Rogers High School was placed in a brief Shelter In Place on Wednesday afternoon, due to an anonymous phone call. Cathy Nash, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent, shared the following message with What’sUpNewp at 1:33 pm. “Rogers High School is currently in Shelter In Place, based on an anonymous phone call. Out of an abundance of caution, police are on the […]
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 inInstagram, News, Nonprofit, Things To Do
Ocean Hour Farm to host first public tours
Ocean Hour Farm will open to the public for the first time, offering guided tours of its 43-acre property in Newport. Visitors to the farm, which formerly operated as the SVF Foundation, will witness the farm’s transition to regenerative farming and learn how they can contribute to protecting ocean health. “We’re excited to welcome the […]
Posted inNews
Uzo Aduba, Angela Kinsey join lineup for Hall of Fame induction celebration
Tickets for the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s 2025 Induction Ceremony honoring Maria Sharapova and Bob and Mike Bryan are now on sale, along with single-event tickets to the 2025 Induction Celebration’s multi-day lineup of new and returning programming, including Courting Fashion, Fitz and the Tantrums concert, and the first ever Hall of Fame Celebrity […]
Posted inNews
Morning Notes: Newport Pride Month kicks off with flag raising ceremony, community march, and proclamation
Good Morning, Newport! Today is Wednesday, June 4, the 155th day of 2025. There are 210 days left in the year. 🚨 You need to know Newport’s 2025 Pride Month kicked off on Monday (June 2) with a Pride Flag ceremony and march, involving community leaders, activists, and allies. Flag holders met at Equality Park […]
Posted inInstagram, News
Australian National Maritime Museum confirms Captain Cook’s vessel as shipwreck in Newport Harbor
The Australian National Maritime Museum has released its final report confirming that the shipwreck site RI 2394 in Newport Harbor, is the remains of HM Bark Endeavour, the vessel made famous by Captain James Cook’s voyage of discovery to Australia and New Zealand. The report, released June 4, represents the culmination of 25 years of […]
Posted inCity & Government
Governor McKee proclaims June Pride Month in Rhode Island, State House to shine with pride colors
Governor Dan McKee today issued a proclamation recognizing June as Pride Month in Rhode Island. “This proclamation not only honors the history and contributions of the LGBTQ+ individuals but also reaffirms that Rhode Island is a place for everyone,” said Governor McKee. “During Pride Month and beyond, we will continue to stand firmly against intolerance to […]
Posted inNews, Things To Do
Newport International Boat Show tickets now on sale for 54th annual event
The Newport International Boat Show is gearing up for its 54th year, with tickets now available for the September 11-14, 2025, event. Held at the Newport Yachting Center Marina in downtown Newport this year’s show is set to be bigger and better than ever. New to the lineup are Tech Talks, offered in partnership with […]
Posted inNews
47 from Newport County among Salve Regina’s Class of 2025
Nearly fifty students from across Newport County proudly walked the stage as Salve Regina University celebrated its 75th Commencement recently. President Dr. Kelli J. Armstrong conferred a total of 743 degrees upon the Class of 2025, with a significant representation from Jamestown, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Portsmouth, and Tiverton earning their hard-earned diplomas. The following […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Music & Entertainment, Things To Do
‘Wise Guys of Comedy’ set to bring laughter to The JPT in August
Get ready for a night of laughs as The Wise Guys of Comedy take over The JPT Film & Event Center on Aug. 22 at 8 p.m. Spectacle Live is bringing this comedy show featuring Ace Aceto, Frank Santorelli, and Brad Mastrangelo to Newport. Rhode Island’s own Ace Aceto is kicking things off as the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Robert Cray, Toad the Wet Sprocket, and Masters of Illusion coming to Historick Park Theatre
The Historic Park Theatre & Event Center in Cranston is gearing up for an exciting fall season with a lineup of top-notch performers. Blues legend Robert Cray and his band are hitting the stage on Sunday, September 28 at 7:30 p.m. With five Grammy Awards to his name and 19 studio albums to his credit, […]
Posted inArts & Culture, City & Government, History, News
“Our Town” documentary series coming to Tiverton
Rhode Island PBS and The Public’s Radio are collaborating with Tiverton residents to produce a local documentary for their “Our Town” series. Part documentary film, community-building initiative, and fundraising effort, each edition of the “Our Town” series offers a collection of historical events, local traditions, and personal stories from a Rhode Island town. An informational […]
Posted inNews
Morning Notes: Middletown puts “Middletown Center” public hearings on hold
Good Morning, Newport! Today is Tuesday, June 3, the 154th day of 2025. There are 211 days left in the year. Weather Forecast Today: Sunny, with a high near 73. Light west wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 54. South wind around 6 mph […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Jim Heskett’s new exhibition “Light, Dark, Water” to open at CUSP GALLERY
Jim Heskett, a renowned visual artist, is showcasing his latest collection of acrylic paintings in a solo exhibition called “Light, Dark, Water.” The show opens at CUSP GALLERY (51 Touro Street) on June 6, 2025. The exhibition features more than a dozen new pieces that push the boundaries between what we can see and what […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up in Newport County this week and weekend: June 2 – 8
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport County, Rhode Island, this weekend, Monday, June 2 through Sunday, June 8. Are you organizing an event? Submit events to our community calendar. Monday, June 2 Things To Do 10 am: Free self-guided tours at Eisenhower House 1 pm: Newport Open at Newport Country Club […]
Posted inCity & Government
Road Work Ahead: Bellevue Avenue repairs to disrupt traffic flow
Heads up, Newport drivers! Road work is scheduled to begin today on Bellevue Avenue and will continue through June 6. Here’s what you need to know: Rhode Island Energy has contracted Hartford Paving to make concrete repairs near William Street. This work will impact traffic flow in the area, so be prepared for some changes […]
Posted inNews
Morning Notes: Newport to hoist Pride Flag this evening, kicking off month of celebrations
Good Morning, Newport! Today is Monday, June 2, the 153rd day of 2025. There are 212 days left in the year. Weather Forecast Today: Sunny, with a high near 66 degrees. Northwest wind 6 to 11 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50 degrees. Southwest wind 5 to […]
Posted inSports
Story knocks in 3 runs and Crochet strikes out 12 in 7 innings to lead Red Sox past Braves 3-1
By RICK FARLOW Associated Press ATLANTA (AP) — Trevor Story had a three-run double in the first inning and Garrett Crochet struck out 12 in seven innings of one-run ball, leading the Boston Red Sox to a 3-1 win over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday. Story went 2 for 3 and just missed a grand […]
Posted inNews
Morning Notes: Runners take over Newport streets for 10 Miler; Author Lian Dolan & Musician Tom Rush later today
Good Morning, Newport! Today is Sunday, June 1, the 152nd day of 2025. There are 213 days left in the year. Weather Forecast Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Southwest wind 13 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 48. Southwest wind 7 […]
Posted inArts & Culture
For Safer Streets: Ocean Drive swaps cars for bikes again at ‘Elliot’s Ride for Everyone’
On Saturday morning, June 7, Newport’s iconic Ocean Drive will close to cars and open to people – biking, walking, rolling, strolling, and enjoying the coastline car-free. It’s Elliot’s Ride for Everyone, Bike Newport’s annual open-road celebration of safe cycling and community fun! Everyone is welcome – people of all ages, abilities, and wheels – including […]
Posted inNews
BankNewport 10 Miler returns to Newport this Sunday
The BankNewport 10 Miler is set to return to Newport on Sunday, June 1, bringing with it road closures and potential traffic delays along the city’s picturesque waterfront. Starting and finishing at Fort Adams State Park, the annual race will impact local traffic from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. as runners make their way around Ocean […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Gallery Sitka and Newport Wine Cellar to host a Summer Solstice Art Show
Gallery Sitka and Newport Wine Cellar & Gourmet are joining forces to host a “Summer Solstice” art show and wine tasting on June 13 in Newport, R.I. The event is part of the monthly “2nd Fridays/All You Need is Art & Wine” series and runs from 4:30-6 p.m. at The Tasting Room next to Newport […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport’s Canine Couture Show makes a comeback at Rough Point
Dog lovers, get ready! The Newport Restoration Foundation (NRF) and the Potter League for Animals (PLFA) are bringing back the Newport Canine Couture Show to Rough Point estate on June 7. This unique event draws inspiration from NRF founder Doris Duke’s flair for style and her love of animals. Dogs will strut their stuff on […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Sam Waterston to revisit ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Newport lecture
Emmy-winning actor Sam Waterston is bringing Nick Carraway back to life in a special event celebrating the 100th anniversary of “The Great Gatsby” at Newport’s historic Rosecliff mansion. The Preservation Society of Newport County is hosting “The Great Gatsby Revisited: An Evening with Sam Waterston” on July 9, 2025. Waterston will sit down with NBC […]
Posted inNews
Morning Notes: IYRS grads set sail, Rotary Polo aids scholars on busy Newport County Saturday
Good Morning, Newport! Today is Saturday, May 31, the 151st day of 2025. There are 214 days left in the year. Weather Forecast Today: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 11 am, then a slight chance of showers between 11 am and noon. Areas of fog before noon. High near 66. Southeast wind 11 to […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Jane Pickens Theater will serve up cult classics, new Wes Anderson film in June
The Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center (The JPT) continues its dynamic film series with timeless classics from the 1950s, 1970s, and 1980s. Whether you’re a fan of teenage romcoms, dystopian crime, or seeing an old favorite black-and-white film brought back to life through live performance, The JPT has something for every film fanatic. Sip […]