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
Fort Adams Trust Receives “Social Responsibility” Award from the Newport County YMCA
The Fort Adams Trust has been given the 2017 “Social Responsibility” award by the Newport County YMCA. The award was bestowed upon the Trust at the Y’s annual meeting Wednesday, May 17th. The Trust was presented the award for its work with the Y to host some of the organization’s summer camp activities and for […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Hotel Viking Readies Top Of Newport and One Bellevue For Busy Summer Season
Top of Newport and One Bellevue’s patio at Hotel Viking are now open for the season. From its perch atop Newport’s Historic Hill, Top of Newport, the hotel’s al fresco rooftop kitchen, and bar, offers unparalleled views of Newport Harbor and beyond, including spectacular sunsets. The perfect settings to kick back and watch the world […]
Posted inNews
Tips for Surviving Allergy Season
Seasonal allergies can spoil the nicest weather — but there are ways you can manage your symptoms and feel better. Know your Season If you have a seasonal allergy, it’s vital that you know which season triggers your symptoms. Some people have spring allergies, because of the blooms and tree pollen; some have summer allergies, […]
Posted inNews
Volunteers Needed for Newport’s June Secret Garden Tour – “On The Point”
Imagine yourself sitting in a very stunning colorful garden with a variety of trees and flowers, the sun shining down, a cool breeze grazing your face, and the sound of birds happily chirping away. Sounds delightful, right? The Newport Secret Garden Tour is looking for volunteers for the upcoming June Tours which will take place […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
St. Mary’s Church “Festival of Pipes” Celebration Will Feature First Public Performance of its Refurbished 1,900-Pipe Organ
The glorious sound of St. Mary’s Church 1,900-pipe organ, the Casavant Op.2463, will be unveiled on Saturday, June 3, 2017 at the “Festival of Pipes” celebration, beginning at 2 p.m. The occasion marks the premiere performance of the massive newly refurbished pipe organ for the public. The event includes a lecture-recital by Simone Couture, vice […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island School Of Design And Newport Restoration Foundation Team Up To Virtually Resist Sea Level Rise
On Friday, May 26 from 5:30 -7:30pm, graduate students in RISD’s Interior Architecture program will present what they have been working on all spring semester: predictions for what sea level rise could really mean, and look like, in the city of Newport in the not too distant future. According to accepted climate science, sea levels […]
Posted inThings To Do
Newport Car Museum Will Officially Opens its Doors on June 1st
Newport Car Museum has announced they will officially open their doors for the first time in Portsmouth on June 1. A private collection of some 50 automobiles at the museum, which is located at 1847 West Main Road in Portsmouth, focuses on six decades of modern industrial automotive design and celebrates cars as works of […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
This Weekend: Live Music and Entertainment Listings (May 19 – 21)
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 & To Do This Weekend: May 19 – 21 Editor’s Note – Those with links (underline/highlighted in blue) are our partners. Please consider supporting them and […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Volvo Ocean Race Launches Official Sustainability Program with 3 Key New Partnerships
The Volvo Ocean Race has launched a major Sustainability Programme for the 2017-18 edition and beyond – signing partnerships with 11th Hour Racing, AkzoNobel and United Nations Environment while outlining a series of commitments that focus on ocean health. The race is putting sustainability at its heart and focusing on taking action to help ‘Turn […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
What’s Happening, New & To Do This Weekend: May 19 – 21
Salve Regina University’s graduation and the Newport Oyster Festival are just two of the 30+ things happening in and around Newport this weekend. Here’s what’s happening in and around the City this weekend, make the most of it! Friday, May 19th Weather Forecast: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near […]
Posted inNews
Five Residents of Newport County Will Compete for Miss RI
Five contestants from the Newport area will take to the stage to compete for the title of Miss Rhode Island America or Miss Rhode Island’s Outstanding Teen this month! Nicolette Peloquin (Newport), Elena De La Rosa (Newport) and Molly Andrade (Middletown) will compete for the title of Miss Rhode Island. Brennan Cluff (Middletown) and Carrigan […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Volvo Ocean Race Outlines Future Of Race, Big Changes Coming
This morning, the Volvo Ocean Race revealed a series of announcements that will outline the future vision of the race for the next decade and beyond. They call it the most radical shake-up since the race began in 1973 as the Whitbread Round the World Race. The Volvo Ocean Race has solved the question of […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News
International Tennis Hall of Fame earns prestigious Smithsonian Institution Affiliation
The International Tennis Hall of Fame has earned a prestigious designation as an official Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., becoming the first and only sports Hall of Fame to be selected to participate in the program’s 20+ year history. The affiliation honor was officially announced in a special event at the Hall of […]
Posted inNews
Former Senator, Senate President Paiva Weed Sells Newport Home
Teresa Paiva Weed, former long-time Senator for District 13 (Newport, Jamestown) and Senate President, has sold her home at 48 Admiral Kalbfus Road in Newport. Paiva Weed, who was the state senator of District 13 from 1992 to March 2017, announced on March 22nd that she would be resigning from the Senate and would be […]
Posted inArts & Culture, News
Newport Art Museum to Host 2017 New England Watercolor Society Juried Exhibition
The Newport Art Museum has announced that they will host the 2017 New England Watercolor Society’s Juried Exhibition. Founded in 1885 as the Boston Watercolor Society, the New England Watercolor Society (or “NEWS”) is one of the oldest watercolor societies in America. Its past members include a roster of influential American artists, such as Childe […]
Posted inNews
David Rockefeller Jr., Sailors For The Sea to Receive ‘America and The Sea Award’ from Mystic Seaport
Mystic Seaport has announced that they will present their 2017 America and the Sea Award to David Rockefeller Jr. and Sailors for the Sea. Given annually by the Museum, the prestigious award recognizes individuals or organizations whose contribution to the history, arts, business, or sciences of the sea best exemplify the American character. Sailors for […]
Posted inNews
Newport Among ‘America’s Top 50 Summer Hot Spots’, According to TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor revealed its 2017 Summer Vacation Value Report on May 16th, highlighting the top 50 domestic destinations for U.S. travelers this summer based on the greatest increase in seasonal hotel booking interest, including the average one-week vacation costs1 for hotels and airfare. The report also helps travelers discover savings at popular U.S. travel destinations by […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rep. Canario Bills on Left Lane Highway Passing and Marijuana Commission Passed out of Committee
STATE HOUSE – Rep. Dennis M. Canario’s (D-Dist. 71, Portsmouth, Little Compton, Tiverton) legislation on fining drivers for using the far-left lane on three lane highways when not passing another vehicle and establishing a 15-member special legislative commission to study the effects of legalizing recreational marijuana in Rhode Island were passed out of House Committee […]
Posted inBusiness, News, People & Profiles
‘Bikes and Beers Across America’ is Ready to Hit The Road to Fight MS with Hops, Hope and Bicycles
The idea behind Bikes and Beers Across America (BBAM) started out like many great ideas –a late night bar conversation scratched out on cocktail napkins. Hank Hank Whitin, owner of Pour Judgement Bar & Grill, became reflective on his upcoming milestone birthday. “I realized I didn’t want to turn 50, 25 lbs. overweight and drunk […]
Posted inNews
Newport County YMCA Will Host Annual Meeting at Newport Vineyards on May 17
On Wednesday, May 17, 2017 the Newport County YMCA will celebrate their past years successes, outstanding volunteers and community supporters at the 2017 Annual Meeting at Newport Vineyards. Fort Adams Trust will receive the Social Responsibility Award. In 2016, Fort Adams opened its doors to Y Summer Camp programs to give local youth access to […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Fifth Volvo Ocean Race entry Team Sun Hung Kai / Scallywag will represent Hong Kong in 2017-18 Race
The fifth entry to the 2017-18 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race will sail under the name Team Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag and will represent Hong Kong, Volvo Ocean Race announced in a press release today. The campaign will be backed by Seng Huang Lee and Sun Hung Kai & Co., the Hong Kong-based owner of […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
House Approves Rep. Carson’s Bill That Will Create Flooding and Sea Rise Training Requirement for Planning Boards
The House of Representatives approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Lauren H. Carson on Tuesday, May 16th that will require all members of municipal planning boards or commissions in Rhode Island to participate in a free training program on the effects of rising sea levels and the effects of development in flood plains. The legislation, which […]