It’s time for our annual look at what liquor licenses are out there and who is using them – it’s also a time to remind those who are interested how the liquor license “process” works. We hear these questions all the time – “how can I get a liquor license?”, “why aren’t there more liquor […]
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.
Best of October: 10 most-read and most-shared What’sUpNewp stories
Wondering what the talk of the town was around Newport in October? While covering dozens of events and posting hundreds of stories in the month of October, it’s the news that’s unexpected, original and breaking news that saw the most traffic on www.whatsupnewp.com. More than 40,000 unique visitors made these posts the top 10 most-read and-most shared stories […]
Kindergarten Is Coming: Explore Sea Rose Montessori on November 5th
Meet Sea Rose Montessori Co-op School’s experienced teachers and connect with parent-founders and families at Sea Rose Montessori’s open house Sunday, November 5, from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. 324 East Main Road, Portsmouth, R.I. The open house is free and those wishing to attend should register at sea-rose-montessori-co-op-school-nov-2017-open-house-tickets to ensure sufficient activity supplies for visiting children. “Sea Rose Montessori’s […]
Free parking season begins in Newport on November 1st
Metered parking, which is in effect from May 1st through October 31st, will be free beginning on November 1st. Off-Season Metered Parking is in effect from November 1st through April 30th, 2018. There is no fee for parking at meters during this time but a 3-hour limit remains in effect until 6 p.m. daily. Newport […]
Climate change expert to discuss ‘responsible geoengineering’ at Salve on November 3rd
Andrew Light, a Distinguished Senior Fellow in the Climate Program at the World Resources Institute in Washington, D.C., will talk about responsible geoengineering when he presents the keynote address at the 39th Humanities & Technology Association (HTA) Conference being held at Salve Regina University. Light’s talk, “What Would Responsible Geoengineering Look Like” will be presented […]
Female State Troopers from throughout New England to attend NESPAC Women’s Leadership Conference in Newport
The Rhode Island State Police announced in a press release on Tuesday that more than 130 women troopers from all six New England State Police agencies, including the Rhode Island State Police, are scheduled to attend the second annual NESPAC Women’s Leadership Conference in Newport on Thursday and Friday (November 2 and 3). The two-day […]
‘Community Conversations’ complete first session, Conversations continue this week
Conversations about how schools affected our lives, and how do they affect our community finished last night at the Boys & Girls Club of Newport County and at the Claiborne Pell Elementary School. The second community conversations around the topic, “What do we want our graduates to know and be able to do?” begin tomorrow, with a morning session at 10:00 […]
Record Sale In Narragansett: Beachside estate sells for $3.2 million
Lila Delman Real Estate International has announced the sale of 165 Boston Neck Road in Narragansett for $3.2 million. Lila Delman Real Estate International was both the listing and the selling company. Debbie Wilson and Jamie Wilson, Sales Associates, represented the seller and Janet Kermes, Sales Associate, represented the buyer. This represents the highest single-family […]
National Weather Service issues Frost Advisory for Tuesday night
The National Weather Service in Taunton has issued a Frost Advisory, which is in effect from 11 PM this evening to 9 AM EDT Wednesday. Location…Northern Connecticut, Rhode Island and portions of eastern Massachusetts.Temperatures…Lows will bottom out in the upper 20s to middle 30s by daybreak Wednesday.Timing…Widespread frost expected between 2 and 8 am Wednesday.Impacts…Sensitive […]
IntraCity Geeks and Drupal Connect launch innovative after school STEM program at Rogers High School
STEM educational advancements continue at Rogers High School. Through a generous grant from Drupal Connect, IntraCity Geeks will run its 60-hour “STEM Fun-0-One” after school program for high school students. On November 6th, participants will design, build and launch rockets thousands of feet into the air, assemble and program self-thinking robots, assist with programming self-driving […]
Elevate Fitness to open in Aquidneck Corporate Park on November 10th
Kathy Martin, voted one of Rhode Island’s “Best Trainers” and a former founder/co-owner of Pulse Newport, is opening Elevate Fitness (with a party) on Friday, November 10. Martin has over 20 years experience and is known for her always-popular boot camps and dynamic fitness classes. Elevate is going to become the go-to studio for boot camps […]
Several Newport Police Department Officers to participate in ‘No-Shave November’
Newport Police Department announced via a press release on September 30th that beginning on November 1st that the male Police Officers of the Newport Police Department will be participating in “No-Shave November”. “The goal of No-Shave November is to grow Cancer awareness and raise funds to support Cancer prevention, research and education. As part of […]
New England Inns and Resorts Association headed to Newport for Annual Meeting
More than 200 people representing the lodging industry, including owners/operators and/or general managers of resorts, inns, bed and breakfasts, hotels and motor inns, will gather in Newport for the annual New England Inns and Resorts Association (NEIRA) meeting from Nov. 1 – 3, 2017. As the leading professional organization representing lodging establishments in New England, NEIRA’s […]
20+ things to do this week in and around Newport (Oct. 30 – Nov. 3)
Discover all that’s happening, new and to do this week in and around Newport. Monday, October 30th 12 pm to 6 pm – Pumpkin Patch open at Trinity Church 4:30 pm – Victoria & Abdul at Jane Pickens Theater 5 pm – A Conversation with Newport County’s Women’s Legislators at Newport Public Library 6 pm – Halloween Bike Ride! with […]
Volvo Ocean Race: Vestas 11th Hour Racing on top after Leg 1
Vestas 11th Hour Racing have won Leg 1 of the Volvo Ocean Race, crossing the finish line in the River Tagus in Lisbon, Portugal, to complete the 1,650 nautical mile leg in light winds on Saturday afternoon. The win was a tremendous victory for American skipper Charlie Enright and his team, who earned 8 points […]
John DePetro ends his radio program on AM 1540 WADK
As of Friday, October 27th, Joh DePetro is no longer on the air in Newport County. Follow his radio show from 1 pm to 5 pm on Thursday, October 26th, DePetro gave notice to WADK that he would no longer be hosting his show on AM 1540 WADK. DePetro is not an employee and instead […]
Aquidneck Island Weekend Open Houses: Oct. 28-29
Here is a rundown of the open houses this weekend in Newport, Portsmouth, and Middletown. Buy a house, stay a while! Newport 30 Fenner Ave. Price: $499,0001,705 sq. ft.3 BD/2+ BASunday from 11 am to 1 pm 62/62 Below Ave. Price: $500,0001,721 sq. ft.4 BD/3 BASunday from 12 pm to 2 pm 14 Eustis Ave. Price: $599,9001,519 sq. […]
Newport Art Museum to host Providence Children’s Film Festival Community Jury Night!
Newport Art Museum continues its commitment to showcasing art in all media when it will host the Providence Children’s Film Festival for a Free Family-Friendly Community Jury Night on Friday, November 3 from 6:30-8:30 pm. This event joins the ranks of the many events and educational programs the Museum currently offers in its galleries at 76 Bellevue Avenue, Newport. Film are suitable […]
Review: Elder’s ‘Reflections Of A Floating World’
Metal has always had a dedicated following but this decade has seen a rise in prog rock addicts. I’m not talking about the 70’s prog stuff, I’m talking about people craving technical and abstract guitar work as if it were a drug. New Bedford, MA shredders Elder have been the physical representation of the happy […]
Gatehouse Media acquires Newport Daily News, Edward A. Sherman Publishing Company
Newport Daily News announced on Thursday afternoon that their parent company, The Edward A. Sherman Publishing Company, has been sold to Gatehouse Media. “The sale includes The Newport Daily News, The Independent, Newport Life Magazine, South County Life Magazine and Mercury, among other publications, and Sherman Publishing’s commercial printing division,” Jonathan Zins, Managing Editor of The Newport […]
Salve, Bryant vocalists combine to present free ‘Voices in Harmony’ concert in Ochre Court
Student vocalists from both Salve Regina and Bryant universities will team up to make music together when they present “Voices in Harmony” for the 14th consecutive year at Ochre Court on Saturday, November 11th at 8 pm. The concert, free and open to the public, will include selections from classical and contemporary music. Featured performers […]
20+ things to do this weekend in and around Newport (Oct. 27 -29)
Discover all that’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport, Rhode Island this weekend. Friday, October 27th 4 pm – Gastro’s 401 Food Truck Night! Take 2 at Ragged Island Brewing 4:30 pm & 7:30 pm – Victoria & Abdul at Jane Pickens Theater 5:30 pm – Halloween at the Redwood 7 pm – Newport Music […]
Weekend Listings: Live music, comedy and entertainment (Oct. 27 – 29)
Discover where to find live music, karaoke, comedy, dancing and entertainment this weekend in and around Newport! *Unless otherwise noted, the venue is located in Newport. Friday, October 27th Buskers: Grace Morrison at 9 pmCeltica: Karaoke at 10 pmClarke Cooke House: DJ & Dancing in the Boom Boom Room at 10 pmElks Club – Leslie Grimes & Matt Bruneau W/Bob Howard at […]
Recap: October 25th Newport City Council meeting
Newport City Council met for fourteen minutes in front of approximately 10 citizens on Wednesday night in the Council Chamber at Newport City Hall. Councilor Susan Taylor was absent for the first few minutes of the meeting, she appeared in time to introduce her resolution below. During the Citizens Forum, Ashley Hill from C-SPAN Cities Tour […]
City Manager responds to coyote sightings in Newport
In light of the recent increase in sightings of coyotes throughout the Newport, Newport City Manager Joe Nicholson is reminding residents that City Ordinance, Chapter 6.12, prohibits the feeding of, or providing an attractant for, non-domesticated animals, that includes coyotes. “Coyote management studies have shown that the most effective tool in limiting human/coyote interactions is […]
