The Newport Public Education Foundation (NPEF) has announced recipients of the annual Noreen Stonor Drexel Education Awards for 2017. Each year awards are presented in three categories: Friend of Education, Partner in Education, and Unsung Hero. The goal of the Newport Public Education Foundation is to help bridge the needs of students in our public […]
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
U.S. Census Bureau Estimates Slight Population Decrease for Newport, Newport County
Newport County’s population estimate now stands at 82,784, down 132 from the projection made last year. The Census Bureau on Thursday released 2016 population estimates for each town, county, and state in the United States. The estimates, done annually, reflect population change from July 2015 to July 2016. Rhode Island’s population grew by just 819 people between […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rep. Canario bill to make left lanes on highways passing only approved by House
Rep. Dennis M. Canario’s (D-Dist. 71, Portsmouth, Little Compton, Tiverton) legislation (2017-H 5398) that would fine drivers for using the far-left lane on three lane highways when not passing another vehicle was approved by the House of Representatives tonight., according to Rhode Island’s Legislative Press and Public Information Bureau. The bill now heads to the […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rep. Carson’s Tourism Commission Recommends State Consider Changes to Tourism Promotion
STATE HOUSE – Rhode Island could better support growth of its tourism industry if it reshuffles the state’s tourism oversight structure and promotion dollars to mirror its marketing goals, a legislative panel studying the issue says. The Special Legislative Commission to Study Methods for Growing Tourism in the State of Rhode Island Through Coordinated Branding […]
Posted inNews
Experts Predict This Weekend Will See The Highest Memorial Day Travel Volume Since 2005
More than one million more travelers than last year are expected to take to the roads, skies, rails and water nationally this weekend to create the highest Memorial Day travel volume since 2005, according to Discover Newport. Nearly 40 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more away from home over the holiday weekend, AAA […]
Posted inBusiness
Gurney’s Will Debut The Pineapple Club, Scarpetta and Other New Amenities This Weekend
Debuting this Memorial Day Weekend, Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina will unveil Scarpetta, a critically acclaimed modern Italian restaurant with locations in Las Vegas, Montauk and Philadelphia; The Pineapple Club (an upgraded Pineapples by the Bay), bedecked in day beds and a splash-worthy restaurant and bar surrounding the Gurney’s pool; a refreshed lobby; and 257 […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Man Charged with Committing Armed Robbery at Yankee Candle in Newport
The Newport Police Department has charged a 43-year-old man with armed robbery, according to the following press release distributed by Newport Police Department on Wednesday. “On Monday, May 22, 2017, at about 7:15 p.m., multiple Newport Police Officers responded to the Yankee Candle on America’s Cup Avenue for an armed robbery report. The suspect produced […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
What’s Happening, New and To Do This Memorial Day Weekend in Newport
Memorial Day weekend is here, can you believe it? Seems like yesterday, we were shoveling snow. Anyway, Newport is the place to kick-off off Summer of 2017! Here’s what’s up for the weekend ahead, enjoy it! You Might Also Like: Where to Find Live Music and Entertainment This Memorial Day Weekend in NewportSix Picks: The […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Where to Find Live Music and Entertainment This Memorial Day Weekend in Newport
Here’s where to find your most complete listings for live music, comedy, karaoke and dancing this weekend in and around Newport, RI. You Might Also Like: What’s Happening, New and To Do This Memorial Day Weekend in NewportSix Picks: The Best in Rhode Island Music, Performances This Week (May 25 – 31) Editor’s Note – […]
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29 Rogers High School Students Will Depart on 7-Day Voyage on Tall Ship Oliver Hazard Perry on Friday
29 students from Rogers High School in Newport are preparing for a seven-day voyage on board the 200-foot Tall Ship Oliver Hazard Perry, Rhode Island’s Official Sailing Education Vessel. The students will depart Fort Adams State Park on Friday, May 26th, and may make stops at Cutty Hunk and Point Judith before sailing through the […]
Posted inCity & Government
RITBA Provides Traffic Advisory Alert, Update on Newport Pell Bridge Repair Project
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) has provided the following advisory on construction activity for the Newport Pell Bridge in regards to the recently announced deck repair project. There will not be any construction activity or lane closures during the three day Memorial Day weekend from Saturday, May 27 through Monday, May 29. RITBA […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News
International Tennis Hall of Fame to Amend Induction Policies in 2018
The International Tennis Hall of Fame announced on Wednesday that they have made changes to the policies that govern Hall of Fame induction, effective for the Class of 2018. The modifications include the addition of automatic ballot inclusion in the first year of eligibility for players who have attained extraordinary levels of achievement, the elimination […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter To The Editor: Alliance For A Livable Newport and The Upcoming Election
The Alliance For A Livable Newport (ALN) is proud of its reputation for being an unbiased source of information regarding issues affecting the City of Newport, including the election of public officials. Recently that reputation for impartiality has been questioned as a result of an ALN Board Member and Officer playing a role in the […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter to the Editor: Graduates Without a Cause for Celebration
This time of year we celebrate the accomplishments of graduates who are moving on to new and exciting challenges and opportunities. There is one graduating class this year that should provoke feelings other than celebration. There is no cause for celebration when we look at the number of young people who at the age 18 […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Festival Foundation Will Present ‘A Bridge Together’ at Fort Adams on August 3rd
Bridgefest 2017, now in its second year under the auspices of Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc. announced today that they will present A Bridge Together, a special Free concert and Newport Jazz Festival® “extra” that will take place on Thursday, August 3, at 6:30 pm on the Quad Stage at Fort Adams State Park. […]
Posted inNews
Tiverton native Performs with Navy Band Northeast during 2017 Fleet Week New York
NEW YORK – Musician 3rd Class Kyle Beltram, a Tiverton native and a 2007 graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, is serving as a flute instrumentalist with Navy Band Northeast during 2017 Fleet Week New York (FWNY). Beltram has served in the U.S. Navy for 2 years and is a member of the Pops […]
Posted inNews
Newport Among ‘Best Small Town To Visit In All 50 States’, According to Thrillist
Thrillist, a national news and media website, recently searched for small towns with populations under 60k where you “can get a glimpse of the good life after the rat race, eat well, see actual stars at night, and still find plenty of activities to keep boredom at bay.” When they compiled all of their data […]
Posted inThings To Do
Environment Council of RI will Host Annual Meeting in Newport
The Environment Council of RI will host their 2017 Annual Meeting on Monday, June 5th at Emmanuel Church in Newport. The Environment Council of Rhode Island (ECRI) is a coalition of over 60 Rhode Island organizations as well as individuals whose mission is to serve as an effective voice for developing and advocating policies and […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, Things To Do
Designer Series Launches in Bristol with Fleet of Ted Hood Designs
The first Designer Series–a new type of boating rendezvous that gives boat owners, the marine industry, and the public a chance to celebrate the sport’s iconic designers–will launch in Bristol in late July. The three-day event will be headquartered at the Herreshoff Marine Museum, July 21-23. The event will celebrate the genius of Ted Hood […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
12 Metre Class Announces ‘Road To The Worlds Waypoints Series’, Will Race in Newport in June
The International 12 Metre Class (ITMA) has released locations and dates for the ROAD TO THE WORLDS WAYPOINTS Series, a three-year international 12 Metre (12mR) yacht competition starting in May of 2017 and culminating with the July 2019 12 Metre World Championship in Newport. Teams racing at specific WAYPOINTS-designated events in Northern Europe, Southern Europe, […]
Posted inCity & Government
Mike Smith to Unveil Economic Plan at Campaign Kickoff Tonight in Jamestown
Citing the need for a year-round economy, Michael “Mike” Smith, republican candidate for State Senate in District 13 (Jamestown, Newport), announced in a press release today that he will unveil parts of his economic plan at his Campaign Kickoff tonight in Jamestown. The event will be held at 6:30 pm at the Bay Voyage Restaurant […]