Rhode Island will be treated to a partial solar eclipse on the afternoon of Monday, August 21st. A NASA statement said the eclipse will be visible across all of North America, weather permitting. The entire continent will experience a partial eclipse lasting two to three hours. Anyone within the 70-mile-wide path that stretches through fourteen […]
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 inThings To Do
Chasing Summer: Newport County YMCA to Host an end of Summer Family Event at Fort Adams on August 13
On Sunday, August 13th from 1 PM to 5 PM the Newport County YMCA, Fort Adams Trust and the CMAK Foundation, will host an affordable, family end of summer celebration called “Chasing Summer” at Fort Adams. The event is the celebration of the Y’s inaugural Race4Chase Kids Triathlon Program. There will be music, food, games and […]
Posted inCity & Government
Crews Respond to Fire on 2nd Street Overnight
Newport Fire Department and mutual aid responded to a house fire on 2nd Street in The Point section of Newport just before midnight on Tuesday. Crews fought the fire at two historic homes, 18 and 20 2nd Street, into the early hours of Wednesday, Providence Canteen responded to assist firefighters on scene. Both homes, that […]
Posted inBusiness
Pell Center Receives $200,000 Grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York to Host Franco-U.S. Defense Dialogue
The Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy at Salve Regina University has received a $200,000 grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York to support the Rochambeau Dialogue over a period of two years. Named after one of the most celebrated French commanders of the Revolutionary War, the Rochambeau Dialogue will be an important […]
Posted inCity & Government
Representative Carson named ‘Champion for Seniors’ by Edward King House
Representative Lauren H. Carson (D. District 75, Newport) has been honored by the Edward King House with its annual Champion for Seniors award for her commitment to serving local senior citizens. Carmella Geer, Edward King House executive director, said Representative Carson’s name came up immediately this year when the senior center’s Board of Directors began discussing […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Norman David “Whitey” Whitehurst
Norman David “Whitey” Whitehurst, age 76, of Newport died Sunday, August 6, 2017 at Charlton Memorial Hospital of Fall River, MA. Mr. Whitehurst was born March 9, 1941 in Houston, TX. He is the son of the late Julian Hodge and the late Connie (Whitehurst) Wick. He was the husband of Patricia Louise Ferry for […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for William J. McCann
Surrounded by family, William J. McCann, 77, of Tiverton and formerly of Portsmouth, entered eternal life on Saturday, August 5, 2017 at Tockwotton on the Waterfront in East Providence. He was the husband of Ann Marie T. (Cox) McCann. Born in Fall River, MA, he was the son of the late Phillip A. and the […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Mr. John J. Slocum Jr.
John Jermain Slocum, Jr. died peacefully Saturday evening at the Newport Hospital surrounded by his family. Mr. Slocum, born in New York City on October 29, 1941, attended the Buckley School in New York, the Groton School in Groton, MA, and Harvard University in Cambridge, MA where he received a bachelor’s degree in 1964 and […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Roger R. Roberts
Roger Richard Roberts, age 88, of Newport died Thursday, August 3, 2017, in Newport, RI. Mr. Roberts was born May 5, 1929, in Fall River, MA, the son of the late James F. and the late Mary (Dooley) Roberts. He was the husband of Cynthia (Andrews) Roberts. A patriotic and family focused man, Roger worked […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter To The Editor: Dawn Euer is The Best Person to Represent District 13
I had the pleasure of working with Dawn Euer when we both served the city of Newport volunteering on the Energy and Environment Commission. I saw first-hand how Dawn approached an issue in a holistic way. As an attorney, Dawn always had insight as to what would be involved when approaching different issues. She worked […]
Posted inHistory, Things To Do
Revolutionary War Re-Enactment To Be Held in Downtown Newport on August 26th
On the afternoon of August 26, 2017, from noon to 5 pm, the Newport Historical Society will host its largest re-enactment yet—a British invasion inspired by events from the summer of 1777. The multi part program will feature something for everyone: re-enactment scenarios, a walking tour with rum tasting, and a family-friendly Spy Challenge. The British Occupation […]
Posted inJobs
Now Hiring In Newport: 105+ Local 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 inNews
Bone Marrow Registration Drive Planned to Help Support Middletown Woman
Paula (Fitzgerald) Silvia of Middletown has been diagnosed with myeloid dysplasia syndrome (MDS), a form of blood cancer where the bone marrow cells do not mature into healthy blood cells. Paula received this devastating news at the end of June. Nothing seemed particularly out of sorts; she was traveling with her family, working, going to […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
What’s Up This Week in Newport: August 8 – 11
Here’s what’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport this week. Tuesday, August 8th 12 pm – A Lively Lunch Series at Touro Park 2 pm to 6 pm – Newport Farmers Market at Pell Elementary School 4:45 pm & 7:30 pm – An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power at Jane Pickens Theater 6 pm […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Where To Find Live Music and Entertainment This Week: August 8 – 11
Discover where to find live music, entertainment, comedy, trivia, karaoke, movies and more in and around Newport this week. Tuesday, August 8th 4:30 pm – Brian Scott at The Landing4:45 pm & 7:30 pm – An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power at Jane Pickens Theater5:30 pm to 9:30 pm – John & Joanne at Hotel Viking6 pm – Newport Recreation Department Summer […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
In Review: 2017 Newport Gulls Season
NEWPORT, R.I. – Ending the 2017 New England Collegiate Baseball League campaign on a season-high seven-game winning streak, the Newport Gulls finished 20–22 overall, holding onto the fourth place spot in the Southern Division. Having four NECBL All-Stars, over 40,000 total fans attend 19 games at Cardines Field and two back-to-back walk-off victories, the Gulls […]
Posted inCity & Government
RITBA Will Collect Higher Tolls on Pell Bridge If Your Transponder Isn’t Properly Mounted
JAMESTOWN, R.I. – The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) has conducted a public information campaign to encourage motorists to properly mount their E-ZPass transponders in their vehicles. The campaign was launched due to safety and cost concerns and traffic delays at the Newport Pell Bridge toll plaza due to improperly, or unmounted, E-ZPass transponders. Starting […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Photo Gallery: 2017 Live Local Music & Arts Festival
The inaugural Live Local Music & Arts Festival celebrated the art and culture that defines Newport and Rhode Island as a whole on Thursday, August 3rd on the lawn of Great Friends Meeting House. Live Local gave the hundreds that came out to the festival a first-hand look at what it means to be a […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
16-Year-Old From Newport Becomes Youngest Player to Capture R.I. Women’s Amateur Championship
The champions in RIGA Amateur events keep getting younger and younger, although the record Addy Douglas set Friday could stand for a long time The 16-year-old from Newport Country Club who still has two years remaining at The Prout School became the youngest person to win the State Amateur when she held off Kibbe […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Raymond Patrick Segerson
Raymond Patrick Segerson (Buddy), 89, of Middletown, RI, passed away, Wednesday, August 2, 2017 at Newport Hospital, Newport RI surrounded by his loved ones. Buddy was born in Newport to the late John and Mary Segerson on October 19, 1927. He grew up in Newport and graduated from De La Salle high school 1945. He […]
Posted inBusiness
Child & Family Names New Vice President of Fund Development
Child & Family has announced that Betsy Akin has been selected as the new Vice President of Fund Development for the Middletown-based organization. Akin will plan and execute a comprehensive development plan to support the programs and services that reach more than 6,000 individuals annually in Rhode Island. “Betsy will bring to us a wealth […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
What’sUpNewp to Sponsor 3rd Annual Rogue Island Comedy Festival
What’sUpNewp is proud to announce our sponsorship and support of the 2017 Rogue Island Comedy Festival. Scheduled for October 5th – 9th, Rhode Island’s only stand-up comedy festival will once again bring the best local and nationally known comedians to Newport. Since I took over ownership of What’sUpNewp in 2012, it’s been a priority of […]
Posted inNews
2017 Newport Jazz Festival Schedule & Lineup
The 2017 Newport Jazz Festival will get underway today (August 4th) at Fort Adams State Park and will close out day #1 of the historic festival at the International Tennis Hall of Fame this evening with Trombone Shorty and Rhiannon Giddens. WHAT TIME DOES EVERYTHING OPEN? BOX OFFICE opens at 9am / GATES open at […]
Posted inCity & Government
Month-Long Impasse Over, Senate Approves and Governor signs 2018 Budget Bill
The Senate today approved and the governor signed into law a $9.2 billion 2018 state budget bill that includes excise tax relief, along with a separate bill protecting taxpayers in case the economy sours. The Senate vote was a reconsideration of the chamber’s vote on the bill on June 30. Today’s vote removed an amendment […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Things To Do This Weekend: August 4 – 6
Discover what’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport this weekend! You Might Also Like – Live Music and Entertainment Listings: August 4 – 6 Friday, August 4th 9 am to 10 pm – 19th Annual Helly Hansen Warehouse Sale at Helly Hansen Newport 11 am – 6:15 pm – Newport Jazz Festival at Fort […]