The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) are lifting the public health advisories on Mashapaug Pond and the Roger Williams Park ponds in Providence; Melville Pond, Sisson Pond, St. Mary’s Pond, and Lawton Valley Reservoir in Portsmouth; Paradise Pond in Middletown; and Watson Reservoir in Little […]
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 inNews
Localized Heavy Snow Squalls Possible Through Late This Evening in Our Area
Localized heavy snow squalls are possible in our area through late this evening and may result in brief whiteout conditions and hazardous travel, according to the National Weather Service. Scattered snow showers are expected into this evening along and ahead of an arctic cold front. In addition, a few localized heavy snow squalls may result […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Salve Senior Among 54 College Seniors Selected to Compete as ‘Team Stars & Stripes’ in Mexico This Week
A squad of 54 college seniors selected from 22 NCAA Division III schools have come together in Mexico to form ‘Team Stars & Stripes’ for the eighth annual Tazón De Estrellas this week. Among the 54 players is Salve Regina University’s Middle Linebacker and Team Captain, Ethan Gambale. Gambale, an All-NEFC Second Team Linebacker and NEFC Academic […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport Police Department Seeks Help Identifying Shoplifting Suspect
Newport Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a shoplifting suspect. The person pictured in the photograph that has been provided by Newport Police Department reportedly stole five Playstation controllers from a store in Newport, the store appears to be Walmart. Anyone with information on this matter, should contact Newport Police Department Detective Wuest at […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport Police Department Addresses Car Break-Ins in Historic Hill Neighborhood
A local resident in the Historic Hill neighborhood reported on NextDoor that at 4:18 a.m. on Tuesday morning that several of her security cameras captured someone in a white hoodie and white painter pants trying to break into her car. Upon her forwarding the surveillance video to the Newport Police Department, Sergeant Jason Kleinknecht of the Newport […]
Posted inNews
Fall River Man Found Guilty of Committing Second Degree Sexual Assault in Aquidneck Park
Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin has announced that a Newport County Superior Court jury found James Dalton (age 61), of Fall River, MA, guilty yesterday of one count of second degree sexual assault. The jury returned the verdict in less than an hour after a one and one half day trial presided over by Superior […]
Posted inCity & Government
RI Foundation Offering $300,000 Grants to Improve Civic Engagement
Rhode Islanders with bold ideas for moving the state forward have until Fri., Dec. 16, to apply for $300,000 grants from the Rhode Island Foundation. This year, the Rhode Island Innovation Fellowship program focuses on proposals that increase or improve civic engagement. “We are marking our 100th anniversary with a year-long celebration of community. As we […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
2016 Mount Gay Rum Around Jamestown Record Recognizes Outstanding Sailors and Record Breaking Times
Competitors who successfully completed and set new records for the Mount Gay Rum Around Jamestown Record were recognized at a prize giving party hosted by the IYAC in Newport, RI this past Friday, December 9th. During the span of the five month long competition, 4 attempts were made at ousting the standing record, and Zach Marks […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Preppy Pig BBQ Will Permanently Close Jamestown and Warren Locations
Preppy Pig BBQ, named Rhode Island’s best BBQ by Thrillist, is closing its doors today at both the Warren and Jamestown restaurant in search of a bigger and better spot for their acclaimed barbecue cuisine. Both locations will be open under different ownership, and although they may look similar, they are not Preppy Pig BBQ. […]
Posted inNews
Block Island Wind Farm, the First U.S. Offshore Wind Project, Goes Online
The nation’s first offshore wind project, located in Rhode Island in waters off Block Island, began generating electricity yesterday, officially launching a clean energy technology that has the potential to power millions of U.S. homes and businesses while further bolstering America’s domestic wind energy industry. “Today’s launch of America’s first offshore wind project epitomizes […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter To Editor: Thank You For Support of 9th Annual Singing For Shelter
We wish to thank the community for its tremendous support of our 9th annual Singing For Shelter. Each year, we organize many of our island’s talented musicians to put on an acoustic Christmas concert-with all the money raised going to our homeless shelters-The McKinney Shelter and Lucy’s Hearth. This year’s concert was held on December […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up For The Week: Dec. 12 – 16
Discover what’s happening, new and to do this week for events and activities in and around Newport, RI! Christmas In Newport, a month-long celebration of the Holiday Season throughout Newport, begins on Thursday, December 1st! Monday, December 12 12 p.m. – Economic Update Luncheon on the Impact Of Arts at Newport Art Museum 12 p.m. – Cultural Connections Lecture: […]
Posted inJobs
50+ Companies Hiring Right Now In Newport (Dec. 12)
Looking for a job in or near Newport, RI? Whether you’re looking for a part-time job, seasonal gig or new full-time career, chances are that someone is looking for you out there. Have a job posting you would like to add to this list and have featured? You can add a listing here. Featured Listings: […]
Posted inCity & Government
Aquidneck Island Road Construction Report for Week of Dec. 12 – 17
Here is what’s happening for road work, closures and detours in and around Newport, RI this week. Roadwork scheduled by Rhode Island Department Of Transportation: 12/12 – 12/16 Newport: Broadway at Marlborough St., shoulder closures possible for construction, Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Roadwork scheduled by Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority: 12/11 – 12/17 […]
Posted inCity & Government
Representative Carson’s Tourism Commission Will Meet Today
The Special Legislative Commission to Study Methods for Growing Tourism in the State of Rhode Island Through Coordinated Branding and Marketing Efforts will meet Monday to discuss a variety of tourism efforts. The meeting is scheduled Monday, Dec. 12, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in Room 101 on the first floor of the State […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council: Agenda and Meeting Preview (Dec. 14)
The newly sworn-in Newport City Council will host their first City Council meeting on December 14th. The following items of business, filed with the City Clerk under the Rules of the Council, will come before the Council at its regular meeting to be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Newport City Hall. […]
Posted inNews
Photo Gallery: It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas In Newport
Christmas In Newport has begun, Bowen’s Wharf hosted their 46th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, Santa has begun visiting the neighborhoods of Newport, and the Newport Skating Center has re-opened and hosted their annual Christmas Tree Lighting; it’s certainly beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Newport! Here are some of our favorite Instagram photos […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up For This Weekend: December 9 – 11
Discover the best, events, activities and things to do during this first weekend of December and Christmas in Newport! Here’s our updated schedule of events for the inaugural Newport Holiday Stroll, what day will you be strollin’? Schedule For Saturday, Dec. 10th – http://bit.ly/2gsIvWDSchedule For Sunday, Dec. 11th – http://bit.ly/2fMEIVN Friday, December 9 All Day […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Give the Gift of Jazz: Newport Jazz Festival Flex Tickets
If you’re still looking for that special holiday present for a music lover, give the gift of jazz – a memorable trip to the 2017 Newport Jazz Festival® presented by Natixis Global Asset Management August 4 – 6. Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc. is making gift-giving easier by offering flexible (Flex) tickets priced at just $59.00 while supplies […]
Posted inThings To Do
Three-Time Olympian Elizabeth Beisel Will Host Swim Clinic at Newport County YMCA
Elizabeth Beisel burst on the national scene at the age of 13 and has proven to be a force in USA Swimming for the last 10 years. The three-time Olympian has joined the Fitter and Faster team and will host a swim clinic at the Newport County YMCA in Middletown on December 27, 2016. At the […]
Posted inNews
Alixe Callen Will Become the First Female Head of School in St. George’s History
The St. George’s School Board of Trustees earlier today (December 9th) the appointment of Alexandra “Alixe” Callen as their 12th head of school. Callen will become the first female to lead St. George’s when she begins her tenure on July 1, 2017. Callen, the head of the upper school at Lakeside School in Seattle, Wash., […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Art Museum Announces 89th Annual Winter Speaker Series
The Newport Art Museum’s annual Winter Speaker Series returns Saturday, January 7 at 2pm for its 89th season. The series will include seven lectures on a variety of topics and will run Saturdays at 2pm, January 7 – February 25 (no talk on February 18th), in the Museum’s Griswold House at 76 Bellevue Avenue, Newport. […]