This story was last updated at 1:14 p.m. on March 23, 2017. Newport City Councilor and local business owner John Florez announced today in a prepared statement that he will file paperwork to run in the special election for the vacated District 13 (Newport, Jamestown) State Senate seat. M. Teresa Paiva Weed, formely President of […]
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 inCity & Government, News
Emergency Shellfishing Closure Will Be Lifted For Rhode Island Waters on March 24th
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced today that effective at sunrise on Friday, March 24, it will lift the emergency shellfishing closure for areas of Rhode Island Sound, lower Narragansett Bay south of the Newport Pell and Jamestown Verrazzano Bridges, and lower Sakonnet River. DEM had announced on March 1st that areas […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Jazz Festival Announces 4th Wave of Artists
Presenting a healthy dose of straight-ahead jazz, world music, turntable magic and visit from Broadway, Producer/Founder George Wein and Artistic Director Christian McBride announce the fourth wave of artists for the 2017 Newport Jazz Festival® presented by Natixis Global Asset Management, which takes place at Fort Adams State Park and the International Tennis Hall of […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Local Leaders, Public Officials React to Senator Paiva Weed’s Departure
M. Teresa Paiva Weed, President of the Senate in Rhode Island and state senator from District 13 (Newport, Jamestown) since 1992, announced yesterday that effective May 1, 2017, she will accept the presidency of the Hospital Association of Rhode Island (HARI), a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to assisting member hospitals to meet the health care […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Art After Dark at Newport Art Museum will Present ‘Productive Disruptions’ on April 13
(Newport, RI – March 23, 2017) – The Newport Art Museum’s sparkling monthly late night affair Art After Dark is back next month on Thursday, April 13 from 5 – 9 pm. Each Art After Dark has unique programming for the whole family. This event joins the ranks of the many events and educational programs the Museum currently offers in its galleries at 76 Bellevue Avenue, Newport. And the best news. […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Petition Circulates That Would Ban Balloon Releases on Aquidneck Island
A Change.Org petition that would prohibit the release of balloons outside on Aquidneck Island has already gathered more than 400 signatures. Started by Clean Ocean Access, the petition states that “prohibiting the release of balloons outside on Aquidneck Island will further promote our island-wide environmental stewardship and attract more visitors to enjoy the natural beauty […]
Posted inNews
Let’s Face It, Newport Has A Dog Poop Problem
With the recent ban on single-use plastic bags and the proposed ordinance to hold merchants responsible for cigarette butts and debris in front of their business, we need to talk about Newport’s big dog poop problem. I’m going to start with this letting you know (if you don’t know already) that I’m a dog owner. My […]
Posted inCity & Government
City Council Votes to Move Forward with Acquiring New Fire & Rescue Boat
This story was originally published on February 28th, it was last updated on March 22nd. Six months after becoming the talk of the town, the City Of Newport has moved forward with acquiring a new fire boat.awarding a contract to build a new fire boat for Newport Fire Department. At their March 22nd meeting, Newport […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, Things To Do
Inaugural Newport Rhode Races kicks off Marathon Weekend in April
The inaugural Spring Newport Rhode Race will be held on Saturday, April 15th in Newport, Rhode Island at Easton’s Beach. Race weekend features a full and half Marathon as well as a 5k, all starting on Memorial Blvd in Newport. We are expecting to host runners from nearly all 50 states and 5 countries and […]
Posted inCity & Government
Ordinance Coming That Will Require Merchants to Clean Up Cigarette Butts and Debris
This story was originally published on February 22nd, last updated on March 22nd. Newport City Council is looking to tackle cigarette butts and litter on the city’s sidewalks by holding local merchants more responsible for making sure the area in front of their businesses are clean of cigarette butts and debris. At their March 22nd […]
Posted inCity & Government
Teresa Paiva Weed Takes Job with HARI, Will Resign as Senate President and Senator
M. Teresa Paiva Weed, the state’s first woman to serve as President of the Senate in Rhode Island and state senator from District 13 (Newport, Jamestown) since 1992, announced today that effective May 1, 2017, she will accept the presidency of the Hospital Association of Rhode Island (HARI), a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to assisting […]
Posted inThings To Do
12 Speakers Will Share Their ‘Growing Ideas’ at TEDxSalveReginaU event on March 25
A dozen community speakers with expertise on a variety of topics will serve as presenters during a TEDx event being held on the Salve Regina University campus on Saturday, March 25. In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring […]
Posted inBusiness
VNS and Newport County Community Mental Health Center Will Train Each Other’s Clinical Staff
Visiting Nurse Services of Newport & Bristol Counties (VNS) have received grants from the van Beuren Charitable Foundation and the Rhode Island Foundation for support of a collaborative pilot project. VNS professional staff will be training in behavioral health and Newport County Community Mental Health Center (NCCMHC) nursing staff will be training in chronic medical […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport County Legislative Forum Rescheduled for April 27th
The Aquidneck Island Planning Commission (AIPC) has rescheduled its 2017 Newport County Legislative Forum. Previously scheduled for March 15 but postponed due to weather, the event will be held Thursday, April 27, from 8:30 – 10 a.m. The 2017 forum is AIPC’s second annual legislative forum and part of its ongoing “Smart Island” series of […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News
Enright, Towill Announce They Will Race for Vestas 11th Hour Racing in next Volvo Ocean Race
At a Volvo Ocean Race press conference and pep rally this morning, Vestas and 11th Hour Racing announced their partnership in support of the fourth team to join the 2017-2018 Volvo Ocean Race. Under the leadership of two experienced sailors from the 2014-15 race, Charlie Enright and Mark Towill, the Vestas 11th Hour Racing team […]
Posted inThings To Do
Salve Regina University Set to Host 12th French Film Festival from March 26th to April 6th
Six thought-provoking films featuring subjects as wide-ranging as Versailles in the final days of the Ancien Regime, French colonial rule in the mid-20th century, life in contemporary Paris for immigrant schoolchildren and the trials and triumphs of a young medical student in a busy Parisian hospital will be featured when Salve Regina University presents its […]
Posted inNews
RI Foundation offers $10,000 Grants for Community-Building Projects in Newport County
The Rhode Island Foundation is offering Newport County libraries, schools, municipal agencies and nonprofit groups grants of up to $10,000 to fund proposals that bring residents together as a community. The deadline to apply is March 31. “We believe that community is created at the intersection of people, places, and traditions. Our goal is to […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport Public Schools Selected as Fuse Architect Pilot Site
Newport Public Schools (Rogers High School and the Newport Area Career & Technical Center) has been selected as one of seven Fuse Architect Pilot sites to implement ambitious student-centered learning (SCL) pilots in selected high school classrooms. The focus of this initiative supported by the Highlander Institute along with national and local partners is to […]
Posted inCity & Government
Representative Carson will host Constituent Meeting with Treasurer Magaziner
Representative Lauren Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport) will hold a constituent meeting March 27 with State Treasurer Seth Magaziner. The meeting is scheduled Monday, March 27, at 6:30 p.m. at the Edward King House Senior Center, 35 King St., Newport. All District 75 residents are welcome. Representative Carson will provide constituents with an update on legislative […]
Posted inBusiness
Five Star People’s Credit Union Best of Bauer for Exceeding 25 Years of 5-Star Ratings
People’s Credit Union has announced it is once again a top performer, earning a coveted 5-Star rating from BAUERFINANCIAL, the Nation’s Premier Bank and Credit Union Rating Firm. A five-star rating indicates that People’s Credit Union excels in areas including capital adequacy, profitability, and asset quality. People’s Credit Union has earned and maintained this top […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, Things To Do
Fourth Annual Newport Night Run Hits Record Registration
With nearly 1,000 runners already registered, the 2017 Newport Night Run will be the largest race to date. Gray Matter Marketing and the Newport Public Education Foundation continue their annual partnership on the Newport Night Run, an after-hours 5K run/walk to benefit the Foundation. With a cap of 1,200 participants and 1,000 runners already registered, […]
Posted inNews
Jason Segel Attends Screening of ‘The Discovery’ at Jane Pickens Theater on Monday Night
More than 400 people joined the film crew, director and some of the cast at Jane Pickens Theater on Monday night for a special screening of The Discovery, the movie starring Robert Redford, Jason Segel and Rooney Mara that was filmed throughout Newport in 2016 Following its world premiere at Sundance Film Festival, The Discovery […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Joan Meyer, 59, Middletown
Joan (McAloon) Meyer, 59, of Middletown passed away peacefully at home after a long battle with cancer. Born in Taunton, Mass., she was the daughter of late John and Mary (Morin) McAloon. She attended St. Joseph’s College in Maine and Kinyon Campbell Business School where she received a Certified Bookkeeping degree. She was the bookkeeper […]
Posted inCity & Government, Food & Drink
Governor Raimondo Kicks Off 2nd Annual Rhode Island Quahog Week
As part of continued efforts to support growth of the local food economy and in honor of Rhode Island’s fishing heritage, Governor Gina M. Raimondo today declared March 20 – 25, 2017 Quahog Week in Rhode Island. Raimondo and First Gentleman Andy Moffit joined state and food-industry leaders at a special celebration to mark the […]
Posted inThings To Do
Rogers High School Robotics Team Will Host Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser on April 2
The Rogers High School Robotics teams are holding a Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser at Sardella’s Restaurant, 30 Memorial Blvd on April 2nd from 4-7pm to help fund their trip to the National Competition. Tickets are available in advance from the team members, or by calling the school department’s administration office, 847-2100, Ext.219. Tickets will also be […]