Small business is the lifeblood of Rhode Island’s economy. We have more than 95,000 small businesses in this state employing over half of the state’s private workforce — our friends, our neighbors and our family members. Behind every small business in Rhode Island there’s a story about someone’s dream. It’s the story of their courage […]
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 inArts & Culture
Art Behind The Scenes Event Will Feature Timothy Michael Hetland
The Arts and Cultural Alliance (ACA) of Newport County presents an Arts Behind the Scenes event featuring Timothy Michael Hetland, an artist focused on creating exciting works with metals and alloys, stones and crystals, and wood. Mr. Hetland is a 3rd generation Norwegian descending from Kragerø, Norway. Through his metal artworks he focuses on the […]
Posted inCity & Government
City of Newport Tree Purchase and Planting Program Open for Applications
Newport R.I. — The City of Newport’s Forestry Division annual tree planting program is underway and great trees are available to City residents. The Division will be providing several varieties of trees at wholesale cost and they will plant the tree for any resident. Residents in neighborhoods that lack significant tree cover can improve home […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Anthony Somerfield
Anthony Somerfield, Jr. ,88, was carried to Heaven on Tuesday, March 30 2017, at Rhode Island Hospital. His illness was short, but his love of life was long. He was the husband of Elsie Victoria (Perry) Somerfield, the love of his life. Tony, as he liked to be called, was born on August 5th, 1928 […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Robert Corbin
Robert E. Corbin died on March 23, 2017 at Mass General Hospital after open-heart surgery, a few days after becoming 86 years old. Always known as Robin, he had a lifelong connection to and a deep love for Newport that went back several generations. His great grandfather, James Thomas Rhodes, who owned a shipping company […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Roland A. Lopes
Roland A. Lopes, 90 years young, residing at 51 Middle Road, Anthony House Portsmouth, RI, passed away peacefully, Friday, March 31, 2017, at the Newport Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Born on January 19, 1927 in Sao Miguel, the Azores, he was the son of the late Agostinho B. and Maria (Medeiros) Lopes. He […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Stephanie Gael Berberick
Stephanie Gael Berberick, 31, of Portsmouth, died peacefully on March 30, 2017 at Newport Hospital. Stephanie was born April 28, 1985 in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. She is the daughter of Raymond E. Berberick Jr. and Gael (Powers) Berberick of Portsmouth. Stephanie was a loving daughter, sister and cousin who brought joy to all who knew […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
25+ Things To Do This Weekend in Newport: March 31 – April 2
Here’s what’s happening in and around Newport, RI during the first weekend of April! You Might Also Like – This Weekend: Live Music, Comedy and Entertainment Listings (March 31 – April 2) Friday, March 31 4:15 pm & 7 pm – The Zookeeper’s Wife at Jane Pickens Theater 6 pm – Thompson Middle School PBIS FUNdraiser at LaForge […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
This Weekend: Live Music, Comedy and Entertainment Listings (March 31 – April 2)
Here’s where to find live music, comedy, karaoke and dancing this weekend in and around Newport, RI. You Might Also Like –25+ Things To Do This Weekend in Newport: March 31 – April 2 Friday, March 31st 4:15 pm & 7 pm – The Zookeeper’s Wife at Jane Pickens Theater5 pm to 9 pm – Live […]
Posted inArts & Culture, News
Netflix to Release ‘The Discovery’ on Friday, March 31st
The Discovery, the movie filmed in Newport during the spring of 2016, is scheduled to be released on Friday, March 31st at 3:00 am. Starring Robert Redford, Jason Segel and Rooney Mara, the movie was filmed on the campus of Salve Regina University, Newport Hospital, Fort Adams, Third Beach, Ocean Drive and in several other locations throughout […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Daniel Kilroy
Daniel Arthur Cagney Kilroy passed away unexpectedly on Monday, March 20, 2017. Born in Providence on June 28, 1983 he was 33 years old. He leaves behind his parents, Larry and Johanna Kilroy of Newport, his brothers, Joshua Kilroy of Chicago, Noah Kilroy of Fall River, his sisters, Samantha Brinz and husband John Brinz of […]
Posted inCity & Government
Teresa Paiva Weed Will Officially Resign from RI Senate on Friday, Special Election Scheduled (Updated)
Teresa Paiva Weed’s last Senate session as Senator of District 13 (Newport, Jamestown) was on Thursday, she will be officially resigning her seat on Friday, March 31st. Photo via RI Senate Paiva Weed, who has been the state senator of District 13 since 1992, announced on March 22nd that she would be resigning from the […]
Posted inThings To Do
Mercy Center at Salve to host ‘Welcoming the Stranger: The Reality of Refugees in Rhode Island’
As the issues of immigration and refugees continue to be debated in the United States, the Mercy Center for Spiritual Life at Salve Regina is welcoming members of the university community to a program featuring three speakers who will share their personal stories about these issues. Shukuru Mugwa, Ahmed Aden Mohamud and Uma Chapagain will […]
Posted inCity & Government
Construction to Begin on Carroll Avenue Sidewalks
The City of Newport has announced that sidewalks on Caroll Avenue (from Morton Avenue to Bateman Avenue) will begin to be repaired starting on or about April 3rd. Carroll Avenue is one of nine projects being completed to fix small areas of sidewalks throughout the City that are beyond the capabilities of the City maintenance […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Senators Whitehouse Among Bipartisan Alliance to Address Marine Debris Crisis
U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Cory Booker (D-NJ) have introduced the bipartisan Save our Seas (SOS) Act to help address the marine debris epidemic affecting America’s ocean shorelines and inland waterways, as well as other coasts across the globe. Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Gary Peters […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
2017 Marks 15th Year for C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta
NEWPORT, R.I. (March 30, 2017) – Sixteen years ago Robie Pierce and Stephanie and Judy McLennan had a conversation and as a result a year later, the C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta was on its way to becoming a internationally recognized regatta for disabled sailors. Established in memory of Tom Clagett, The […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Judith Ann Sullivan
Judith Ann Sullivan, 63, of Middletown died Monday, March 27, 2017 at home surrounded by her loving family. Mrs. Sullivan was born April 9, 1953 in Newport, RI. She is the daughter of the late Everett W. and the late Joan Marie (Fontaine) Smith. She was married to William “Biddy” Sullivan for 22 years. Judy […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Thorsteinn Gislason
Thorsteinn Gislason, of Bristol, passed away on Feb. 24 at Newport Hospital. He was the husband of Marianne Becker Gislason, to whom he had been married for more than 40 years. Mr. Gislason was born in Reykjavik, Iceland, and was the father of Thorsteinn (Ragnheidur), Salem, NH, and Olafur (Katherine), Jamestown, RI; stepfather of Geoffrey […]
Posted inNews
Experts Will Consider Future of The Breakers at Community Forum in Newport
The Friends of Newport Preservation (FNP) will present two preservation experts as part of their effort to raise public awareness and preserve The Breakers, Newport’s crown jewel. “The Landscape of The Breakers: Significance and Opportunities For Newport’s Most Important Gilded Age Landmark”, will be held at the Newport Elks Club Lodge on Friday, April 7th […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Mrs. Paula Ottilige
Paula Ottilige, 84, of Middletown died Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at Newport Hospital in Newport, RI, surrounded by her loving family. Mrs. Ottilige was born June 1, 1932 in Middletown, RI.She is the daughter of the late Arthur and the late Ann (Oxx) Peckham. She was married to the late James Ottilige for 60 years. […]
Posted inHistory, News
St. Mary’s Church Discovers Mysterious Sculpture During Historic Restoration of Pipe Organ
Hidden and forgotten for nearly 200 years, a mysterious carved head of a woman’s profile with historic and religious significance has been discovered in St. Mary’s Church. St. Mary’s announced on March 29th that the rare and precious finding dates back to 1848 when the church was built by Newport’s Irish immigrants and may be […]
Posted inCity & Government
Representative Deborah Ruggiero Introduces Bill That Would create Coastal Adaptation Fund to Protect Infrastructure
STATE HO– USE – Coastal shorelines are vital to the economy of Rhode Island and its cities and towns. The tourism, real estate and seafood industries depend on the coast, marshes and open space, all of which are being threatened by erosion from rising seas and storms. The urgency to protect our coastal assets for our […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Princeton Art History Specialist will Present Public Lecture at Salve Regina University on April 4
Catherine Fernandez, art history specialist at Princeton University, will present a public lecture, “Collecting and Context: Medieval Church Treasuries,” on Tuesday, April 4 from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. at Salve Regina University. Free and open to the public, the lecture will be presented in DiStefano Lecture Hall, located in Antone Academic Center on Lawrence Avenue. […]
Posted inCity & Government
House OKs Rep. Carson’s bill Asking DEM to Report on Potential Effects of Trump’s Cuts to Environmental Funding
The House of Representatives today approved a resolution sponsored by Rep. Lauren H. Carson asking the state Department of Environmental Management (DEM) to issue a report on the impact the new federal administration’s cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will have on Rhode Island’s ability to preserve its environment and enforce current statutes. In […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Story of ‘The Von Bulow Affair’ Will Be Told in Six-Part Original Scripted Television Series
“The Von Bulow Affair” was the most scandalous and sensational murder trial of the 1980s, borne from the bowels of high society that existed between white-linen parties of Newport and white-powder mischief at New York’s poshest nightclub. America was riveted by the charges that Danish-born aristocrat Claus von Bulow twice attempted to murder his heiress […]