If you made your way out and about around Newport on Tuesday, you may have noticed heavy police activity in front of several retail shops. What’sUpNewp reached out to the Newport Police Department after seeing the heavy police activity and U-Hauls in front of several local businesses on Tuesday, including Vintage to Vogue and Chez […]
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
Obituary for Annette Bosia
Annette Marie Bosia 79, a longtime resident of Middletown, RI; has lost her battle of 8+ years with Alzheimer’s/Dementia on August 21, 2017. Annette was born February 14, 1938 in Newport, RI to the late Anna (Deluca Bosia) Shaffell and the late Jeffery Bosia. While in school she was part of a group of girls […]
Posted inNews
Naval Station Newport will host ‘Salute To Summer’, free concert and fireworks show, on Saturday
Naval Station Newport has announced it will host ‘Salute To Summer’, their annual free concert and fireworks show, on Saturday, August 26th at Dewey Field. The free event, which runs from 2 pm to 10:30 pm, will include live music, dance, food and drink concessions, a kids area and of course, a fireworks display. The event […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Art After Dark returns to Newport Art Museum on September 14th with art, fashion and celebrity culture
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, September 14 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 at 76 Bellevue Avenue, […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Sheila Coughlin
Sheila Hayes Coughlin, 64, of Haverhill, MA, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at High Pointe Hospice House from glioblastoma multiforme. Sheila was born in Manchester, NH and was raised in Newport, RI. She graduated from Rogers High School and received her associate’s degree from North Shore Community College and her bachelor’s degree […]
Posted inCity & Government
Euer easily wins the Senate District 13 seat
Dawn Euer, the Democratic upstart who won over three primary election rivals earlier this summer, easily won Tuesday’s special election to replace long-time State Senator M. Teresa Paiva Weed, who resigned her District 13 seat (Newport, Jamestown) in the spring to become executive director of the Hospital Association of Rhode Island. “Thank you to the voters of […]
Posted inNews
Changes ahead for leadership and management at newportFILM
newportFILM announced on Tuesday, August 22nd that longtime Executive Director Terri Conners will transition into a role on the Board of Directors this fall, current Managing Director Rebecca Bertrand will be named Executive Director. Conners was hired by newportFILM Founders Andrea van Beuren and Nancy Donahoe in 2010 as the organization’s first Executive Director. Over […]
Posted inHistory, Things To Do
Fort Adams Trust will host Civil War Reenactment this weekend
On Saturday, August 26th and Sunday, August 27th the Fort Adams Trust will host a Civil War Living History Reenactment within the walls of Historic Fort Adams. This two-day event includes Civil War living history activities bringing the sights and sounds of the Civil War to Newport. Events will begin at 9 a.m. on both days and include reenactors […]
Posted inNews
Treasurer’s Green Business Loan Project underway in Middletown
Treasurer Magaziner today joined state and local officials to tour a rooftop solar array at Embrace Homes Loans in Middletown, one of the first Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) projects developed as part of the Treasurer’s commitment to creating jobs and supporting local businesses. “Helping Rhode Island’s businesses invest in energy efficient projects reduces […]
Posted inNews
Powerball Jackpot Jumps to $700 Million
The estimated jackpot for Wednesday, August 23rd’s Powerball drawing is now $700 million. Saturday’s estimated jackpot was $535 million, there were no jackpot or million dollar winners. Wednesday night’s cash option is an estimated $443.3 million. Tickets can be purchased up until 9:50 pm on Wednesday night. It was in March 2012 that Newport’s own Louise White stepped […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Movies On The Rocks will wrap up 2017 series with free screening of Star Wars Rogue One
Friends of Ballard Park’s 12th Annual MOVIES ON THE ROCKS series wraps up on Wednesday, August 23rd with a free screening of Star Wars Rogue One. The movie will be shown in the quarry meadow off of Hazard Road in Newport. A short, Snack Attack, provided by the Rhode Island International Film Festival will be screened prior to the feature. […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, Things To Do
SSV Oliver Hazard Perry to offer public tours in September and October
Having completed a full summer of teen voyages throughout northern New England, the 200-foot Tall Ship SSV Oliver Hazard Perry will be open to the public for free tours at Fort Adams State Park over the Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend (September 2 and 3) from 1 to 4 p.m. both days. The largest privately-funded, actively sailing civilian Tall Ship in the U.S., Perry also […]
Posted inNews
Treasurer Magaziner will tour Infrastructure Bank-Financed Rooftop Solar Array in Middletown today
This afternoon General Treasurer Seth Magaziner will be joined by representatives of Embrace Home Loans and the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank, along with members of the Rhode Island General Assembly and the Newport County Chamber of Commerce, to tour a rooftop solar array that was recently installed at the corporate headquarters of Embrace Home Loans […]
Posted inCity & Government
What to know for the Senate District 13 Special Election on Tuesday, August 22nd
Residents in Rhode Island Senate District 13 (Newport, Jamestown) will go to the polls on Tuesday, August 22nd to decide who will replace M. Teresa Paiva Weed at the State House. Paiva Weed resigned in the spring to take a position as executive director of the Hospital Association of Rhode Island. Democratic Dawn Euer, an attorney and […]
Posted inJobs
Now Hiring In Newport: Style Newport, Preservation Society of Newport County and 100 other businesses
Time for a part time gig, new full-time job or a new career? Start your job search right here on www.whatsupnewp.com, there are more than 100 businesses hiring right now in Newport. Featured Jobs Annie’s – Experienced Short Order Cook – Immediate Hire Classic Cruises of Newport – Front Desk Ticket Sales Representative for Classic Cruises of Newport Harry’s […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Warrior, Irie 2, Haerlem and Young American win Ida Lewis Distance Race
The weather started out gloomy, then got downright nasty for the 13th edition of the Ida Lewis Distance Race, which started Friday, August 18 off Fort Adams State Park in Newport, R.I. A forecast calling for storms to pass over the race course during the night convinced seven of the original 40 entrants to drop out prior to the […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter To The Editor: Dawn Euer – It would be the highest honor to serve you in the General Assembly
To the Editor: During the course of this election I have had the opportunity and privilege to talk with thousands of concerned citizens who genuinely want government to work for them. Everyone wants to see their tax dollars working in the most efficient ways possible. They want their elected officials to be both responsive and […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
20+ Things To Do This Week: August 21 – 25
Discover the best things, events and activities to do in and around Newport this week. Monday, August 21 J Class World Championship 1 pm – The Great American Eclipse Party at Top of Newport 4:45 pm & 7:30 pm – Maudie at Jane Pickens Theater 5 pm – Mt. Gay Mondays at Plumby’s 8 pm – Laughter For […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Listings: Live Music and Entertainment (August 21 – 25)
Discover where to find live music, entertainment, comedy, trivia, karaoke, movies and more in and around Newport this week. You Might Also Like –40+ things to do this week in Newport: August 14 – 18 Monday, August 21 4:30 pm – Brian Scott at The Landing4:45 pm & 7:30 pm – Maudie at Jane Pickens Theater6 pm to […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter To The Editor: Mike Smith can be a vital change agent for the State House
To The Editor, I am writing this letting in strong support of Mike Smith for State Senate in the District 13 special election next week. His core issues are not only what are needed for the towns of Newport and Jamestown, but are policies that will benefit the state as a whole. First and foremost, […]
Posted inThings To Do
Preservation Society of Newport County announces lineup for Fall Lecture Series
The Preservation Society of Newport County will present a series of lectures on “Great Ideas of the Gilded Age”. The Fall Lecture Series is sponsored by ALEX AND ANI. Advance registration is required for all lectures, online at www.NewportMansions.org/Learn/Lectures or by calling 401-847-1851. Wednesday, September 6, 2017 6:00 p.m. Rosecliff, 548 Bellevue Avenue, Newport Gilded Suffragists-How Alva Belmont […]
Posted inHistory, Things To Do
Annual Reading of George Washington’s Letter at Touro Synagogue Set for August 20th
The annual reading of George Washington’s historic letter “To the Hebrew Congregation at Newport” will take place on Sunday, August 20th, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at Touro Synagogue. The letter, which honors American’s precious freedoms and religious tolerance, continues to be lauded and commemorated as possibly having the greatest impact on America and American Jewry. Light […]
Posted inNews
Photo Gallery: The Kings Lens – Hurricane Gert serves up waves off Newport
Hurricane Gert may be spinning away from the United States a few hundred miles away to our south, but she served up some fun conditions for local surfers on Wednesday and Thursday. All photos by Patrick Murphy, contributor to What’sUpNewp, the photographer behind The Kings Lens and Founder of The Kings Lens and Friends. The Kings […]
Posted inNews
Craft Beer Corner: Long Trail Brewing & to our friend Russ
From way back in 1989, Long Trail Brewing Company has been producing some of the best in the country. Starting in a basement, once the beers started hitting the local watering holes it was clear a bigger space was gonna be necessary. Being eco-friendly, not only does Long Trail recycle their glassware, but any malts […]