Judith (Connolly) Smeltz, 71, of Newport died Friday, June 16, 2017, surrounded by her loving family, at home in Newport. Ms. Smeltz was born June 4, 1946 in South Boston, MA. She is the daughter of the late John Michael and the late Helen (Curran) Connolly. Judy was a very loving, caring and compassionate mother, […]
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 inJobs
Who’s Hiring In Newport? Harry’s Bar & Burger, Gurney’s, Hotel Viking and 100+ Other Businesses
Featured Job Opportunities: Harry’s Bar & Burger Newport – Line Cooks Wanted & Experienced Servers and Bartenders Wanted Pinkberry Team Members & Shift LeadersGraphic Design/Signage AssistantJob CoachSummer Staff For Ice Cream Service and Retail StoreCounter Servier/Cashier and BaristaHR AssistantCrew member position available aboard 70-foot charter sailing yacht (Newport)Media Sales Associate – What’sUpNewpFreelance Writers – What’sUpNewp […]
Posted inNews
RIPTA Bus Stops Will Move Back to Newport Visitors Center on Saturday
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) announced today that on Saturday, June 17, 2017, it will move its bus stops off America’s Cup Avenue and back into the Newport Transportation and Visitors Center. This move comes as progress continues on the construction project to repair and improve the exterior passenger and pedestrian center of […]
Posted inThings To Do
Fort Adams Trust Will Host Summer Solstice, ‘An Evening of Revelry’, Fundraiser on June 23rd
The Fort Adams Trust announces that their annual fundraiser event, Summer Solstice, An Evening of Revelry, will be held Friday, June 23rd on the North Lawn of the fort in Fort Adams State Park. The event will be from 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm and is hosted by Blackstone Caterers along with a sunset toast […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
What’s Up For This Weekend: June 16 – 18
Discover all that’s happening, new and to do this weekend in and around Newport for events, live music, movies, activities, sports and more! You Might Also Like – Live Music and Entertainment Listings: June 16 – 18 Friday, June 16th 9 am to 6 pm – Replicas of Christoper Columbus’ The Niña and Pinta open for tours at […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Live Music and Entertainment Listings: June 16 – 18
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 Up For This Weekend: June 16 – 18 Editor’s Note – Those with links (underlined) are our partners. Please consider supporting them and their live music, they make […]
Posted inOpinion
Dawn Euer: I Will Serve as your Senator with a Vision of Protecting and Conserving our Fragile Environment
We all know how special the Jamestown and Newport environment is to our economy, our international reputation and our own quality of life. But, we need more than generalizations and platitudes to address the serious challenges facing our state. With federal politics run amok, we will surely see cutbacks to critical environmental programs and the […]
Posted inNews
2-Year-Old Recovering After Falling From Second-Story Apartment Window in Newport
A two-year-old has to be transported to Hasbro Children’s Hospital via Med Flight on Wednesday after falling out of a second-story apartment window in Newport, according to Newport Police Department. On June 14th at 2:56 pm, Newport Police Department confirms that their officers along with the Newport Fire Department responded to a residence on John […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for James P. Casey, 92, Newport
James Peter Casey, age 92, of Newport, RI, passed away peacefully at Newport Hospital, surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, June 13, 2017. James was born November 24, 1924, to John and Kathryn Casey. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Audrey J. Casey, and their 10 children, 22 grandchildren, and 14 […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Newport Gulls Defeat New Bedford Bay Sox in 16 Innings
Tyler Green’s RBI sacrifice fly and Andrew Daschbach’s RBI single in the top of the 16th inning pushed the Newport Gulls past the New Bedford Bay Sox by a final score of 7–5 on Thursday night. Reliever David Palmer earned the win throwing the last inning scoreless. Daschbach led the Gulls with three hits as […]
Posted inThings To Do
Rail Explorers Will Begin Offering Tours 7-days a Week, Will Launch new Southern Circuit
Rail Explorers, an eco-tour company featuring pedal-powered rail bikes operating along Aquidneck Island’s historic rail lines, will begin operating 7-days a week and will be launching the new Southern Circuit Tour on Thursday, June 29. The Southern Circuit is a special summer tour offered at 8:30am and 6:30pm daily from June 29 through Memorial Day. Including the Northern Ramble, Rail […]
Posted inNews
Providence to Newport Ferry Service Starts on Friday, Season is Six Weeks Longer in 2017
The Providence to Newport or Newport to Providence Ferry (depending on how you look at) season kicks off on Friday, June 16th. The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT), and Seastreak invite the public to the first day of ferry service between Providence and Newport. The day will begin at […]
Posted inArts & Culture, News, Style & Shop
Pierre Cardin has Bowed Out of Runway Show at The Breakers This Weekend, Show Will Go On
Pierre Cardin has had to cancel his trip to Newport this weekend. The legendary fashion designer was scheduled to host a fashion runway show at The Breakers on June 17, featuring 80 looks from his prolific career. WWD was the first to report on Thursday that Cardin would miss the Newport Fashion Show – Pierre Cardin […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
What Question Would You Ask All 7 Senate District 13 Candidates?
It’s just about one month until the Democratic primary and two months from the Special Election fo fill the Senate 13 (Newport, Jamestown) seat that was long occupied by Teresa Paiva Weed. There are currently four Democrats, one Republican, one Independent and one Green Party candidate running for the seat. If you haven’t had any […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Danbury Downs Newport Gulls, 10–1
Things began and ended pretty quickly for Gulls starting pitcher Reid Anderson as he recorded just one out and gave up three earned runs before leaving the game. After walking the first batter of the contest on four straight pitches, Danbury’s Jake Wilson launched a double down the left field line, which bounced into the […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
France to Challenge USA on Saturday in Newport International Polo Series
On Saturday, June 17 at 5 pm, France will return to challenge USA, and put its most recent victory on the line in the NBC10 Newport International Polo Series, Presented by BMW. Playing for France will captain Olivier Girard, France’s highest rated player, who will field a competitive team from the south of France. “This team is […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Dodie Kazanjian and Calvin Tomkins to be Honored at Newport Art Museum’s Summer Gala
On Saturday, July 1, 2017 the Newport Art Museum (NAM) will hold its annual summer gala, the Artists’ Ball. This black-tie optional masked ball will welcome cultural and civic leaders, artists, collectors, patrons of the arts, and other art world notables to the Museum’s largest fundraiser. Gala co-chairs, Elizabeth Ann Kahane, Molly de Ramel, and John […]
Posted inThings To Do
Miantonomi Tower Will Open To The Public Every Sunday Through August
Aquidneck Land Trust (“ALT”) and the City of Newport, as part of the Newport Open Space Partnership, announce new summer hours for the historic tower in Miantonomi Park as part of the Annual Miantonomi Exploration Days. The tower will be open and free to the public every Sunday from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm, beginning […]
Posted inCity & Government
House passes Rep. Carson’s bill to Notify Businesses of Impending Road Construction, Provide Assistance
The Department of Transportation will need to coordinate with the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation to help small businesses that will be affected by RhodeWorks construction projects under a bill sponsored by Rep. Lauren H. Carson that cleared the House today, Rhode Island’s Legislative Press and Public Information Bureau has announced. The legislation (2017-H 5783A) is […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rep. Canario’s bill to Create a Study Commission on Marijuana Legalization Passes the House
Rep. Dennis M. Canario’s (D-Dist. 71, Portsmouth, Little Compton, Tiverton) legislation (2017-H 5551A) that would create a 19-member special legislative commission to study the effects of legalizing recreational marijuana in Rhode Island passed the House of Representatives tonight. “The potential effects of legalizing recreational marijuana in Rhode Island would have drastic impacts to the fabric […]
Posted inArts & Culture, History, Things To Do
Newport Historical Society will host Co-Authors of ‘World War II Rhode Island’
Rhode Island’s contribution to World War II vastly exceeded its small size. Newport’s and Aquidneck Island’s contributions alone included the nation’s most important torpedo production facilities, a naval training station for some 500,000 sailors, and a PT boat training center at Melville. Civilians, including for the first time many women, did their part by manufacturing military equipment […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
9 Newport Gulls Selected Through First 10 Rounds of MLB Draft
Nine former Newport Gulls have been selected through the first two days of the 2017 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. Since 2013, 65 former Gulls have been drafted into the MLB. Outfielder Quinn Brodey, a member of the Gulls in 2015, was selected by the New York Mets with the 97th overall pick in […]
Posted inCity & Government
City of Newport Rolls Out ‘Summer Meals Program’, Free Meals Available to All Children
The City of Newport has announced details for the 2017 Summer Meals Program, an initiative that has the goal of filling the upcoming summer with healthy and nutritious food for Newport youth. During the school year, more than 76,000 of Rhode Island students receive meals through the National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs; and when schools […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, Things To Do
Newport Charter Yacht Show Set to Take Place from June 19 – 23
The annual Newport Charter Yacht Show presented by Helly Hansen will showcase 25 large and luxurious charter yachts at the docks of Newport Shipyard this coming Monday (June 19) through Friday (June 23). While the public is invited to peek from shore at these beauties and interact with sponsors and vendors showing and selling their […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Rep. Carson’s Statewide Municipal Solar Permit bill Heads to Governor Raimondo for Signature
Sen. Erin Lynch Prata (D-Dist. 31, Warwick, Cranston) and Rep. Lauren H. Carson’s legislation (2017-S 0562 / 2017-H 5575) to create a statewide solar permit application now heads to Governor Raimondo’s desk for her signature after passing both the House of Representatives and the Senate tonight. The bill would require the Rhode Island Office of […]