in 1969. The main span of the Newport Bridge is 488 metres (1,601 ft), ranking it number 87 among the longest suspension bridges in the world, and making it the longest suspension bridge in New England. The bridge was constructed from […]
Posted inArts & Culture
newportFILM Outdoors opens 15th season with award-winning ‘The Last Dive’
The Great Friends Meeting House lawn transformed into an outdoor cinema on Thursday evening as newportFILM Outdoors launched its milestone 15th season with a captivating screening of “The Last Dive,” drawing film enthusiasts and community members together for an evening of compelling storytelling under the summer sky. The 2025 season opened on June 26 with […]
Posted inNews
Morning Notes: Four Island high schools unite for 60th class reunion celebration
Good morning, Newport! Today is Friday, June 27, the 178th day of 2025. There are 187 days left in the year. 🚨 You need to know Graduates from four Aquidneck Island high schools will come together this August to celebrate their 60th class reunion, marking six decades since the Class of 1965 walked across their […]
Posted inHistory
History: June 27, 1898 – Joshua Slocum Arrives in Newport, Becomes 1st Man to Sail Single-Handedly Around the World
Did you know that the first solo circumnavigation of the globe was completed in Newport, Rhode Island? Joshua Slocum Captain Joshua Slocum, a native of Novia Scotia, completed the feat on June 27th, 1898. On April 24, 1895, at the age of 51, he departed Boston in his tiny sloop Spray , a 36′ 9″ gaff rigged […]
Posted inCity & Government
RIPTA to hold public hearings on proposed statewide service cuts and fare increase
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) will hold public hearings on proposed service reductions and a fare increase in all five Rhode Island counties starting on July 28 and continuing through August 6, 2025. The Authority announced that the reductions in service and the fare increase are part of the cost controls it is […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: Darleen McKay
Darleen Ann McKay, 82, of Middletown, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on October 27, 1942 in Jamestown, RI to the late Anthony and Virgina DeTerra. Darleen was the wife of the late William J. McKay for 32 years. Darleen was the heart of her family […]
Posted inArts & Culture
On This Day In History: June 27, 1966 – Dark Shadows premieres on ABC, Carey Mansion used as Collinwood Mansion
Dark Shadows, an American Gothic soap opera, premiered on ABC on June 27, 1966. Throughout the shows run from 1966 – 1971, The Collinwood stand-in mansion used for the TV series was Newport’s Seaview Terrace, also known as the Carey Mansion. The show, which ran for 7 seasons and 1,225 episodes, depicted the lives, loves, […]
Posted inBusiness
A New Chapter for a Providence Landmark: The Patio on Broadway team to acquire Trinity Brewhouse
Trinity Brewhouse, Rhode Island’s original brewpub, will change hands this summer as the team behind The Patio on Broadway, along with their family partners, prepares to acquire the iconic downtown establishment. The acquisition marks a significant milestone for Trinity Brewhouse founder and owner Josh Miller, who is celebrating five decades in Providence’s hospitality industry. Miller […]
Posted inBusiness
Wayfinder Newport celebrates Independence Day with $17.76 room rate
Wayfinder Newport is offering a special deal for Independence Day, with rooms available for just $17.76 per night. This offer is part of Benchmark Resorts & Hotels’ Independent Hotel Sale. The promotion runs from June 27 to July 11, 2025, and includes over 35 Benchmark properties. Evan Crawford, VP of Marketing at Benchmark Resorts & […]
Posted inCity & Government
Assault weapons ban signed into law
Legislation approved by the General Assembly to ban certain military-style weapons in Rhode Island has been signed into law. “This bill is the result of many, many years of advocacy, work and collaboration. Polls show that almost two-thirds of Rhode Islanders support banning assault-style weapons in our state. We all know the impact they’ve had […]
Posted inNews
Morning Notes: Portsmouth Library to host informal q&a for new PHS families
Good morning, Newport! Today is Thursday, June 26, the 177th day of 2025. There are 188 days left in the year. 🚨 You need to know The Portsmouth Free Public Library will welcome families new to Portsmouth High School at an informal question-and-answer session on Monday, July 7, at 6 p.m. The event, designed for […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Grammy winner Karen Slack to perform ‘African Queens’ at Newport Classical Festival
This summer, the Newport Classical Music Festival welcomes soprano Karen Slack for a performance of “African Queens,” a new work that’s generating buzz in the classical music world. Set for July 12, 2025, at 8 p.m., Slack will take the stage at The Breakers mansion. It’s one of the highlights of the festival’s 56th season, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Folk Festival announces All-Star Softball Game Fundraiser
Newport Folk Festival is spicing things up for 2025 with a new all-star softball game featuring festival artists. Set for July 24 at Cardines Field, the game will run from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. This isn’t just about fun and games – the softball match aims to raise funds for Newport Festivals Foundation’s local […]
Posted inCity & Government
World Café event fosters connection and community engagement in Newport
On Wednesday, June 18, an intergenerational group of 25 people gathered at Salve Regina University to engage in meaningful conversations at a World Café hosted by RENEWport and The David and Carolyn Brodsky Chair in U.S. Constitutional Culture and Democracy. Gene Thompson-Grove, facilitator and transformational learning coach, moderated the event. Participants focused on a series of […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Interactive murder mystery “Death Is a Cabernet, Ol’ Chum” coming to Sakonnet Vineyard
Sakonnet Vineyard will host the Little Compton Community Center’s interactive murder mystery event, “Death Is a Cabernet, Ol’ Chum” presented by the WatermelonAlligator Theatre Company on Saturday, July 12th. Guests will play the role of detective and try to crack the case of Malcolm Melee, an acclaimed winemaker and vineyard owner whose body was found […]
Posted inNews
Morning Notes: MLK Community Center launches program that offers free showers
Good morning, Newport! Today is Wednesday, June 25, the 176th day of 2025. There are 189 days left in the year. 🚨 You need to know The MLK Community Center is addressing a basic need many Newport residents take for granted with the launch of its new free showers program, offering shower facilities to community […]