US merchants brought slaves not just to the Caribbean and the North American colonies in the 18th century, but also to labor in South America. American merchants (almost all Rhode Islanders) played a significant role in the trade of slaves from Africa to the Río de la Plata in Argentina and Bolivia. While most enslaved […]
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 inFood & Drink, News
Craft Beer Corner: Our Top Five Favorite Beer Pouring at The Wharf Pub
Our top five is back! With so many to choose from how do you choose just one? At the Wharf Pub we try to nail it down to our favorites of the week. This week here are our top five picks that are currently pouring from our draft lines: Founders Breakfast Stout (Gran Rapids, MI) […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Richard Long of Newport
Captain Richard R. Long, USNR, Ret. of Newport, RI, died peacefully on Tuesday, February 21st, 2017 following a period of failing health. Richard grew up in Auburn, MA, the son of William and Dorothy (Rice) Long. He met his wife of 57 years, Virginia (Monigle) Long, while she was in high school and he was […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Katherine Elizabeth Browner of Newport
Katherine Elizabeth Browner of Newport passed away quietly on Wednesday, February 22, 2017. She was the daughter of the late Frances G. Batey and Russell E. Batey (North Providence, RI). Katherine was born in Newport on May 6, 1950, attended the public schools of Newport, and was a lifelong resident. Katherine married Michael N. Browner, […]
Posted inNews
Norwegian Airlines to Bring First-Ever Year-Round European Routes to T.F. Green Airport
Speaker Nicholas A. Mattiello (D-Dist. 15, Cranston) and Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed (D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown) joined the Rhode Island Airport Corporation to announce today (February 23rd) that Norwegian Airlines will begin service this summer from T. F. Green Airport (PVD) to Belfast, Cork, Dublin, Edinburgh and Shannon. The following is a press […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Ronald W. Atkins of Portsmouth
Ronald W. Atkins of Portsmouth, RI passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2017. Born in St. Joseph, Missouri on October 31, 1939, he was predeceased by his parents Iola (Round) and Ovid M. Atkins. He is now reunited in Heaven with his beloved wife of fifty years Linda Susanne (Norris), who predeceased him in 2013. […]
Posted inCity & Government
Navy Higher Education Libraries Announce Digital Archives and Preservation Collaborative
U.S. Naval War College (NWC) Library has announced initial implementation of TRIREME digital repository and preservation system. The name TRIREME comes from the ancient Mediterranean maritime vessels with three banks of oars. It stands as a metaphor for the three institutions of higher education involved in the initial pilot project: the Naval Postgraduate School in […]
Posted inCity & Government
Quick Recap: February 22nd Newport City Council Meeting
The following items of business came before the Newport City Council at its regular meeting to be held on February 22, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. No residents signed up to speak at the citizen’s forum. COUNCIL LIAISON UPDATES 1. PUBLIC HEARING- Recommended FY2018-2022 Capital Improvement Program. A copy for review is on file in the […]
Posted inCity & Government
(Updated) Enforcement of Plastic Bag Ban Would Begin on November 1st
After months of public meetings and discussion, the proposed plastic bag ordinance and implementation plan will go in front of Newport City Council on Wednesday, February 22nd. Update: At the February 22nd Newport City Council meeting, the resolution was continued to the March 8th meeting for a vote, because the ordiance had to be voted […]
Posted inBusiness
Middletown’s Wild Things, LLC Sells Business and Some Assets for $4.5 Million
MIDDLETOWN, RI – Mission Ready Services Inc. has announced that the closing of the previously announced acquisition of the business and certain assets of Wild Things, LLC, whose design studio and executive offices are located in Middletown, is scheduled for February 24, 2017 valued at USD $4.5 million, according to MarketWired. Chosen for the world’s most […]
Posted inBusiness
Embrace Home Loans Expands into Texas
MIDDLETOWN, R.I.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–In response to a strengthening housing market and demand for home financing across Texas, Embrace Home Loans, a prominent leader in the mortgage industry, has expanded into the state with its newest branch in Frisco. The branch is located at 2601 Network Blvd., and will serve the surrounding communities including Dallas and Fort […]
Posted inNews
Newport Biodiesel Provides Fuel for Tall Ship Oliver Hazard Perry’s Trip South
A one-of-a-kind ship with a special mission is now fueled with 20 percent biodiesel as it begins a voyage from New England to Florida, then on to Cuba in March. On February 21, 2017, the 200-foot Sailing School Vessel Oliver Hazard Perry took on 6,000 gallons of B20 at Newport Shipyard in Newport, Rhode Island. […]
Posted inBusiness
Rhode Island Red Food Tours Expands into Providence
Rhode Island Red Food Tours, which operates the Newport Neighborhood Food Tour, has announced they will launch the Downcity Food Tour, a new sister tour intended to share the Creative Capital’s history, food and arts scene with the world. The Downcity Tour will demonstrate why Providence is hailed as one of America’s best cities for its […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Newport Country Club to Host Local Qualifying in May for 117th U.S. Open
The United States Golf Association announced today local qualifying sites for the 117th U.S. Open Championship. The Newport Country Club, which hosted the first U.S. Open in 1895, will be among the nine courses that we be hosting qualifying on May 16th, 2017. The U.S. Open will be contested for the first time at Erin […]
Posted inNews
Jamestown Teen Will Face Charges in Fatal Pedestrian Crash on Broadway
The Newport Police Department announced Tuesday that the 17-year-old teenage driver involved in the fatal pedestrian crash that killed an 83-year-old Newport man on Broadway in Newport last week will be charged in the case, according to multiple reports. Donald Ritter was crossing Broadway at the intersection of Caleb Earl Street on February 8th when […]
Posted inBusiness
Newport Shipyard Prepares for Busy 2017 Season, Announces Major Events
Newport Shipyard will once again prove its prowess as New England’s “yachting hub” when a rush of superyachts head north to the famous “City by the Sea” after the America’s Cup in Bermuda this June. “Reservations for many of these yachts were made with us as early as last spring,” said Newport Shipyard General Manager […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for John Philip Souza Jr.
John Philip Souza Jr. 69 of Newport RI died on Sat Feb 18th. He was the husband of the late Barbara (Waltz) Souza. John was born on Jan 15, 1948 in Newport RI to Ruth (Tibbetts) Souza and the late John Philip Souza SR. SFC Souza was retired from the US Army after serving 22 […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Maraguerite Violet
Marguerite (Papadoulias) Violet, age 91, of Newport passed peacefully Sunday, February 19, 2017, at Grand Islander Health Care Center of Middletown, RI. Born on December 13, 1925, in Newport, RI, she was the daughter of the late Ernest and the late Angeliki (Rizos) Papadoulias. She was the wife of the late Melachrino M. Violet. Mrs. […]
Posted inOpinion
Op-Ed: Rhode Island’s Strong Defense and Undersea Technology Cluster
Rhode Island has a wealth of organizations engaged in some form of undersea technology and its applications. Many of these provide invaluable technologies and technical support to the Department of Defense (DoD) and contribute significantly to Rhode Island’s economy and job base. The Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport is our Nation’s premier undersea […]
Posted inCity & Government
Alliance for a Livable Newport Will Host Community Forum Featuring the Newport Utilities Department
Where does your drinking water come from? Where does your wastewater end up? Why does it all cost so much? The Alliance for Livable Newport (ALN) will host a Community Forum and Information session featuring Julia Forgue, Director of the Newport Utilities Department, and her staff who will explain their department’s responsibilities and operations. The […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Newport Storm Named Official Beer of Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade for Sixth Year
Newport Storm’s Spring Irish Red Ale has been welcomed back as the “Official Beer” of the 2017 Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. 2017 marks the 61st annual parade, and the sixth time that Newport Storm Brewery has been given the honor. “The Newport Storm Brewery can’t wait for the 61st Annual Newport St. Patrick’s […]
Posted inNews
$2 Million Powerball Ticket Sold In Rhode Island (Updated)
This story was originally published on February 19, 2017. No one won the $361 million Powerball jackpot on Saturday night, but someone in Rhode Island is $1 million richer. The $1 million ticket matched five numbers (03, 07, 09, 31, 33) but not the Powerball (20), according to the Rhode Island Lottery’s website. The location […]
Posted inNews, Things To Do
2nd Annual Quahog Week Kicks Off Across Rhode Island on March 20th
Quahog Week, which made its debut last year, returns to Rhode Island restaurants on March 20 – March 25, 2017. The week-long celebration highlights the importance of Rhode Island’s wild harvest shellfish to the state’s history, traditions, and economy. As part of the week, participating restaurants and markets will feature quahog-inspired menu items and deals, […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Donald W. Ritter
Donald William Ritter, 83, of Newport, Rhode Island and Harbour Island, Bahamas, passed away on February 15,, 2017. Donald was the son of Herbert R. and Meta H. Ritter and was raised in Ridgewood, New Jersey. He attended Choate and graduated from Trinity College, Hartford. He was a member of the Newport Reading Room, Spouting […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Newport to host first ever J Class World Championship in August
Just over one hundred years on from the advent of the Universal Rule, to which they were originally built, the J Class will this year get to race its first ever World Championship. The J Class Association has recently become an affiliate member of the International Maxi Association (IMA). The IMA administers the International Maxi […]