The General Assembly opens its 2018 session Tuesday, Jan. 2. The House of Representatives and the Senate will convene in their respective chambers at 4 p.m. to begin the work of the new legislative year. Speaker of the House Nicholas A. Mattiello (D-Dist. 15, Cranston) and President of the Senate Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, […]
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
RIDOH lifts remaining blue-green algae advisories for local ponds
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) are lifting the health advisories that had been put in place for several bodies of water because of blue-green algae blooms. The advisories had cautioned people to avoid contact and recreational activities with these bodies of water. Blooms of […]
Posted inNews
RIDOH approves Care New England’s application to close Memorial Hospital’s emergency department
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) approved today Care New England’s (CNE’s) application to close Memorial Hospital’s emergency department in a decision that includes conditions aimed at supporting local emergency medical response capacity, maintaining the state’s primary care training infrastructure, and investing in health at the community-level. The decision will be effective on January 1, […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
What’s up for this weekend in and around Newport: December 29 – 31
Discover all that’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport County this weekend. Friday, December 29th 10 am to 9 pm – Newport Skating Center Open 2 pm, 4:45 pm & 7:30 pm – Darkest Hour at Jane Pickens Theater 6 pm – Dashing Through The Snow at Newport Playhouse & Cabaret Restaurant 8 pm – Live improv comedy […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Business
Newport Opera House Theater turns 150 on December 28th
Newport, RI – On December 28th, 2017, the Newport Opera House Theater & Performing Arts Center marks the 150th anniversary of the exact date of the theater’s original opening night in 1867. For 150 years, the Newport Opera House Theater has been an integral part of the history, civic life, culture and entertainment of Newport. It is the oldest […]
Posted inNews
Review: The Lincoln Tunnel’s ‘Phone This One In’
Alternative rock’s essence is capturing an emotion that doesn’t need fancy production or flashy sounds. Just a guitar, a bass, and a rhythm section will do along with the proper amount of amplification. The Lincoln Tunnel out of Providence achieves that with their sophomore album Phone This One In, which was put out via the […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
What’s up for this week in and around Newport: December 26 – 30
Discover all that’s happening, new and to do in Newport this week. Tuesday, December 26th 10 am to 9 pm – Newport Skating Center Open 11 am – 4 Faith Tour of 9 historic houses of worship 2 pm, 4:45 pm & 7:30 pm – Darkest Hour at Jane Pickens Theater Christmas In Newport Schedule […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Newport live music and entertainment guide: December 26 – 30
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. Tuesday, December 26th Jane Pickens Theater: 2 pm, 4:45 […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Restaurants open on Christmas Day in Newport
Christmas Day in Newport, believe it or not, will be here before you know it. For some of you, the thought of cooking at home, traveling, or visiting the family is simply, out of the question! If you head out on Christmas Day, be sure to take care of those hard working staff! It doesn’t always have […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Roundup: Bar and restaurant hours on Christmas Eve
Looking for a place to dine or drink this Christmas Eve, here’s a quick look at what’s open. This story will be updated as more information and hours are confirmed, check back for updates. Know of something that’s open or closed, email Ryan@whatsupnewp.com. Brick Alley Pub – Last seating at 4 p.m.Clarke Cooke House – […]
Posted inBusiness
Local Panera Bread franchise collects and delivers toys to Children’s Friend following annual drive
Panera Bread is doing its part to make the holidays brighter for local families by collecting toys for children and families served by Children’s Friend based in Providence Rhode Island. The toys were collected and delivered by Panera Bread employees and other volunteers on Wednesday, December 14. Eleven cafés, owned and operated by Howley Bread […]
Posted inThings To Do
Save The Bay’s two-hour Seal Watch and Lighthouse Tours offered now until April 8 in Newport
Newport, RI – Save The Bay is now offering two-hour Seal Watch and Lighthouse Tours, combining the best of its iconic seal tours with a guided visit through one of Rhode Island’s most historic lighthouses. During the cruise, guests will get panoramic views of seals resting on Citing Rock off of Rose Island and enjoy an […]
Posted inThings To Do
DEM to host guided nature tour of Beavertail State Park on New Year’s Day
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is hosting a guided walking tour of Beavertail State Park, in Jamestown, on New Year’s Day. The one-mile tour is part of the seventh annual First Day Hike event organized by the National Association of State Park Directors. Guided tours will be held in all 50 U.S. […]
Posted inNews
Newport is among ‘America’s 15 Most Romantic Cities For Winter Travel’
Looking for romantic cities for a winter getaway? TripAdvisor done the research, trawled the reviews, and come up with a set of locations that are sure to get your heart racing. “Put simply, our algorithm analyzed reviews on TripAdvisor, identifying the city destinations with the highest percentage of reviews mentioning romance. From sunny Santa Barbara to beautiful […]
Posted inNews
Waterview home in Portsmouth sells for $1.162 million
Lila Delman Real Estate International has announced the sale of 56 Strawberry Lane in Portsmouth for $1,162,500 million. Lila Delman Real Estate International was both the listing and the selling company for the transaction. Alyce Wright and Courtney van Beuren, Sales Associates, represented the seller and Kendra Toppa, Manager of Lila Delman Real Estate International’s […]
Posted inNews
Training Future Officers
At officer candidate school (OCS) on board Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island, recruit division commanders (RDCs) train and mentor future naval officers. Whether they’re coming directly from college or the Navy’s enlisted ranks, the men and women who enter the golden doors of OCS receive 12 weeks of instruction from their RDCs, to develop their […]
Posted inNews
Massachusetts man arrested in Newport, charged with 6 counts of felony drug distribution charges
The Newport Police Department announced today that on December 21, 2017, at 1:45 p.m., 35-year-old William Rudolph of 70 East Plain Street, Berkley, MA was arrested by Detectives from the Newport Police Department’s Vice/Narcotics Unit on 6 counts of felony drug distribution charges. Newport Police Vice/Narcotics Detectives in conjunction with Detectives from the Little Compton, […]
Posted inBusiness
Newport Opera House Theater matches $4.2 million Rhode Island Creative and Cultural Economy Bond
The Newport Opera House Theater & Performing Arts Center announced it has successfully completed raising the $4.2 million that was required to match the Creative and Cultural Economy Bond grant issued by the State of Rhode Island. The $4.2 million received by Newport’s historic Opera House Theater from the State and Cultural Facilities Grant was […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Business
New ‘Tour Guides & Greeters Handbook’ provides guidance and insights in fast growing industry
The Official 2018 Newport Tour Guides & Greeters Handbook (Shoreline Press [RI], 2017, $12.95), written by Kenneth Proudfoot, was released this week by the publisher. The fully-illustrated handbook includes comprehensive information about the tour guide business and the wide variety of jobs available in this industry. Each year millions of tourists and other visitors arrive in […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport live music and entertainment guide: December 22 – 24
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, December 22nd Buskers: Fiddlers Rock at 9 pmCeltica: […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
What’s up for this weekend in and around Newport: December 22 – 24
Newport, RI – Discover all that’s happening, new and to do this weekend in and around Newport. Friday, December 22nd 2 pm, 4:45 pm & 7:30 pm – Darkest Hour at Jane Pickens Theater 5 pm to 11 pm – Newport Skating Center Open 6 pm – Winter Break Kick Off Party at Newport Skating Center 8 pm – […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Give the Gift of Jazz: Early Bird 3-Day and 2-Day Passes for 2018 Newport Jazz Festival
Newport, RI – Got the last-minute shopping blues? Give the gift of jazz and treat family and friends to Early Bird 3-Day or 2-Day Passes to the Newport Jazz Festival® presented by Natixis Investment Managers. Produced by Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc., the 2018 Newport Jazz Festival is set for August 3 – 5. Early Bird 3-Day Passes, the best […]
Posted inBusiness
Total Mortgage opens branch in Newport
Total Mortgage, a national mortgage company headquartered in Milford, Connecticut, has acquired and opened a branch in Newport, Rhode Island at 117 Bellevue Avenue. This is Total Mortgage’s first branch in Rhode Island, as well as the first step in a planned nationwide expansion called the “12 in 12 initiative.” Over the next 12 months, […]
Posted inNews
Reality TV Star to speak at Boy Scouts of America event in East Providence
Terry Fossum, winner of Fox’s “Kicking and Screaming“ survival reality show, will be speaking to leaders from the Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts of America at their annual University of Scouting event on January 13 at East Providence High School. University of Scouting is a day-long event that offers over 40 courses for Scout leaders to learn how to improve their Scouts’ experiences. Fossum, […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter To The Editor: Keep Court House Street closed
This Letter To The Editor was submitted by Jon Dember, the views and opinions expressed within are not necessarily those of What’sUpNewp, its contributers or its advertisers. To submit a Letter To The Editor, email Ryan@whatsupnewp.com. There seems to be a vexing problem with the redevelopment of the historic Newport Spring site, that needs urgent […]